From marinolori at outlook.com Sun Mar 1 08:15:03 2020 From: marinolori at outlook.com (Lori Marino) Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2020 16:15:03 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Call for Abstracts for Scholar-Advocacy Session at Superpod 7 Message-ID: If you are a student or early career professional in the natural sciences, humanities and the arts working on marine mammal conservation, welfare and rights this is your opportunity to share your work with other marine mammal professionals at Superpod 7 - an international gathering of scientists, policy makers, students, and advocates in Friday Harbor, WA. July 20-24, 2020. Deadline: May 15, 2020 Please submit a one-page abstract (with your name, email address, city and state) describing what you would like to present along with a brief bio to: Dr. Lori Marino lorimarino at kimmela.org or Mariah Kirby mariahkirby69 at yahoo.com Questions? Contact us. Sent from Mail for Windows 10 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cgb at smruconsulting.com Mon Mar 2 04:55:08 2020 From: cgb at smruconsulting.com (Cormac Booth) Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2020 12:55:08 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] NEW PAPER: Monitoring for PCoD in marine mammals Message-ID: All, We are pleased to announce the publication of our new paper available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00115/full Abstract: ?Assessing the non-lethal effects of disturbance and their population-level consequences is a significant ecological and conservation challenge, because it requires extensive baseline knowledge of behavioral patterns, life-history and demography. However, for many marine mammal populations, this knowledge is currently lacking and it may take decades to fill the gaps. During this time, undetected population declines may occur. In this study we identify methods that can be used to monitor populations subject to disturbance and provide insights into the processes through which disturbance may affect them. To identify and address the knowledge gaps highlighted above, we reviewed the literature to identify suitable response variables and methods for monitoring these variables. We also used existing models of the population consequences of disturbance (PCoD) to identify demographic characteristics (e.g., the proportion of immature animals in the population, or the ratio of calves/pups to mature females) that may be strongly correlated with population status and therefore provide early warnings of future changes in abundance. These demographic characteristics can be monitored using established methods such as visual surveys combined with photogrammetry, and capture-recapture analysis. Individual health and physiological variables can also inform PCoD assessment and can be monitored using photogrammetry, remote tissue sampling, hands-on assessment and individual tracking. We then conducted a workshop to establish the relative utility and feasibility of all these approaches for different groups of marine mammal species. We describe how future marine mammal monitoring programs can be designed to inform population-level analysis.? Cited as: Booth, C. G., Sinclair, R. R., & Harwood, J. (2020). Methods for Monitoring for the Population Consequences of Disturbance in Marine Mammals: A Review. Frontiers in Marine Science, 7, 115. doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00115 If you?d like a copy, please contact me at cgb at smruconsulting.com Kind regards, Cormac Booth Dr Cormac Booth Principal Scientist [SMRU_Consulting_Horizontal_(rgb) (1)_smaller] SMRU Consulting | New Technology Building | North Haugh | St Andrews | Fife KY16 9SR | UK Email: cgb at smruconsulting.com |Tel: +44 (0)131 46 38 555 |Mob: +358 40 321 9235 | Main Office: +44-1334-464746 www.smruconsulting.com | Twitter: @SMRU_Consulting | http://www.linkedin.com/company/smru-marine?? P Please consider whether you really need a hard copy of this email before printing it - thank you NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY: This message, and any attachments, are intended solely for the addressee and may contain privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you believe that you have received this email in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy this email. Although we have taken steps to ensure that this email and any attachments are free from any virus, we advise that, in keeping with good computing practice, the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free. SMRU Consulting is a trading name of SMRU Limited, which is a limited company registered in Scotland, Registered Number: SC296937. Registered Office: 5 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 8EJ. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 4445 bytes Desc: image001.jpg URL: From barbara at oceanomaredelphis.org Mon Mar 2 07:34:36 2020 From: barbara at oceanomaredelphis.org (Barbara Mussi) Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2020 16:34:36 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] IschiaDolphin Project 2020 - Internship in Mediterranean Sea Message-ID: Oceanomare Delphis Onlus (ODO) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea. Since 1991, ODO runs the Ischia Dolphin Project, a field research project on cetaceans in the waters of the Campanian and Pontino Archipelagos. The Ischia Dolphin Project is funded through the participation of eco-volunteers coming from all over the world. The waters around Ischia are part of a marine protected area (?Regno di Nettuno? MPA, established in 2007); the region has also been listed in the IUCN Cetacean Action Plans as a critical habitat for the Mediterranean common dolphin, an endangered species. In addition, in 2017, the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force recognized the waters of Ischia and Ventotene (with common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin and fin whale as qualifying species) together with the Campanian and Pontino archipelagos (with sperm whale as qualifying species) as Important Marine Mammals Areas (IMMAs). We are currently looking for FIELD INTERNS to join our expeditions. The aim of the internship is to provide a hands-on experience on cetacean surveys, including the collection of data on acoustic, behaviour and habitat use. Students willing to write a thesis or an internship report may ask for supervision. Target species of the project are the sperm whale and the bottlenose dolphin. Surveys are conducted daily onboard of our research vessel from May to September. Interns will assist the research team with both data collection and boat chores (cooking, cleaning and so on). A minimum of three consecutive weeks onboard is required. Prerequisites are: - a background in biology/environmental science or similar - a keen interest and knowledge of Mediterranean cetaceans - good computer skills - good English language skills - ability to get on well with others in a small team and shared accommodation - be enthusiastic, hard-working, team-oriented, motivated and willing to work and learn - be adaptable, and flexible and patient, as fieldwork is highly weather-dependent - be comfortable with living on a boat for several days without the usual commodities - have a right and sociable attitude towards the eco-volunteers This is an excellent opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing a career in marine mammal research to strengthen their skills and to gain practical experience in the field. This is an unpaid position and successful applicants are responsible for their own transportation expenses to and from Italy. Oceanomare Delphis Onlus will cover accommodations (on board our research vessel) and meals during the entire staying. If you are interested, please submit your CV and a cover letter to Barbara Mussi barbara at oceanomaredelphis.org by 30th March 2020. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From afahlman at whoi.edu Mon Mar 2 22:21:01 2020 From: afahlman at whoi.edu (Andreas Fahlman) Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2020 07:21:01 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Comparative respiratory physiology in cetaceans Message-ID: <957670CD-59D9-487A-B4A4-0236E00CE4C9@whoi.edu> Dear All We are happy to share our new publication looking at lung function in a number of cetaceans. We investigated lung function in 2 false killer whales and a juvenile beluga and compared these against previously published data. These data provide comparative estimates for tidal volume, respiratory frequency, and flow in a range of cetacean species. These data show that tidal volume in cetaceans is greater while breathing frequency is lower as compared with terrestrial mammals. However, tidal volume is only about 30% of total lung capacity, much smaller than most past studies have assumed. Abstract: In the current study we used breath-by-breath respirometry to evaluate respiratory physiology under voluntary control in a male beluga calf (Delphinapterus leucas, body mass range [Mb]: 151-175 kg), an adult female (estimated Mb = 500-550kg) and a juvenile male (Mb = 279kg) false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) housed in managed care. Our results suggest that the measured breathing frequency (fR) is lower, while tidal volume (VT) is significantly greater as compared with allometric predictions from terrestrial mammals. Including previously published data from adult bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) beluga, harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), killer whale (Orcinus orca), pilot (Globicephala scammoni), and gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) show that the allometric mass-exponents for VT and fR are similar to that for terrestrial mammals (VT: 1.00, fR: -0.20). In addition, our results suggest an allometric relationship for respiratory flow, with a mass-exponent between 0.63-0.70, and where the expiratory flow was an average 30% higher as compared with inspiratory flow. These data provide enhanced understanding of the respiratory physiology of cetaceans and are useful to provide proxies of lung function to better understand lung health or physiological limitations. Reference: Fahlman, A., Borque-Espinosa, A., Facchin, F., Ferrero Fernandez, D., Mu?oz Caballero, P., Haulena, M Rocho-Levine, J. Comparative respiratory physiology in cetaceans. Frontiers Physiology. 11(142): 2020. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00142 The article is open access and can be downloaded at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00142 Or a pdf can be requested through afahlman at whoi.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: smime.p7s Type: application/pkcs7-signature Size: 1487 bytes Desc: not available URL: From boto at live.co.uk Wed Mar 4 07:16:14 2020 From: boto at live.co.uk (Tony Martin) Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2020 15:16:14 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] River dolphin internships in the Brazilian Amazon In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: RIVER DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS IN BRAZIL STARTING SOON Once again, Projeto Boto is recruiting for 9-month internships in the Mamirau? Reserve, Amazon State, Brazil. We require fit, enthusiastic, hard-working fieldworkers who will carry forward our long-term study of botos (Amazon river dolphins). Due to close involvement with local communities, interns are required to have at least moderate Portuguese language skills, or to speak excellent Spanish, in addition to English. Unfortunately, there can be no exceptions. In previous years we have received many applications from people who do not fulfil these language criteria, and this is counter-productive for all. Please only apply if you have the necessary skills. Projeto boto was established in 1994. To date it has hosted more than 60 interns of many different nationalities. The Project's objective is to conserve the boto, and the sympatric tucuxi, through research leading to greater understanding of the biology and ecology of these dolphins. In recent years we have also spent considerable time investigating the impacts of fisheries on these species, and especially a harpoon hunt, in which thousands of botos are killed each year for fish bait. Over the years, our interns have collected vital data on the loss of dolphins that we are now directly using to help conserve and protect them. We are seeking two people to commence work as soon as possible. Because of visa restrictions introduced by the Brazilian Government, which restrict the length of stay of many nationalities, we may need to give priority to applicants from South American countries. Our work is centred on a floating lab/accommodation base, moored in the flooded forest. The research team comprises 3-5 people, who maintain daily observational boat-based research effort year-round. A typical day involves 7 hours on the water in a covered boat, photographing each dolphin in each group encountered. On return to base, the photos are downloaded, dolphins identified and the data entered into a database. The basis of the work is the piecing together of the lives of 700 individually recognisable dolphins, to provide publishable information on such diverse topics as growth, reproduction, habitat use, social system, seasonal movements, survival rates, causes of mortality etc. Interns are provided with free accommodation and food, and receive a small monthly stipend (approx $100 US). Transportation to the fieldsite (near the town of Tef?, Amazonas) from Manaus is provided, but interns must arrange and pay for their own transportation to Manaus. They must also have adequate medical insurance. Please do not apply unless you know that you can obtain the airfare to reach Manaus. All necessary training is provided on site. Internships offer the opportunity of a lifetime. You will see dolphins, monkeys, caimans and exotic birds every day. These appointments reward hard work and dedication with unique experiences and a chance to stand out from the crowd in subsequent applications for higher degrees and employment. Successful applicants will: be aged 21-35 and physically fit speak at least moderate Portuguese or fluent Spanish, in addition to English be available for 9-12 months have completed a university degree, preferably in zoology or biology preferably have some fieldwork experience, especially in the use of photo-ID Applicants should please provide: Full CV, complete with age, nationality, linguistic skills, educational and fieldwork experience A letter explaining why you are prepared to dedicate 9 months of your life to this study. The names and email addresses of 3 referees who are familiar with you and your work. The date on which you would be available to start work in the Amazon. We will give preference to those available soon. Send this information by email to both of the Project co-ordinators, Dr Vera da Silva (vmfdasilva at gmail.com) & Prof. Tony Martin (boto at live.co.uk). Closing date is 18 March 2020. Applications fulfilling the above criteria will be acknowledged within 2 days of the closing date, but there will be no further communication unless the applicant is short-listed. Short-listed applicants will be notified by 22 March at the latest. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From EMONTIE at uscb.edu Tue Mar 3 08:20:47 2020 From: EMONTIE at uscb.edu (MONTIE, ERIC) Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2020 16:20:47 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Bottlenose Dolphin and Passive Acoustic Internships at University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) Message-ID: Bottlenose Dolphin and Passive Acoustic Internships in the Marine Sensory and Neurobiology Lab at University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) Current Need: Two summer interns to work with population and passive acoustic studies in fish and bottlenose dolphins in The Marine Sensory and Neurobiology Lab (Supervisor Dr. Eric Montie), Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) from May 18th ? August 14th, 2020. About Our Lab: Our research lab strives to understand the sensory and neurobiology of marine organisms. The more applied part of our research program focuses on studies that investigate how natural and human-made stressors impact marine life. These stressors include pollutants, noise pollution, and climate change. Currently, we use long-term passive acoustics to monitor estuarine soundscapes. Our research involves work with wild marine organisms like snapping shrimp, oyster toadfish, silver perch, black drum, spotted seatrout, red drum, and bottlenose dolphins. Internship Time Frames: Our research lab has an active internship program with a strong emphasis on soundscape ecology and bioacoustics. Available internships occur according to the following timelines. Candidates can apply throughout the year for these internships. (i) Summer internships (mid-May to mid-August); (ii) Fall/winter internships (mid-August to mid-December); (iii) Winter/spring internships (early-January to mid-May). Current Lab Focus: We are searching for two marine mammal interns for summer 2020 to assist with a collaborative funded grant. Our lab and collaborators will investigate how a predictable anthropogenic stressor (i.e. dredging) interacts with other stressors (i.e. exposure to contaminants, noise pollution, and vessel traffic) to affect the health, distribution, and vital rates of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Position Information: May 18th to August 14th, 2020 although exact dates are negotiable. Interns are expected to commit to 30 hours per week, Monday through Friday, days and hours are flexible. For each intern, a stipend of $3900 is provided, which equates to $300 per week. Interns have the option to live at the Turnure House at the SCDNR Waddell Mariculture Center for $15/day ($105 per week), which includes all utilities and internet. Interns are responsible for finding their own transportation to campus. The internship is designed for undergraduates or recent graduates who want to gain research experience in marine ecology with a focus on bioacoustics, fish, and marine mammals. This is a great opportunity to work with scientists and graduate students in the field and lab while gaining experience with passive acoustics, deploying/retrieving recorders, photo-identification and boat-based marine mammal surveys. USCB offers a Masters of Computational Science for those interested in bioacoustics and signal detection (https://www.uscb.edu/academics/academic_departments/school-of-science-and-mathematics/computer-science/csci-graduate.html), and Dr. Montie serves as an adjunct in the College of Charleston Graduate Program in Marine Biology (http://marinebiology.cofc.edu/about-the-program/faculty-listing/montie-eric.php). Thus, successful interns may have future opportunities for graduate study at USCB or CoC. Location: This position is located at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, Bluffton campus. Bluffton, SC is located only 20 minutes from Hilton Head Island, SC. The campus is 10 minutes from the May River and 15 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. Duties Will Include: (1) Reviewing and analyzing passive acoustic data. (2) Participating in bottlenose dolphin abundance, distribution, and photo-identification surveys. (3) Helping with the deployment/retrieval of instruments. (4) Assisting graduate and undergraduate students with their research projects. Qualifications: * Minimum age of 18 years old; * Recently enrolled in a college-level program in marine biology, biology, zoology, or related field; * Strong interest in passive acoustics, fish, marine mammals, and conservation; * Experience with Adobe Audition, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, ArcGIS, and MATLAB is a plus; * Boat experience is preferred but not mandatory (successful interns will be required to take an online Boating Safety Course); * Excellent verbal communication skills, fluent in English; * Enthusiastic and dedicated with a strong ability to interact with others and be professional; * Responsible with a great work ethic and attention to detail; * Works well with a team and individually; * Ability to work long days in the sun/heat/cold on a small boat; * Must be a US citizen. How to Apply: Please submit an email to Dr. Eric Montie (emontie at uscb.edu) with the subject ?USCB Internship?. Please attach one Word or pdf document to the email and name according to the following format (i.e. Lastname_USCBapp_summer 2020). The application should include (i) a cover letter describing why you are interested in the position, how the experience will help you meet your long-term goals, and your dates of availability (less than 1 page); (ii) curriculum vitae or resume describing your relevant training and experiences as well as names and contact information of two references. Please include your GPA in your CV or resume. For the summer 2020 internships, the application period ends on April 3rd, 2020. Eric W. Montie, M.S., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biology Director of the Marine Sensory and Neurobiology Lab & The Lowcountry Dolphin Conservation Program Department of Natural Sciences University of South Carolina Beaufort One University Boulevard Bluffton, SC 29909 Office Phone: (843) 208-8107 Fax: (843) 208-8294 Email: emontie at uscb.edu https://www.uscb.edu/montie http://marinebiology.cofc.edu/about-the-program/faculty-listing/montie-eric.php https://www.facebook.com/MarineNeuroLabAtUSCB/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ehieb at disl.org Wed Mar 4 11:58:40 2020 From: ehieb at disl.org (Elizabeth Hieb) Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2020 13:58:40 -0600 Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?Dauphin_Island_Sea_Lab_=E2=80=93_Marine_Mammal?= =?utf-8?q?_Research_Internship?= Message-ID: The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) Marine Mammal Research Program seeks a motivated undergraduate or post BS-level intern to assist in data collection and sample processing related to ongoing marine mammal research projects. Successful applicants will assist graduate students and staff with various aspects of field and lab research on dolphin and manatee habitat use in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Field work will primarily include assisting with bottlenose dolphin photo-ID surveys, with potential for cetacean and manatee stranding response with the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network (ALMMSN). Field work will involve long hours on a boat in various weather conditions including heat, humidity, and rain. Lab responsibilities will include sample processing, data entry, and assisting with DISL?s Manatee Sighting Network (DISL/MSN) operations, including processing sighting reports, distribution of education and outreach materials, and participation in outreach events. DISL/MSN is a citizen-science based network to collect data on manatees in Alabama and nearby waters. You can learn more about DISL?s Marine Mammal Research Program at https://www.manatee.disl.org and https://www.disl.org/about/faculty/rcarmichael. Interested applicants should send a brief letter of interest, current CV, and availability to start to ehieb at disl.org. Start and end dates are flexible, but will run approximately mid-May through mid-August. Review of applications will begin immediately and end when the position is filled. Internship is paid through the Dauphin Island Sea Lab at a rate of $12/hr with a commitment of ~30 hours a week for 12 weeks with the potential to extend the internship depending on applicant fit and funding. Applicants are responsible for securing their own housing and transportation in the Mobile/Dauphin Island, Alabama area. Last date to apply: March 22, 2020. Elizabeth Hieb, M.S. Dauphin Island Sea Lab Manatee Sighting Network Research Technician 101 Bienville Blvd. Dauphin Island, AL 36528 Phone: (251) 861-2141 ext.7547 This document, including any attachments, contains privileged and/or confidential information. You may neither use, copy, nor deliver to anyone this document or any of its contents or attachments. All data (broadly defined as but not limited to numerical, descriptive, narrative, image, biological or environmental samples, raw or summary data, or any other content herein) belong to the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network (ALMMSN) and/or the Manatee Sighting Network under the auspices of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) as an agent of the state of Alabama. Use of these data in any form must be requested and approved by contacting Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael (rcarmichael at disl.org), contingent upon corresponding approval of the attending Veterinarian Dr. Alissa C. Deming ( ademing at disl.org). ALMMSN/MSN and DISL reserve the right to review, comment and consult on all data sharing and requests for data use. All data use, including analyses and products of any kind (print, oral, visual, archival, internal or external), after approval, must acknowledge and properly cite the DISL, ALMMSN and/or MSN, and data-specific personnel (that may include but not be limited to students, staff, faculty or administrators who contributed data). Approved data users must request the most up-to-date citation from Dr. Carmichael immediately prior to each use. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From menjilam at 163.com Tue Mar 3 20:23:45 2020 From: menjilam at 163.com (menjilam at 163.com) Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2020 12:23:45 +0800 Subject: [MARMAM] NEW PAPER: Age composition of the Pearl River Delta Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Message-ID: <2020030412234323655713@163.com> Dear all, My colleagues and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in the coming issue of Marine Biology: Guo L, Lin W*, Zeng C, Luo D, Wu Y*: Investigating the age composition of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in the Pearl River Estuary based on their pigmentation pattern. Marine Biology 2020, 167(4):50. ABSTRACT: Age composition is an important population parameter for understanding and managing endangered species. There are very few studies involving cetaceans in estimating the age of individuals in the wild. In this study, we rigorously quantified the body color pattern of 37 stranded Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), which showed a significant, albeit with variability between individuals, correlation with age for both the males (between age 1 and 35, r2?=?0.84) and females (between age 1 and 25, r2?=?0.85). The population-averaged correlation (r2?=?0.85) was then applied to a large volume of photo-identification data (2011?2015) to estimate the age composition of the population occurring in the greater deltaic region, which further suggested a spatial difference in age composition and, therefore, a complex demographic process of the humpback dolphin across the region. In particular, the age composition of humpback dolphins in the east PRE (Lingding Bay) is severely aged. Finally, a population viability analysis with the consideration of observed age structure and the simulated age-specific fecundity suggested that 95.75% of the Lingding Bay humpback dolphins are projected to be lost after three generations. Given the sophisticated anthropogenic landscape in the PRE, we suggest that management units of the humpback dolphins should be clearly defined and the regional-specific conservation measures are much needed. You can access the paper through the shared link as: https://rdcu.be/b2uvL or on request through https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339664955_Investigating_the_age_composition_of_Indo-Pacific_humpback_dolphins_in_the_Pearl_River_Estuary_based_on_their_pigmentation_pattern/stats . Regards Wenzhi Lin (Joe) Research Associate Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, CAS menjilam at 163.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From s.bengtsonnash at griffith.edu.au Thu Mar 5 01:35:18 2020 From: s.bengtsonnash at griffith.edu.au (Susan Bengtson Nash) Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2020 09:35:18 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Seeking 'Gene-jockey' for SOPOPP Humpback Whale PhD Position Message-ID: Dear MARMAM Colleagues, The Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program (SOPOPP) at Griffith University's Environmental Futures Research Institute, is currently seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our team investigating the fasting physiology and toxicological sensitivity of humpback whales through ?omic approaches. Suitable candidates will demonstrate a background in biochemistry and competence in molecular approaches. The successful applicant will need to secure an Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship /Griffith University Postgraduate Scholarship. Scholarships are merit based and applicants will need to demonstrate that they hold a 1st class honours or equivalent qualifications. Application Details: Interested applicants should send an expression of interest and CV to Associate Professor Susan Bengtson Nash (s.bengtsonnash at griffith.edu.au). Associate Professor Susan Bengtson Nash Program Director Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program (SOPOPP) SCAR: Chair of ImPACT | ARC: College of Experts | Scientific Reports: Editor Environmental Futures Research Institute (EFRI), Griffith University, Nathan Campus. 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia. Email: s.bengtsonnash at griffith.edu.au | Phone: +61 (0)7 3735 5062 | Mobile: +61 (0)437 888 711 Twitter: @Antarctica_POPs | Skype: s.bengtsonnash | Website: http://www.griffith.edu.au/environment-planning-architecture/southern-ocean-persistent-organic-pollutants-program [cid:9e5d60a0-6cfb-4104-84c4-3d40b9196438] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Outlook-umetrhm0.png Type: image/png Size: 39932 bytes Desc: Outlook-umetrhm0.png URL: From s.bengtsonnash at griffith.edu.au Thu Mar 5 02:40:50 2020 From: s.bengtsonnash at griffith.edu.au (Susan Bengtson Nash) Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2020 10:40:50 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication - Improved Pregnancy Detection in Humpback Whales Message-ID: Dear MARMAM Colleagues, We are happy to announce our latest publication in Scientific Reports: Dalle Luche, G., A. Boggs, J. Kucklick and S. Bengtson Nash (2019). "Androstenedione and testosterone but not progesterone are potential biomarkers of pregnancy in Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) approaching parturition." Scientific Reports. In this paper, we uncover a ?missing link? in current understanding of the reproductive endocrinology of female humpback whales, and provide an improved method of pregnancy detection in females approaching parturition. Abstract The blubber steroid hormone profiles of 52 female humpback whales migrating along the east coast of Australia were investigated for seasonal endocrine changes associated with reproduction. Individuals were randomly sampled during two stages of the annual migration: before reaching the breeding grounds (northward migration; June/July), and after departing from the breeding grounds (southward migration; September/October). Assignment of reproductive status of the sampled individuals was based on season, single-hormone ranks and multi-variate analysis of the hormonal profiles. High concentrations of progesterone (>19?ng/g, wet weight), recognised as an indicator of pregnancy in this species, were only detected in one sample. However, the androgens, testosterone and androstenedione were measured in unusually high concentrations (1.6?12 and 7.8?40?ng/g wet weight, respectively) in 36% of the females approaching the breeding grounds. The absence of a strong accompanying progesterone signal in these animals raises the possibility of progesterone withdrawal prior to parturition. As seen with other cetacean species, testosterone and androstenedione could be markers of near-term pregnancy in humpback whales. Confirmation of these androgens as alternate biomarkers of near-term pregnancy would carry implications for improved monitoring of the annual fecundity of humpback whales via non-lethal and minimally invasive methods. Link to full text: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-58933-4#Sec2 Associate Professor Susan Bengtson Nash Program Director Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program (SOPOPP) SCAR: Chair of ImPACT | ARC: College of Experts | Scientific Reports: Editor Environmental Futures Research Institute (EFRI), Griffith University, Nathan Campus. 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia. Email: s.bengtsonnash at griffith.edu.au | Phone: +61 (0)7 3735 5062 | Mobile: +61 (0)437 888 711 Twitter: @Antarctica_POPs | Skype: s.bengtsonnash | Website: http://www.griffith.edu.au/environment-planning-architecture/southern-ocean-persistent-organic-pollutants-program [cid:e27b154c-4e71-4540-874a-30061f428dd0] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Outlook-l40xbqnx.png Type: image/png Size: 39932 bytes Desc: Outlook-l40xbqnx.png URL: From chisato.yamamoto14 at gmail.com Tue Mar 3 21:15:33 2020 From: chisato.yamamoto14 at gmail.com (Chisato Yamamoto) Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2020 14:15:33 +0900 Subject: [MARMAM] NEW PAPER: Functions of post-conflict affiliation in bottlenose dolphins Message-ID: Dear Marmam list members, I'm pleased to announce the following paper on post-conflict bystander affiliation in bottlenose dolphins. Yamamoto C., Ishibashi T., Kashiwagi N., Amano M. (2020) Functions of post-conflict bystander affiliations toward aggressors and victims in bottlenose dolphins. Scientific Reports 10: 3776 This is an open-access and everyone can download this paper from the following site: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-60423-6 [Abstract] Post-conflict affiliations initiated by bystanders (bystander affiliation) toward aggressors or victims have been suggested to represent the function of conflict management in some social living species. However, the function of bystander affiliations toward aggressors and victims has not been examined in marine mammals. In the present study, we investigated the function of bystander affiliations to aggressors and victims in bottlenose dolphins: self-protection, the substitute of reconciliation, social facilitation and tension relief of opponents. These bystander affiliations did not reduce post-conflict attacks by former opponents against group members. Bystander affiliation to aggressors tended to be performed by a bystander who had an affiliative relationship with the aggressor but not with the victim. Bystander affiliation to victims also tended to be initiated by a bystander who had an affiliative relationship with the victim but not the aggressor and was close to former opponents at the end of aggressions. Affiliation among group members who stayed near former opponents during aggressions did not increase after aggressions compared to that under control conditions. Renewed aggressions between former opponents decreased after bystander affiliations in our previous study. Bystanders who showed social closeness to former opponents may initiate bystander affiliation toward their affiliative former opponents because they may feel emotion, such as anxiety and excitement, of former opponents. Bystander affiliation toward aggressors and victims may function as tension relief between former opponents. Bystanders of bottlenose dolphins, who may have a relaxed dominant style, might initiate post-conflict affiliation to affiliative individuals unaffected by the dominance relationships among them, unlike despotic species. All the best, Chisato Yamamoto -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jenn.tackaberry at gmail.com Thu Mar 5 22:15:02 2020 From: jenn.tackaberry at gmail.com (Jenn Tackaberry) Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2020 22:15:02 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?New_Publication-_From_a_calf=E2=80=99s_perspec?