Early pupping of a sub-Antarctic fur seal at Inaccessible Island, Tristan da Cunha
Loading...
Date
Authors
Bester, Marthan Nieuwoudt
Ryan, Peter G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
A sub-Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus tropicalis, pup was located on Inaccessible Island in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago (TdC), well before the start of the annual breeding (pupping and mating) season in 2018. It was born a few days before 27 September 2018, at least 59 days before the next pup was observed on the island in 2018 and 75 days before the median birthdate for the species at the TdC. A malfunctioning of the obligate delay of implantation of the blastocyst in its mother was likely the cause of the early birth.
Description
Keywords
Sub-Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis), Breeding season, Median birthdate, Delayed implantation, Early birth
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Bester, M.N. & Ryan, P.G. Early pupping of a sub-Antarctic fur seal at Inaccessible Island, Tristan da Cunha. Polar Biology (2019) 42: 1221-1224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-019-02510-7.