Volumen 45 - Número 1: 171-176 | 2010
Nota Científica

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Duración del proceso de parición y presentación del feto en el lobo marino común, Otaria flavescens en Punta Negra, Iquique, Chile

Jorge Acevedo^1* y Anelio Aguayo-Lobo²

¹Fundación Centro de Estudios del Cuaternario (CEQUA), Avda Bulnes 01890, Punta Arenas, Chile

²Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055, Punta Arenas, Chile

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Here we document the time involved and the influence of fetus orientation in the birthing process of Otaria flavescens. Our results show that breeching was significantly more frequent than cephalic orientation. The complete birthing process took in average 47.57 min, being the breech orientation significantly longest that the cephalic orientation, particularly from the time of appearance of the amniotic-allantoids sac to placenta in the vulva. Although the adaptive mechanisms involved in the complex process of evolution toward an aquatic life are ongoing, further study of birthing processes are recommended, which could in future provide indicators on such adaptive advantages. 

Key words: Cephalic and breech births, reproduction

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