= =?utf-8?q?tive=3A_humpback_whale_nursing_behavior_on_two_US_feedin?= =?utf-8?q?g_grounds?= Message-ID: My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our new open access publication in *PeerJ* about humpback whale nursing behavior on the feeding grounds: Tackaberry JE, Cade DE, Goldbogen JA, Wiley DN, Friedlaender AS, Stimpert AK. 2020. From a calf?s perspective: humpback whale nursing behavior on two US feeding grounds. *PeerJ* 8:e8538 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8538 Link to full text with videos: https://peerj.com/articles/8538 Abstract: Nursing influences growth rate and overall health of mammals; however, the behavior is difficult to study in wild cetaceans because it occurs below the surface and can thus be misidentified from surface observations. Nursing has been observed in humpback whales on the breeding and calving grounds, but the behavior remains unstudied on the feeding grounds. We instrumented three dependent calves (four total deployments) with combined video and 3D-accelerometer data loggers (CATS) on two United States feeding grounds to document nursing events. Two associated mothers were also tagged to determine if behavior diagnostic of nursing was evident in the mother?s movement. Animal-borne video was manually analyzed and the average duration of successful nursing events was 23 s (?7 sd, n = 11). Nursing occurred at depths between 4.1?64.4 m (along the seafloor) and in close temporal proximity to foraging events by the mothers, but could not be predicted solely by relative positions of mother and calf. When combining all calf deployments, successful nursing was documented eleven times; totaling only 0.3% of 21.0 hours of video. During nursing events, calves had higher overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) and increased fluke-stroke rate (FSR) compared to non-nursing segments (Mixed effect models, ODBA: F1,107 = 13.57756, p = 0.0004, FSR: F1,107 = 32.31018, p < 0.0001). In contrast, mothers had lower ODBA and reduced FSR during nursing events compared to non-nursing segments. These data provide the first characterization of accelerometer data of humpback whale nursing confirmed by animal-borne video tags and the first analysis of nursing events on feeding grounds. This is an important step in understanding the energetic consequences of lactation while foraging. -- Jennifer Tackaberry Vertebrate Ecology Lab - Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Research Biologist - Cascadia Research Collective Adjunct Scientist - Center for Coastal Studies -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From lilianelodi at gmail.com Tue Mar 3 10:23:09 2020 From: lilianelodi at gmail.com (Liliane Lodi) Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2020 15:23:09 -0300 Subject: [MARMAM] Steno bredanensis Article Message-ID: <000501d5f188$cc3613c0$64a23b40$@gmail.com> Hi everyone! My colleague Guilherme Maricato and I would like to announce our new paper about rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Lodi L, Maricato G (2020). Rough-toothed dolphins (Cetartiodactyla: Delphinidae) habitat use in coastal urban waters of the South-western Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315420000132 Abstract: Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) are regularly present in continental shelf areas of the South-western Atlantic. However, there is little information on the natural history and ecology of these delphinids. This study evaluated the occurrence, habitat use and individual movements of the species in coastal waters off Rio de Janeiro, South-eastern Brazil. Data were obtained from boat surveys between August 2011 and May 2018, during which rough-toothed dolphins were sighted in 21 distinct events, predominantly in autumn and winter. The mean group size was 29 individuals. Rough-toothed dolphins were usually recorded 130 to 2300m from the coast, between 7.6 and 28m depths. In total, 115 individuals were catalogued through dorsal fin marks and 61 (53%) were resighted between one (47.5%) and four (9.8%) occasions. The interval between resightings ranged from seven to 2087 days (mean = 268). Agglomerative hierarchical clustering indicated 30 individuals (49.2%) in low degree, 12 (19.7%) in medium degree and 19 (31.1%) in high degree of site fidelity. Dolphins showed a higher frequency of low degree of habitat use, despite the presence of multiyear recaptures, which may be related to the prevalence of dolphin occurrence in autumn and winter, a large home range and/or the abundance and distribution of food resources. Dedicated surveys and regional collaboration are needed to evaluate the home range and population status of this species for their effective conservation. Our findings enhanced knowledge of this little studied species facing increasing anthropogenic threats in coastal waters off Rio de Janeiro. Author for correspondence: lilianelodi at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From selene.fregosi at noaa.gov Thu Mar 5 13:12:24 2020 From: selene.fregosi at noaa.gov (Selene Fregosi - NOAA Affiliate) Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2020 16:12:24 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication - Comparison of fin whale 20 Hz call detections by deep-water mobile autonomous and stationary recorders Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share the following publication: Fregosi S, Harris DV, Matsumoto H, Mellinger DK, Negretti C, Moretti DJ, Martin SW, Matsuyama B, Dugan PJ, Klinck H (2020). Comparison of fin whale 20 Hz call detections by deep-water mobile autonomous and stationary recorders. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 142 (2): 961-977 https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0000617 Abstract: Acoustically equipped deep-water mobile autonomous platforms can be used to survey for marine mammals over intermediate spatiotemporal scales. Direct comparisons to fixed recorders are necessary to evaluate these tools as passive acoustic monitoring platforms. One glider and two drifting deep-water floats were simultaneously deployed within a deep-water cabled hydrophone array to quantitatively assess their survey capabilities. The glider was able to follow a pre-defined track while float movement was somewhat unpredictable. Fin whale (*Balaenoptera physalus*) 20 Hz pulses were recorded by all hydrophones throughout the two-week deployment. Calls were identified using a template detector, which performed similarly across recorder types. The glider data contained up to 78% fewer detections per hour due to increased low-frequency flow noise present during glider descents. The glider performed comparably to the floats and fixed recorders at coarser temporal scales; hourly and daily presence of detections did not vary by recorder type. Flow noise was related to glider speed through water and dive state. Glider speeds through water of 25 cm/s or less are suggested to minimize flow noise and the importance of glider ballasting, detector characterization, and normalization by effort when interpreting glider-collected data and applying it to marine mammal density estimation are discussed. Please contact me at selene.fregosi at oregonstate.edu for a PDF or if you have any additional questions. Best, Selene -- *Selene Fregosi* Department of Fisheries and Wildlife | Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies Oregon State University | NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Hatfield Marine Science Center | 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365 (o)541.867.0177 (c)707.373.8299 bioacoustics.us | fregosi.weebly.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From interns at aimm-portugal.org Fri Mar 6 02:00:02 2020 From: interns at aimm-portugal.org (AIMM Internships) Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2020 10:00:02 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN PORTUGAL Message-ID: *DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN PORTUGAL* *BACKGROUND: *The Marine Environment Research Association - AIMM, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization focused on the research and conservation of marine species, running an ongoing study of cetaceans in southern Portugal (Algarve). This project aims to obtain baseline information on species occurrence, behavior, and social structure of the local cetacean populations in order to obtain scientific data to support conservation measures and inform marine management policies. The main species observed are Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), although other species such as Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) can also be sighted. AIMM Interns are young, hard-working individuals who are willing to contribute to the association and support on-going activities, while experiencing fieldwork at sea, learning data collection and processing methodologies, and being a part of AIMM's team of researchers and marine biologists for a period of time. All team members and participants share accommodation, house tasks, knowledge and experience in an environmental friendly and multicultural environment. Interns have the additional option to enrich their time with AIMM by beginning or improving their SCUBA skills with a PADI-certified instructor. *WHERE:* Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal *WHEN:* The field season lasts from 1st of May to 31st October 2020. The minimum internship attendance is 7 days, preferably starting on a Monday. *FIELDWORK: *The field trips are conducted in AIMM's research vessel, Ketos, or in opportunistic platforms (commercial dolphin-watching boats). Fieldwork is dependent on weather conditions and seat availability in the dolphin-watching boats. Field days can be intense, especially in the peak of summer, but are fulfilling and good fun. The interns will be trained to: ? Conduct on-board surveys of marine species occurrence; ? Record effort tracks on a handheld GPS; ? Collect data on behavior, group size, species, etc.; ? Collect photos to photo-identification, acoustic recording, and underwater videos while on-board; ? Secchi disk methodology; ? Help to collect of drone footage from the marine mammals. *DATA ANALYSIS: *This will be conducted on a daily basis and will entail entering data into established databases and spreadsheets, photo-identification processing, and preliminary data interpretation. *INTERNSHIP FEES:* AIMM is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from our volunteers, partners, and conservation-minded people like you so that we may continue our important research and education programs in the Algarve. This internship requires a monetary contribution which is used to off-set the cost of accommodation and running a non-profit. For more information on internship fees for the 2020 season, please contact: interns at aimm-portugal.org *Included* in the fee is: ? Accommodation in the research house; ? Transportation to/from the marina; ? Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); ? Fieldwork in the research vessel or commercial dolphin-watching vessels. *Not included* in the fee is: ? Transportation to/from Albufeira; ? Meals in restaurants and snacks; ? Free time activities; ? Personal insurance (all participants should have health and/or travel insurance); ? Personal expenses. *INTERNS ARE EXPECTED TO:* ? Be above the age of 16; ? Have a mature attitude towards marine mammal research and environment; ? Be autonomous and flexible; ? Be able to live and work in an international team and mainly outdoors at sea; ? Speak English; ? Participate for minimum 7 days. *Preference will be given* to those who have: ? Relevant marine mammal field experience ? Working experience on research vessels ? Experience working from dolphin/whale watching platforms ? Experience in photo-identification ? Availability to stay for longer periods of time *INTERNSHIP APPLICATION: * Applicants should fill up the online application at: https://www.aimmportugal.org/application-form AIMM will send a confirmation e-mail with all the details about the internship and asking for your Resume/CV, motivation letter (small statement on which are your expectations and why do you want to work with AIMM) and the period of time that you want to do the program. OR Applicants should send an e-mail to: interns at aimm-portugal.org, with the subject ?*DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP*?. You will receive and e-mail with the availability and all the other details. Applications will be accepted during all season. However, early application is recommended due to limited vacancies. The follow links are a shorts videos about the internship in Albufeira. You get a different perspective and feedback from old participants about it: https://youtu.be/hTJJQPHBdI0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zTIEQEsftA *Contacts*: interns at aimm-portugal.org | www.aimmportugal.org | -- *AIMM Portugal* - Ass. Investiga??o do Meio Marinho | Marine Environment Research Association *Website*: www.aimmportugal.org [image: AIMM Portugal | facebook] [image: AIMM Portugal | twitter] [image: AIMM Portugal | instagram] [image: AIMM Portugal | youtube] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From karen at northcoastmmc.org Mon Mar 2 12:59:50 2020 From: karen at northcoastmmc.org (Karen Helms) Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2020 20:59:50 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Summer Animal Care Internship-Northcoast Marine Mammal Center Message-ID: Summer Animal Care Internship Northcoast Marine Mammal Center The Northcoast Marine Mammal Center in Crescent City, California, is seeking applicants for several internships in marine mammal stranding response and rehabilitation. There is a $750 housing stipend for the first 3 confirmed interns, on a first come, first serve basis. Internships are a minimum of 12 weeks, with longer commitments encouraged. Applicants will be living and working in Crescent City, CA. Interns will participate in: * marine mammal rescue and health assessment * food preparation and feeding patients * wound care and medication administration * blood draw and subcutaneous fluid administration * observing surgeries and necropsies * cleaning pens, pools, kennels and hospital facility * large whale disentanglement training * fundraising events and special projects Qualifications: * must be physically fit with the ability to lift 50lbs and walk long distances on the beach in adverse conditions such as hot and cold temperatures, humidity, rain, and wind * must be willing to work 5 days a week including evenings, weekends, and holidays * must be self-motivated, articulate, reliable, and responsible * must work well independently as well as with a team * must possess a valid driver's license * must have experience with Microsoft Office, Word and Excel * interns are responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institution for university credit This is an unpaid position with no housing provided, however, we do offer a $750 housing stipend (3 pymts of $250). All interns are responsible for obtaining housing and transportation. A vehicle is preferred as public transportation is very limited and will not allow for participation in rescues and/or animal intake, which frequently happen on short notice. Application Deadline: April 13, 2020 Internship Start Date: June 1, 2020 To Apply: please include the following and submit via email to volunteer at northcoastmmc.org. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. No phone calls or faxes please. * a cover letter that includes preferred term length (12 week min./18 week max.) * a current curriculum vitae/resume * three references familiar with the applicant's academic/professional performance Karen Helms, Executive Director Northcoast Marine Mammal Center 424 Howe Drive, Crescent City, CA 95531 Office: (707) 465-6265 | Direct: (425) 444-1386 www.NorthCoastMMC.org [NMMC-Logo[web]] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 8350 bytes Desc: image001.jpg URL: From sskrovan at mlml.calstate.edu Thu Mar 5 15:04:34 2020 From: sskrovan at mlml.calstate.edu (Stefani Skrovan) Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2020 15:04:34 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Summer internships in animal care and Training Message-ID: *Would you like to work with a team that always puts the animals first?* Short-Term Seasonal Internships applications are now being accepted! *Animal Professionals to be proud of*: The SLEWTHS (*Science Learning and Exploration With The Help of Sea lions*) project is the non-profit arm of Animal Training and Research Intl, and is affiliated with Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and the California State University system. Located on the beautiful central coast of California, we function as a small teaching aquarium specializing in the highest levels of training with compassionate care. SLEWTHS is a long-term rescue facility for un-releasable sea lions. For more information, please visit our website at www.animaltraining.us Internship Applications are now being accepted for the SLEWTHS project. Two intensive internship levels are available for our June ? August 2020 terms: *Animal Care* (entry level), and *Animal Training* (candidates with training/animal experience). Each unpaid internship is 3 months in duration (extensions available for excellent candidates). Application deadline is April 1, 2020. These are unpaid positions, and interns are responsible for providing their own housing and transportation. Once accepted, SLEWTHS staff will do their best to assist in finding rental housing options. International applicants are encouraged, however no visa assistance can be provided. The *Animal Care Internship* is designed for those interested in a career with animals to gain valuable experience with world class animal training in a force-free environment. Interns will participate in and learn all aspects of husbandry such as food preparation, record keeping, daily cleaning, and facility maintenance. Interns may also participate in public outreach and conservation programs and current research, all with the cooperative help of sea lions. Our goal is to give interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training exposure. Optional certification is available in Animal Care. *"I love the passion everyone has in providing the best care for the animals. This project exceeded my expectations."* -Jacqueline Olvera (intern) *?The positive and enthusiastic attitudes of the SLEWTHS staff, gives this program really great energy. You all have created a safe environment which has made it easy and fun to learn.?* -Jennifer LaBar The *Animal Training Internship* is available for professionals or those who already have hands-on experience training or caring for animals. They will perform all the tasks above, but in addition, can train and work directly with our animals in both protected and free contact. Interns may also get credentialed up to trainer level (according to past experience). Interns must take the Animal Training 101course (additional cost), offered online at: https://animaltraining.us/registration-open-at-101-online/ or have taken another ATR workshop/course. *?The most valuable experience was my animal training sessions because it was the most hands on experience I had because I was able to see my improvements from the first session to the last and get valuable insight.?-* Mia Young (intern) *Interns must be:* ? 18 years or older. ? Able to commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week minimum. ? Available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays. ? Able to lift 50 lbs, work long hours, and work outside in all weather conditions. ? Able to maintain a positive attitude, good work ethic, sense of responsibility, and a strong willingness to learn. ? Able to obtain housing and transportation (public transportation in our area is very poor). *To Apply:* Instructions and applications at https://animaltraining.us/seasonal-volunteer-internship-position/ -- Stefani Skrovan Curator of Animals Moss Landing Marine Labs Animal Training and Research Intl. 8272 Moss Landing Rd Moss Landing CA 95039 831-771-4191 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From elena.fontanesi2 at studio.unibo.it Mon Mar 2 07:11:58 2020 From: elena.fontanesi2 at studio.unibo.it (Elena Fontanesi - elena.fontanesi2@studio.unibo.it) Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2020 15:11:58 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New Openings - Marine Fauna Internship- Discounted fee Message-ID: MARCH-APRIL INTERN POSITION 2020- DISCOUNTED FEE DELFINI DEL PONENTE RESEARCH PROJECT Cetacean and Marine Fauna research Delfini del Ponente is currently looking for and accepting interns to join our pilot project on bottlenose dolphins in the Westerns Ligurian Sea, Imperia (Italy) in March and/or April. Due to the late notice, discounted fees will be applied! The project The dolphin research project ?Delfini del Ponente? is the first project focused on monitoring bottlenose dolphins in the Western Ligurian Sea. Due to the morphology of the seafloor, this area is not a usual habitat for this species and historically, sightings have a been rarer and more sporadic than in the Levantine side of the region. The continental shelf is, in fact, very short and high depths (around 2000 m) are reached quite close to the shore making the area suitable for other cetacean species but not for bottlenose dolphins, which tend to remain in waters with a depth not exceeding 200 m. Despite this knowledge of the range of the species, an interesting change has been noted in recent years in the area, where sightings of bottlenose dolphins have almost tripled. For this reason, Costa Balenae started in 2018 the project Delfini del Ponente to monitor bottlenose dolphins in the region to understand the extent of this change and what drove it. The project is structured on an annual basis, to obtain data not only on the distribution during the Summer, but also changes during the different seasons. The project is already providing very interesting information about bottlenose dolphins and their distribution in the study area, and also about the seasonal presence of other marine fauna such as Mediterranean shearwaters (Puffinus yelkouan), Scopoli?s shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea), Northern gannets (Morus bassanus), Sandwich terns ( Thalasseus sandvicensis), sunfish (Mola mola) among others. WHERE: Imperia, Italy WHEN: March-April 2020; Minimum required: 30 days Number of interns for month: 2 /3 March Intern is required to join the project as soon as possible. Activities: * boat-based surveys monitoring the presence and distribution of bottlenose dolphins * data collection of other cetaceans, fishes, seabirds, turtles * classwork, database updating * photo-id matching and analysis * land-based surveys /opportunistic surveys * lessons and training about cetacean ecology, biology and research techniques PIERCE This is a great opportunity to get involved in cetacean research, encounter marine biodiversity while gaining fieldwork experience, travel and explore the beautiful Liguria region and support cetacean research and conservation. Surveys will be made in coastal waters onboard a dedicated zodiac (6 m inflatable boat) around 10 times per month. Training will focus on collecting photo for photo-ID purposes, environmental, marine traffic, geographical (GPS) and dolphins' behavioural data. Land-based surveys will be done In Imperia, in 2 different points around 10-12 times/month collecting data on the presence/absence of dolphins, fishing boats and marine birds. Surveys are weather dependent, and their number can change each month. Office work (6 hours per day) includes training, lessons, photo-id work, transcription of data, data entry, QGIS work etc. Interns will be involved 5 days a week, 6-8 hours/day (depending on fieldwork or lab work) During free time, interns will have the opportunity to experience all sorts of activities: swimming, diving, hiking, exploring historical sites, visit museums, sailing. Skills/qualification: * Minimum age of 18 * Prior experience in cetaceans or boat-based surveys is not required, but preferred * Degree or on-going studies in biology, natural science, veterinary or similar (preferred) * Strong motivation and interest in cetaceans and research * Speak, read and write in fluent English * Be adaptable as fieldwork is weather dependent * Be willing to spend many hours on a small zodiac (5-6 m) and under the sun * Be sociable as they are expected to live and work in an international team Internship fee Delfini del Ponente is a self-funded research project, so participation in this programme requires a tuition fee. Fee includes the accommodation in an apartment in Imperia, tuition and all associated field costs during the internship period (use of research vessel, training, use of equipment, field trips). Transportation expenses to and from Imperia (Italy), own insurances and food costs during the stay are not included in the fee. Due to the late notice, the internship fee will be discounted. How to apply: Send your CV with a letter of interest to delfinidelponente at gmail.com For any further enquiries and details, please send an email to delfinidelponente at gmail.com Davide Ascheri and Elena Fontanesi -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kelsey.wheeler at h-mar.org Thu Mar 5 14:20:55 2020 From: kelsey.wheeler at h-mar.org (kelsey.wheeler at h-mar.org) Date: Thu, 05 Mar 2020 15:20:55 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] Deadline Approaching - Marine Animal Response Internships in Hawaii Message-ID: <20200305152055.1103d9c06790c5b3ee95f100add89486.da0675b74b.wbe@email25.godaddy.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From russell.kenzielee at gmail.com Thu Mar 5 15:29:09 2020 From: russell.kenzielee at gmail.com (Mackenzie Russell) Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2020 17:29:09 -0600 Subject: [MARMAM] Dauphin Island Sea Lab- Veterinarian/Post-Doctoral Researcher Message-ID: The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) seeks a full-time veterinarian and research post-doc to join our dedicated team of staff, students, researchers and volunteers as part of the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network (ALMMSN). The candidate filling this full-time, research-based position would be eligible to seek research assistant faculty status or adjunct appointment at DISL and any of the 22 consortial schools in the state of Alabama. The successful candidate will lead live animal response and necropsy of cetaceans and manatees, as well as write necropsy reports, make diagnostic assessments, assist with training support staff in stranding and necropsy techniques, and support and conduct independent research projects related to pathology, diagnostic assessments, or other relevant topics that lead to peer-reviewed publications. The successful candidate will co-mentor students and interns to assist with research. Teaching is not mandatory, but the candidate may opt to develop and teach courses as part of the DISL undergraduate summer or year-round graduate programs. The candidate will be encouraged to attend relevant scientific and professional meetings to share data and for career development. The ideal candidate has flexibility to respond to and consult on strandings on short notice, often during non-business hours including nights, weekends and holidays. Applicant should be able to conduct a thorough physical examination (including blood draws and administration of medications) and assess the status of live stranded marine mammals. Applicant must be a team player who communicates well with volunteers, technicians, the public and media. The candidate will work closely with the Stranding Coordinator and Primary Investigator (Dr. R.H. Carmichael) and in collaboration with the Southeast Region Stranding Network, state and local partners under NOAA NMFS and USFWS. Requirements: ? Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) and hold a valid U.S. veterinary license ? Experience conducting independent research in a relevant field ? Prior experience with veterinary care of stranded marine mammals (cetaceans and manatees preferred) ? Obtain Alabama Veterinary and DEA licenses within 3 months of employment ? Have a clean driving record ? Applicants must be familiar with and able to comply with all policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines applicable to marine mammals in the U.S and be willing to gain specific knowledge needed to successfully accomplish professional tasks in the southeast region and in the state of Alabama Preferred Qualifications: ? Applicant should be (or plan to become) a member of the International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine ? Experience writing peer-reviewed publications ? Experience with statistical methods ? Public speaking and teaching experience Training will be provided to further develop project management, research, leadership and teaching skills, obtain stranding network certification, and enhance ongoing career development. The position is salaried with full benefits, with initial contract for 2 years with possibility of extension. Application deadline is March 20, 2020 and start date is negotiable, with preferred start date at the end of April 2020. To apply, please send a cover letter, including a research statement and potential collaborators, CV and list of three references to vetpostdoc at disl.org If you have questions or would like further information about the position, please contact Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael at 251-861-2141, x7555 or rcarmichael at disl.org. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ksjkanes at uvic.ca Mon Mar 2 18:27:27 2020 From: ksjkanes at uvic.ca (Kristen Kanes) Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2020 02:27:27 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Call for Expressions of Interest: Shaping the Next Decade of Ocean Networks Canada Research (2021-2030) Message-ID: <6a122ee471e54338bc5e177634887066@lyretail.uvic.ca> Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) operates cabled underwater observatories in the Canadian Pacific and Arctic Oceans, and makes their data collected in near-real time publicly and freely accessible for researchers to use at https://data.oceannetworks.ca/DataSearch. Among their assets are hydrophones, hydrophone arrays, and various environmental monitoring sensors, which may be of interest to marine mammal researchers. ONC has recently announced a "Call for Expressions of Interest" for the research community interested in ONC's ocean observing and monitoring assets in the NE Pacific, Salish Sea and the Arctic. The purpose is to seek input from the research community to formulate a new and bold science strategy for 2021-2030 that will build on successes and existing strengths, launch new leading-edge research and infrastructure, and contribute to national and international science initiatives. If you think you might be interested in using ONC data from existing deployments in your research or proposing new deployments or projects, please consider submitting your ideas through the Expression of Interest form. The form is a short (~5 to 15 minute) survey about your research or ideas. A direct link to the Expression of Interest form is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BCY8J3X The full description of the call is on ONC's website: https://www.oceannetworks.ca/call-expressions-interest Expressions of Interest are due by April 10, 2020. More details, answers to frequently asked questions, timelines for review, and various information resources to assist with compiling a response can be found at: https://wiki.oceannetworks.ca/display/SP/ONC+Science+Strategy+Planning Future ONC support for a refreshed research portfolio could include: * upgraded primary subsea and cyber-infrastructure systems * expanded deployment of mobile, autonomous, and shore-based observing platforms * relocation and reconfiguration of some elements of the observing infrastructure * new or upgraded instruments * new data products and data analysis tools * field surveys and physical sample collections to augment/calibrate sensor measurements * allocation of resources for 'climate quality' observations of ocean change * assistance to develop research use of coastal community observatories Please contact the relevant ONC staff scientist for further questions. Thank you for your time and we look forward to hearing from you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From p.hostetter at archipelago.gr Fri Mar 6 03:01:14 2020 From: p.hostetter at archipelago.gr (Patrice Hostetter) Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2020 13:01:14 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] Job Opening - Marine Mammal Supervisor and Bioacoustician Message-ID: Dear All, Please find information about an open position of Marine Mammal Supervisor and Bioacoustician at Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation. *Marine Mammal Team Supervisor and Bio-acoustician Position* *ARCHIPELAGOS INSTITUTE OF MARINE CONSERVATION IN GREECE* http://archipelago.gr/en/ Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is looking for a ?Marine Mammal Team Supervisor and Bio-acoustician? to join us as soon as possible (March) at our research bases, located in the NE Aegean islands. The goal of the Archipelagos? Marine Mammal Research Team is to monitor the regional status of marine mammal and sea turtle populations and their habitats in the Aegean, an area where data relating to these species is largely deficient. By gathering data on species populations and their respective threats, the research team works to fill these knowledge-gaps, identifying critical habitats that are especially susceptible to human and environmental impacts. The primary role of the Supervisor will be leading these surveys, training and guiding interns, and general base management. The position will be open until filled. *ESSENTIAL REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:* ? MSc Degree in a related field. ? Managing and training students and volunteers and demonstrated leadership, supervision, and team-building skills. ? Knowledge of methods of data collection and principles and techniques of research and analysis, in particular: bioacoustics technics, P-ID, behaviour, GIS, data analysis and modelling. ? Previous experience in research conservation projects and field surveys on marine mammals. ? Able to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions and be comfortable to spend a long time on a research vessel. ? Excellent verbal and written English communication skills and good computer skills. ? Ability to write scientific reports and papers. ? Work during weekends and holidays when required. ? Drive license. *PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: * Experience in field research projects on marine mammal, boat-based survey, bioacoustics and GIS. *Location*: Lipsi and Samos Islands, Greece. *We offer:* Supervisor: salary according to the experience, accommodation and full board. *APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:* Please submit a current resume (maximum 5 pages), list of three references, and a cover letter expressing your interest to info at archipelago.gr Regards, *Patrice Hostetter* *Head of Marine Mammal Research* *MSc in Marine Biology & Ecology* *Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation* *www.archipelago.gr * Marine Research Base: P.O. Box 42, Pythagorio, Samos 83103, Greece Telephone: +30 22730 61191 Fax: +30 22730 37533 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Anita.Gilles at tiho-hannover.de Sat Mar 7 05:52:19 2020 From: Anita.Gilles at tiho-hannover.de (Gilles, Anita) Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2020 13:52:19 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] REMINDER - ICES special theme session on marine top predators (07-10 Sep 2020) Message-ID: - REMINDER ABSTRACT DEADLINE 11 March 2020 - Dear colleagues, I would like to call your attention to this special theme session on "Top predators, food webs, and ecosystem-based fisheries management" at the next ICES Annual Science Conference (ASC), 7 ? 