[MARMAM] Slow clicks function in male sperm whales
Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are very pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America: Oliveira C, Wahlberg M, Johnson M, Miller PJO and Madsen PT. (2013) The function of male sperm whale slow clicks in a high latitude habitat: Communication, echolocation, or prey debilitation? J. Acoust. Soc. Am., Vol. 133, Issue 5, pp 3135-3144. http://link.aip.org/link/?JAS/133/3135 http://link.aip.org/link/?JAS/133/3135 Abstract: Sperm whales produce different click types for echolocation and communication. Usual clicks and buzzes appear to be used primarily in foraging while codas are thought to function in social communication. The function of slow clicks is less clear, but they appear to be produced by males at higher latitudes, where they primarily forage solitarily, and on the breeding grounds, where they roam between groups of females. Here the behavioral context in which these vocalizations are produced and the function they may serve was investigated. Ninety-nine hours of acoustic and diving data were analyzed from sound recording tags on six male sperm whales in Northern Norway. The 755 slow clicks detected were produced by tagged animals at the surface (52%), ascending from a dive (37%), and during the bottom phase (11%), but never during the descent. Slow clicks were not associated with the production of buzzes, other echolocation clicks, or fast maneuvering that would indicate foraging. Some slow clicks were emitted in seemingly repetitive temporal patterns supporting the hypothesis that the function for slow clicks on the feeding grounds is long range communication between males, possibly relaying information about individual identity or behavioral states. Best wishes, Cláudia Oliveira - DOP, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas - Universidade dos Açores Rua Prof. Doutor Frederico Machado 9901-862 Horta - Portugal Telefone: +351 292200400 Fax: +351 292200411 URL: www.horta.uac.pt http://www.horta.uac.pt/ - ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Marine Mammals Books and Reprints Wanted
MARINEMAMMAL BOOKS AND REPRINTS WANTED ¡VIVAVaquita! (a collaborative effort of five 501(3)cnon-profits) is requesting marine mammal books, reprints, monographs, andjournals. Literature can be donated orwe can purchase sets of books, reprints, and journals. We make the literature available tocolleagues working on marine mammals, getting it into hands where it will beactively used, and in the proccess help to raise funds for research andconservation work on the World’s most endangered marine mammal species, thevaquita (Phocoena sinus). Donations aretax-deductible, and we may be able to arrange pick-up of large quantities ofliterature. We are currentlycollecting literature to help fund our Sept/Oct 2013 expedition to San Felipe, Mexico,to observe and photograph the vaquita, and to conduct education work with localorganizations and school groups in Mexico. See our website www.vivavaquita.org for details of our previous work. If you have any literature you would be interested in donating orselling to us, please contact us at the email or phone number below. Thanks in advance… Tom *** Thomas A. Jefferson, Ph.D. Clymene Enterprises / ¡VIVA Vaquita! 13037 YerbaValley Way Lakeside, CA92040 Tel. (619) 938-0267 Email: sclym...@aol.com VIVAVaquita Website: www.vivavaquita.org *** ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] FW: new publication - white humpback NA
Lydersen, C., Øien, N., Mikkelsen, B., Bober, S., Fisher, D. and Kovacs, K. M. 2013. A white humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Atlantic Ocean, Svalbard, Norway, August 2012. Polar Research 2013, 32, 19739, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.19739. A white humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) was observed on several occasions off Svalbard, Norway, during August 2012. The animal was completely white, except for a few small dark patches on the ventral side of its fluke. The baleen plates were light-coloured, but the animal's eyes had normal (dark) colouration. This latter characteristic indicates that the animal was not an albino; it is a leucistic individual. The animal was a full-sized adult and engaged in bubble-feeding together with 15-20 other humpback whales each time it was seen. Subsequent to these sighting, polling of the marine mammal science community has resulted in the discovery of two other observations of white humpback whales in the Barents Sea area. One of these records was a calf in 2004 and the other a larger individual in 2006. It is likely that all of these sightings are of the same individual, but there is no genetic or photographic evidence, so this suggestion cannot be confirmed. The rarity of observations of such white individuals suggests that they are born at very low frequencies or that the ontogenetic survival rates of the colour morph are low. link: http://www.polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/19739 ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] AIMM seeks research assistants - Summer 2013 - Portugal
The Marine Environment Research Association - AIMM - seeks applications as research assistant to help with the ongoing study of cetaceans in the South of Portugal (Algarve). The field season runs from May, 1st to October, 30th 2013. This project intends to continue the study that AIMM has been developing along the South coast of Portugal, as well as the collaboration with the local dolphin watching companies. Participants will join the team for, at least, 7-days period but preference will be given to applicants that can stay for longer periods. Activities include boat surveys on the research vessel and on opportunistic platforms (dolphin watching boats). Data collection comprises species identification, group size, behaviour, photo-identification, amongst others. Training is provided by AIMM researchers, mainly marine biologists. The assistant is responsible for his own transportation to/from Albufeira, where the AIMM assistant’s house is located. Accommodation and transport to/from the dock is provided. Food is at the assistant's own expenses except breakfast, but communal shopping keep the expenses low. Apart from research activities, participants share everyday duties and chores with the other team members. The program's fee is 300€ per week. No previous experience is required. Anyone above the age of 16 can participate, regardless of nationality or field of expertise. Successful applicants will:- have a mature attitude towards marine mammal research - be autonomous and quickly operational - be able to live and work constructively with others members of the team - speak fluent Portuguese and/or English 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 - professional cameras that can be used for photo-ID Applicants should send an e-mail with a small introduction, qualifications and previous experience, as well as an outline explaining why they would like to work with AIMM. A brief CV should also be attached. Applications will be accepted during all season, however, early application is recommended. Contact: direc...@aimm-portugal.org___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Internship
