Diversidad de aves y mamíferos marinos en bahía San Pedro, costa de Purranque, centro-sur de Chile

between 2007 and 2009, we studied the diversity of seabirds and marine mammals inhabiting san pedro bay (purranque, coastal area of the osorno province). we assessed composition, diversity and abundance of these vertebrates that included 18 species of seabirds, with spheniscus magellanicus and puffinus griseus as the most abundant. two species of penguin, a gull and a tern breed in the area. marine mammal assemblages were composed of seven species, from which otaria flavescens and lagenorhynchus australis were the most abundant. a species of sea lion and an otter breed in the area. these results show the potential of this area for biological conservation and the development of special interest tourism initiatives, which promote conservation. based on this information, we recommend establishing long-term study programs that will provide guidance to the local community, in terms of planning, regulation and assessment of tourism activities that can be developed.