10 September 2020, Copenhagen, Denmark. This session is especially meant to share research on top predators including marine mammals, seabirds, turtles and large fish and provides a great opportunity to dive deep into the food web. Please consider submitting an abstract, via the ASC home page. http://ices.dk/news-and-events/asc/ASC2020/Pages/default.aspx Abstracts should be submitted by the deadline of 11 March 2020. More information on the session below. Best regards, Anita Gilles, anita.gilles at tiho-hannover.de (co-chair ICES Working Group on Marine Mammal Ecology) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Theme session A Top predators, food webs, and ecosystem-based fisheries management convened by Christopher Lynam, Anita Gilles and Ian Mitchell. In ecosystem-based fisheries management, non-target stocks, habitats, and predators that are in part dependent on commercially exploited stocks must be taken into account. Currently, fish stock advice focuses on Total Allowable Catch and does not explicitly take into account prey levels available to piscivorous sharks, marine mammals, or seabirds. Similarly, conservation efforts tend to focus on key habitats and species of concern with less attention paid to the prey species that support them. Ecosystem-based management is the framework that allows these related aims to be considered jointly. When fully implemented, ecosystem-based management shall support efforts to restore and maintain biodiversity and simultaneously provide productive sustainable fisheries in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and regional frameworks such as the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. This theme session provides an opportunity to discuss key issues of importance to conservation and fisheries management, to review methods and to demonstrate a way forward to ecosystem advice and ecosystem-based management. Abstracts are welcome on the following topics: * Foodweb modelling to identify consumption requirements of top predators along with the production of fish prey (e.g. multispecies functional response and dynamic energy budget models) * Spatio-temporal empirical studies to identify overlap between predators and prey * Evidence of indirect interactions between fisheries and top predators: specifically, competition for food sources or fisheries losses (discard/slippage/offal discharge) as a food source * Assessment approaches that can deliver ecosystem advice including but not limited to the extension of multi-species fisheries models to include top predators, Bayesian network analyses and risk-based models * Management options that enable productive fisheries and support conservation aims, including spatial and temporal management of fishing fleets through protected areas, seasonal closures, catch restraints and effort limits ------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Anita Gilles University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) Werftstr. 6 | 25761 B?sum Germany Phone: +49 (0)511-8568177 Fax: +49 (0)511-8568181 anita.gilles at tiho-hannover.de http://www.tiho-hannover.de/index.php?id=5380 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anita_Gilles -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ehines at sfsu.edu Fri Mar 6 12:36:21 2020 From: ehines at sfsu.edu (Ellen M Hines) Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2020 20:36:21 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: Habitat modeling of Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand Message-ID: Greetings all, on behalf of our co-authors, we are pleased to share our new open access publication: Habitat modeling of Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6023 Justine Jackson-Ricketts1, Chalatip Junchompoo2, Ellen M. Hines3, Elliot L. Hazen4, Louisa S. Ponnampalam5, Anoukchika Ilangakoon6, Somchai Monanunsap7 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 2Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Center, The Eastern Gulf of Thailand, Rayong, Thailand 3Estuary & Ocean Science Center, San Francisco State University, Tiburon, California 4NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division/ Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Monterey, California 5The MareCet Research Organization, Shah Alam, Malaysia 6Maharagama, Sri Lanka 7Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Southern Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center, Songkhla, Thailand Abstract Aim: The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is an endangered cetacean found throughout Southeast Asia. The main threat to this species is human encroachment, led by entanglement in fishing gear. Information on this data-poor species? ecology and habitat use is needed to effectively inform spatial management. Location: We investigated the habitat of a previously unstudied group of Irrawaddy dolphins in the eastern Gulf of Thailand, between the villages of Laem Klat and Khlong Yai, in Trat Province. This location is important as government groups plan to establish a marine protected area. Methods: We carried out boat-based visual line transect surveys with concurrent oceanographic measurements and used hurdle models to evaluate this species? patterns of habitat use in this area. Results: Depth most strongly predicted dolphin presence, while temperature was a strong predictor of group size. The highest probability of dolphin presence occurred at around 10.0 m with an optimal depth range of 7.50 to 13.05 m. The greatest number of dolphins was predicted at 24.93?C with an optimal range between 24.93 and 25.31?C. Dolphins are most likely to occur in two primary locations, one large region in the center of the study area (11o54?18??N to 11o59?23??N) and a smaller region in the south (11o47?28??N to 11o49?59??N). Protections for this population will likely have the greatest chance of success in these two areas. Main Conclusions: The results of this work can inform management strategies within the immediate study area by highlighting areas of high habitat use that should be considered for marine spatial planning measures, such as the creation of marine protected areas. Species distribution models for this species in Thailand can also assist conservation planning in other parts of the species? range by expanding our understanding of habitat preferences. Ellen Hines, PhD Associate Director and Professor of Geography & Environment Estuary and Ocean Science Center San Francisco State University 3150 Paradise Dr. Tiburon, CA 94920 415 338 3512, ehines at sfsu.edu http://eoscenter.sfsu.edu/content/ellen-hines -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From afahlman at whoi.edu Tue Mar 3 11:01:31 2020 From: afahlman at whoi.edu (Andreas Fahlman) Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2020 20:01:31 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Comparative respiratory physiology in cetaceans In-Reply-To: <957670CD-59D9-487A-B4A4-0236E00CE4C9@whoi.edu> References: <957670CD-59D9-487A-B4A4-0236E00CE4C9@whoi.edu> Message-ID: Dear All Apologies for the double post, but for some reason the DOI is correct but the link directs you to another article and for anyone interest use either of these: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2020.00142/full or https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00142 Sincerely, Andreas > On 3Mar, 2020, at 07:21, Andreas Fahlman wrote: > > Dear All > We are happy to share our new publication looking at lung function in a number of cetaceans. We investigated lung function in 2 false killer whales and a juvenile beluga and compared these against previously published data. These data provide comparative estimates for tidal volume, respiratory frequency, and flow in a range of cetacean species. These data show that tidal volume in cetaceans is greater while breathing frequency is lower as compared with terrestrial mammals. However, tidal volume is only about 30% of total lung capacity, much smaller than most past studies have assumed. > > Abstract: In the current study we used breath-by-breath respirometry to evaluate respiratory physiology under voluntary control in a male beluga calf (Delphinapterus leucas, body mass range [Mb]: 151-175 kg), an adult female (estimated Mb = 500-550kg) and a juvenile male (Mb = 279kg) false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) housed in managed care. Our results suggest that the measured breathing frequency (fR) is lower, while tidal volume (VT) is significantly greater as compared with allometric predictions from terrestrial mammals. Including previously published data from adult bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) beluga, harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), killer whale (Orcinus orca), pilot (Globicephala scammoni), and gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) show that the allometric mass-exponents for VT and fR are similar to that for terrestrial mammals (VT: 1.00, fR: -0.20). In addition, our results suggest an allometric relationship for respiratory flow, with a mass-exponent between 0.63-0.70, and where the expiratory flow was an average 30% higher as compared with inspiratory flow. These data provide enhanced understanding of the respiratory physiology of cetaceans and are useful to provide proxies of lung function to better understand lung health or physiological limitations. > > Reference: Fahlman, A., Borque-Espinosa, A., Facchin, F., Ferrero Fernandez, D., Mu?oz Caballero, P., Haulena, M Rocho-Levine, J. Comparative respiratory physiology in cetaceans. Frontiers Physiology. 11(142): 2020. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00142 > > The article is open access and can be downloaded at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00142 > Or a pdf can be requested through afahlman at whoi.edu _______________________________________________ > MARMAM mailing list > MARMAM at lists.uvic.ca > https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: smime.p7s Type: application/pkcs7-signature Size: 1487 bytes Desc: not available URL: From ACostidi at virginiaaquarium.com Sun Mar 8 07:35:26 2020 From: ACostidi at virginiaaquarium.com (Alexander M. Costidis) Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2020 14:35:26 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Job opportunity Message-ID: Dear colleagues, Please see below for an exciting job opportunity with the Virginia Aquarium's Stranding Response Program. We are a long-standing response program that handles all sea turtle and marine mammal strandings along the entire state of Virginia. Field Response & Facilities The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is a public-private partnership between the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Aquarium Foundation. The City of Virginia Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Please visit https://www.vbgov.com/employment for more information or to apply. Kind regards, Alexander M. Costidis, Ph.D. Senior Scientist Stranding Response & Biomedical Research Phone: +1 (757) 385-6482 Cell: +1 (727) 543-6263 ACostidi at VirginiaAquarium.com Stranding Response Hotline: (757) 385- 7575 Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center 717 General Booth Blvd. Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451, USA From charlotte.anne.lambert at hotmail.fr Sun Mar 8 07:08:37 2020 From: charlotte.anne.lambert at hotmail.fr (Charlotte Lambert) Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2020 14:08:37 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on the importance of spatio-temporal dynamics on MPA's design Message-ID: Dear MARMAMers, We are pleased to annouce the publication of a new article in Peer Community In Ecology on the importance of spatio-temporal dynamics on MPA's design: Lambert, C., Dor?mus, G. and V. Ridoux (2020) The persistence in time of distributional patterns in marine megafauna impacts zonal conservation strategies. bioRxiv, 790634, ver. 3 peer-reviewed and recommended by PCI Ecology. doi: 10.1101/790634. (Recommendation can be found at: https://doi.org/10.24072/pci.ecology.100048) The paper is in open access and can be found at https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/790634v3. Abstract: The main type of zonal conservation approach corresponds to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which are spatially defined and generally static entities aiming at the protection of some target populations by the implementation of a management plan. For highly mobile species the relevance of an MPA over time might be hampered by temporal variations in distributions or home ranges. In the present work, we used habitat model-based predicted distributions of cetaceans and seabirds within the Bay of Biscay from 2004 to 2017 to characterise the aggregation and persistence of mobile species distributional patterns and the relevance of the existing MPA network. We explored the relationship between population abundance and spatial extent of distribution to assess the aggregation level of species distribution. We used the smallest spatial extent including 75% of the population present in the Bay of Biscay to define specific core areas of distributions, and calculated their persistence over the 14 studied years. We inspected the relevance of the MPA network with respect to aggregation and persistence. We found that aggregation and persistence are two independent features of marine megafauna distributions. Indeed, strong persistence was shown in both aggregated (bottlenose dolphins, auks) and loosely distributed species (northern gannets), while some species with aggregated distributions also showed limited year-to-year persistence in their patterns (black-legged kittiwakes). We thus have demonstrated that both aggregation and persistence have potential impact on the amount of spatio-temporal distributional variability encompassed within static MPAs. Our results exemplified the need to have access to a minimal temporal depth in the species distribution data when aiming to designate new site boundaries for the conservation of mobile species. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From e.ovsyanikova at uq.edu.au Sun Mar 8 00:31:43 2020 From: e.ovsyanikova at uq.edu.au (Ekaterina Ovsyanikova) Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2020 08:31:43 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) abundance assessment for the Kuril Island population in Far Eastern Russia. Message-ID: <672F3332-5C73-4493-AE2F-23A5A2AB4A20@uq.edu.au> Dear MARMAM Colleagues, My co-authors and I are happy to announce our new publication (Note) in Marine Mammal Science: Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) abundance assessment for the Kuril Island population in Far Eastern Russia. Our paper presents results from the sea otter survey conducted in 2012 along the Kuril Islands. Using this data and several environmental variables, we have calculated the updated abundance estimate for this remote population. Our findings indicate that this population might be undergoing a decline, and we provide recommendations for future research and management priorities. Link to the article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/mms.12682 To cite: Ovsyanikova, EN, Altukhov, AA, Carswell, LP, Kenner, MC. Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) abundance assessment for the Kuril Island population in Far Eastern Russia. Mar Mam Sci. 2020; 1? 9. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12682 If you would like a pdf of the full-text, please email me at e.ovsyanikova at uq.edu.au Best regards, Ekaterina Ovsyanikova Ekaterina (Katya) Ovsyanikova PhD Candidate Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory School of Veterinary Science University of Queensland Gatton Campus QLD 4343, Australia Phone: +61 457 615120 Email: e.ovsyanikova at uq.edu.au CEAL website: http://www.uq.edu.au/whale -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jpowell at sea2shore.org Sat Mar 7 14:11:50 2020 From: jpowell at sea2shore.org (James Powell) Date: Sat, 07 Mar 2020 17:11:50 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Sirenews call for articles Message-ID: <01B83F01-E8A5-4C5D-8C36-1490186A3891@sea2shore.org> Sirenews call for articles. The editors of Sirenews, the IUCN newsletter for the Sirenia Specialist Group, wish to invite authors to submit short articles related to sirenian research and conservation to sirenews at sea2shore.org. Material should be submitted in MS Word, less than 500 words in length and may contain photographs, tables and graphs. Recent literature, abstracts, announcements, and news of general interest may also be submitted. Deadline for submission is 1 April 2020. James Powell, PhD Robert Bonde, PhD Editors -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sotalia at gmail.com Sat Mar 7 16:08:25 2020 From: sotalia at gmail.com (Marcos Santos) Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2020 21:08:25 -0300 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on La Plata dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) Message-ID: Dear Marmamers, on behalf of all authors I'm sharing this notification on the publication of a recent investigation on the feeding habits of La Plata dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei). Campos, LB, Lopes, XM, da Silva, E & Santos, MCO. 2020. Feeding habits of the franciscana dolphins (*Pontoporia blainvillei*) of south-eastern Brazil. Journal of the Marine Biological Association, UK. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315420000120. Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 February 2020 Abstract: This study evaluated the feeding habits of the franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) in south-eastern Brazil. Stomach contents were collected from a total of 145 dead specimens found incidentally caught by fishing vessels or stranded between 2005 and 2015. Fish otoliths, cephalopod beaks and whole non-digested prey were used for prey species identification. A total of 9337 prey items were identified, including 26 species of teleost fishes and three species of cephalopods. The most important prey families were Sciaenidae among fish and Loliginidae among cephalopods. Franciscana dolphins tended to feed on small fish (mean = 5.25 cm) and cephalopods (mean = 8.57 cm). The index of relative importance (IRI) showed that Pellona harroweri and Doryteuthis plei were the most important prey for both males and females. The PERMANOVA test confirmed that there is no significant difference between the feeding habits of different sexes, but detected a significant difference among seasons. Overall, our results show that franciscana dolphins are predominantly ichthyophagous and non-selective in relation to the type of prey, feeding on pelagic, demersal and pelagic-demersal prey. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315420000120 Cheers, Prof. Marcos Cesar de Oliveira Santos Laboratorio de Biologia da Conservacao de Mamiferos Aquaticos (LABCMA) http://www.sotalia.com.br -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From wangzhitao1230 at gmail.com Sat Mar 7 21:20:32 2020 From: wangzhitao1230 at gmail.com (wangzhitao1230) Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2020 13:20:32 +0800 Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?New_publication_of_the_Underwater_noise_pollut?= =?utf-8?q?ion_in_the_Yangtze_River_and_its_impact_to_the_Yangtze_finless_?= =?utf-8?q?porpoise?= Message-ID: An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From k.koemtzopoulos at mom.gr Tue Mar 10 01:12:26 2020 From: k.koemtzopoulos at mom.gr (=?UTF-8?Q?=CE=9Aimonas_Koemtzopoulos?=) Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2020 10:12:26 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] Cetacean Research Micro-Internship Greece Summer 2020 Message-ID: Dear All, On behalf of MOm/ Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal I am pleased to announce that we are currently accepting applications for our summer 2019 research season of the Northern Aegean Dolphin Project. The project takes place in the pristine National Marine Park of Alonissos, Northern Sporades and focuses on the photo-identification and behavioural data collection for the populations of Striped Dolphins (*Stenella coeruleoalba*), Common Dolphins (*Delphinus delphis*) and Bottlenose Dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*) regularly found in the area as well as the occasional encounter with Cuvier?s Beaked Whales (*Ziphius cavirostris*) and Risso?s Dolphins (*Grampus griseus*). *Location*: National Marine Park of Alonissos, Northern Sporades - Alonissos, Greece *Dates*: 8 June ? 1 September 2020 *Duration*: Minimum 1 Week *You will*: - Receive Training and Experience in marine mammal research methods - Participate in daily boat-based research expeditions (weather-dependent) - Participate in data collection and data analysis (Behavioural data, Photo-ID) - Learn about cetacean biology, ecology and conservation - Actively contribute to marine conservation in a Marine Protected Area - Experience life on a beautiful Greek Island in the largest Marine Protected Area in Europe. *Requirements*: No previous experience is required. All you need is an interest in Cetacean biology, ecology and conservation and a positive attitude. Joining one of our weekly expeditions requires a participation fee which covers shared accommodation, two meals/day, training/lessons and part of the operational costs of the project. *How to Participate*: To participate in the Northern Aegean Dolphin Project please visit: www.northernaegeandolphinproject.com For information on MOm please visit: www.mom.gr For reviews of the experience by previous participants please visit our facebook page: www.facebook.com/mom.gr Best wishes to all! ????? ????????????? - *???????? MSc* *MOm/???????? ??????? & ?????????? ??????????? ??????* Kimon Koemtzopoulos - *Biologist MSc* *MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study & Protection of the Monk Seal* www.mom.gr info at mom.gr T: 0030 *2105222888* M: 0030 *6937580071* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From steffen.devreese at studenti.unipd.it Mon Mar 9 07:16:33 2020 From: steffen.devreese at studenti.unipd.it (Steffen De Vreese) Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2020 15:16:33 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: Morphological Evidence for the Sensitivity of Ear Canal of Odontocetes Message-ID: Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper, available online: De Vreese, S., Andr?, M., Cozzi, B.*,* Centelleghe, C., van der Schaar, M., & Mazzariol, S. Morphological Evidence for the Sensitivity of the Ear Canal of Odontocetes as shown by Immunohistochemistry and Transmission Electron Microscopy. *Sci Rep* *10, *4191 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61170-4 Abstract: The function of the external ear canal in cetaceans is still under debate and its morphology is largely unknown. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses using antibodies specific for nervous tissue (anti-S100, anti-NSE, anti-NF, and anti-PGP 9.5), together with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and various histological techniques, were carried out to investigate the peripheral nervous system of the ear canals of several species of toothed whales and terrestrial Cetartiodactyla. This study highlights the innervation of the ear canal with the presence of lamellar corpuscles over its entire course, and their absence in all studied terrestrial mammals. Each corpuscle consisted of a central axon, surrounded by lamellae of Schwann receptor cells, surrounded by a thin cellular layer, as shown by IHC and TEM. These findings indicate that the corpuscles are mechanoreceptors that resemble the inner core of Pacinian corpuscles without capsule or outer core, and were labelled as simple lamellar corpuscles. They form part of a sensory system that may represent a unique phylogenetic feature of cetaceans, and an evolutionary adaptation to life in the marine environment. Although the exact function of the ear canal is not fully clear, we provide essential knowledge and a preliminary hypothetical deviation on its function as a unique sensory organ. All the best, Steffen -- Steffen De Vreese, MVM, Doctoral candidate Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione (BCA) - Universit? degli Studi di Padova (It) Laboratori d'Aplicacions Bioac?stiques (LAB) - Universitat Polit?cnica de Catalunya (Es) steffen.devreese at studenti.unipd.it steffen.devreese at lab.upc.edu Linkedin.com/in/steffen-de-vreese-033a5994 Researchgate.net/profile/Steffen_De_Vreese Skype: devreesesteffen -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kjr33 at st-andrews.ac.uk Mon Mar 9 03:26:45 2020 From: kjr33 at st-andrews.ac.uk (Kelly Robinson) Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2020 10:26:45 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Conference session on pollutants and energy balance - SEB 2020 Message-ID: Dear Marmam members, My colleagues and I are running a session on pollutants and energy balance at the conference for the society for experimental biology this year (7-10 July 2020), which will be held in Prague. The deadline for abstracts is this Friday (13th March) and we'd love to hear about your research on this topic. As pollutants bioaccumulate in marine mammals and generate such high levels in these species, this topic is especially relevant to those studying pinniped or cetacean species worldwide. link to abstract submission: http://www.sebiology.org/events/event/seb-prague-2020/abstracts Session details: Do environmental contaminants alter energy balance, how can we find out and how much does it matter? The ability to manage energy balance appropriately in a fluctuating environment is fundamental for survival. Increasing evidence suggests anthropogenic contaminants can compromise the ability of orgamisms to regulate their energy balance, with potential negative consequences for population trajectories and biodiversity. Many anthropogenic chemicals have established roles as toxins, and endocrine disruptors of reproductive and thyroid axes. More recent data implicate many such compounds as lipid disruptors. By altering adipogenesis, fat deposition, lipid profiles, adipose tissue function and hormone sensitivity, environmental contaminants may fundamentally alter energy requirements, storage and use. Such effects may be subtle or challenging to identify in wildlife and therefore require novel experimental approaches. This session will explore evidence that environmental pollution impacts on energy balance regulation from the molecular to the organismal level across a range of taxa and habitats. This session will identify common pathways, highlight challenges and showcase novel experimental approaches to investigate such effects in wildlife that simultaneously experience additional stressors in a fluctuating environment. Best wishes, Kelly Robinson -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From helena.herr at uni-hamburg.de Wed Mar 11 14:54:13 2020 From: helena.herr at uni-hamburg.de (Helena Herr) Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2020 22:54:13 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New Paper: Injuries, malformations and epidermal conditions in cetaceans of the the Strait of Gibraltar Message-ID: We are pleased to announce the publication of our paper Herr,H., Burkhardt-Holm, P., Heyer, K., Siebert, U., and Selling, J.(2020) Injuries, Malformations and Epidermal Conditions in Cetaceans of the the Strait of Gibraltar. Aquatic Mammals 46(2), 215-235, DOI 10.1578/AM.46.2.2020.215 Abstract The Strait of Gibraltar is a heavily used marine area, with intense fishing operations and one of the busiest shipping lanes worldwide. Concurrently, the Strait of Gibraltar is home to eight regularly occurring species of cetaceans. Thus, the potential for conflict between man and cetaceans is high. Injuries and external anomalies may serve as indi- cators for anthropogenic impacts and exposure to human activities. To explore potential impacts to cetacean populations inhabiting the Strait of Gibraltar, we analysed photographs taken oppor- tunistically during whale-watching operations from 2001 to 2015. Externally visible conspicuous features and anomalies were detected in all of the eight regularly occurring cetacean species: long beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), long- finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), killer whale (Orcinus orca), sperm whale (Physeter mac- rocephalus), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), and minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Altogether, 502 anomalies were documented in 494 cases of affected cetaceans, including inju- ries, skin anomalies, emaciation, and neoplasia. Highest prevalence was noted for injuries (245 incidences) of which a minimum of 44 (17%) were consistent with anthropogenic injuries. Our results suggest that human activities in the Strait of Gibraltar, especially fishing activities, pose a threat, particularly to small and medium-sized cetaceans. We, therefore, recommend stricter management enforcement of existing guidelines and laws, as well as the implementation of an area-wide management plan. The paper is open access and freely available for download following this link: https://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2005:injuries-malformations-and-epidermal-conditions-in-cetaceans-of-the-strait-of-gibraltar&catid=186&Itemid=326 If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Cheers Helena - Dr. Helena Herr Marine Mammal Ecologist Center of Natural History Universit?t Hamburg Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3 20146 Hamburg, Germany +49 40 42838-1560 helena.herr at uni-hamburg.de Website: www.cenak.uni-hamburg.de Facebook: www.facebook.com/cenak.hamburg Instagram: www.instagram.com/cenak.hamburg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: UniHH.png Type: image/png Size: 14702 bytes Desc: not available URL: From Rosie.Williams at ioz.ac.uk Tue Mar 10 07:36:21 2020 From: Rosie.Williams at ioz.ac.uk (Rosie Williams) Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2020 14:36:21 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: Levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Are Still Associated with Toxic Effects in Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) Despite Having Fallen below Proposed Toxicity Thresholds Message-ID: <05A3FC42-8DC8-451A-91F5-5EA29971256B@ioz.ac.uk> Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors and I, we're pleased to announce the publication of our paper: ?Levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Are Still Associated with Toxic Effects in Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) Despite Having Fallen below Proposed Toxicity Thresholds?. Abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic, persistent, and lipophilic chemical compounds that accumulate to high levels in harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and other cetaceans. It is important to monitor PCBs in wildlife, particularly in highly exposed populations to understand if concentrations are declining and how levels relate to toxicological thresholds and indices of health like infectious disease mortality. Here we show, using generalized additive models and tissue samples of 814 U.K.