Abstract

ESPERON-RODRIGUEZ, Manuel  and  GALLO-REYNOSO, Juan Pablo. The re-colonization of the Archipelago of San Benito, Baja California, by the Guadalupe fur seal. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2012, vol.83, n.1, pp.170-176. ISSN 2007-8706.

The aim of this paper is to analize the re-colonization process of the San Benito Archipelago by the Guadalupe fur seal (Arctocephalus townsendi). The archipelago is of great importance for the species, since it can be consolidated in the future as a breeding colony, which would imply a great achievement for the fur seal's natural recovery. Population growth, population structure, feeding behavior, foraging trips duration (which shows an important feeding area near), behavior and pup attendance, are characteristics that help analyze and study this process; where San Benito grows as a colony and, therefore, is established as a new breeding colony. Furthermore, this expansion of the breeding territory might reflect the gregarious nature of the species, and fidelity to breeding areas as well. The importance of this work is that it is an initial description of the recolonization of a species that almost disappears. It can be expected to continue increasing the number of individuals at the archipelago, since it is unlikely that in a short period of time, the breeding territory and the food availability limit the birth of offspring and the population growth.

Keywords : Arctocephalus townsendi; population growth; population structure; feeding behavior; foraging trips; pups.