title: Conjoined Fetal Twins in a Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina).
abstract: In July 2013, a stranded harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) died giving birth to conjoined fetuses. The twins were joined at the abdomen and thoracolumbar spine with the vertebral axis at 180°. The cause of this unique anomaly--a first for this species--was not identified.
authors.affiliation: 1 The Whale Museum, 62 First Street N, PO Box 945, Friday Harbor, Washington 98250, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.affiliation: 2 SeaDoc Society, UC Davis Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center-Orcas Island Office, 942 Deer Harbor Road, Eastsound, Washington 98245, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Gaydos
authors.affiliation: 3 VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle, 20115 44th Avenue W, Lynwood, Washington 98036, USA.
authors.forename: Tori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McKlveen
authors.affiliation: 4 California Animal Health and Food Safety Toxicology Laboratory, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, 620 W Health Sciences Drive, Davis, California 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Poppenga
authors.affiliation: 1 The Whale Museum, 62 First Street N, PO Box 945, Friday Harbor, Washington 98250, USA.|2 SeaDoc Society, UC Davis Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center-Orcas Island Office, 942 Deer Harbor Road, Eastsound, Washington 98245, USA.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wicinas
authors.affiliation: 1 The Whale Museum, 62 First Street N, PO Box 945, Friday Harbor, Washington 98250, USA.|2 SeaDoc Society, UC Davis Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center-Orcas Island Office, 942 Deer Harbor Road, Eastsound, Washington 98245, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: 5 Animal Health Center, 1767 Angus Campbell Road, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada V3G 2M3.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raverty
mesh_terms: D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001344:Autopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D004420:Dystocia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D046049:Phoca / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000196:embryology*; D014861:Washington