-stranded harbor porpoises collected between 1990 and 2017, that mean blubber PCB concentrations have fallen below the proposed thresholds for toxic effects. However, we found they are still associated with increased rates of infectious disease mortality such that an increase in PCB blubber concentrations of 1 mg kg?1 lipid corresponds with a 5% increase in risk of infectious disease mortality. Moreover, rates of decline and levels varied geographically, and the overall rate of decline is slow in comparison to other pollutants. We believe this is evidence of long-term preservation in the population and continued environmental contamination from diffuse sources. Our findings have serious implications for the management of PCB contamination in the U.K. and reinforce the need to prevent PCBs entering the marine environment to ensure that levels continue to decline. The paper is available to read or download at: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b05453 If you have any questions or would like a copy please do not hesitate to contact me via email at rosie.williams at ioz.ac.uk Kind regards, Rosie Rosie Williams Zoological Society of London & Brunel University London Twitter: @RosieSWilliams1 Rosie Williams PhD Student - London NERC DTP Brunel University & Zoological Society of London https://www.zsl.org/science/users/rosie-williams @RosieSWilliams1 _________________________________________________________________________ The Zoological Society of London is incorporated by Royal Charter - Registered Charity in England and Wales no. 208728. Principal Office England - Company Number RC000749 - Registered address Regent's Park, London, England NW1 4RY _________________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been sent in confidence to the named addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose or distribute it in any form, and you are asked to contact the sender immediately. Views or opinions expressed in this communication may not be those of The Zoological Society of London and, therefore, The Zoological Society of London does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message. The recipient(s) must be aware that e-mail is not a secure communication medium and that the contents of this mail may have been altered by a third party in transit. If you have any issues regarding this mail please visit: https://www.zsl.org/about-us/contact-us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ryoung at coastal.edu Thu Mar 12 06:44:05 2020 From: ryoung at coastal.edu (Robert Young) Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2020 13:44:05 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Visiting Assistant Professor position teaching Marine Mammals course Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, The School of the Coastal Environment at Coastal Carolina University invites applications for a temporary visiting assistant professor position in the Department of Marine Science for the 2020-2021 academic year. Teaching responsibilities will include an upper level undergraduate marine mammal's course as well as quantitative introductory interdisciplinary marine science/oceanography and sophomore level quantitative marine biology courses for undergraduate majors. Candidates that could also teach a quantitative upper level undergraduate fisheries science course are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should have completed a Ph.D. in marine science or related field by August 2020. Previous teaching and post-doctoral experience are preferred. Review of applications will begin March 16, so best to get an application in quickly if you are interested. A link to the full job posting and application site can be found at http://jobs.coastal.edu/postings/9685. Thanks, Rob Young Professor of Marine Science Interim Dean, College of Graduate Studies and Research Coastal Carolina University PO Box 261954 Conway, SC 29528-6054 (843) 349-2277 ryoung at coastal.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kathrynr at aisobservers.com Thu Mar 12 07:52:48 2020 From: kathrynr at aisobservers.com (Kathryn Roy) Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2020 14:52:48 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] A.I.S. Inc. Seeking Passive Acoustic Monitoring Specialist Message-ID: A.I.S. Inc. Seeking Passive Acoustic Monitoring Specialist AIS is looking for a highly skilled Passive Acoustic Monitor to serve as the lead offshore specialist on a high profile project which will focus on pile driving for two offshore wind turbines. AIS is searching for someone with expert level experience deploying towed arrays, troubleshooting PAM equipment, and using PAM Guard. This is a temporary role. The Passive Acoustic Monitoring Specialist's primary responsibility is to acoustically monitor for the presence of marine mammals during activities that have the potential to cause injury to these species through the introduction of added sound levels to the environment. This deployment is anticipated to last several weeks. It will require the PAM Specialist to travel to New York and deploy aboard a monitoring vessel for the duration of the expected work. During this project, the PAM Specialist is responsible for listening and maintaining a constant watch for marine mammals using passive acoustic monitoring equipment and software. The individual selected for this position will function as an expert in the field. Any detections of marine mammals are documented on project specific logs. Project activity, times, location, and environmental conditions are also documented. The PAM Specialist is responsible for notifying the appropriate personnel if protected species are detected approaching or within harmful range of sound producing equipment and calling for mitigation measures outlined in the project specific planning documents. Summary of essential Job Functions: * Identify marine animals using passive acoustic monitoring equipment and software * Ability to vigilantly monitor for acoustic detections of marine mammals around observation platform/vessel for up to 4 hours at a time and not more than 12 hours in a 24 hour period. * Ability to identify and troubleshoot any issues that may arise during a towed PAM deployment. * Expert knowledge of towed PAM deployment and PAMGuard software functionalities * Ability to follow protocol requirements and accurately record data * Ability to make decisions on own given general guidelines * Record accurate data in difficult sea and weather conditions Minimum requirements: * Must be authorized to work in the US. * Must be approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as an ESO/PSO * Must provide a copy of PAM Operator training certificate obtained from a recognized PAM trainer * Must provide a copy of PSO training certificate obtained from NMFS/BOEM compliant course/training * Must not be affiliated with any group that may impair the objectivity or the appearance of objectivity * Willing and able to travel to local ports and ports in other states * Willing and able to leave on trips with short notice (e.g., 24hr notice for multiday trip) * Able to work weekends and holidays * Must provide a copy of offshore safety training (BOSIET or equivalent) * Must be certified by a physician as fit for sea duty including : o Not be susceptible to chronic motion sickness o Ability to live in confined quarters o Ability to tolerate stress o Ability to lift objects up to 30 pounds o Ability to vigilantly monitor waters surrounding observation platform/vessel for up to 4 hours at a time and not more than 12 hours in a 24 hour period. o Climb and descend steep ladders at docks o Cross over from boat to boat at docks while carrying gear o Swim 100 meters Please visit https://aisobservers.com/careers/ to apply. If you have any questions, contact Kathryn Roy, the Protected Species Program Manager at kathrynr at aisobservers.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ailenchalco at hotmail.com Thu Mar 12 12:29:55 2020 From: ailenchalco at hotmail.com (ailen chalcobsky) Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2020 19:29:55 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] =?windows-1252?q?New_Publication=3A_=22Short-term_effect?= =?windows-1252?q?s_of_whale_watching_boats_on_the_movement_patterns_of_so?= =?windows-1252?q?uthern_right_whales_in_Pen=EDnsula_Vald=E9s=2C_Patagonia?= =?windows-1252?q?=2C_Argentina=22?= Message-ID: Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, Enrique A. Crespo and Mariano A. Coscarella, and I, we're pleased to announce the publication of our paper: ?Short-term effects of whale watching boats on the movement patterns of southern right whales in Pen?nsula Vald?s, Patagonia, Argentina?. Abstract: Whale watching in Patagonia began in 1973, with the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) as a target. Thus far, only short-term effects of whale watching on behaviour have been evaluated. The southern right whale population is increasing locally and expanding to adjacent areas. We evaluated boat effects on the biological system through the analysis of breathing rate, linearity, reorientation rate and total distance travelled. Short-term movement patterns of SRW in the area are not severely affected by whale watching operations in Puerto Pir?mide at this level of activity. However, significant changes in breathing rates in the presence of boats deserve further attention considering that whales return the same location. In light of the present work, the whales that breed at Pen?nsula Vald?s may be tolerant to whale watching boats. The paper is available to read or download at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104927 If you have any questions or would like a copy please do not hesitate to contact me via email at ailenchalco at cenpat-conicet.gob.ar Kind regards, Ailen -- Lic. Ailen Chalcobsky Laboratorio de Mamiferos Marinos Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR) Centro Nacional Patag?nico (CONICET) Bv. Brown 2915 CP 9120, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina Tel: 54 (0280) 488-3184 Int.1243 Fax:54 (0280) 488-3543 e-mail: ailenchalco at cenpat-conicet.gob.ar web: www.cenpat.edu.ar -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cindy.elliser at pacmam.org Fri Mar 13 12:45:35 2020 From: cindy.elliser at pacmam.org (cindy Elliser) Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2020 12:45:35 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena vomerina) Catching and Handling Large Fish on the U.S. West Coast Message-ID: <011f01d5f96f$f76eaf90$e64c0eb0$@pacmam.org> Dear Marmam, My colleagues and I are pleased to announce the publication of our short note in Aquatic Mammals: Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena vomerina) Catching and Handling Large Fish on the U.S. West Coast Elliser, C.R., Hessing, S., MacIver, K.H., Webber, M.A., Keener, W. 2020. Short Note: Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena vomerina) Catching and Handling Large Fish on the U.S. West Coast. Aquatic Mammals 46(2), 191-199. DOI 10.1578/AM.46.2.2020.191 Summary This short note documents the catching and handling of American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) and salmon sp. (including coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) salmon) by harbor porpoises along the U.S. West Coast including the Salish Sea (inland waters of Washington State and Canada), San Francisco Bay, California and Cook Inlet Alaska. These species have not previously been reported as prey for harbor porpoises in this region, and are larger in length and mass than the majority of prey species known to be consumed by harbor porpoises. This note provides unique insights into previously undocumented harbor porpoise behavior and diet. Wild harbor porpoise behavior remains poorly understood, and reports such as this are important to improve our knowledge of this difficult to observe species and highlight the need for further research and monitoring to fully understand their behavioral repertoire and ecological relationships. The article can be found at: https://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_content &view=article&id=2003:harbor-porpoises-phocoena-phocoena-vomerina-catching-a nd-handling-large-fish-on-the-u-s-west-coast&catid=186&Itemid=326 Please feel free to contact me with any questions at cindy.elliser at pacmam.org! Best, Cindy R. Elliser, PhD Research Director Pacific Mammal Research www.pacmam.org 360-202-2860 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mbaumgartner at whoi.edu Thu Mar 12 11:04:11 2020 From: mbaumgartner at whoi.edu (Mark Baumgartner) Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2020 14:04:11 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] New paper on near real-time passive acoustic monitoring from gliders Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, The following paper was recently published in Frontiers in Marine Science, and is available as an open access article here: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00100/full. Slocum gliders provide accurate near real-time estimates of baleen whale presence from human-reviewed passive acoustic detection information Mark Baumgartner, Julianne Bonnel, Peter Corkeron, Sofie Van Parijs, Cara Hotchkin, Ben Hodges, Jacqueline Bort Thornton, Bryan Mensi, and Scott Bruner Mitigating the effects of human activities on marine mammals often depends on monitoring animal occurrence over long time scales, large spatial scales, and in real time. Passive acoustics, particularly from autonomous vehicles, is a promising approach to meeting this need. We have previously developed the capability to record, detect, classify, and transmit to shore information about the tonal sounds of baleen whales in near real time from long-endurance ocean gliders. We have recently developed a protocol by which a human analyst reviews this information to determine the presence of marine mammals, and the results of this review are automatically posted to a publicly accessible website, sent directly to interested parties via email or text, and made available to stakeholders via a number of public and private digital applications. We evaluated the performance of this system during two 3.75-month Slocum glider deployments in the southwestern Gulf of Maine during the spring seasons of 2015 and 2016. Near real-time detections of humpback, fin, sei, and North Atlantic right whales were compared to detections of these species from simultaneously recorded audio. Data from another 2016 glider deployment in the same area were also used to compare results between three different analysts to determine repeatability of results both among and within analysts. False detection (occurrence) rates on daily time scales were 0% for all species. Daily missed detection rates ranged from 17 to 24%. Agreement between two trained novice analysts and an experienced analyst was greater than 95% for fin, sei, and right whales, while agreement was 83?89% for humpback whales owing to the more subjective process for detecting this species. Our results indicate that the presence of baleen whales can be accurately determined using information about tonal sounds transmitted in near real-time from Slocum gliders. The system is being used operationally to monitor baleen whales in United States, Canadian, and Chilean waters, and has been particularly useful for monitoring the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale throughout the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. Mark Baumgartner Senior Scientist Biology Department Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution MS #33, Redfield 256 Woods Hole, MA 02543 mbaumgartner at whoi.edu www.whoi.edu/sites/mbaumgartner (508)289-2678 phone (508)457-2134 fax -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From yllxmu at gmail.com Sat Mar 14 07:48:29 2020 From: yllxmu at gmail.com (Liangliang YANG) Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2020 22:48:29 +0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New paper: Description and classification of echolocation clicks of Indian Ocean humpback (Sousa plumbea) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose (Tursiops aduncus) dolphins from Menai Bay, Zanzibar, East Africa. (Liangliang Yang) Message-ID: Dear Marmam readers, On behalf of my co-authors, I am very pleased to announce the publication of our paper. Yang L, Sharpe M, Temple AJ, Jiddawi N, Xu X, Berggren P (2020) Description and classification of echolocation clicks of Indian Ocean humpback (*Sousa plumbea*) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose (*Tursiops aduncus*) dolphins from Menai Bay, Zanzibar, East Africa. PLoS ONE 15(3): e0230319. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230319 *Abstract*: Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a powerful method to study the occurrence, movement and behavior of echolocating odontocetes (toothed whales) in the wild. However, in areas occupied by more than one species, echolocation clicks need to be classified into species. The present study investigated whether the echolocation clicks produced by small, at-risk, resident sympatric populations of Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (*Sousa plumbea*) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (*Tursiops aduncus*) in Menai Bay, Zanzibar, East Africa, could be classified to allow species specific monitoring. Underwater sounds of *S. plumbea* and *T. aduncus* groups were recorded using a SoundTrap 202HF in January and June-August 2015. Eight acoustic parameters, i.e. -10 dB duration, peak, centroid, lower -3 and lower -10 dB frequencies, and -3 dB, -10 dB and root-mean-squared bandwidth, were used to describe and compare the two species? echolocation clicks. Statistical analyses showed that *S. plumbea* clicks had significantly higher peak, centroid, lower -3 and lower -10 dB frequencies compared to *T. aduncus, *whereas duration and bandwidth parameters were similar for the two species. Random Forest (RF) classifiers were applied to determine parameters that could be used to classify the two species from echolocation clicks and achieved 28.6% and 90.2% correct species classification rates for *S. plumbea* and *T. aduncus*, respectively. Both species were classified at a higher rate than expected at random, however the identified classifiers would only be useful for *T. aduncus* monitoring. The frequency and bandwidth parameters provided most power for species classification. Further study is necessary to identify useful classifiers for* S. plumbea*. This study represents a first step in acoustic description and classification of *S. plumbea* and *T. aduncus *in the western Indian Ocean region, with potential application for future acoustic monitoring of species-specific temporal and spatial occurrence in these sympatric species. The paper is open access and freely available to read or download at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230319 If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me at yllxmu at gmail.com All the best, Liangliang -- Dr. Liangliang Yang Postdoc Research Associate Marine Megafauna Lab School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University, UK Email: yllxmu at gmail.com Phone: +44 (0)1912085091 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From escajeda at uw.edu Thu Mar 12 08:52:31 2020 From: escajeda at uw.edu (Erica Escajeda) Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2020 08:52:31 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] Space Still Available!: Marine Animal Bioacoustics Course at Friday Harbor Labs - Summer 2020 Message-ID: Space is still available for a very exciting class happening this summer at the University of Washington's Friday Harbor Laboratories on beautiful San Juan Island, WA, USA: *Marine Animal Bioacoustics* June 15-July 17, 2020 Five-week course designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the acoustic tools and techniques necessary for investigating the bioacoustics (sound production and reception), communication and behavior of marine animals, with an emphasis on local marine mammals and fishes found in the waters of the San Juan Islands, WA. The course consists of a combination of lectures and discussions; hands-on laboratory training, including building a hydrophone to use for student projects; lab exercises and student-led projects, and one-on-one interactions with course faculty from diverse research perspectives of biology, psychology, and physics. Students will be introduced to both fundamental and contemporary theories of underwater acoustics (including theory and application of pressure and particle motion in acoustical waves, and Fourier Analysis). They will become familiar with modern techniques in bioacoustic recordings and analysis that include tank-based and field-based acoustical measurements. The course is open to advanced undergraduates and graduate students. *Course Instructors:* - Dr. Joseph Sisneros , University of Washington, Department of Psychology - Dr. Timothy Tricas , University of Hawaii, Department of Biology - Dr. Lane Seeley , Seattle Pacific University, Department of Physics *Full course description: * https://fhl.uw.edu/courses/course-descriptions/course/marine-animal-bioacoustics/ *For more information and to apply, visit: * https://fhl.uw.edu/courses/applying-for-an-fhl-course/ *Financial Aid & Scholarships:* https://fhl.uw.edu/courses/fellowships-scholarships/#OtherFinancialAid *Applications are still being accepted at this time! * -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: FHL_MarineBioacousticsCourseFlyer_Update2.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 742037 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Marine Animal Bioacoustics 2020 Course Information.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 354919 bytes Desc: not available URL: From kim.parsons at mail.com Tue Mar 10 13:49:44 2020 From: kim.parsons at mail.com (kim parsons) Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2020 21:49:44 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] JOB: Molecular Genetic Research Lab Tech Message-ID: An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Krista.Hupman at niwa.co.nz Thu Mar 12 23:42:39 2020 From: Krista.Hupman at niwa.co.nz (Krista Hupman) Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2020 06:42:39 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal Volunteer Position, Kaikoura, New Zealand Message-ID: Marine Mammal Volunteer Position, Kaikoura, New Zealand A volunteer is required to assist with an ongoing study investigating the occurrence, residency and movement of marine mammals (primarily leopard seals) around New Zealand. This work involves desktop research including data entry and photo-identification. This project is part of the ongoing research for the Marine Megafauna Group at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research and in collaboration with LeopardSeals.Org. DATES: March - September 2020. A minimum commitment of three months is required and priority will be given to those who can commit for longer periods. During these months the volunteer must be available full-time (i.e. 38 hours per week), however work hours can be flexible to accommodate part-time work if desired. LOCATION: Kaikoura, New Zealand As this is a volunteer position, there is unfortunately no monetary compensation or living provisions. The successful candidate should arrange their own accommodation, living expenses, travel costs and visa. Local assistance can be provided to find suitable accommodation. QUALIFICATIONS: . The project is well suited to upper level undergrads, recent graduates and graduate students who have some background in biology, marine biology, ecology, zoology or related fields. . Computer proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel) is a requirement. APPLICATION PROCESS: . Email your CV to krista.hupman at niwa.co.nz . Outline why you would like to work on this project, the dates when you are available to assist on the project, your qualifications and relevant experience. [https://www.niwa.co.nz/static/niwa-2018-horizontal-180.png] Dr Krista Hupman Cetacean Biologist/Ecologist +64-4-386-0527 | National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA) 301 Evans Bay Parade Hataitai Wellington New Zealand Connect with NIWA: niwa.co.nz Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Instagram To ensure compliance with legal requirements and to maintain cyber security standards, NIWA's IT systems are subject to ongoing monitoring, activity logging and auditing. This monitoring and auditing service may be provided by third parties. Such third parties can access information transmitted to, processed by and stored on NIWA's IT systems -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sergio.cobarrubia at gmail.com Wed Mar 11 08:32:18 2020 From: sergio.cobarrubia at gmail.com (Sergio Cobarrubia) Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2020 11:32:18 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN PROJECT RESEARCH IN VENEZUELA. INTERNS AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 2020. Message-ID: BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN PROJECT RESEARCH IN VENEZUELA. INTERNS AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 2020. BACKGROUND: The Laboratory of Ecosystems and Global Change (LEGC) of the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC, www.ivic.gob.ve) invites the second season of internships-volunteering (2020) in the study of coastal dolphins. LEGC is a scientific team that among its research lines on the fauna of coastal and riparian ecosystems, it has established the first one on aquatic mammals in Venezuela. On the other hand, Provita is an important NGO that contributes to the research and conservation in Venezuela. This research will begin with a project focused on sociobiology (social structure, social networks and bioacoustics) of resident groups of the coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the central coast of Venezuela. This, after an experience of 5 years in that locality studying ecological aspects of T. truncatus ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-018-0401-1). The coast of Aragua not only home this species, but also the Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni), the common dolphin (Delphinus sp.) and the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris). Of which basic information is collected too. LEGC interns and volunteers are young, hard-working who are willing to contribute to research by learning as they experience fieldwork in teams, field techniques for collecting and processing data and methodologies. All team members and interns share academic space, housing in the Institute, housework in the study area, knowledge and experience in a friendly and multicultural environment. The internship consists of three weeks: The first week of theoretical-practical introduction (24 theoretical hours and 16 practicals hours) at the IVIC Ecology Center ( www.ivic.gob.ve/es/investigacion-3/centros-31/ecologia-316). The second week of seven field surveys for data collection (42 h) on the Cata Bay (Aragua state) and the third week for data processing and analysis at the IVIC Ecology Center (40 h). The volunteering consist of the second and third weeks. WHERE: Theory: LEGC, Center of Ecology (IVIC) Miranda State, Caracas (10 23 N - 66 58 W). Practice: Cata Bay, western coast of the (rain forest) National Park Henry Pittier, Aragua state (central coast of Venezuela) 150 km from Caracas (DC) (10 29 N - 67 44 W). PROGRAM: Interns (Three weeks), Volunteers (Two weeks). 1st WEEK (LEGC-Ecology Center, 40 hours. For Interns). - Monday: What is a cetacean? The cetaceans and the human in history. Origin, evolution and diversity. Adaptations for aquatic life: Anatomy and Physiology. Life histories. Biogeography Distribution. Ecology Behavior. Conservation. - Tuesday: Identification of species reported for Venezuela. Basic logistics for the study of cetaceans on the mainland, sea and air. Basic equipment to collect information. - Wednesday: How to detect cetaceans and record an effective sighting? Basic data to collect during a sighting, calibration and use of GPS. Configuration and use of the SLR cameras. Download of sightings (GIS). Download pictures and selection (software). - Thursday: Daily encounter ratio. Photo-identification as a tool for ecological and behavioral studies. Estimates of abundance. Local distribution and areas of action. - Friday: Residential patterns. Behavior (deployments, states, daily budget). Habitat use. Social structure and social networks. Bioacoustics. Saturday: Break. Sunday: Transfer to the Cata Bay. 2nd WEEK (Cata Bay-Provita, 42 hours. For Interns and Volunteers). The field surveys will be carried out in a fishing vessel of 9 m in length by 2 of beam, no roof. The field work will depend on the climatic conditions, however, the Aragua coast offers few climatic inconveniences throughout the year. There will be 7 mornings of field surveys in the week, after each survey is lunch, rest and then proceed to download the data of sightings and then interpret them preliminarily and discuss them. We recommend wearing a long-sleeved shirt, cool pants, hat and sunscreen (30-50 PF). In the field surveys, it will be implemented: - The identification and recognition of the elements of the marine landscape and the method of tracking and detection of cetaceans. - Ethical navigation mode to study cetaceans. - The basic data collection / sighting. - Use of GPS. - Use of SRL digital camera. - Counting of individuals and composition of a group. - Identification of the behavioral states that configure group behavior and its recording. - Use of hydrophone. - Identification and counting of birds. -Identification and counting of vessels and other antropic objects. In the afternoon the information of the sightings will be downloaded: - Sighting forms. - Latitude and longitude. - Photographs and their selection. - Voice recordings (behavior). - Recordings of vocalizations. - Shark whales sightings. - Birds sightings. - Vessels and anthropic objects sightings. 3rd WEEK (LEGC-Ecology Center, 40 hours. For Interns and volunteers). PRACTICAL FEES: Accommodation (IVIC students residence and apartment in Cata Bay), food and transport (airport-IVIC-Cata Bay-IVIC-airport) are paid. The cost of internships is US $ 720 for the compensation of logistical expenses of the field surveys. For more information, please contact:sergio.cobarrubia at gmail.com. There is also the opportunity for 6-week internships and two field survey sessions (1,250 USD). The logistic cost for volunteers is US $ 500. *Ask all your questions, especially to mitigate concerns regarding Venezuela. Since our nation is the object of an intense media campaign where opinion matrices project false dystopian scenarios.* WHEN: During the year there will be 6 internships-volunteering sessions (February, April, June, August, October, November). For interns, second, third and fourth week of the months scheduled. For volunteers, third and fourth week of the scheduled months. VACANTS: 4 people / session. Not included in the rate: - Meals in restaurants - Free time activities - Personal insurance (all participants must have health and / or travel insurance) - Personal expenses. INTEREST IS EXPECTED: - Being over 18 years - Iterns: Preference will be given to undergraduate students and professional students (biology, marine biology, environmental, conservation and plus). - Volunteer: No preferences. - Have a mature attitude towards the investigation of marine mammals and environment. - Be autonomous and flexible. - To be able to live and work in an international team and mainly outdoors in the sea - Speak Spanish, English or Portuguese. ACADEMIC CREDITS: The LEGC will certify the work performed by intern or volunteer through a diploma with the recognition of the hours (academic-practical) worked. APPLICATION AND QUESTIONS: Applicants must write to sergio.cobarrubia at gmail.com with the subject "DOLPHINS PROJECT_Name". You will be sent a confirmation email with all the details about the study area and the species present, the practices and requesting your CV resume, motivation letter (small statement about what your expectations are and why you want to work with LEGC) and the internship month of your choice. Applications will be accepted throughout the year, however, early application is recommended due to limited vacancies. PLUS: The possibility of making one-day expedition to the pelagic habitat is opened, this other expedition will allow us to watch Atlantic spotted dolphins, spinner dolphins or pilot whales. -- *Sergio Enrique Cobarrubia Russo* Laboratorio de Ecosistemas y Cambio Global Centro de Ecolog?a Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cient?ficas Venezuela. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From SSimmons at mmc.gov Thu Mar 12 09:48:59 2020 From: SSimmons at mmc.gov (Samantha Simmons) Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2020 16:48:59 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Job Opportunity with the Science Program at the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission Message-ID: Dear MARMAMers, I'm excited to let you know about an opportunity to join the Science Program at the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission. The position is open to all U.S. citizens and Nationals. Applications for the position will be accepted from March 12th to April 10th. For more information and to apply please click here. Thanks, Sam. USA jobs MMC announcement: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/562434400 _______________________________________________________________ Samantha Simmons, PhD. Scientific Program Director Marine Mammal Commission, 4340 East-West Highway, Suite 700 Bethesda, MD 20814 (w) 301-504-0087 web: www.mmc.gov The Marine Mammal Commission is an independent agency of the U.S. Government Follow us on Twitter: @MarineMammalCom -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From monica.silva.imar at gmail.com Fri Mar 13 04:27:21 2020 From: monica.silva.imar at gmail.com (=?UTF-8?Q?M=C3=B3nica_Silva?=) Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2020 10:27:21 -0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Postdoctoral position: Pelagic food-web interactions and modelling Message-ID: <02d401d5f92a$5d3c8e50$17b5aaf0$@gmail.com> Dear Colleagues, The Institute of Marine Research (IMAR), in the Azores, is opening a call for a post-doctoral position in food-web interactions and modelling, with a special focus on mesopelagic organisms and their megafauna predators. The position is for 2 years but can be extended up to 3 years, and is expected to start in May 2020. The successful candidate will be based at the Azores Whale Lab, led by Dra. M?nica A. Silva, and will develop her/his research activities within two research projects: H2020 - SUMMER - Sustainable management of mesopelagic resources (GA 817806), and MISTIC SEAS III - Developing a coordinated approach for assessing Descriptor 4 via its linkages with D1 and other relevant descriptors in the Macaronesian sub-region (GA 110661/2018/794676/SUB/ENV.C2). The successful candidate will join an international, multidisciplinary research environment both within the research team at IMAR and across the projects? consortia. 1-Position description: The successful candidate will work on the assessment of food-web interactions and on the development and application of an ecosystem model for the pelagic ecosystem of the Azores using the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) model. 2- Scientific area. Marine Biology, Marine ecology or related field 3- Admission requirements: Candidates must meet the following requirements to apply for the position: 1- Hold a PhD in Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, or related field, obtained in the three years prior to the date of the submission of the application; 2 - Document experience in trophic ecology research, through a publication record in international peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations; 3 - Good communication skills in English (written and spoken); 4 - Ability to travel internationally for project meetings and workshops. In addition, the following skills and qualities will be highly valued: 5 - Strong skills in numerical ecology and modelling, preferably in ecosystem modelling using the EwE modelling system; 6 - Participation in scientific cruises, experience with field-based sampling and laboratory work; 7 - Ability to work independently, in international and multidisciplinary teams and to meet deadlines. 