Could you please post the following. Fall 2013 Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Research Internship Program Description The IMMS Research Internship Program is designed as a way for students interested in a career in marine science to gain valuable research experience in a real-world setting. Interns will participate with multiple projects involving bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles and diamondback terrapins. As an intern, you will be trained in all aspects of dolphin photo-id research, sea turtle satellite tracking, and other current research projects at IMMS. Interns will also participate in other operations at IMMS including stranding response, education, and animal care. Our goal is to give Interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and experience in marine science research. Principle Duties include: data entry, searching and cataloging journal articles, learning all research protocols, cropping and sorting photo-id fin images, learning to use photo-id programs such as Darwin (fin matching software), and FinBase (Microsoft Access), boat based field research (21 and 31 boats), and learn how to use ArcGIS * Secondary Duties involve: Assisting with animal care staff, attending marine mammal necropsies, responding to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings, and assisting with educational tours. * Field days: Interns must be able to spend many hours on the water and on shore in sometimes extreme seasonal conditions. Seasonal temperatures range from over 100 °F in summer to 30 °F in winter. Field days typically exceed eight hours and occur at least two or three times a week. To Apply: Please visit our website at http://imms.org/internship.php http://imms.org/internship.php ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Sea Watch Foundation - Last Minute Research Intern Opportunity in Cardigan Bay for 2013
Sea Watch Foundation Last Minute Research Intern Opportunity in Cardigan Bay for 2013 A last minute opportunity has opened up for one intern placement to assist the Sea Watch Foundation (www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/ ) with the running of the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project. The project is based in New Quay, West Wales, and takes care of the conservation management of the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal populations of Cardigan Bay, monitoring their abundance, distribution, reproductive success and population structure using a combination of line-transect, photo-identification, land-based and acoustic surveys. Interns will help the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Officer and the Sightings Officer by taking part in the following tasks: · Land-based surveys · Boat-based surveys · Photo-identification studies · Database entry · Awareness raising · Education initiatives · Acoustic monitoring · Assist with and participate in training courses and public talks. This placement is for seven weeks, between 27th of May to the 14th of July. Interns will be based in New Quay, West Wales. Accommodation is provided at a rate of £55/week. Interns are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and living expenses, but it is generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid work in the area if required. Important skills/qualifications Essential: · an ability to work in a meticulous and reliable manner · strong commitment to volunteering work · willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable Welsh weather · good IT skills (Office package) · an ability to get on well with others in a small team and shared accommodation Desirable: · a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar · a strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans · prior experience in boat-based survey work · good verbal and written communication skills and in public speaking · experience in interacting with the public All interns will be trained in cetacean observation and identification, in line-transect survey protocols and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins and grey seals. To apply: Please send your CV, covering letter and contact details of two references, reporting any relevant experience you have to Daphna Feingold daphna.feing...@seawatchfoundation.org.uk This will be on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVED basis. Please specify NEW QUAY INTERN APPLICATION into your subject title. The Sea Watch Foundation The Sea Watch Foundation is a registered marine environmental research charity that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins in the seas around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in scientific monitoring of populations and the threats they face. At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine wildlife of West Wales. Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council. Research The purpose of our research here is to monitor the marine mammal populations inhabiting Cardigan Bay, so as to gain information to aid the conservation and long-term well being of these animals and the local marine environment. This is achieved by conducting various projects including: * Estimating the abundance and distribution of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and grey seals within Cardigan Bay using distance sampling and opportunistic boat surveys * Maintaining and updating a catalogue of photographically identified bottlenose dolphins in Wales in order to study their abundance, social structure, movements and life histories. * Acoustic monitoring of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises in the Cardigan Bay SAC using automated click detectors (T-PODs and C-PODS) and hydrophones. * Setting up a library of underwater sounds in Welsh waters in order to develop bio-acoustic research in the area. We further aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the local marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage respect and conservation of the area and its wildlife for future generations. We also run training courses for the public in cetacean identification and survey methods. ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
