The growth and physical maturation of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) of the northern section of the western Mediterranean Sea were studied. Fitted Gompertz growth curves indicate that females grow faster than males when they are young, but their growth ceases and the asymptotic length is attained earlier than in males. Asymptotic length was greater in males (200 cm) than in females (194 cm). Males reached vertebral physical maturity at 15–20 years old and females earlier, at 13–18 years old. Cranial maturity was apparently achieved at similar ages and body lengths. The radius and ulna, however, completed their ossification much earlier, again showing sexual dimorphism, with females maturing at a younger age (5–6 years) and smaller body length (160–175 cm) than males (8–9 years and 170–181 cm). Age-related parameters of physical maturation and growth determined for this population were similar to those estimated for the striped dolphins inhabiting Japanese waters, while length-related parameters differed markedly between the two conspecific populations. It is concluded that the only age- or length-related parameter associated with body growth or ossification of the skeleton that is liable to be affected by density-dependent forces is the body growth rate or, as a consequence, the age at attainment of sexual maturity.

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Se presenta la versión en español del Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation- Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), un instrumento creado por el Core System Group para la evaluación del cambio terapéutico. El CORE-OM es un cuestionario que evalúa el malestar psicológico a partir de cuatro dimensiones: Bienestar subjetivo, Problemas/Síntomas, Funcionamiento general y Riesgo. Se describe el cuestionario y se exponen los estudios psicométricos realizados, los cuales indican que el instrumento posee un nivel de validez y fiabilidad adecuadas, así como una excelente aceptación y sensibilidad al cambio terapéutico. Con la supervisión y guía de miembros del equipo creador del CORE-OM, se realizó el proceso de traducción de la versión original en inglés. Colaboraron 12 personas competentes en ambas lenguas de diferentes lugares de España; posteriormente 64 castellano-parlantes de distintas condiciones y orígenes lingüísticos participaron en la revisión del instrumento. Así se obtuvo una versión definitiva en español del CORE-OM, de la que se derivaron las versiones más breves resultantes (CORE-SFA, CORE-SFB, CORE-10 y CORE-5) y todas ellas en versión femenina y masculina. Ahora que el CORE-OM está disponible para todos los psicoterapeutas de habla hispana (www.ub.edu/terdep/core), se hace necesario continuar con el estudio de validación con el objetivo de disponer de las propiedades psicométricas del instrumento en su versión en español.

This paper presents baseline information on maternal behaviour and lactation in the Mediterranean monk seal, with particular focus on the age at which pups are weaned. The study was conducted in the western Saharan population, the only surviving colony of the species. The first moult finished at a mean pup age of 72.3±17 d (N=17) and, in contrast to other taxonomically-related phocids, this process was not associated with weaning. Lactation lasted a mean of 119.4 d (N=9; range: 103–149 d) in the pups that could be monitored until full weaning had taken place. This period almost doubles the maximum lactation length reported in other phocid species. During the first week after birth the mother–pup bond was well developed and mothers always remained with their pups. The time invested in nursing (17%, SD: ±36) and in mother–pup interactions (14%, SD: ±32) was higher during this period than afterwards (8%, SD: ±23 and 4%, SD: ±19, respectively). After the first week, nursing continued but mothers started to leave their pups in order to feed at sea. Weaning occurred gradually. Already since birth, pups were active and mobile, and swam frequently before moulting or weaning occurred. Fostering and milk stealing were common patterns of behaviour for both lactating females and pups. In 26.6% of the suckling episodes observed in mother–pup pairs of known identity, pups suckled from females other than their mothers. Some females nursed more than one pup, at least occasionally, and in some cases a pup was fostered long-term by an alien female. The Mediterranean monk seal exhibits maternal-care characteristics that are more like otarids than phocids. This observation contradicts previous proposals that a short lactation period is a phylogenetic characteristic of phocids. Several of the unusual maternal traits observed may be favoured by year-round access to abundant food supply, availability of breeding sites, and mild climatic conditions. This information should be taken into account when designing conservation strategies for the species and, very particularly, in the implementation of pup rehabilitation programmes.