4- Work plan: The successful candidate will have the following specific tasks: * Participate in scientific cruises to collect data and samples for the projects; * Prepare samples for DNA, stable isotope, fatty acid and gut content analyses; ? Estimate diet and trophic levels of mesopelagic organisms and their megafauna predators (eg, cetaceans, seabirds, sharks, tuna) and quantify trophic links in the mesopelagic ecosystem, based on results from DNA, stable isotopes, fatty acids and gut contents; ? Collate and organize data relevant for EwE models; ? Develop, modify and parameterize an existing EwE model for the pelagic ecosystem of the Azores, including megafauna predators; * Write and contribute to peer-reviewed publications; * Support students and research assistants in data analysis and fieldwork; * Participate in project meetings, workshops and events; * Assist in producing reports, project deliverables and background documents for meetings, throughout the duration of projects in a timely manner. 5- Applicable legislation: Law Decrete n? 40/2004 of August 18, that established the Statute of the Scientific Research Fellow , with all the changes introduced: (Law Decrete n? 202/2012 of August, 27, Law Decrete n? 89/2013 of 9 July, Law Decrete n? 233/2012 of 29 october , Law n? 12/2013 of 29 January, Law Decrete n? 123/2019 of August 28) Research Fellowship Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology I.P. in force; https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/regulamento.phtml.pt 6- Workplace: The work will be developed at IMAR ? Institute of Marine Research, hosted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceanography of the University of the Azores (DOP-UAc) in Horta (Faial Island), under the coordination of Dra. M?nica Almeida e Silva, Dr. Pedro Afonso and Dr. Telmo Morato. 7- Duration of the scholarship: The fellowship will have the maximum duration of 24 months, renewable up to 36 months, starting on May 2020, or as soon as the selection process is completed. 8- Compensation: The research fellow will receive a monthly allowance of 1,600.00 ?, in accordance to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) official table of fellowships (http://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores). The fellow will be covered by a personal insurance and voluntarily contribution to the national social security system. 9-Selection criteria: The selection of candidates will be based on curriculum evaluation, taking into account the academic record and the demonstration of the skills listed in the admission requirements. Candidates who do not meet admission requirements in points 1 to 4. Admitted candidates will be excluded. Interviews may be conducted to better assess the capability of the candidadtes. 10- Application submission: The call will be open from 09 to 27 March (15 working days).Applications must be submitted by email with the subject ?Call IMAR/Postdoc ? Food-web interactions and modeling?) to Doutora M?nica Almeida e Silva (monica.silva.imar at gmail.com,) CC: Dra Sandra Silva (sandra.eg.silva at uac.pt) with the following documents: letter of motivation with justification of skills for the position, detailed Curriculum Vitae, and copy of university degrees and other certificates. Failure to submit the requested documents will result in the exclusion of the applicant. 11- Evaluation committee: Dra. M?nica Almeida e Silva (President of the jury), Dr Pedro Afonso (vogal), Dr. Telmo Morato (vogal). The composition of the evaluation committee may be changed in case of eventual conflict of interests with competing candidates. 12- Notification of results: The final results will be presented in a list ranked by the candidates? final scores, to be sent by e-mail to all applicants. The successful candidate will be notified via email. If the decision is unfavourable, the candidates have 10 working days to appeal. The jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship based on the adequateness of the applications. M?nica Almeida e Silva (Marine Biologist, PhD) ----------------------------------------------------- MARE ? Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre IMAR - Institute of Marine Research Rua Frederico Machado, 4 9901-862 Horta Portugal Phone: (+351) 292200400 Email: masilva at mare-centre.pt; monica.silva.imar at gmail.com http://whales.scienceontheweb.net ----------------------------------------------------- Guest Investigator WHOI ? Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From agj at bios.au.dk Sun Mar 15 05:28:11 2020 From: agj at bios.au.dk (Anders Galatius) Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2020 12:28:11 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on harbour seal aggression Message-ID: Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are happy to announce our new publication on the harbour seal mating system, and male-male aggression in relation to mating: Galatius A, Teilmann J, Tougaard J, Dietz R. 2020 "Variation of male-male aggression patterns in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina)" in Aquatic Mammals. We briefly review available evidence of male-male aggression in relation to harbour seal mating, and with new data from Denmark, provide evidence that patterns of aggression are different in different areas. A pdf copy is available upon request. Best regards, Anders Galatius ___________________________________________ Anders Galatius, PhD Senior scientist, Biologist Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University Section for Marine Mammal Research Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark Phone: +45 87158694 Mobile: +45 28710372 http://person.au.dk/en/agj at bios.au.dk [sender_logo_uk] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 4236 bytes Desc: image001.jpg URL: From lauren.a.wild at gmail.com Sat Mar 14 18:52:16 2020 From: lauren.a.wild at gmail.com (Lauren Wild) Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2020 17:52:16 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: "Exploring variability in the diet of depredating sperm whales in the Gulf of Alaska through stable isotope analysis." Message-ID: Dear colleagues, The following paper was recently published in Royal Society Open Science: Wild L.A., Mueter F.J., Witteveen B., Straley J.M. 2020. Exploring variability in the diet of depredating sperm whales in the Gulf of Alaska through stable isotope analysis. Royal Society open science 7: 191110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.191110 Abstract: Sperm whales interact with commercially important groundfish fisheries offshore in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This study aims to use stable isotope analysis to better understand the trophic variability of sperm whales and their potential prey, and to use dietary mixing models to estimate the importance of prey species to sperm whale diets. We analysed tissue samples from sperm whales and seven potential prey (five groundfish and two squid species). Samples were analysed for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, and diet composition was estimated using Bayesian isotopic mixing models. Mixing model results suggest that an isotopically combined sablefish/dogfish group, skates and rockfish make up the largest proportion of sperm whale diets (35%, 28% and 12%) in the GOA. The top prey items of whales that interact more frequently with fishing vessels consisted of skates (49%) and the sablefish/dogfish group (24%). This is the first known study to provide an isotopic baseline of adult male sperm whales and these adult groundfish and offshore squid species, and to assign contributions of prey to whale diets in the GOA. This study provides information to commercial fishermen and fisheries managers to better understand trophic connections of important commercial species. The paper is available freely to download at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.191110 Please contact with any questions: lauren.a.wild at gmail.com Lauren Wild PhD - Fisheries University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences lauren.a.wild at gmail.com www.seaswap.info (907)747-7789 - office (907)738-5315 - cell -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From m.romagosa4 at gmail.com Mon Mar 16 12:42:54 2020 From: m.romagosa4 at gmail.com (Miriam Romagosa) Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2020 18:42:54 -0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: Baleen whale acoustic presence and behaviour at a Mid-Atlantic migratory habitat, the Azores Archipelago Message-ID: Dear Marmam subscribers, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article in Scientific Reports journal Romagosa, M., Baumgartner, M., Casc?o, I. et al. Baleen whale acoustic presence and behaviour at a Mid-Atlantic migratory habitat, the Azores Archipelago. Sci Rep 10, 4766 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61849-8 The identification of important areas during the annual life cycle of migratory animals, such as baleen whales, is vital for their conservation. In boreal springtime, fin and blue whales feed in the Azores on their way to northern latitudes while sei whales migrate through the archipelago with only occasional feeding. Little is known about their autumn or winter presence or their acoustic behaviour in temperate migratory habitats. This study used a 5-year acoustic data set collected by autonomous recorders in the Azores that were processed and analysed using an automated call detection and classification system. Fin and blue whales were acoustically present in the archipelago from autumn to spring with marked seasonal differences in the use of different call types. Diel patterns of calling activity were only found for fin whales with more calls during the day than night. Sei whales showed a bimodal distribution of acoustic presence in spring and autumn, corresponding to their expected migration patterns. Diel differences in sei whale calling varied with season and location. This work highlights the importance of the Azores as a migratory and wintering habitat for three species of baleen whales and provides novel information on their acoustic behaviour in a mid-Atlantic region. The publication is available online at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61849-8 Kind regards, -- Miriam Romagosa PhD candidate IMAR - Institute of Marine Research & Okeanos I & D Centre DOP - Department of Oceanography and Fisheries University of the Azores Rua Professor Dr. Frederico Machado 4 9901-862 Horta Portugal -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From oriolgiralt at hotmail.com Mon Mar 16 10:21:20 2020 From: oriolgiralt at hotmail.com (Oriol Giralt) Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2020 17:21:20 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] =?iso-8859-1?q?New_publication_on_food-web_dynamics_and_?= =?iso-8859-1?q?the_trophic_position_of_common_dolphins_=28Delphinus_Delph?= =?iso-8859-1?q?i=27s=29_in_R=EDas_Baixas=2C_Galicia_Spain?= Message-ID: Dear MARMAM colleagues My coauthors and I are please to share with the MARMAM community the article: Giralt Paradell, O., D?az L?pez, B., Methion, S., Rogan, E. 2020. Food-web interactions in a coastal ecosystem influenced by upwelling and terrestrial runoff off North-West Spain. Marine Environmental Research. 175. 104933. doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104933 The article explores the food web dynamics of a coastal ecosystem and the trophic position of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in this ecosystem. It can be freely accessed for a limited time in sciencedirect using the link below: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141113619307810?dgcid=author The article can also be accessed using this alternative link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141113619307810 Abstract Ecopath with Ecosim has been used to create mass-balance models of different type of ecosystems around the world to explore and analyse their functioning and structure. This modelling framework has become a key tool in the ecosystem approach to fisheries management, by providing a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of the interactions between the different species. Additionally, Ecopath with Ecosim has provided a useful framework to study ecosystem maturity, changes in the ecosystem functioning over time and the impact of fisheries and aquaculture on the ecosystem, among other aspects. The present work explores the ecosystem functioning and structure in an anthropogenically impacted coastal area, influenced by seasonal coastal upwelling and high input of nutrients from rias (ancient drowned tectonic valleys) off North-West Spain. A mass-balance model with 23 functional groups was created using Ecopath to study the trophic interactions in the ecosystem during the post-upwelling period (August to October) in 2017. The model described an immature, wasp-waist ecosystem, that shared characteristics of ecosystems found in upwelling areas and ecosystems found in fjords or coastal embayments. Deeper analyses highlighted the importance of small planktivorous pelagic fish as a keystone functional group, and of zooplankton, blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) and phytoplankton as structuring groups in the ecosystem. Additionally, the study revealed that the existing fishing pressure on species of intermediate-high trophic levels could alter ecosystem functioning and structure, and ultimately affect top predators in the area. Findings of this study provide baseline information in ecosystem functioning and structure in the area and highlight the need to deeper study the effects of fisheries and their potential impacts on top predators. For further questions, please contact me at oriol at thebdri.com Best Oriol Giralt Marine Biologist The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain http://www.thebdri.com/ 0034 679 813 129 This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private informations. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Please note that neither the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI nor the sender accept any responsibility for any viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and the attachments (if any). Thank you for your cooperation. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From filalves at rocketmail.com Tue Mar 17 01:44:25 2020 From: filalves at rocketmail.com (Filipe Alves) Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2020 08:44:25 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [MARMAM] NEW PUBLICATION: Ecophysiological traits of highly mobile large marine predators inferred from nucleic acid derived indices (Filipe Alves) References: <993770880.4020666.1584434665809.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <993770880.4020666.1584434665809@mail.yahoo.com> Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce a new publication assessing the aplicability of an innovative methodology to evaluate the ecophysiological condition in marine mammals: Alves F, M Dromby, V Baptista, R Ferreira, AM Correia, M Weyn, R Valente, E Froufe, M Rosso, I Sousa-Pinto, A Dinis, E Dias, MA Teod?sio (2020). Ecophysiologicaltraits of highly mobile large marine predators inferred from nucleic acidderived indices. Scientific Reports10, 4752.?https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61769-7 Abstract Nucleic acid-derived indices such as RNA/DNA ratios have been successfully applied as ecophysiological indicators to assess growth, nutritional condition and health status in marine organisms given that they provide a measure of tissue protein reserves, which is known to vary depending on changes in the environment. Yet, the use of these biochemical indices on highly mobile large predators is scarce. In this study, we tested the applicability of using nucleic acids to provide insights on the ecophysiological traits of two marine mammal species (common bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales) and explored potential related factors (species, sex, season, and residency pattern), using skin tissue (obtained from biopsy darts) of apparently healthy and adult free-ranging animals. Significantly higher RNA/DNA ratios were obtained for bottlenose dolphins (p < 0.001), and for visitor pilot whales when compared with resident pilot whales (p = 0.001). No significant changes were found between the sexes. Based on the percentile approach, the samples contain individuals in a general good condition (as the 10th percentile is not closer to the mean than the 75th percentile), suggesting that the studied region of Macaronesia may be considered an adequate habitat. The combination of this effective tool with genetic sexing and photographic-identification provided an overall picture of ecosystem health, and although with some limitations and still being a first approach, it has the applicability to be used in other top predators and ecosystems. The paper is open access and freely available for download at: https://rdcu.be/b20Ie or contact me at filipe.alves at mare-centre.pt or filalves at rocketmail.com Cheers, Filipe?Alves Postdoctoral?fellow MARE?-?Marine?and?Environmental?Sciences?Centre?/?ARDITI Oceanic?Observatory?of?Madeira Caminho?da?Penteada,?Madeira?Tecnopolo, 9020-105?Funchal, Portugal +351?291721216 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From odei.garcia19 at gmail.com Tue Mar 17 09:07:16 2020 From: odei.garcia19 at gmail.com (Odei Garcia-Garin) Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2020 17:07:16 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: Organophosphate contaminants in North Atlantic fin whales (Odei Garcia-Garin) Message-ID: Dear MARMAM list members, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our recent study: *Organophosphate contaminants in North Atlantic fin whales* *Garcia-Garin, O., Sala, B., Aguilar, A., Vighi, M., V?kingsson, G. A., Chosson, V., Eljarrat, E., & Borrell, A. (2020). Organophosphate contaminants in North Atlantic fin whales. *Science of the Total Environment*, *721.* 137768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.183135* *Abstract*: Pollution of the marine environment by litter composed of plastics is a growing concern. Chemical additives such as organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), which are added to plastics to improve their qualities, are in focus because they allegedly cause adverse effects on marine fauna. Here we analyse OPFR levels in the muscle of fin whales because, as a mysticete, this cetacean obtains its food by filter-feeding and is thus highly vulnerable to marine litter. Moreover, the fin whale performs long-range migrations from low-latitude areas in winter to high-latitude areas in summer, a trait that makes it a potentially good large-scale biomonitor of pollution. We also analyse OPFR levels in its main prey, the krill *Meganyctiphanes norvegica*, to assess transfer through diet. The samples analysed consisted of muscle tissue from 20 fin whales and whole-body homogenates of 10 krill samples, all collected off West Iceland. >From the 19 OPFRs analysed, we detected 7 in the fin whale and 5 in the krill samples. Tri-n-butyl phosphate (TNBP), Isopropylated triphenyl phosphate (IPPP) and Triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) were the most abundant compounds found in both species. Mean ?OPFR concentration, expressed on a lipid weight basis, was 985 (SD = 2239) ng g?1 in fin whale muscle, and 949 (SD = 1090) ng g?1 in krill homogenates. These results constitute the first evidence of the presence of OPFRs in the tissues of fin whales. Furthermore, they seem to support the non-significance of bioaccumulation of OPFRs through lifespan and of biomagnification trough the food web. The paper can be accessed using the following link: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1alBlB8ccoBFN Or send me an e-mail (odei.garcia at ub.edu) for the full text. All the best, Odei Garcia-Garin -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From robert.pitman at oregonstate.edu Wed Mar 18 09:59:21 2020 From: robert.pitman at oregonstate.edu (Pitman, Robert) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2020 16:59:21 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Paper on whale migration Message-ID: <58D2A11E3A06554092CB879DAE7AB5804C369422@ex5.oregonstate.edu> Dear Colleagues, Some shelter-in-place reading material ? a paper on why whales migrate was recently published in Marine Mammal Science: Skin in the game: Epidermal molt as a driver of long-distance migration in whales by R. L. Pitman, J. W. Durban, T. Joyce, H. Fearnbach, S. Panigada, and G. Lauriano Abstract. Long-distance migration in whales has historically been described as an annual, round-trip movement between high latitude, summer feeding grounds, and low-latitude, winter breeding areas, but there is no consensus about why whales travel to the tropics to breed. Between January 2009 and February 2016, we satellite-tagged 62 antarctic killer whales (Orcinus orca) of four different ecotypes, of which at least three made short-term (6?8 weeks), long-distance (maximum 11,000 km, round trip), essentially nonstop, migrations to warm waters (SST 20?C?24?C), and back. We previously suggested that antarctic killer whales could conserve body heat in subfreezing (to ?1.9?C) waters by reducing blood flow to their skin, but that this might preclude normal (i.e., continuous) epidermal molt, and necessitate periodic trips to warm waters for routine skin maintenance (?skin molt migration,? SMM). In contrast to the century-old ?feeding/breeding? migration paradigm, but consistent with a ?feeding/molting? hypothesis, the current study provides additional evidence that deferred skin molt could be the main driver of long-distance migration for antarctic killer whales. Furthermore, we argue that for all whales that forage in polar latitudes and migrate to tropical waters, SMM might also allow them to exploit rich prey resources in a physiologically challenging environment and maintain healthy skin. A PDF is available from any of the authors or online, open access, at the following link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12661 Bob Pitman Robert L. Pitman Marine Mammal Institute Hatfield Marine Center Oregon State University Newport, Oregon 97365 Robert.pitman at oregonstate.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From yarabdq at gmail.com Wed Mar 18 05:17:08 2020 From: yarabdq at gmail.com (=?UTF-8?Q?Yara_Bernaldo_de_Quir=C3=B3s_Miranda?=) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2020 12:17:08 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: Morphological structure of the aortic wall in three Delphinid species with shallow or intermediate diving habits: Evidence for diving adaptation Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, We are glad to announce a new publication on the ?Morphological structure of the aortic wall in three Delphinid species with shallow or intermediate diving habits: Evidence for diving adaptation? ABSTRACT Some modifications in the vascular system of marine mammals provide adaptive advantages for diving. This study analyses the organisation of the aortic wall in dolphins, observing artery changes in volume and blood pressure for diving behaviour. Samples of three aortic segments (ascending, thoracic and abdominal) of three dolphin species were processed for histological and morphometric studies. The three dolphin species used, striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) and common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), have shallow or intermediate diving habits. Our results indicated that the components of the aortic wall of the dolphins had different dispositions in the three selected segments. The aortic wall decreased in thickness along its length due to a loss of the lamellar units in the tunica media and a thinning of the main elements of the lamellar units along the artery. The life stage had little influence on the thickness of the aortic wall except for the ascending aorta. The weight, body length, species or sex of the specimen did not significantly influence the thickness of the wall or the lamellar units. In summary, the histological and morphometric aortic structure in dolphins, in relation to the studied parameters, seems to be similar to that previously described of terrestrial mammals such as pigs, except for a larger difference in the proportion of lamellar units between the ascending and thoracic segments. Link to the full manuscript: *https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jmor.21105 * Regards, Prof. Antonio Fern?ndez PhD Yara Bernaldo de Quir?s -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mccue.laura at gmail.com Wed Mar 18 09:35:24 2020 From: mccue.laura at gmail.com (Laura McCue) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2020 09:35:24 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] MARMAM submission, New Publication: Synchrony, leadership, and association in male Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) Message-ID: Dear Marmamers, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our new publication in *Ethology*: Synchrony, leadership, and association in male Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops aduncus*) Laura M. McCue, William R. Cioffi, Michael R. Heithaus, Lynne Barr?, & Richard C. Connor https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/eth.13025 Please take care of yourselves and each other during this difficult time. Abstract Male Indo?pacific bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia, have converged with humans in the formation of nested male alliances and the use of synchrony in alliance behavior. Further, the strength of association among allied male dolphins varies and the stability of alliances correlates with the rate that males consort with estrus females (and is thus a possible indicator of dominance). To examine the possibility that synchrony reflects alliance association strength and dominance relationships, we analyzed videotapes from focal follows of two groups of males that reflect the range of alliance size and the strength of association between individuals in the population. We examined two variables: *leadership* during synchronous behaviors, based on which animal in a synchronously surfacing pair surfaced first, and the *degree of synchrony*, based on temporal differences in synchronous surfacing. We predicted that closer associates would exhibit a greater degree of synchrony and that one dolphin in a dyad would consistently lead. Contrary to our predictions, the degree of synchrony was inversely related to strength of association within alliances. This surprising result suggests that individuals with less secure bonds may strive more to achieve synchrony. We found no evidence of leadership during synchronous surfacing or between synchrony and other behavioral variables. Proximate mechanisms for synchronous behavior, such as entrainment and mutual motor imitation (?the mirror game? paradigm), may inhibit leadership in this context. Our results show that synchrony during surfacing is not a useful behavior to examine for dominance relationships in wild dolphins but it may be a useful tool to examine variation in alliance relationships. Thank you, Laura McCue NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region mccue.laura at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From russell.kenzielee at gmail.com Wed Mar 18 11:47:54 2020 From: russell.kenzielee at gmail.com (Mackenzie Russell) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2020 13:47:54 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] DEADLINE EXTENSION- Dauphin Island Sea Lab Veterinarian/Post-Doctoral Researcher Message-ID: The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) seeks a full-time veterinarian and research post-doc to join our dedicated team of staff, students, researchers and volunteers as part of the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network (ALMMSN). The candidate filling this full-time, research-based position would be eligible to seek research assistant faculty status or adjunct appointment at DISL and any of the 22 consortial schools in the state of Alabama. The successful candidate will lead live animal response and necropsy of cetaceans and manatees, as well as write necropsy reports, make diagnostic assessments, assist with training support staff in stranding and necropsy techniques, and support and conduct independent research projects related to pathology, diagnostic assessments, or other relevant topics that lead to peer-reviewed publications. The successful candidate will co-mentor students and interns to assist with research. Teaching is not mandatory, but the candidate may opt to develop and teach courses as part of the DISL undergraduate summer or year-round graduate programs. The candidate will be encouraged to attend relevant scientific and professional meetings to share data and for career development. The ideal candidate has flexibility to respond to and consult on strandings on short notice, often during non-business hours including nights, weekends and holidays. Applicant should be able to conduct a thorough physical examination (including blood draws and administration of medications) and assess the status of live stranded marine mammals. Applicant must be a team player who communicates well with volunteers, technicians, the public and media. The candidate will work closely with the Stranding Coordinator and Primary Investigator (Dr. R.H. Carmichael) and in collaboration with the Southeast Region Stranding Network, state and local partners under NOAA NMFS and USFWS. *Requirements:* ? Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) and hold a valid U.S. veterinary license ? Experience conducting independent research in a relevant field ? Prior experience with veterinary care of stranded marine mammals (cetaceans and manatees preferred) ? Obtain Alabama Veterinary and DEA licenses within 3 months of employment ? Have a clean driving record ? Applicants must be familiar with and able to comply with all policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines applicable to marine mammals in the U.S and be willing to gain specific knowledge needed to successfully accomplish professional tasks in the southeast region and in the state of Alabama *Preferred Qualifications:* ? Applicant should be (or plan to become) a member of the International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine ? Experience writing peer-reviewed publications ? Experience with statistical methods ? Public speaking and teaching experience Training will be provided to further develop project management, research, leadership and teaching skills, obtain stranding network certification, and enhance ongoing career development. The position is salaried with full benefits, with initial contract for 2 years with possibility of extension. Review of applications will begin on March 27, 2020 and the position will remain open until filled. The start date is negotiable, with preferred start date in spring or early summer 2020. To apply, please send a cover letter, including a research statement and potential collaborators, CV and list of three references to vetpostdoc at disl.org If you have questions or would like further information about the position, please contact Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael at 251-861-2141, x7555 or rcarmichael at disl.org. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From solene.derville at ird.fr Tue Mar 17 21:36:16 2020 From: solene.derville at ird.fr (solene.derville at ird.fr) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2020 05:36:16 +0100 (CET) Subject: [MARMAM] New publication in Scientific Reports Message-ID: <1680994448.2406897.1584506176452.JavaMail.zimbra@ird.fr> Dear MARMAM community We are pleased to announce the publication of our new article about humpback whale use of seamounts in the South Pacific. Derville, S., Torres, L.G., Zerbini, A.N. et al. Horizontal and vertical movements of humpback whales inform the use of critical pelagic habitats in the western South Pacific. Sci Rep 10, 4871 (2020). [ https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61771-z | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61771-z ] Abstract: Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) are known for their nearshore distribution during the breeding season, but their pelagic habitat use patterns remain mostly unexplored. From 2016 to 2018, 18 humpback whales were equipped with depth-recording satellite tags (SPLASH10) to shed light on environmental and social drivers of seamount association around New Caledonia in the western South Pacific. Movement paths were spatially structured around shallow seamounts (<200 m). Indeed, two males stopped over the Lord Howe seamount chain during the first-ever recorded longitudinal transit between New Caledonia and the east coast of Australia. Residence time significantly increased with proximity to shallow seamounts, while dive depth increased in the vicinity of seafloor ridges. Most of the 7,986 recorded dives occurred above 80 m (88.5%), but deep dives (>80 m, max 616 m) were also recorded (11.5%), including by maternal females. Deep dives often occurred in series and were characterized by U-shapes suggesting high energy expenditure. This study provides new insights into the formerly overlooked use of pelagic habitats by humpback whales during the breeding season. Given increasing anthropogenic threats on deep sea habitats worldwide, this work has implications for the conservation of vulnerable marine ecosystems. The article is open access in Scientific Reports. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions (s.derville at live.fr or [ mailto:claire.garrigue at ird.fr | claire.garrigue at ird.fr ] ). -- Sol?ne Derville PhD - Marine & Geospatial Ecology Association Op?ration C?tac?s UMR Entropie - Institut de Recherche pour le D?veloppement ---------- 101 Promenade Roger Laroque, BPA5 98848 Noumea cedex, New Caledonia Phone: +687 912299 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Solene_Derville -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From allison.hernandez at noaa.gov Wed Mar 18 07:41:48 2020 From: allison.hernandez at noaa.gov (Allison Hernandez - NOAA Federal) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2020 10:41:48 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Posted: Final Programmatic Biological Opinion on the Federally-Regulated Oil and Gas Program in the Gulf of Mexico Message-ID: The *Final Programmatic Biological Opinion on the Federally-Regulated Oil and Gas Program in the Gulf of Mexico* was posted to https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/biological-opinions under the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) subheading. ? Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), federal agencies must consult with NOAA Fisheries on activities that may affect ESA-listed species. These inter-agency consultations are designed to help federal agencies in fulfilling their duty to ensure that their actions do not jeopardize the continued existence of a species, or destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat. ? ESA Section 7 requires NOAA Fisheries? to issue biological opinions on how federal agencies? actions affect ESA-listed species and critical habitat. Where appropriate, these biological opinions provide an exemption for the otherwise-prohibited ?take? of ESA-listed species, along with reasonable and prudent measures and terms and conditions to minimize impacts from such taking, which the federal action agency must comply with to have the exemption. If NOAA Fisheries determines that an action is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species, the ESA requires the biological opinion to provide a ?Reasonable and Prudent Alternative? that can be taken by the action agency to avoid jeopardy. ? At BOEM?s request, NOAA Fisheries consulted with the Department of the Interior?s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) on their actions associated with the Gulf of Mexico oil and gas program, and with NOAA Fisheries? Office of Protected Resources? Permits and Conservation Division on their proposed regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) for geophysical surveys in the Gulf of Mexico. ? BOEM, the lead action agency for this consultation, makes decisions about energy development in the waters of the outer continental shelf, and has responsibility for permitting geophysical surveys. Efforts to explore for hydrocarbons using this technique were renewed in 2017 with Presidential Executive Order 13795, Implementing an America First Offshore Energy Strategy, which encourages energy exploration and production that fosters energy security and resilience for Americans, while ensuring those activities are safe and environmentally responsible. BOEM?s proposed action includes the oil and gas program from exploration and construction to production and decommissioning over the next 50 years. -- *Allison Hernandez* Biologist, ESA Interagency Cooperation Division Office of Protected Resources National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-427-8413 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From gmommsen at nmlc.org Tue Mar 17 09:41:15 2020 From: gmommsen at nmlc.org (Geneva Mommsen) Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2020 16:41:15 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] MARMAM Submission NMLC Message-ID: Hello, The National Marine Life Center will be offering a new virtual outreach experience, Patient Updates LIVE. Friends should tune in to https://www.facebook.com/NationalMarineLifeCenter/ at 11:00AM EST Monday - Friday this week as a National Marine Life Center Animal Care Team Member goes Live on Facebook to share information about the current patients at the National Marine Life Center's Marine Animal Hospital. Viewers can ask questions by posting comments and we will do our best to answer them all live. Please direct questions to gmommsen at nmlc.org Geneva Mommsen Education & Volunteer Coordinator National Marine Life Center gmommsen at nmlc.org 508-743-9888 x302 Shop with Amazon? Try Amazon Smile! National Marine Life Center at https://smile.amazon.com/ch/04-3290276 A portion (.5%) of the price for eligible products is donated to a charity of your choice. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: National Marine Life Center's Patient Updates LIVE.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 53032 bytes Desc: National Marine Life Center's Patient Updates LIVE.pdf URL: From laura.ko.smith at gmail.com Wed Mar 18 08:24:37 2020 From: laura.ko.smith at gmail.com (Laura K.O. Smith) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2020 12:24:37 -0300 Subject: [MARMAM] Antarctica Research Opportunity 2020-2021 Season Message-ID: Antarctica Research Opportunity 2020-2021 Season Quixote Expeditions, a sailing company in Antarctica, has up to 3 bunk spaces during the 2020-2021 Antarctic Season for Guest Scientists to join us in Antarctica. The season is 1 Dec 2020 ? Mid-March 2021. Scientists can come for 15 or 19 day trips during this time period. In the past our research positions have been filled by members of the MARMAM community helping phd with projects! We hope to continue to be able to support this community. Details are below. Any questions please contact info at quixote -expeditions.com. Applications Due April 17, 2020, with decisions being made by early May *Antarctica Guest Scientist Program* Quixote Expeditions is excited to announce its 2020-2021 Guest Scientist program for our 2020-2021 season on trips to the Antarctic Peninsula. More information is on our website (http://www.quixote-expeditions.com/guest -scientist/ ) and below: Quixote Expeditions has a Guest Scientist Program where scientists can join any of our regularly scheduled trips in order to help them carry out their active research. This can be anyone working on a master's or PhD thesis, post-docs, professors and researchers at universities, and scientists associated with non-profits. We offer a free space onboard any of our scheduled trips for scientists to perform their research. We sail in remote places that are often hard for scientists to get to and for those with limited funding, impossible due to the expensive nature of working in remote areas. We hope that by offering these spaces, one per trip, that amazing and interesting science can be continued here at the end of the world. In exchange we ask that the scientists to contribute the following: - To involve the other guests onboard with the research and data collecting if possible (Its not always possible!). - To present some of their current or past research while onboard. - At the end of the trip to prepare a short write up about the trip and the science that will then be posted on the QuixoteExpeditions Website. - To help operate the vessel (standing watch, helping in the galley, etc). Ocean Tramp, while a large sailboat, is still small compared to a larger research vessel. We ask that all scientists chip in, along with our guests. We can offer free room and board to one scientist per trip. All other related costs are at the expense of the scientists. Please go to our website for the application and full details http://www.quixote-expedition s.com/guest-scientist/ Please feel to contact me with any questions Laura Smith info at quixote-expeditions.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From johnm at alaskasealife.org Fri Mar 20 10:12:57 2020 From: johnm at alaskasealife.org (John Maniscalco) Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2020 09:12:57 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: Diets of walruses in Bristol Bay, Alaska Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of "Contemporary diets of walruses in Bristol Bay, Alaska suggest temporal variability in benthic community structure." Available at PeerJ: https://peerj.com/articles/8735/ ABSTRACT *Background.* Pacific walruses (*Odobenus rosmarus divergens*) are a conspicuous and important component of the Bristol Bay ecosystem and human social systems, but very little is known about walrus ecology in this region, principally their feeding ecology. The present work provides contemporary data on the diets of walruses at four haulout locations throughout Bristol Bay between 2014 and 2018. *Methods.* We analyzed scat and gastrointestinal tract samples from these animals using quantitative polymerase chain reaction to amplify prey DNA, which allowed for diet estimates based on frequencies of prey item occurrence and on the relative importance of dietary items as determined from DNA threshold cycle scores. *Results.* Diets were highly diverse at all locations, but with some variation in com- position that may be related to the time of year that samples were collected (summer vs. autumn), or to spatial variability in the distribution of prey. Overall, polychaetes and tunicates had the highest frequencies of occurrence and relative abundances in 2014-15, but a major change in diet appears to have occurred by 2017-18. While some sample sizes were small, diets in these later years contrasted sharply, with a greater prevalence of sea cucumbers and mollusks, and reduced importance of decapods and fishes compared to the earlier years. Prey identified in scat samples from one collection site also contrasted sharply with those reported from the same location in 1981. The apparent temporal shifts in walrus prey may represent a changing benthic ecosystem due to warming waters in recent decades. -- *John M. Maniscalco, Ph.D., Capt.* Senior Research Scientist, Alaska SeaLife Center Owner/Operator, Alaska Seabird Charters www.alaskaseabirds.com PO Box 1675 Seward, AK 99664 *John M. Maniscalco, Ph.D., Capt.* *Research Scientist* Alaska SeaLife Center P.O. Box 1329 ? 301 Railway Ave ? Seward, AK 99664 Direct: 907-224-6378 Fax: 907-224-6320 www.alaskasealife.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From martaguerra87 at gmail.com Thu Mar 19 17:59:11 2020 From: martaguerra87 at gmail.com (Marta Guerra) Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2020 13:59:11 +1300 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on foraging ecology of sperm whales based on stable isotope analyses Message-ID: Dear MARMAM subscribers, My colleagues and I would like to announce the publication of the following article in Marine Ecology Progress Series: *'Stable isotope analyses reveal seasonal and inter-individual variation in the foraging ecology of sperm whales'* Marta Guerra, Lucy Wing, Stephen Dawson, William Rayment Abstract: Studying inter-individual variation in foraging by top predators is key for understanding the ecology of their populations, while knowledge of seasonal variability in foraging helps explain temporal changes in habitat use and ecological role. We investigated the inter-individual and seasonal differences in stable isotope ratios of sperm whales *(Physeter macrocephalus)* in the temperate foraging ground of the Kaik?ura Canyon, New Zealand. Isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen were measured in 107 samples of sloughed skin from 37 individual males with a wide range of residency patterns and body lengths, sampled over four summers and three winters. Variability in individual isotope ratios was analysed with generalised additive mixed models. The whales? residency patterns, but not body size, accounted for most heterogeneity of ?13C and ?15N. Specifically, whales that visited Kaik?ura occasionally had more diverse and lower isotope ratios than more frequent visitors (by* ca. *-1? ?13C and -2? ?15N), likely reflecting a range of foraging habitats further offshore and/or south of Kaik?ura Canyon. We suggest that these patterns reflect differences in large-scale foraging patterns within the population. In addition, whales sampled in winter had significantly lower values of ?13C than whales sampled in summer (by* ca. *-0.5?), indicating seasonal differences in the use of food resources. Our results provide new insights into foraging patterns of sperm whales, and highlight the value of accounting for individual differences in the ecology of top predators. The article can be accessed via https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13255 (subscription only), or you can email me at marta.guerra at otago.ac.nz for a copy of the pdf. Best wishes, Marta Guerra -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rtysonmoore at mote.org Fri Mar 20 09:06:30 2020 From: rtysonmoore at mote.org (Reny Tyson Moore) Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2020 12:06:30 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: Post-Release Monitoring of a Stranded and Rehabilitated Short-Finned Pilot Whale Reveals Current-Assisted Travel Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce that the following article is now available online: http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org Tyson Moore, R. B., Douglas, D. D., Nollens, H. H., Croft, L., and Wells. R. S. (2020). Post-Release Monitoring of a Stranded and Rehabilitated Short-Finned Pilot Whale (*Globicephala macrorhynchus*) Reveals Current-Assisted Travel. *Aquatic Mammals*. *46*(2): 200-2014. DOI 10.1578/AM.46.2.2020.200 *Abstract*: A subadult female short-finned pilot whale (*Globicephala macrorhynchus*), which stranded on the northeastern Gulf of Mexico coast of Florida in June 2017, was rehabilitated for 38 days and then monitored with a satellite-linked, time-depth recording tag for 32 days after being released off the West Florida Shelf. The individual, ?Gale,? appeared to regularly use ocean currents to facilitate a southeastward movement around Florida, and then a northward movement along the continental shelf break to the waters off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Indeed, 57% of her travel along the coast of Florida was at speeds consistent with the surface speed and direction of the Gulf Stream. Overall, current-assisted travel contributed to a 19% increase in distance traveled (4,152 km) and to an average rate of travel (130 km/d) that was higher than previously reported for Globicephala spp. Gale?s dive behavior was typical of other short-finned pilot whale observations, with average dive depths (243 ? 136 m; max = 712 m) and durations (7.9 ? 2.2 min; max = 16.0 min) within the range of reported values for Globicephala spp. Gale also occupied habitats known to be used by pilot whales, and her movements and behaviors were consistent with those observed in other short-finned pilot whales in the Gulf of Mexico and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. The information presented herein contributes to a better understanding of short-finned pilot whales and to the assessment of rehabilitation and release protocols. Please, do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like a copy of the PDF. Best, Reny Tyson Moore, PhD Staff Scientist Sarasota Dolphin Research Program Chicago Zoological Society (352) 408-6018 cell rtysonmoore at mote.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sergiperezjorge at gmail.com Mon Mar 23 04:45:36 2020 From: sergiperezjorge at gmail.com (=?UTF-8?Q?Sergi_P=C3=A9rez_Jorge?=) Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2020 10:45:36 -0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: Environmental drivers of large-scale movements of baleen whales in the mid-North Atlantic Ocean Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the following paper recently published in Diversity and Distributions: *Environmental drivers of large-scale movements of baleen whales in the mid-North Atlantic Ocean. * Sergi P?rez-Jorge, Marta Tobe?a, Rui Prieto, Frederic Vandeperre, Beatriz Calmettes, Patrick Lehodey and M?nica A. Silva *Abstract* *Aim: *Understanding the environmental drivers of movement and habitat use of highly migratory marine species is crucial to implement appropriate management and conservation measures. However, this requires quantitative information on their spatial and temporal presence, which is limited in the high seas. Here, we aimed to gain insights of the essential habitats of three baleen whale species around the mid-North Atlantic (NA) region, linking their large-scale movements with information on oceanographic and biological processes. *Location: *Mid-NA Ocean. *Methods: *We present the first study combining data from 31 satellite tracks of baleen whales (15, 10 and 6 from fin, blue and sei whales, respectively) from March to July (2008?2016) with data on remotely sensed oceanography and mid- and lower trophic level biomass derived from the spatial ecosystem and population dynamics model (SEAPODYM). A Bayesian switching state-space model was applied to obtain regular tracks and correct for location errors, and pseudo-absences were created through simulated positions using a correlated random walk model. Based on the tracks and pseudo-absences, we applied generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) to determine the probability of occurrence and predict monthly distributions. *Results: *This study provides the most detailed research on the spatio-temporal distribution of baleen whales in the mid-NA, showing how dynamic biophysical processes determine their habitat preference. Movement patterns were mainly influenced by the interaction of temperature and the lower trophic level biomass; however, this relationship differed substantially among species. Best-fit models suggest that movements of whales migrating towards more productive areas in northern latitudes were constrained by depth and eddy kinetic energy. *Main conclusions: *These novel insights highlight the importance of integrating telemetry data with spatially explicit prey models to understand which factors shape the movement patterns of highly migratory species across large geographical scales. In addition, our outcomes could contribute to inform management of anthropogenic threats to baleen whales in sparsely surveyed region. The paper is open access and freely available for download at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ddi.13038 Or contact me at sergiperezjorge at gmail.com All the best, Sergi P?rez-Jorge -- Sergi P?rez-Jorge, PhD IMAR - Institute of Marine Research Okeanos R&D Center Rua Prof Dr Frederico Machado 4 9901-862 Horta, Azores, Portugal Tel. +351 292200400 Skype: sergi_perez, Twitter: @sergiperezjorge Azores Whale Lab: http://whales.scienceontheweb.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From guilfon at wwu.edu Tue Mar 24 10:14:37 2020 From: guilfon at wwu.edu (Nathaniel Guilford) Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2020 17:14:37 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] NWSSMM 2020 Cancelled Message-ID: Dear NWSSMM community, In support of the efforts of the Whatcom County Health Department, the State of Washington, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the WWU community to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we will unfortunately be cancelling the spring meeting in Bellingham, WA originally scheduled for 05/02/2020-05/03/2020. Thank you to those of you who expressed interest in attending and/or presenting; we are sorry we won?t get to see your research this spring. Hopefully we can all catch up soon! Keep up the good work and stay healthy! Best, WWU Marine Mammal Lab -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From manuel.castellote at noaa.gov Mon Mar 23 19:39:14 2020 From: manuel.castellote at noaa.gov (Manuel Castellote - NOAA Affiliate) Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2020 19:39:14 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on ML and beluga acoustics Message-ID: Dear MARMAM recipients, We are happy to announce our new publication: Zhong, Castellote, Dodhia, Lavista Ferres, Keogh, Brewer. 2020. Beluga whale acoustic signal classification using deep learning neural network models. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 147(3): 1834-1841. https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0000921 ABSTRACT: Over a decade after the Cook Inlet beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) was listed as endangered in 2008, the population has shown no sign of recovery. Lack of ecological knowledge limits the understanding of, and ability to manage, potential threats impeding recovery of this declining population. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, in partnership with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, initiated a passive acoustics monitoring program in 2017 to investigate beluga seasonal occurrence by deploying a series of passive acoustic moorings. Data have been processed with semi-automated tonal detectors followed by time intensive manual validation. To reduce this labor intensive and time-consuming process, in addition to increasing the accuracy of classification results, the authors constructed an ensembled deep learning convolutional neural network model to classify beluga detections as true or false. Using a 0.5 threshold, the final model achieves 96.57% precision and 92.26% recall on testing dataset. This methodology proves to be successful at classifying beluga signals, and the framework can be easily generalized to other acoustic classification problems. Please contact me for a pdf copy if needed. And our Github repo for our Python scripts: https://github.com/microsoft/belugasounds Sincerely, Manuel Castellote -- Manuel Castellote, PhD Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, University of Washington & Cetacean Assessment and Ecology Program, Marine Mammal Laboratory Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries 7600 Sand Point Way N.E. F/AKC3 Seattle, WA 98115-6349 (206) 526-6866 (voice) (206) 526-6615 (fax) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ilse.van.opzeeland at awi.de Tue Mar 24 08:43:39 2020 From: ilse.van.opzeeland at awi.de (Ilse van Opzeeland) Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2020 16:43:39 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: Spatio-temporal patterns in marine mammal community composition Message-ID: <9f676372-2bec-b031-a583-63f6c330cf30@awi.de> Dear colleagues, We are pleased to inform you of our publication in Marine Ecology Progress Series, titled: Year-round passive acoustic data reveal spatio-temporal patterns in marine mammal community composition in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica. The article is published under open access and can be found at: https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m638p191.pdf. The abstract can be found below. Van Opzeeland I, Hillebrand H Year-round passive acoustic data reveal spatio-temporal patterns in marine mammal community composition in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica MEPS 638:191-206 Best Regards, Ilse Van Opzeeland ------------------------------ ABSTRACT: To date, the majority of studies investigating marine mammal distribution and behavior take a single-species perspective, which is often driven by the logistic difficulties of collecting appropriate data at sea. Passive acoustic monitoring, provided recording tools exhibit sufficient bandwidth, has the potential to provide insights into community structure as devices operate autonomously simultaneously collecting data on baleen, pinniped and toothed whale acoustic presence. Data can provide information on local species diversity, residency times and co-occurrence. Here, we used multi-year passive acoustic data from 6 sites in the Weddell Sea, Southern Ocean, to explore how local marine mammal community compositions develop over time and in relation to sea-ice. Diversity peaked in austral late spring and early summer, shortly before seasonal sea-ice break-up. The effective number of species exhibited little variation over time, reflecting that species remain in Antarctic waters throughout austral winter. Community composition showed almost complete seasonal overturn, indicating that species replace each other throughout the year. For all 6 sites, community dissimilarity increased with increasing temporal distance,reflecting temporal trends in community composition beyond seasonality. Several species exhibited significant positive or negative co-occurrence patterns over time. These seasonal associations were consistent across all 5 oceanic sites, but partly inversed at the Western Antarctic Peninsula recording site. This study shows that the application of biodiversity metrics to passive acoustic monitoring data can foster insights into the timing of behaviors and community composition, which can boost the interpretation of responses in the light of ongoing environmental changes. From burnhamr at uvic.ca Tue Mar 24 14:49:02 2020 From: burnhamr at uvic.ca (burnhamr) Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2020 14:49:02 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: The use of passive acoustic monitoring as a census tool of gray whale migration Message-ID: <55b82cdf056a03d45860da115fb83923@uvic.ca> My co-author and I are pleased to announce the recent publication of the latest in a series of papers on the acoustic life of gray whales in Ocean and Coastal Management THE USE OF PASSIVE ACOUSTIC MONITORING AS A CENSUS TOOL OF GRAY WHALE (_ESCHRICHTIUS ROBUSTUS_) MIGRATION Passive acoustic monitoring adds to knowledge of whale presence and distribution over space and time. The gray whale (_Eschrictius robustus_) undertakes an annual migration between remote feeding and breeding locales, with its highly sonorous nature suggesting employment of low-frequency calls to be inherent to travel behaviours, perhaps aiding navigation and social cohesion. We consider whether these calling behaviours can be used to better understand the process of migration, where call presence and relative abundance might represent a means to track the progress of migrating whales. Passive acoustic recordings made on the west coast of Vancouver Island, a mid-way point of gray whale migration, were first analysed for abundance over time to examine the progression of migration. Then the acoustic record was compared to shore-based recordings undertaken from Point Vincente, California to better assess their use as a census tool. The timing in peaks of calling, particularly of far-ranging moan-like calls, and shore counts showed a high degree of congruence when considered with a lag time of 8 days to account for travel time between the two survey locations. This suggests that passive acoustic monitoring could complement the long running and shore-based counts in recording annual population movement, and add to our understanding of gray whales on poorly known segments of their migration route or at times when visual observations are not possible. The paper is available here: Burnham, R.E, Duffus, D.A. 2020. The use of passive acoustics as a census tool of gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) migration. Ocean and Coastal Management, 118: 105070 https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0964569119309391?token=4A15584C9D58A5B3E75F53BB43F5847BC70DBC311884EDAB8A08C05D98440019BD37DB9EAA607D76AC44D12555A272CF [1] Or email me for a PDF Best, Rianna Burnham, PhD Links: ------ [1] https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0964569119309391?token=4A15584C9D58A5B3E75F53BB43F5847BC70DBC311884EDAB8A08C05D98440019BD37DB9EAA607D76AC44D12555A272CF -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From antonella.arcangeli at isprambiente.it Tue Mar 24 09:36:44 2020 From: antonella.arcangeli at isprambiente.it (antonella.arcangeli at isprambiente.it) Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2020 17:36:44 +0100 (CET) Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?New_publication=3A_Spatial_distribution_modell?= =?utf-8?q?ing_of_striped_dolphin_=28Stenella_coeruleoalba=29_at_different?= =?utf-8?q?_geographical_scales_within_the_EU_Adriatic_and_Ionian_Sea_Regi?= =?utf-8?q?on=2C_central=E2=80=90eastern_Mediterranean_Sea?= Message-ID: <1866323381.43162546.1585067804251.JavaMail.zimbra@isprambiente.it> Dear MARMAM members, on behalf of the collegues, I am pleased to share our recent study on ?Spatial distribution modelling of striped dolphin ( Stenella coeruleoalba ) at different geographical scales within the EU Adriatic and Ionian Sea Region, central?eastern Mediterranean Sea ? Azzolin, M., Arcangeli, A., Cipriano, G., Crosti, R., Maglietta, R., Pietroluongo, G., [ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/doSearch?ContribAuthorStored=Saintingan%2C+S%C3%A9bastien | Saintingan ] S., Zampollo A., [ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/doSearch?ContribAuthorStored=Fanizza%2C+Carmelo | Fanizza ] C. & Carlucci, R.. (2020). Spatial distribution modelling of striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) at different geographical scales within the EU Adriatic and Ionian Sea Region, central?eastern Mediterranean Sea. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems . [ https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3314 | https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3314 ] Abstract : The striped dolphin ( Stenella coeruleoalba ) is one of the most abundant cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, it is ranked as ?Vulnerable? by IUCN Red List experts. To implement conservation strategies within the Mediterranean Sea, it is crucial to understand how striped dolphins are distributed at different geographical scales. The present study investigates its distribution within the EU Adriatic and Ionian Sea Region. To model striped dolphin distribution, topographic (distance from shore, depth and slope) and oceanographic variables (sea surface temperature and phytoplankton concentration) were employed, and species distribution models (SDMs) were developed using Maxent software. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to improve the information supplied by the SDMs, allowing the description of response curves to striped dolphin occurrences. Statistical analysis shows that striped dolphins are not evenly distributed within the investigated area. The higher encounter rates observed in the Gulf of Taranto and the Gulf of Corinth confirm that both sub ? regions are crucial for its conservation. Furthermore, SDMs also indicate suitable areas in the offshore waters of the Adriatic Sea, along the continental slope of the north ? eastern Ionian Sea and over its continental shelf. Within the EU Adriatic and Ionian Sea Region, striped dolphins prefer areas at a greater distance from shore, with steeper slopes, deeper waters, and higher sea surface temperature. The topographic variables are the most explicative factors for both modelling approaches. The analysis of striped dolphin SDMs allows the identification of important areas for conservation and highlights zones where appropriate mitigation strategies could reduce the impact of human activities on this Vulnerable species. Further analysis of SDMs for different periods of the year, as well as a genetic study, could highlight seasonal movements across and within sub ? regions. The paper can be accessed at: [ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aqc.3314 | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aqc.3314 ] The full text is also available upon request from the authors All the best and be safe, antonella -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From a.paijmans at uni-bielefeld.de Wed Mar 25 00:56:29 2020 From: a.paijmans at uni-bielefeld.de (A.J. Paijmans) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 08:56:29 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: The genetic legacy of extreme exploitation in a polar vertebrate Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, We are please to announce the following paper recently published in Scientific Reports: "The genetic legacy of extreme exploitation in a polar vertebrate". The paper is open access and freely available for download at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61560-8 ABSTRACT Understanding the effects of human exploitation on the genetic composition of wild populations is important for predicting species persistence and adaptive potential. We therefore investigated the genetic legacy of large-scale commercial harvesting by reconstructing, on a global scale, the recent demographic history of the Antarctic fur seal (/Arctocephalus gazella/), a species that was hunted to the brink of extinction by 18^th and 19^th century sealers. Molecular genetic data from over 2,000 individuals sampled from all eight major breeding locations across the species? circumpolar geographic distribution, show that at least four relict populations around Antarctica survived commercial hunting. Coalescent simulations suggest that all of these populations experienced severe bottlenecks down to effective population sizes of around 150?200. Nevertheless, comparably high levels of neutral genetic variability were retained as these declines are unlikely to have been strong enough to deplete allelic richness by more than around 15%. These findings suggest that even dramatic short-term declines need not necessarily result in major losses of diversity, and explain the apparent contradiction between the high genetic diversity of this species and its extreme exploitation history. All the best, Anneke Paijmans -- Anneke Paijmans, MSc PhD candidate Bielefeld University Department of Animal Behaviour Room 203a Postfach 100131 33501 Bielefeld Germany Phone: +49 521 106 2192 https://thehoffmanlab.com/group/anneke-paijmans/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mark at markcarwardine.com Wed Mar 25 04:54:28 2020 From: mark at markcarwardine.com (Mark Carwardine) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 11:54:28 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New book of interest to MARMAM subscribers Message-ID: <5408D10D-5BA9-4B62-A4B7-57D1C5C83F9E@markcarwardine.com> Dear Colleagues I am pleased to announce the publication of a new comprehensive book on cetaceans: Handbook of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises of the World Mark Carwardine Illustrated by Martin Camm (with additional illustrations by Rebecca Robinson and Toni Llobet) Published by Princeton University Press (North America) and Bloomsbury (UK) An indispensable guide to the identification, distribution, behaviour, life history and conservation of every species and subspecies of whale, dolphin and porpoise, produced in collaboration with many highly respected whale biologists around the world. It includes more than 1,000 meticulous and specially commissioned illustrations with detailed annotations pointing out significant field marks - complete with flukes, blows and dive sequences - as well as hundreds of original distribution and migration maps. 528 pages With all good wishes, Mark Carwardine mark at markcarwardine.