First report of gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus, Lilljeborg, 1861) conjoined twin calves in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

Authors : ELENA TAMBURIN, ERICA CARONE, IRMA GONZALEZ LOPEZ, FELIPE GALVAN MAGAÑA

Pages : 951-954

View : 12 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In January 2014, gray whale insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Eschrichtius robustus); conjoined twin calves were found dead in Laguna Ojo de Liebre insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Scammon`s Lagoon);, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The thoracopagus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(united ventrally at the chest); individuals were conjoined in the thorax region, sharing the navel and genital area, but with two distinct heads and flukes. Although observed in humans and domestic animals, this case is rare among cetaceans. Some conjoined twin cetacean fetuses have previously been reported; however, this is the first report of the congenital anomaly in Eschrichtius robustus.
Keywords : Gray whale, twin calves, malformation, Baja California Sur, Mexico