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From c.vendl at unsw.edu.au Fri Mar 27 18:38:51 2020 From: c.vendl at unsw.edu.au (Catharina Vendl) Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2020 01:38:51 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] MARMAM digest: Announcement of paper In-Reply-To: References: , Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the following paper recently published in Environmental Microbiology Reports: Does sociality drive diversity and composition of airway microbiota in cetaceans? It is a well-research fact that sociality drives the community composition of gut bacteria in mammals. If this correlation however applies to the microbiota of the airways is still unclear. We tested this hypothesis for the airway microbiota of whale species with differing levels of sociality. Link: https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1758-2229.12835 Citation: Vendl, C., Slavich, E., Nelson, T., Acevedo?Whitehouse, K., Montgomery, K., Ferrari, B., Thomas, T. and Rogers, T., 2020. Does sociality drive diversity and composition of airway microbiota in cetaceans?. Environmental Microbiology Reports. Graphical abstract: [cid:d592fff6-3512-4318-8a8f-2f9ba48af32f] Summary The number of social contacts of mammals is positively correlated with the diversity of their gut microbes. There is some evidence that sociality also affects microbes in the respiratory tract. We tested whether the airway microbiota of cetacean species differ depending on the whales? level of sociality. We sampled the blow of blue (Balaenoptera musculus), gray (Eschrichtius robustus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) and analysed the blow microbiota by barcode tag sequencing targeting the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Humpback whales show higher levels of sociality than blue and gray whales, while pilot whales are the most gregarious amongst the four species. The blow samples of the humpback whales showed the highest richness and diversity. Humpback whales were also the only species with a species-specific clustering of their microbial community composition and a relatively large number of core taxa. Therefore, we conclude that it cannot be sociality alone shaping the diversity and composition of airway microbiota. We suggest the whale species? lung volume and size of the plume of exhaled air as an additional factor impacting the transmission potential of blow microbiota from one individual whale to another. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image.png Type: image/png Size: 251250 bytes Desc: image.png URL: From jclarkson25 at aol.com Thu Mar 26 13:20:34 2020 From: jclarkson25 at aol.com (Jack Clarkson) Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2020 20:20:34 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: Non-targeted tourism affects the behavioural budgets of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, South Adriatic, Montenegro References: <1888222797.2720728.1585254034245.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1888222797.2720728.1585254034245@mail.yahoo.com> Dear MARMAM Community,? We ar epleased to announce our new publication, published in the most recent issue of the Marine Ecology Progress Series and focussing on the interaction between bottlenose dolphins and non-targeted tourism vessels (i.e cruise ships) in Montenegro. (MEPS 638:165-176 (2020)? -? DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13257) ABSTRACT: We investigated the short-term effects of non-targeted tourism on the behaviour of bottlenose dolphins?Tursiops truncatus?in the South Adriatic off the coast of Montenegro, by comparing dolphin group behaviour during impact (the presence of non-targeted tourism vessels) and control (absence of all marine vessels) scenarios. Tourism vessel and dolphin behavioural data were collected through systematic weekly land-based surveys. Using instantaneous focal ?group? scan sampling, the predominant behaviour of bottlenose dolphin groups was determined. To quantify the effect of vessel interactions on the behavioural budget of the dolphins, we followed a stepwise modelling approach. A first-order Markov chain was used to calculate the transition probabilities between behavioural states before a Monte Carlo simulation estimated the behavioural budgets of dolphins during impact and control situations. In the presence of non-targeted tourism, dolphins were found to be less likely to remain diving (during which dolphins were assumed to be feeding), whilst milling-socialising and surface feeding were completely absent from their behavioural repertoires. Nevertheless, the behavioural budgets demonstrated an increase in resting behaviour in the presence of non-targeted tourism vessels. No significant changes to travelling behaviour were observed. The decrease in foraging behaviour (both surface feeding and diving) could result in a reduction in energy intake for dolphins, which over time (assuming repeated disturbance) could negatively affect body condition, and ultimately survival and reproduction. Regulations on non-targeted tourism should therefore be considered to minimise potential long-term negative effects on dolphins within Montenegrin territorial waters. Please contact myself if you wish to receive a copy of the PDF.? Regards, Jack ClarksonResearch Associate and Supervisor at Marine Mammal Research AssociationDeniz Memelileri Ara?t?rma Derne?i (DMAD)jclarkson25 at aol.cominfo@dmad.org.trwww.dmad.org.tr -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From michael.lueck at aut.ac.nz Wed Mar 25 19:46:46 2020 From: michael.lueck at aut.ac.nz (Michael Lueck) Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2020 02:46:46 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] request for academic works re marine mammals Message-ID: Kia Ora MARMAMers we are trying to do the impossible, and compile an annotated bibliography on human interactions with cetaceans. We have already published such bibliographies on birdwatching, turtles/tortoises and elasmobranchs (see link below), but the body of literature on cetaceans is significantly larger, and almost impossible to locate in its entirety. Thus, we are asking for your help: If you have published (or have lists of) any academic work on this, please feel free to email us the details at dotterelpublishing at gmail.com What we are looking for: * Any academic work on whale/dolphin/porpoise watching/swimming (tourism/recreation/leisure). Papers on captivity will be included, as long as they relate to tourism/recreation/leisure. * Academic works in this context = journal articles, books, book chapters, dissertations & theses, conference presentations, (some) reports... * pdf/word files, or full citations (ideally with DOI or web link in) in the body of the email or as attachments What we are NOT looking for: * General media and websites, non-academic books (such as ww guides, children's books, etc.) * Works animal welfare not related to tourism/recreation/leisure, etc. * Other work on cetaceans (population estimates, pollution and its impacts, non-tourism/recreation vessel impacts, etc): In this case, "human interactions" does not include other activities, such as fishing, hunting, bycatch, etc. Any help is much appreciated! We will make the final work available free of charge, as we have done with the other bibliographies: https://dotterelpublishing.com/shop/ We are also in the final stages of an annotated bibliography on human interactions with seals, sea lions and walruses, and on one on human interactions with bears (in some jurisdictions polar bears are classified as "marine mammals"), so if you have any material related to those, we'd welcome these as well (same "rules", same email address). Many thanks! Be kind, stay safe, break the chain! Aroha nui micha Professor Michael L?ck School of Hospitality and Tourism | Faculty of Culture and Society | AUT University | Private Bag 92006 | Auckland | New Zealand e-mail: mlueck at aut.ac.nz | Phone: +64 9-921-9999 ext. 5833 | Fax: +64 9-921 9962 Adjunct Professor Sustainability Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia Associate Director, New Zealand Tourism Research Institute NZTRI Co-chair, International Coastal & Marine Tourism Society (ICMTS) Member, International Competence Network for Tourism Research and Education (ICNT) Member, Institute for Tourism Research, University for Applied Sciences Harz, Germany Editor-in-Chief: Tourism in Marine Environments Associate Editor: Journal of Ecotourism Editorial Board: Marine Policy Pagel, C. D., & L?ck, M. (2020). Human interactions with sharks, rays & skates: An annotated bibliography. Auckland, Dotterel Publishing. Free download here Black, C., & L?ck, M. (2020). Human interactions with turtles & tortoises: An annotated bibliography. Auckland, Dotterel Publishing. Free download here L?ck, M. Porter, B. A., & Elmahdy, Y. M. (2019). Birdwatching: An annotated bibliography. Auckland, Dotterel Publishing. Free download here -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From oliverhooker at psstatistics.com Thu Mar 26 04:28:16 2020 From: oliverhooker at psstatistics.com (Oliver Hooker) Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2020 11:28:16 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?ONLINE_COURSE_=E2=80=93_Introduction_to_Bayesi?= =?utf-8?q?an_hierarchical_modelling_using_R_=28IBHM04=29_This_cour?= =?utf-8?q?se_will_be_delivered_live?= Message-ID: ONLINE COURSE ? Introduction to Bayesian hierarchical modelling using R (IBHM04) This course will be delivered live This course will be delivered via video link from the 21st-24th April In light of travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak this course will now be delivered live by video link. This is a ?LIVE COURSE? ? the instructor will be delivering lectures and coaching attendees through the accompanying computer practical?s via video link, a good internet connection is essential. Course Overview: This course will cover introductory hierarchical modelling for real-world data sets from a Bayesian perspective. These methods lie at the forefront of statistics research and are a vital tool in the scientist?s toolbox, especially in the analysis of complex data sets such as those encountered in the study of marine mammals where the collection of multiple and auto-correlating environmental variables is unavoidable. The course focuses on introducing concepts and demonstrating good practice in hierarchical models. All methods are demonstrated with data sets which participants can run themselves. Participants will be taught how to fit hierarchical models using the Bayesian modelling software Jags and Stan through the R software interface. The course covers the full gamut from simple regression models through to full generalised multivariate hierarchical structures. A Bayesian approach is taken throughout, meaning that participants can include all available information in their models and estimates all unknown quantities with uncertainty. Participants are encouraged to bring their own data sets for discussion with the course tutors. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please not we will also be offering the following online; 1) Python for data science, machine learning, and scientific computing (PDMS02) 4th-8th May > www.psstatistics.com/course/python-for-data-science-machine-learning-and-scientific-computing- pdms02/ 2) Generalised Linear (MIXED) (GLMM), Nonlinear (NLGLM) And General Additive Models (MIXED) (GAMM) (GNAM01) 25th-29th May > www.psstatistics.com/course/generalised-linear-glm-nonlinear-nlglm-and-general-additive-models-gam- gnam02/ 3) Reproducible Data Science and R Package Design (RDRP01) 29th June - 3rd July > www.psstatistics.com/course/reproducible-data-science-and-r-package-design-rdrp01/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Course Overview: This course will cover introductory hierarchical modelling for real-world data sets from a Bayesian perspective. These methods lie at the forefront of statistics research and are a vital tool in the scientist?s toolbox. The course focuses on introducing concepts and demonstrating good practice in hierarchical models. All methods are demonstrated with data sets which participants can run themselves. Participants will be taught how to fit hierarchical models using the Bayesian modelling software Jags and Stan through the R software interface. The course covers the full gamut from simple regression models through to full generalised multivariate hierarchical structures. A Bayesian approach is taken throughout, meaning that participants can include all available information in their models and estimates all unknown quantities with uncertainty. Participants are encouraged to bring their own data sets for discussion with the course tutors. Course Programme Tuesday 21st ? Classes from 09:00 to 17:00 Module 1: Introduction to Bayesian Statistics Module 2: Linear and generalised linear models (GLMs) Practical: Using R, Jags and Stan for fitting GLMs Wednesday 22nd ? Classes from 09:00 to 17:00 Module 3: Simple hierarchical regression models Module 4: Hierarchical models for non-Gaussian data Practical: Fitting hierarchical models Thursday 23rd ? Classes from 09:00 to 17:00 Module 5: Hierarchical models vs mixed effects models Module 6: Multivariate and multi-layer hierarchical models Practical: Advanced examples of hierarchical models Friday 24th ? Classes from 09:00 to 17:00 Module 7: Shrinkage and variable selection Module 8: Hierarchical models and partial pooling Practical: Shrinkage modelling Please email oliverhooker at psstatistics.com with any questions. Oliver Hooker PhD. PR statistics 2020 publications; Parallelism in eco-morphology and gene expression despite variable evolutionary and genomic backgrounds in a Holarctic fish. PLOS Genetics (in press) (2020). www.PSstatistics.com 53 Morrison Street Glasgow G5 8LB +44 (0) 7966500340 -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PS statistics -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PS statistics 2019 publications; A way forward with eco evo devo: an extended theory of resource polymorphism with postglacial fishes as model systems. Biological Reviews (2019). www.PSstatistics.com facebook.com/PSstatistics/ twitter.com/PSstatistics 6 Hope Park Crescent Edinburgh EH8 9NA +44 (0) 7966500340 Generalised Linear (MIXED) (GLMM), Nonlinear (NLGLM) And General Additive Models (MIXED) (GAMM) (GNAM01) https://www.psstatistics.com/course/generalised-linear-glm-nonlinear-nlglm-and-general-additive-models-gam-gnam01/ Structural Equation Models, Path Analysis, Causal Modelling and Latent Variable Models Using R (SMPA01) https://www.psstatistics.com/course/structural-equation-modelling-and-path-analysis-smpa01/ Python for data science, machine learning, and scientific computing (PDMS01) https://www.psstatistics.com/course/python-for-data-science-machine-learning-and-scientific-computing-pdms01/ Statistical modelling of time-to-event data using survival analysis: an introduction for animal behaviourists, ecologists and evolutionary biologists (TTED02) https://www.psstatistics.com/course/statistical-modelling-of-time-to-event-data-using-survival-analysis-tted02/ Behavioural data analysis using maximum likelihood in R (BDML02) https://www.psstatistics.com/course/behavioural-data-analysis-using-maximum-likelihood-bdml02/ Introduction to Bayesian data analysis for social and behavioural sciences using R and Stan (BDRS02) https://www.psstatistics.com/course/introduction-to-bayesian-data-analysis-for-social-and-behavioural-sciences-using-r-and-stan-bdrs02/ Introduction to statistical modelling for psychologists in R (IPSY03) https://www.psstatistics.com/course/introduction-to-statistics-using-r-for-psychologists-ipsy03/ Introduction to Bayesian hierarchical modelling using R (IBHM03) https://www.psstatistics.com/course/introduction-to-bayesian-hierarchical-modelling-using-r-ibhm03/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From lw at osc.co.uk Fri Mar 27 10:15:08 2020 From: lw at osc.co.uk (Dr. Laura Williamson) Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2020 17:15:08 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Application extension for Biological Oceanographer/Modeller position Message-ID: Vacancy: Biological Oceanographer/Modeller Type: Full-time/permanent Salary: Competitive depending on qualifications and experience Location: Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland, UK Application deadline: 15th May 2020 Company Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) is a privately-owned technology-focused marine-science company involved principally in the global supply of underwater noise and marine mammal monitoring, and risk mitigation services. OSC reinvests >80% of profits into Research & Development (R&D), orientated primarily towards high-level research on the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and other marine mammal species, Rigs-to-Reefs using Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) footage, underwater noise measurement and modelling, and improving marine mammal and environmental monitoring standards worldwide. OSC's research has resulted in many peer-reviewed publications (www.osc.co.uk/publications-and-press-covers) and a non-profit book entitled the Marine Mammal Observer and Passive Acoustic Monitoring Handbook (http://www.pelagicpublishing.com/the-marine-mammal-observer-and-passive-acoustic-monitoring-handbook.html). Role OSC seeks to expand its UK-based team. This is a rare opportunity for permanent, full-time employment as a PhD-qualified (or equivalent experience) Biological Oceanographer/Modeller. The role involves working primarily in OSC's R&D wing, although suitable candidates may also be considered for a combination of offshore/commercial duties. The role will firstly involve assimilation of oceanographical/biological productivity/bathymetric data, followed by untangling relationships between these data and marine mammal detections in a 2D (and potentially 3D) context. The candidate will have extensive knowledge of the variety of online-data inventories and data-holding centres from which data can be sourced (e.g. Copernicus, NOAA). The candidate must have demonstrated sourcing, downloading, data handling, and analysis of synoptic satellite-derived remote sensing observations (e.g. ocean colour, Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Chlorophyll-a, etc.). Other sources of environmental data include biotope maps, fisheries surveys, plankton measurements, point measurements (e.g. from cruises or moored instruments), etc. These sources provide the main environmental variables with which marine mammal observations (echolocation-click detections using C-PODs, Marine Mammal Observer (MMO), and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) reports) will be investigated by way of temporo-spatial analytical/modelling techniques such as GAMs/GLMs. Applicants must be able to source, consolidate, analyse, interpret, and present these data in the form of high-level, peer-reviewed papers and high-end client reports, that must be brought to completion on commercial and not academic timescales (i.e. weeks, not months), with minimal supervision from line managers (i.e. autonomous). Consultancy is not academia, and the work environment is extremely fast paced. The candidate will also be presented with urgent commercial requests as these arise, and other incomplete publications from related disciplines, and must therefore be able to switch from one project to another immediately. Prioritisation is of high importance. Full job description can be found on: http://www.osc.co.uk/careers/vacancies A successful candidate will have the following: Required * A minimum of two, first author, biological-oceanography related peer-reviewed scientific papers in a top journal (i.e. not a proceedings paper); * A PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant scientific marine discipline (oceanography/statistics/marine biology/marine ecology, etc.); * Experience sourcing and processing oceanographic datasets (CTD, synoptic satellite-derived or modelled data, etc.) and handling data of various types including: netCDF, csv, txt, etc.; * Strong statistical analysis background ideally in R or MATLAB (e.g. GLM, GAM, PCA, time series analysis, distance sampling, etc.); * Excellent programming skills; * Excellent spoken and written English (to peer-reviewed, non-copy-edited level); * A genuine interest in marine mammals and benthic ecology, the processes by which they are studied, and an understanding of the physical parameters of the ocean which affect them; * Ability to collaborate within a team setting to produce high-calibre publications and reports; and, * Must be legally allowed to work in the UK prior to employment (we cannot assist with visas). Desirable * ROV imagery analysis and benthic species identification; * Machine learning and image processing (of ROV imagery); * Passive Acoustic Monitoring data collection and analysis; * Basic understanding underwater noise measurement and modelling; * Experience making publication-quality maps in QGIS; and, * Experience with referencing software (e.g. EndNote). Interested candidates should send a CV and cover letter to: admin at osc.co.uk. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date and short-listed applicants will be invited to an interview (in person or via Microsoft Teams). An interview task will be provided. Best wishes, Laura -- Dr. Laura Williamson Research Analyst Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) Spott Road, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1RR, Scotland, UK M: +44 (0)7528 545 167 T: +44 (0)1368 865 722 W: www.osc.co.uk . MMO or PAM requirement? We wrote the book. Now available on Amazon: www.marinemammalobserverhandbook.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From adrian.m.davies at gmail.com Sat Mar 28 02:58:16 2020 From: adrian.m.davies at gmail.com (Adrian Davies) Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2020 09:58:16 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Whale Brain mtDNA Message-ID: Dear all, I was wondering if anyone had determined the absolute mitochondrial DNA copy number in any cetacean brains, or any other tissues. Of particular interest are the killer whale and short finned pilot whale, as they have a long post reproductive lifespan. I have been working with a colleague on a model of mtDNA turnover, but solid numbers for the model are hard to find Many thanks in advance Adrian Davies -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From antonio.fernandez at ulpgc.es Sat Mar 28 09:53:17 2020 From: antonio.fernandez at ulpgc.es (=?Windows-1252?Q?Antonio_Jes=FAs_Fern=E1ndez_Rodr=EDguez?=) Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2020 16:53:17 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Open call for Intership in Cetacean Pathology. Canary Islands, Spain. www.iusa.eu Prof. Antonio Fernandez Message-ID: International Veterinary Internship in Cetacean Pathology Programme at IUSA_ULPGC_OIEccMMH The starting date of this Intership will be negociated with the selected candidate, after COVID-19 world wide crisis. Now it is time to apply by email (read the call) www.iusa.eu Programme Background The Atlantic Centre of Cetacean Research (ACCR) is part of the University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (www.iusa.eu) at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (www.ulpgc.es). IUSA-ULPGC is a Collaborating Centre for Marine Mammals Health of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIEccMMH). The facilities are located within the Veterinary School Campus in Arucas, (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain). The Canary Islands Cetacean Stranding Network is officially coordinated and co-funded by the Canary Islands Government, being the Veterinary Pathology Division at ACCR_ IUSA_ULPGC responsible for pathological studies and cause/s of death of every stranded cetacean. Our main objective is to provide morphological, etiological, and, when possible, final diagnoses of dead stranded cetaceans. In a multidisciplinary approach, we also try to define, whenever possible, cause/s of strandings. Our centre also collaborates closely with Veterinary Clinicians to attend live stranded cetaceans. Our centre is very much committed with Animal Health, Welfare and Conservation, therefore we are also concerned and involved in public awareness through Education. The Canary Islands are a cetacean biodiversity ?hot spot,? with 30 species reported with around 60-100 cetacean strandings each year. We also received a variable number of samples from cetaceans stranded in other national and international geographical areas. In addition, we are carrying out several research projects on cetacean Health, Welfare and Conservation using Veterinary Pathology as a tool. Internship Duties To be fully integrated into a multidisciplinary TEAM, who will have the following learning and working duties: (Learning and working duties will be guided and supervised by Veterinary Pathologists in a team working system) * Stranding coverage: answer calls, document reports, complete associated paperwork and enter data. * Cetacean Stranding response and necropsy: all aspects of cetacean stranding response, including mainly post-mortem examinations and sampling in both field and laboratory settings, but also, occasionally, live animal health assessment, and supportive care and biological data collection. * Stranding / necropsy readiness: cleaning, organizing, and maintaining stranding response and necropsy gear, equipment and facilities, restocking kits and supplies. * Data entry / sample processing: entry of stranding data, organizing, cataloguing, disseminating and archiving of photos, datasheets, samples and tissue bank maintaining. * Histopathology and lab techniques: microscopical diagnosis of own and received samples, perform diagnostic techniques when necessary (histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques). * Reports: write and/or reviewing pathological reports of the cases. * Outreach: assist staff with training and outreach material preparation and organization, participate in opportunistic outreach at stranding sites, and participate in community and scientific events. Requirements * DVM degree is mandatory. * Valid driver?s license and secure reliable transportation (international license is also valid). * Good physical fitness, able to lift/carry 40lbs, walk long distances in difficult terrain, be comfortable on small boats in near shore waters, able to swim, and work in harsh weather conditions. * Able to follow written and oral staff directions and protocols effectively and able to work in teams and individually (spanish and/or english). * Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. * Must be able to commit to a minimum 5 working days per week, including weekends. Preferred candidates (not having any of the following conditions does not preclude to be candidate) * Basic marine mammal stranding response/research experience. * Necropsy experience in marine mammal or other taxa. * Basic histopathology diagnostic experience. * Experience caring for or handling animals. * Flexible daily schedules (stranding events are unpredictable, our days may start earlier or end later than scheduled). Important Information * This internship is paid (15.000 - 18.000 euros for a total period of 12 months), based on candidate experience. * Housing and transportation are responsibility of the intern. After acceptation, we will try to help the intern with the search of a convenient housing. * Interns will be required to work during holidays, depending on needed duties, in a variety of settings on any given day, including office, necropsy room, beach, landfill, laboratory or rescue centre. * International applicants are responsible for their own VISA arrangements (letters from ULPGC will be provided for official procedures to get a VISA). * Flight tickets may be extra funded. * Intership beggining date will be negociated with the selected candidate. Required application materials (you must provide all 3 items- below-), plus an Interview (?Skype?) in case, you become candidate. * Cover Letter (explaining why you are interested and your expectation, etc). (pdf document) * C.V. (Spanish or English) (pdf document) * 1 or better two, Reference Letters (pdf document/s) Incomplete applications will not be considered. For any question or further information, please send an email to the Institute?s e-mail address indicated below. Deadline applications: 15th April, 2020 Applications should be sent to: Email: direcci?n_iusa at ulpgc.es Issue: Candidate for Veterinary Internship in Cetacean Pathology, Canary Islands Stranding Network Atlantic Centre of Cetacean Research (ACCR) Histology and Veterinary Pathology Division (HAP) University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA) OIE col. Centre for Marine Mammal Health (OIEccMMH) University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) Canary Islands Spain Antes de imprimir este correo electr?nico, piense bien si es necesario hacerlo: el medio ambiente es una cuesti?n de todos. Please consider the environment before printing this email. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From antonio.fernandez at ulpgc.es Mon Mar 30 06:36:33 2020 From: antonio.fernandez at ulpgc.es (=?iso-8859-1?Q?Antonio_Jes=FAs_Fern=E1ndez_Rodr=EDguez?=) Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2020 13:36:33 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] MARMAM Digest, Vol 176, Issue 25 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dear sir/madam Could you send it again as the EMAIL ADDRESS INCLUDES AN ERROR regarding email to be sent appliatons. SORRY. Antonio Fernandez Applications should be sent to: Email: direccion_iusa at ulpgc.es International Veterinary Internship in Cetacean Pathology Programme at IUSA_ULPGC_OIEccMMH The starting date of this Intership will be negociated with the selected candidate, after COVID-19 world wide crisis. Now it is time to apply by email (read the call) www.iusa.eu Applications should be sent to: Email: direccion_iusa at ulpgc.es Programme Background The Atlantic Centre of Cetacean Research (ACCR) is part of the University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (www.iusa.eu) at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (www.ulpgc.es). IUSA-ULPGC is a Collaborating Centre for Marine Mammals Health of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIEccMMH). The facilities are located within the Veterinary School Campus in Arucas, (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain). The Canary Islands Cetacean Stranding Network is officially coordinated and co-funded by the Canary Islands Government, being the Veterinary Pathology Division at ACCR_ IUSA_ULPGC responsible for pathological studies and cause/s of death of every stranded cetacean. Our main objective is to provide morphological, etiological, and, when possible, final diagnoses of dead stranded cetaceans. In a multidisciplinary approach, we also try to define, whenever possible, cause/s of strandings. Our centre also collaborates closely with Veterinary Clinicians to attend live stranded cetaceans. Our centre is very much committed with Animal Health, Welfare and Conservation, therefore we are also concerned and involved in public awareness through Education. The Canary Islands are a cetacean biodiversity ?hot spot,? with 30 species reported with around 60-100 cetacean strandings each year. We also received a variable number of samples from cetaceans stranded in other national and international geographical areas. In addition, we are carrying out several research projects on cetacean Health, Welfare and Conservation using Veterinary Pathology as a tool. Internship Duties To be fully integrated into a multidisciplinary TEAM, who will have the following learning and working duties: (Learning and working duties will be guided and supervised by Veterinary Pathologists in a team working system) * Stranding coverage: answer calls, document reports, complete associated paperwork and enter data. * Cetacean Stranding response and necropsy: all aspects of cetacean stranding response, including mainly post-mortem examinations and sampling in both field and laboratory settings, but also, occasionally, live animal health assessment, and supportive care and biological data collection. * Stranding / necropsy readiness: cleaning, organizing, and maintaining stranding response and necropsy gear, equipment and facilities, restocking kits and supplies. * Data entry / sample processing: entry of stranding data, organizing, cataloguing, disseminating and archiving of photos, datasheets, samples and tissue bank maintaining. * Histopathology and lab techniques: microscopical diagnosis of own and received samples, perform diagnostic techniques when necessary (histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques). * Reports: write and/or reviewing pathological reports of the cases. * Outreach: assist staff with training and outreach material preparation and organization, participate in opportunistic outreach at stranding sites, and participate in community and scientific events. Requirements * DVM degree is mandatory. * Valid driver?s license and secure reliable transportation (international license is also valid). * Good physical fitness, able to lift/carry 40lbs, walk long distances in difficult terrain, be comfortable on small boats in near shore waters, able to swim, and work in harsh weather conditions. * Able to follow written and oral staff directions and protocols effectively and able to work in teams and individually (spanish and/or english). * Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. * Must be able to commit to a minimum 5 working days per week, including weekends. Preferred candidates (not having any of the following conditions does not preclude to be candidate) * Basic marine mammal stranding response/research experience. * Necropsy experience in marine mammal or other taxa. * Basic histopathology diagnostic experience. * Experience caring for or handling animals. * Flexible daily schedules (stranding events are unpredictable, our days may start earlier or end later than scheduled). Important Information * This internship is paid (15.000 - 18.000 euros for a total period of 12 months), based on candidate experience. * Housing and transportation are responsibility of the intern. After acceptation, we will try to help the intern with the search of a convenient housing. * Interns will be required to work during holidays, depending on needed duties, in a variety of settings on any given day, including office, necropsy room, beach, landfill, laboratory or rescue centre. * International applicants are responsible for their own VISA arrangements (letters from ULPGC will be provided for official procedures to get a VISA). * Flight tickets may be extra funded. * Intership beggining date will be negociated with the selected candidate. Required application materials (you must provide all 3 items- below-), plus an Interview (?Skype?) in case, you become candidate. * Cover Letter (explaining why you are interested and your expectation, etc). (pdf document) * C.V. (Spanish or English) (pdf document) * 1 or better two, Reference Letters (pdf document/s) Incomplete applications will not be considered. For any question or further information, please send an email to the Institute?s e-mail address indicated below. Deadline applications: 15th April, 2020 Applications should be sent to: Email: direcci?n_iusa at ulpgc.es Issue: Candidate for Veterinary Internship in Cetacean Pathology, Canary Islands Stranding Network Atlantic Centre of Cetacean Research (ACCR) Histology and Veterinary Pathology Division (HAP) University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA) OIE col. Centre for Marine Mammal Health (OIEccMMH) University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) Canary Islands Spain Programme Background The Atlantic Centre of Cetacean Research (ACCR) is part of the University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (www.iusa.eu) at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (www.ulpgc.es). IUSA-ULPGC is a Collaborating Centre for Marine Mammals Health of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIEccMMH). The facilities are located within the Veterinary School Campus in Arucas, (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain). The Canary Islands Cetacean Stranding Network is officially coordinated and co-funded by the Canary Islands Government, being the Veterinary Pathology Division at ACCR_ IUSA_ULPGC responsible for pathological studies and cause/s of death of every stranded cetacean. Our main objective is to provide morphological, etiological, and, when possible, final diagnoses of dead stranded cetaceans. In a multidisciplinary approach, we also try to define, whenever possible, cause/s of strandings. Our centre also collaborates closely with Veterinary Clinicians to attend live stranded cetaceans. Our centre is very much committed with Animal Health, Welfare and Conservation, therefore we are also concerned and involved in public awareness through Education. The Canary Islands are a cetacean biodiversity ?hot spot,? with 30 species reported with around 60-100 cetacean strandings each year. We also received a variable number of samples from cetaceans stranded in other national and international geographical areas. In addition, we are carrying out several research projects on cetacean Health, Welfare and Conservation using Veterinary Pathology as a tool. Internship Duties To be fully integrated into a multidisciplinary TEAM, who will have the following learning and working duties: (Learning and working duties will be guided and supervised by Veterinary Pathologists in a team working system) * Stranding coverage: answer calls, document reports, complete associated paperwork and enter data. * Cetacean Stranding response and necropsy: all aspects of cetacean stranding response, including mainly post-mortem examinations and sampling in both field and laboratory settings, but also, occasionally, live animal health assessment, and supportive care and biological data collection. * Stranding / necropsy readiness: cleaning, organizing, and maintaining stranding response and necropsy gear, equipment and facilities, restocking kits and supplies. * Data entry / sample processing: entry of stranding data, organizing, cataloguing, disseminating and archiving of photos, datasheets, samples and tissue bank maintaining. * Histopathology and lab techniques: microscopical diagnosis of own and received samples, perform diagnostic techniques when necessary (histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques). * Reports: write and/or reviewing pathological reports of the cases. * Outreach: assist staff with training and outreach material preparation and organization, participate in opportunistic outreach at stranding sites, and participate in community and scientific events. Requirements * DVM degree is mandatory. * Valid driver?s license and secure reliable transportation (international license is also valid). * Good physical fitness, able to lift/carry 40lbs, walk long distances in difficult terrain, be comfortable on small boats in near shore waters, able to swim, and work in harsh weather conditions. * Able to follow written and oral staff directions and protocols effectively and able to work in teams and individually (spanish and/or english). * Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. * Must be able to commit to a minimum 5 working days per week, including weekends. Preferred candidates (not having any of the following conditions does not preclude to be candidate) * Basic marine mammal stranding response/research experience. * Necropsy experience in marine mammal or other taxa. * Basic histopathology diagnostic experience. * Experience caring for or handling animals. * Flexible daily schedules (stranding events are unpredictable, our days may start earlier or end later than scheduled). Important Information * This internship is paid (15.000 - 18.000 euros for a total period of 12 months), based on candidate experience. * Housing and transportation are responsibility of the intern. After acceptation, we will try to help the intern with the search of a convenient housing. * Interns will be required to work during holidays, depending on needed duties, in a variety of settings on any given day, including office, necropsy room, beach, landfill, laboratory or rescue centre. * International applicants are responsible for their own VISA arrangements (letters from ULPGC will be provided for official procedures to get a VISA). * Flight tickets may be extra funded. * Intership beggining date will be negociated with the selected candidate. Required application materials (you must provide all 3 items- below-), plus an Interview (?Skype?) in case, you become candidate. * Cover Letter (explaining why you are interested and your expectation, etc). (pdf document) * C.V. (Spanish or English) (pdf document) * 1 or better two, Reference Letters (pdf document/s) Incomplete applications will not be considered. For any question or further information, please send an email to the Institute?s e-mail address indicated below. Deadline applications: 15th April, 2020 Applications should be sent to: Email: direccion_iusa at ulpgc.es Issue: Candidate for Veterinary Internship in Cetacean Pathology, Canary Islands Stranding Network Atlantic Centre of Cetacean Research (ACCR) Histology and Veterinary Pathology Division (HAP) University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA) OIE col. Centre for Marine Mammal Health (OIEccMMH) University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) Canary Islands Spain ________________________________ De: MARMAM en nombre de marmam-request at lists.uvic.ca Enviado: domingo, 29 de marzo de 2020 18:00 Para: marmam at lists.uvic.ca Asunto: MARMAM Digest, Vol 176, Issue 25 Send MARMAM mailing list submissions to marmam at lists.uvic.ca To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to marmam-request at lists.uvic.ca You can reach the person managing the list at marmam-owner at lists.uvic.ca When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of MARMAM digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Open call for Intership in Cetacean Pathology. Canary Islands, Spain. www.iusa.eu Prof. Antonio Fernandez (Antonio Jes?s Fern?ndez Rodr?guez) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2020 16:53:17 +0000 From: Antonio Jes?s Fern?ndez Rodr?guez To: "marmam at lists.uvic.ca" Cc: "marmam-owner at lists.uvic.ca" Subject: [MARMAM] Open call for Intership in Cetacean Pathology. Canary Islands, Spain. www.iusa.eu Prof. Antonio Fernandez Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" International Veterinary Internship in Cetacean Pathology Programme at IUSA_ULPGC_OIEccMMH The starting date of this Intership will be negociated with the selected candidate, after COVID-19 world wide crisis. Now it is time to apply by email (read the call) www.iusa.eu Programme Background The Atlantic Centre of Cetacean Research (ACCR) is part of the University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (www.iusa.eu) at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (www.ulpgc.es). IUSA-ULPGC is a Collaborating Centre for Marine Mammals Health of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIEccMMH). The facilities are located within the Veterinary School Campus in Arucas, (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain). The Canary Islands Cetacean Stranding Network is officially coordinated and co-funded by the Canary Islands Government, being the Veterinary Pathology Division at ACCR_ IUSA_ULPGC responsible for pathological studies and cause/s of death of every stranded cetacean. Our main objective is to provide morphological, etiological, and, when possible, final diagnoses of dead stranded cetaceans. In a multidisciplinary approach, we also try to define, whenever possible, cause/s of strandings. Our centre also collaborates closely with Veterinary Clinicians to attend live stranded cetaceans. Our centre is very much committed with Animal Health, Welfare and Conservation, therefore we are also concerned and involved in public awareness through Education. The Canary Islands are a cetacean biodiversity ?hot spot,? with 30 species reported with around 60-100 cetacean strandings each year. We also received a variable number of samples from cetaceans stranded in other national and international geographical areas. In addition, we are carrying out several research projects on cetacean Health, Welfare and Conservation using Veterinary Pathology as a tool. Internship Duties To be fully integrated into a multidisciplinary TEAM, who will have the following learning and working duties: (Learning and working duties will be guided and supervised by Veterinary Pathologists in a team working system) * Stranding coverage: answer calls, document reports, complete associated paperwork and enter data. * Cetacean Stranding response and necropsy: all aspects of cetacean stranding response, including mainly post-mortem examinations and sampling in both field and laboratory settings, but also, occasionally, live animal health assessment, and supportive care and biological data collection. * Stranding / necropsy readiness: cleaning, organizing, and maintaining stranding response and necropsy gear, equipment and facilities, restocking kits and supplies. * Data entry / sample processing: entry of stranding data, organizing, cataloguing, disseminating and archiving of photos, datasheets, samples and tissue bank maintaining. * Histopathology and lab techniques: microscopical diagnosis of own and received samples, perform diagnostic techniques when necessary (histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques). * Reports: write and/or reviewing pathological reports of the cases. * Outreach: assist staff with training and outreach material preparation and organization, participate in opportunistic outreach at stranding sites, and participate in community and scientific events. Requirements * DVM degree is mandatory. * Valid driver?s license and secure reliable transportation (international license is also valid). * Good physical fitness, able to lift/carry 40lbs, walk long distances in difficult terrain, be comfortable on small boats in near shore waters, able to swim, and work in harsh weather conditions. * Able to follow written and oral staff directions and protocols effectively and able to work in teams and individually (spanish and/or english). * Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. * Must be able to commit to a minimum 5 working days per week, including weekends. Preferred candidates (not having any of the following conditions does not preclude to be candidate) * Basic marine mammal stranding response/research experience. * Necropsy experience in marine mammal or other taxa. * Basic histopathology diagnostic experience. * Experience caring for or handling animals. * Flexible daily schedules (stranding events are unpredictable, our days may start earlier or end later than scheduled). Important Information * This internship is paid (15.000 - 18.000 euros for a total period of 12 months), based on candidate experience. * Housing and transportation are responsibility of the intern. After acceptation, we will try to help the intern with the search of a convenient housing. * Interns will be required to work during holidays, depending on needed duties, in a variety of settings on any given day, including office, necropsy room, beach, landfill, laboratory or rescue centre. * International applicants are responsible for their own VISA arrangements (letters from ULPGC will be provided for official procedures to get a VISA). * Flight tickets may be extra funded. * Intership beggining date will be negociated with the selected candidate. Required application materials (you must provide all 3 items- below-), plus an Interview (?Skype?) in case, you become candidate. * Cover Letter (explaining why you are interested and your expectation, etc). (pdf document) * C.V. (Spanish or English) (pdf document) * 1 or better two, Reference Letters (pdf document/s) Incomplete applications will not be considered. For any question or further information, please send an email to the Institute?s e-mail address indicated below. Deadline applications: 15th April, 2020 Applications should be sent to: Email: direcci?n_iusa at ulpgc.es Issue: Candidate for Veterinary Internship in Cetacean Pathology, Canary Islands Stranding Network Atlantic Centre of Cetacean Research (ACCR) Histology and Veterinary Pathology Division (HAP) University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA) OIE col. Centre for Marine Mammal Health (OIEccMMH) University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) Canary Islands Spain Antes de imprimir este correo electr?nico, piense bien si es necesario hacerlo: el medio ambiente es una cuesti?n de todos. Please consider the environment before printing this email. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: ------------------------------ Subject: Digest Footer _______________________________________________ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM at lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam ------------------------------ End of MARMAM Digest, Vol 176, Issue 25 *************************************** Antes de imprimir este correo electr?nico, piense bien si es necesario hacerlo: el medio ambiente es una cuesti?n de todos. Please consider the environment before printing this email. Antes de imprimir este correo electr?nico, piense bien si es necesario hacerlo: el medio ambiente es una cuesti?n de todos. Please consider the environment before printing this email. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dpz at whoi.edu Sun Mar 29 12:19:45 2020 From: dpz at whoi.edu (Daniel P. Zitterbart) Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2020 15:19:45 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] New publications on whale detection using thermal (IR) imaging Message-ID: Dear marmam community, We'd like to bring your attention to two recently published articles on marine mammal detection using infrared (IR) imaging: A) evaluates the influence of environmental factors on thermal imaging systems for marine mammal detection, provides various detection functions, and compares automatic detection algorithm performance against visual observers. B) describes a vessel based field experiment where IR imaging, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM), and visual observers were compared for their real-time marine mammal detection performance in the North Atlantic. Both articles are Open Access. A) Scaling the laws of thermal imaging-based whale detection. DP Zitterbart, H Smith, M Flau, S Richter, E Burkhardt, J Beland, L Bennett, A Cammareri, A Davis, M Holst, C Lanfredi, H Michel, M Noad, K Owen, A Pacini, and Olaf Boebel Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/JTECH-D-19-0054.1 Abstract: Marine mammals are under growing pressure as anthropogenic use of the ocean increases. Ship-strikes of large whales and loud underwater sound sources including airguns for marine geophysical prospecting and naval mid-frequency sonar are criticized for their possible negative effects on marine mammals. Competent authorities regularly require the implementation of mitigation measures, including vessel speed reductions or shut-down of acoustic sources if marine mammals are sighted in sensitive areas or in predefined exclusion zones around a vessel. To ensure successful mitigation, reliable at-sea detection of animals is crucial. To date, ship-based marine mammal observers are the most commonly implemented detection method, however thermal (IR) imaging based automatic detection systems have been used in recent years. This study evaluates thermal imaging-based automatic whale detection technology for its use across different oceans. The performance of this technology is characterized with respect to environmental conditions, and an automatic detection algorithm for whale blows is presented. The technology can detect whales in polar, temperate and subtropical ocean regimes over distances of up to several kilometers and outperforms marine mammal observers in the number of whales detected. These results show that thermal imaging technology can be used to assist in providing protection for marine mammals against ship-strike and acoustic impact across the world?s oceans. and B) A field comparison of marine mammal detections via visual, acoustic, and infrared (IR) imaging methods offshore Atlantic Canada. HR Smith, DP Zitterbart, TF Norris, M Flau, E Ferguson, C Jones, O Boebel, V Moulton Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 154, May 2020, 111026 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111026 Abstract: Impulsive sounds generated during seismic surveys have elicited behavioral responses in marine mammals and could cause hearing impairment or injury. Mitigating exposure to seismic sound often relies on real-time marine mammal detection. Detection performance is influenced by detection method, environmental conditions, and observer experience. We conducted a field comparison of real-time detections made by marine mammal observers (MMOs), a rotating infrared (IR) camera, and via passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). Data were collected from a 38 m research vessel offshore Atlantic Canada. Our results indicate that overall detection rates increase when complementary methods are used. MMOs and PAM are likely the most effective combination during high seas and precipitation. PAM and IR can be used in darkness. In good visibility, MMOs with IR or PAM should increase detections. Our results illustrate the importance of addressing false positive IR detections, matching system capabilities to sea conditions/species of interest, and employing experienced observers. Please contact Daniel Zitterbart (dpz at whoi.edu) or Heather Smith (hsmith at lgl.com) with any questions. All the best, Daniel & Heather -- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Daniel P. Zitterbart Applied Ocean Physics & Engineering Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 213 Bigelow Lab., MS#11 Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA mail: dpz at whoi.edu group site: https://www2.whoi.edu/staff/dzitterbart/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ From Simon.Goldsworthy at sa.gov.au Mon Mar 30 00:19:17 2020 From: Simon.Goldsworthy at sa.gov.au (Goldsworthy, Simon (PIRSA-SARDI)) Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2020 07:19:17 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Job Opening - Marine Mammal Ecologist at the South Australian Research and Development Institute Message-ID: <55b0f752adb94ecc9f69dafed27bc4e4@au01stnd01e02.SAGS.CSFM.GLOBAL> Dear All, I am pleased to advise that a position for a Marine Mammal Ecologist with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) has been advertised. The Opportunity We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research Scientist (Marine Mammal Ecologist) to be part of our South Australian Research and Development Institute Division, South Australian Government Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA). The role reports to the Principal Scientist (Ecosystem Effects of Fishing and Aquaculture SubProgram). The Senior Research Scientist (Marine Mammal Ecologist) will conduct high quality research, and ensure the timely delivery of research outcomes to Government and industry clients and the community, which are of major importance to natural resources management. The incumbent provides support to the Sub-Program Leader in undertaking and managing research projects, including project budgets, permitting and supervising technical staff and students. The Senior Research Scientist is responsible for coordinating fieldwork and undertaking data collection and analyses and report and manuscript preparation for projects principally funded by PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC); and the SA Department of Environment and Water (DEW) and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC). These projects have some overlap but broadly they aim to 1) assess, monitor and mitigate seafood industry interactions with protected species; 2) population and ecological studies of marine protected species to inform conservation and management; and 3) ecological modelling as a decision support tool for fisheries and aquaculture and ecosystem-based management. The incumbent utilises exceptional scientific skills and experience to help explore funding opportunities and develop new projects, particularly related to protected marine protected species population and foraging ecology and managing their interactions with the seafood industry and ecological modelling. Application Instructions All applications must be submitted online. If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a Covering Letter (no more than 3 pages) outlining your skills and experience in relation to the Professional and Technical Knowledge, Innovation and Initiative capabilities of the role description and a current CV (no more than 5 pages). Applicants must include the contact information of at least 2 referees with 1 being your immediate supervisor/manager and a completed "Pre-Employment Declaration in the SA Public Sector" form. Applications close: 13/04/2020 11:45 PM Attachments: - Application Guideline#2.pdf - Pre-Employment-Declaration#5.pdf - Role Description - Senior Research Scientist Marine Mammal Ecologist PO3.pdf Further information about the role including the application process can be found here: https://iworkfor.sa.gov.au/page.php?pageID=160&windowUID=0&AdvertID=505494#brs_jbcontent https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/top_menu/pirsa_careers/careers/senior_research_scientist_marine_mammal_ecologist Cheers, Simon Working days: Monday toThursday Prof Simon Goldsworthy | Principal Scientist Ecosystem Effects of Fishing & Aquaculture South Australian Research and Development Institute - SARDI | Primary Industries and Regions SA - PIRSA Government of South Australia Affiliate Professor | The University of Adelaide 2 Hamra Avenue West Beach SA 5024 PO Box 120 Henley Beach SA 5022 | DX 66760 P: (08) 8429 0268 | M: 0428 102 831 | W: www.pir.sa.gov.au Service l Professionalism l Trust l Respect l Collaboration & Engagement l Honesty & Integrity l Courage & Tenacity l Sustainability Disclaimer: The information in this e-mail may be confidential and/or legally privileged. Use or disclosure of the information by anyone other than the intended recipient is prohibited and may be unlawful. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 1.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 954 bytes Desc: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 1.jpg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 2.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 970 bytes Desc: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 2.jpg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 3.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 952 bytes Desc: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 3.jpg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 4.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 3806 bytes Desc: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 4.jpg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 5.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 5700 bytes Desc: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 5.jpg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 6.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 1541 bytes Desc: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 6.jpg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 7.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 1059 bytes Desc: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 7.jpg URL: From bruno at thebdri.com Mon Mar 30 11:29:37 2020 From: bruno at thebdri.com (Bruno Diaz Lopez) Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2020 18:29:37 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on dolphins personality and social network References: <181115078.1254839.1585592977377.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <181115078.1254839.1585592977377@mail.yahoo.com> Dear Colleagues, I am delighted to share with all of you the following paper recently published in Animal Behaviour. This new study provides additional evidence of the existence of social personalities in bottlenose dolphins and contributes to the understanding of the role of personality in determining the extent to which marine mammals associate with others.? Diaz Lopez, B., 2020.When personality matters: personality and social structure in wild bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Animal Behaviour 163,73-84.? https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.03.001 ABSTRACT There is increasing evidence that animal personality can affect many aspects of an individual's behaviour, life history and fitness. However, there have been few studies about the link between personality and social organization in the context of wild mammals in their own natural environments. This article reports on ecologically relevant data, linking experimental data from the wild to long-term social association data in a socially and cognitively complex mammal species (bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus). Here, I used behavioural data to describe personality differences between bottlenose dolphins and social network analysis to assess the relationship between personality and social structure. First, I measured the reaction of photo-identified individuals over time and across contexts as a trade-off between a novelty-seeking behaviour (boldness) and a novelty-averse behaviour (shyness). Second, I applied social network analysis to understand the link between the observed shy?bold continuum and social organization, while controlling for other factors that could contribute to affiliation. This study presents for the first time consistent individual differences in behavioural response to novelty, as a proxy for the shy?bold continuum, in wild bottlenose dolphins. Bold individuals had a central role in the social network with stronger associations than shy individuals, suggesting that bold individuals may play an important role in group cohesion, group stability and the spread of information through the network. Together, these findings provide insights into how a social network is structured by personality in wild bottlenose dolphins, with potential fitness consequences. Furthermore, this study provides additional evidence of the existence of social personalities in nonhuman animals and contributes to the understanding of the role of personality in determining the extent to which mammals associate with others. The article can be found at: http://dlvr.it/RSq1Z9 Please contact me for a pdf copy if needed. With all best wishes in these uncertain days, Bruno Diaz Lopez Ph.D Chief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain www.thebdri.com 0034 684248552 Like us on?Facebook. Follow us on?Instagram. Mention us on?Twitter. This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private informations. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Please note that neither the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI nor the sender accept any responsibility for any viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and the attachments (if any). Thank you for your cooperation. From jennifer.tennessen at gmail.com Mon Mar 30 12:38:04 2020 From: jennifer.tennessen at gmail.com (Jennifer Tennessen) Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2020 12:38:04 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: sensory ecology in conservation biology Message-ID: Dear All, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our paper entitled "Why conservation biology can benefit from sensory ecology", in Nature Ecology and Evolution. Dominoni, D. M., Halfwerk, W., Baird, E., Buxton, R. T., Fern?ndez-Juricic, E., Fristrup, K. M., McKenna, M. F., Mennitt, D. J., Perkin, E. K., Seymoure, B. M., Stoner, D. C., Tennessen, J. B., Toth, C. A., Tyrrell, L. P., Wilson, A., Francis, C. D., Carter, N. H. & Barber, J. R. (2020). Why conservation biology can benefit from sensory ecology. *Nature Ecology & Evolution*, 1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-1135-4 *Abstract* Global expansion of human activities is associated with the introduction of novel stimuli, such as anthropogenic noise, artificial lights and chemical agents. Progress in documenting the ecological effects of sensory pollutants is weakened by sparse knowledge of the mechanisms underlying these effects. This severely limits our capacity to devise mitigation measures. Here, we integrate knowledge of animal sensory ecology, physiology and life history to articulate three perceptual mechanisms?masking, distracting and misleading?that clearly explain how and why anthropogenic sensory pollutants impact organisms. We then link these three mechanisms to ecological consequences and discuss their implications for conservation. We argue that this framework can reveal the presence of ?sensory danger zones?, hotspots of conservation concern where sensory pollutants overlap in space and time with an organism?s activity, and foster development of strategic interventions to mitigate the impact of sensory pollutants. Future research that applies this framework will provide critical insight to preserve the natural sensory world. Best wishes, Jennifer Tennessen -- *Jennifer B. Tennessen, Ph.D.* Postdoctoral Scientist, contractor with Lynker, LLC Marine Mammal & Seabird Ecology Team, Conservation Biology Division NOAA/NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center 2725 Montlake Blvd East Seattle, WA 98112 Phone: (206) 860-3473 and Research Associate Department of Biology Western Washington University Bellingham, WA, 98225 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From solene.derville at ird.fr Tue Mar 31 17:35:19 2020 From: solene.derville at ird.fr (solene.derville at ird.fr) Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2020 02:35:19 +0200 (CEST) Subject: [MARMAM] New publication - humpback whale telemetry Message-ID: <36096341.2314774.1585701319122.JavaMail.zimbra@ird.fr> Dear MARMAM community, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article in Scientific Reports: Derville, Sol?ne, Leigh G Torres, Alexandre N Zerbini, Marc Oremus, and Claire Garrigue. 2020. ?Horizontal and Vertical Movements of Humpback Whales Inform the Use of Critical Pelagic Habitats in the Western South Pacific.? Scientific Reports 10:4871 [ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61771-z | https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61771-z ] Abstract Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) are known for their nearshore distribution during the breeding season, but their pelagic habitat use patterns remain mostly unexplored. From 2016 to 2018, 18 humpback whales were equipped with depth-recording satellite tags (SPLASH10) to shed light on environmental and social drivers of seamount association around New Caledonia in the western South Pacific. Movement paths were spatially structured around shallow seamounts (<200 m). Indeed, two males stopped over the Lord Howe seamount chain during the first-ever recorded longitudinal transit between New Caledonia and the east coast of Australia. Residence time significantly increased with proximity to shallow seamounts, while dive depth increased in the vicinity of seafloor ridges. Most of the 7,986 recorded dives occurred above 80 m (88.5%), but deep dives (>80 m, max 616 m) were also recorded (11.5%), including by maternal females. Deep dives often occurred in series and were characterized by U-shapes suggesting high energy expenditure. This study provides new insights into the formerly overlooked use of pelagic habitats by humpback whales during the breeding season. Given increasing anthropogenic threats on deep sea habitats worldwide, this work has implications for the conservation of vulnerable marine ecosystems. The article can be downloaded in open access. Best wishes, -- Sol?ne Derville PhD - Marine & Geospatial Ecology Association Op?ration C?tac?s UMR Entropie - Institut de Recherche pour le D?veloppement ---------- 101 Promenade Roger Laroque, BPA5 98848 Noumea cedex, New Caledonia Phone: +687 912299 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Solene_Derville -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ivlarkin at ufl.edu Tue Mar 31 15:33:55 2020 From: ivlarkin at ufl.edu (Larkin,Iskande (Iske)) Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2020 22:33:55 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] FW: Summer Online Course - Manatee Health In-Reply-To: <4aff650dce684ba7a9af2db81a636e2a@AHC-EXCH08.ad.ufl.edu> References: <4aff650dce684ba7a9af2db81a636e2a@AHC-EXCH08.ad.ufl.edu> Message-ID: Hi All, The University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Aquatic Animal Health Program would like to announce that registration for our summer online course is open and COVID-19 free. Manatee Health and Conservation is an online course (3 credits) that will provide students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) with a detailed overview of manatee natural history, health assessment, and research findings as well as explore conservation issues. More information about this class can be found here. Students enrolled at any College or University within the US or internationally can take this course. For more information about this classes or enrollment, contact Dr. Iskande Larkin (ivlarkin at ufl.edu ). The first day of the summer semester is Monday May 11th and registration will be open until May 15th. Sincerely, Dr Larkin [Description: AAH logo blue E-Mail Sig] Iske V. Larkin, PhD Lecturer & Education Coordinator Interim Director Aquatic Animal Health Program Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida PO Box 100136 2015 SW 16th Ave Gainesville, Florida 32610 Office phone - 352-294-4095 Work cell - 352-494-1742 Fax - 352-392-8289 Program web page: http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." -Anonymous ________________________________ Please note that Florida has a broad public records law, and that all correspondence to or from University of Florida employees via email may be subject to disclosure. ________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 3804 bytes Desc: image003.jpg URL: