[MARMAM] New publication on fitness benefits to elephant seals of foraging in dynamic ocean structures

[Briana Abrahms]

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to share the recent publication of our paper in Proceedings
of the Royal Society Biological Sciences:

Abrahms, B., Scales, K.L., Hazen, E.L., Bograd, S.J., Schick, R.S.,
Robinson, P.W., and Costa, D.P. 2018. Mesoscale activity facilitates energy
gain in a top predator. *Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological
Sciences*, 285: 20181101. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1101.

Abstract: How animal movement decisions interact with the distribution of
resources to shape individual performance is a key question in ecology.
However, links between spatial and behavioural ecology and fitness
consequences are poorly understood because the outcomes of individual
resource selection decisions, such as energy intake, are rarely measured.
In the open ocean, mesoscale features (approx. 10 –100 km) such as fronts
and eddies can aggregate prey and thereby drive the distribution of
foraging vertebrates through bottom-up biophysical coupling. These
productive features are known to attract predators, yet their role in
facilitating energy transfer to top-level consumers is opaque. We
investigated the use of mesoscale features by migrating northern elephant
seals and quantified the corresponding energetic gains from the seals’
foraging patterns at a daily resolution. Migrating elephant seals modified
their diving behaviour and selected for mesoscale features when foraging.
Daily energy gain increased significantly with increasing mesoscale
activity, indicating that the physical environment can influence predator
fitness at fine temporal scales. Results show that areas of high mesoscale
activity not only attract top predators as foraging hotspots, but also lead
to increased energy transfer across trophic levels. Our study provides
evidence that the physical environment is an important factor in
controlling energy flow to top predators by setting the stage for variation
in resource availability. Such understanding is critical for assessing how
changes in the environment and resource distribution will affect individual
fitness and food web dynamics.

An online version of the article can be accessed here: http://rspb.
royalsocietypublishing.org/cgi/reprint/rspb.2018.1101?
ijkey=xbfA37Bzxndnsw0&keytype=ref

Best wishes,

Briana Abrahms and coauthors
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[MARMAM] Dead cetacean ID, mid-Atlantic

[Ewan Wakefield]

Dear All,

Last month, while crossing the North Atlantic on a cruise ship, I encountered a 
dead cetacean at 49.130 N, 33.4363 W (i.e. in deep water, approximately 200 nm 
W of the Mid-Atlantic ridge and 600 nm NNW of the Azores).  Photographs of the 
animal can be downloaded from here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4nxqz6kqczpiygr/AADvcB9azpslvNIoI-d_5h93a?dl=0

The total body length was was approximately 4-7 m. The length and shape of the 
pectoral fin, as well as the shape of the melon and mouth line, suggest to me 
either a pilot whale or a Risso's dolphin. I would appreciate any further 
opinions on the animal'a identity.
Thank you for your time,
Ewan

--

Dr Ewan Wakefield


Email: ewan_wakefi...@yahoo.co.uk


Tel:      +44 (0)1751 417478


Mobile: +44 (0)7973 801133



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[MARMAM] Reminder - Tribute to Dr. Jeanette Thomas

[Kathleen M. Dudzinski]

Dear Colleagues,

Last month, I posted to MARMAM requesting contributions to a planned tribute to 
Dr. Jeanette Thomas, our colleague who died suddenly in early July. 

I write now as a final reminder to those of you who might still want to send a 
few thoughts or memories of Jeanette to be included in the Tribute. 

If so, please send your tributes to the journal by email 
mailto:busin...@aquaticmammalsjournal.org>>
Our deadline for inclusion of your memories is 27 August 2018. 

Aquatic Mammals journal will include this Tribute to Jeanette in our next issue 
(44.5, to be published online on September 15, 2018). 

We will celebrate Jeanette’s vibrant attitude toward life and her significant 
contributions to our field of study and also to our lives. 

Thank you.
Best
Kathleen


Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D.
Editor, Aquatic Mammals Journal
aquaticmamm...@gmail.com

www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org

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[MARMAM] Job Announcement -- Bioacoustics of Fish and Marine Mammals

[Elizabeth McDonald]

On behalf of Dr. Helen Bailey, please see below for an employment
opportunity.

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES),
Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL), is accepting applications for a
Faculty Research Assistant to assist with a bioacoustics project to study
the response of black sea bass to sounds, including dolphin calls and ship
noise. Duties will include preparation of acoustic equipment and set-up of
experiments, playbacks of dolphin calls and other sounds, and processing
and analysis of calibrated noise measurements. Applicants should have
experience with sound measurements, sound analysis software, and
statistical software packages, such as R. Experience with fish bioacoustics
is also desirable.  Minimum requirement is a M.S. degree or B.S. degree
with more than 2 years research experience related to bioacoustics, must be
a U.S. citizen and able to pass a background check. For more details about
the position, please contact Dr. Helen Bailey (hbai...@umces.edu).
Application information is available at:
https://umces.peopleadmin.com/postings/1172
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[MARMAM] African Bioacoustics Community conference. Last chance to submit an abstracts before 24 August.

[Simon Elwen]

Due to high demand, we have had to extend the abstract submission deadline
to allow for last minute applications. Final deadline is now 24 August 2018.

This cross-cutting conference is the first of it's kind in Africa and will
promote BIOACOUSTIC  research currently taking place on the African
continent, highlight areas for development, and provide a forum to explore
future collaboration among African and International researchers.

Please see website and facebook pages for full conference details:

https://africanbioacoustic.wixsite.com/abcommunity
https://www.facebook.com/africanbioacousticscommunity/

Of special interest to Marine Mammal researchers are PLENARY SPEAKERS:

Prof Christine Erbe - The Marine Soundscape and The Effects of Noise on
Marine Life

Dr Sal Cerchio - The age of discovery in the 21st Century: Using passive
acoustics to discover whale populations off the coasts of Africa
Prof. Paul Cowley
Prof. Paul Cowley - Trials, tribulations, successes and opportunities of
establishing a national network of acoustic receivers

Dr. Isabelle Charrier - Recognition Systems and Social Structures in
Pinnipeds

and SPECIAL EVENTS:

1) Panel discussion  evening:  Underwater Noise and Marine Life - Impacts,
Policy, Where to next?

2) Science Communication Networking Event: Communicating about
Communication (and other bioacoustic research) - mingling researchers with
media and film makers

3) Workshop: Ecoacoustics in a nutshell (1 day) - by Prof. Jérôme Sueur


We look forward to seeing you in Cape Town, South Africa this December.
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[MARMAM] New publication: Humpback whale migrations to Antarctic summer foraging grounds through the southwest Pacific Ocean [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[Virginia Andrews-Goff]

Please find below information about our new Scientific Reports publication, 
Humpback whale migrations to Antarctic summer foraging grounds through the 
southwest Pacific Ocean?, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30748-4.
Many thanks, Virginia


Andrews-Goff, V., Bestley, S., Gales, N. J., Laverick, S. M., Paton, D., 
Polanowski, A. M., Schmitt, N. T. and Double, M. C. 2018. Humpback whale 
migrations to Antarctic summer foraging grounds through the southwest Pacific 
Ocean. Scientific Reports 8(1): 12333.
Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) populations typically 
undertake seasonal migrations, spending winters in low latitude breeding 
grounds and summers foraging in high latitude feeding grounds. Until recently, 
a broad scale understanding of whale movement has been derived from whaling 
records, Discovery marks, photo identification and genetic analyses. However, 
with advances in satellite tagging technology and concurrent development of 
analytical methodologies we can now detail finer scale humpback whale movement, 
infer behavioural context and examine how these animals interact with their 
physical environment. Here we describe the temporal and spatial characteristics 
of migration along the east Australian seaboard and into the Southern Ocean by 
30 humpback whales satellite tagged over three consecutive austral summers. We 
characterise the putative Antarctic feeding grounds and identify supplemental 
foraging within temperate, migratory corridors. We demonstrate that Antarctic 
foraging habitat is associated with the marginal ice zone, with key predictors 
of inferred foraging behaviour including distance from the ice edge, ice melt 
rate and variability in ice concentration two months prior to arrival. We 
discuss the highly variable ice season within the putative foraging habitat and 
the implications that this and other environmental factors may have on the 
continued strong recovery of this humpback whale population.


Dr. Virginia Andrews-Goff
Marine Mammal Research and Support Officer
Australian Marine Mammal Centre
Australian Antarctic Division
203 Channel Hwy, Kingston, TAS 7050
T: 03 6232 3122 | M: 0404 668 639

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[MARMAM] 4-year PhD studentship - Epigenetics of genital transformation of California sea lions

[Karina Acevedo]

Dear Marmam colleagues,

There is an opportunity for a *fully funded 4-year PhD studentship* at the
Immune Plasticity and Molecular Ecoepidemiology lab (
https://www.kacevedowhitehouselab.org/main), within the Biological Sciences
Doctoral Program of the Autonomous University of Queretaro, Mexico (
http://fcn.uaq.mx/index.php/programas/posgrados/dcb/convocatoria-dcb)
starting January 2019.

The PhD project will focus on the *epigenetic basis of epithelial
transformation of the genital tract of the California sea lion*. The
project will be carried out in collaboration with The Marine Mammal Center,
in California.

The successful candidate must have a background in biological sciences (BSc
and MSc in Biology or Veterinary Medicine) and be fluent in Spanish. There
is no need to have worked with sea lions, but it would be helpful to have
some experience in a molecular biology lab.

Interested candidates should send a CV and letter of interest to Dr. Karina
Acevedo-Whitehouse at karina.acevedo.whiteho...@uaq.mx before September
15th.




---
Think of all the men who never knew the answers. Think of all those who
never even cared. Still, there are some who ask why, who want to know, who
dare to try.

Rod Mckuen (Here he comes again)
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[MARMAM] Mote Marine Laboratory, Manatee Research Program Internship

[Christina Nau]

*Mote Marine Laboratory*

*Manatee Research Program Internships*




*Program Description*

The Manatee Research Program studiesseveral aspects of the biology of 
manatees inhabiting the waters of southwestern Florida, including 
population dynamics, population genetics, habitat use, distributional 
patterns and social behavior. Winter field data and samples are 
collected using photo-identification and non-invasive genetic sampling 
with some habitat sampling. Field work during the winter season is 
conducted primarily in Charlotte Harbor and the Ft. Myers area and is 
both land and boat based. The long-term database of the program 
contributes to management and conservation measurements for Florida 
manatees. Additionally, the program collaborates with manatee 
researchers throughout the state of Florida and the Caribbean.For more 
information about, please visit: 
https://mote.org/research/program/manatee-research.


*WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING INTERNS TO BEGIN IN JANUARY 2019, WITH 
APPLICATIONS DUE BY SEPTEMBER 30^th

*


**

*Internship Description*

Internships are available during all four seasons and must be a MINIMUM 
of 12 weeks.Hours are typically Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, although some 
longer days may be required for field work (especially during the winter 
season).


Interns should expect to spend about 20% of their time in the field and 
about 80% of their time in the office/lab.Field work duties include 
assisting with data collection (which consists of photographing 
manatees, as well as recording behavioral observations and environmental 
conditions), boat handling, and equipment use and maintenance. Field 
work requires spending long hours in the field, sometimes in 
uncomfortable weather conditions. Office/Lab duties include data entry 
and database maintenance, image downloading and processing, matching 
images to known animals, creating representative sketches from images 
for searching, equipment maintenance, as well as miscellaneous tasks and 
errands.


There is no financial compensation for these internship positions, and 
successful applicants will be responsible for their own living and 
transportation expenses. Shared housing opportunities near Mote Marine 
Laboratory may be available. A few scholarships may be available from 
Mote Marine Laboratory through a competitive application process (US 
citizens only).



*Required Qualifications*

 * Minimum of 18 years of age and engaged in or recently completed
   undergraduate studies
 * A background or degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology,
   or a related field is preferred
 * Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and
   Access); previous experience using ArcMap GIS is a plus but not required
 * Excellent communication skills; fluent in English
 * Must be physically able to stand for long periods of time and lift
   heavy objects
 * Knowledge of photography/SLR camera use and/or drawing skills are a plus
 * Desire and willingness to acquire knowledge and skills related to
   marine mammal field work and capable of working well as a team

*
*

*To apply for a Manatee Research Program internship:*

 * Fill out an application form at Mote Marine Laboratory’s website
   (https://mote.org/research/internships/college-internship-program-overview)
   and be sure to select “Manatee Research Program” as your first choice
 * Complete and provide to Mote’s intern office all other application
   materials including: a statement of interest, current college
   transcript, letter of recommendation, and /curriculum vitae
   /(incomplete applications will not be considered)

Applicants may contact the Manatee Research Program’s intern 
coordinator, Christina Nau, (c...@mote.org ) with 
questions regarding the internship.



--
Christina Nau
Manatee Research Program
Mote Marine Laboratory
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota FL 34236
Phone: (941) 388-4441 ext. 471
c...@mote.org
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Re: [MARMAM] publication on Brucella pinnipedialis in seals in the Netherlands

[Brasseur, Sophie]

We are pleased to announce our recent publication:

BRUCELLA PINNIPEDIALIS IN GREY SEALS (HALICHOERUS GRYPUS) AND HARBOR SEALS 
(PHOCA VITULINA) IN THE NETHERLANDS
Authors: Michiel V. Kroese, Lisa Beckers, Yvette J. W. M. Bisselink, Sophie 
Brasseur, Peter W. van Tulden, Miriam G. J. Koene, Hendrik I. J. Roest, Robin 
C. Ruuls, Jantien A. Backer, Jooske IJzer, Joke W. B. van der Giessen, and 
Peter T. J. Willemsen
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 54(3):439-449. Published By: Wildlife Disease 
Association
https://doi.org/10.7589/2017-05-097 URL: 
http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.7589/2017-05-097

Abstract
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease with terrestrial or marine wildlife animals 
as potential reservoirs for the disease in livestock and human populations. The 
primary aim of this study was to assess the presence of Brucella pinnipedialis 
in marine mammals living along the Dutch coast and to observe a possible 
correlation between the presence of B. pinnipedialis and accompanying pathology 
found in infected animals. The overall prevalence of Brucella spp. antibodies 
in sera from healthy wild grey seals (Halichoerus grypus; n=11) and harbor 
seals (Phoca vitulina; n=40), collected between 2007 and 2013 ranged from 25% 
to 43%. Additionally, tissue samples of harbor seals collected along the Dutch 
shores between 2009 and 2012, were tested for the presence of Brucella spp. In 
total, 77% (30/39) seals were found to be positive for Brucella by IS711 
real-time PCR in one or more tissue samples, including pulmonary nematodes. 
Viable Brucella was cultured from 40% (12/30) real-time PCR-positive
seals, and was isolated from liver, lung, pulmonary lymph node, pulmonary 
nematode, or spleen, but not from any PCR-negative seals. Tissue samples from 
lung and pulmonary lymph nodes were the main source of viable Brucella 
bacteria. All isolates were typed as B. pinnipedialis by multiple-locus 
variable number of tandem repeats analysis-16 clustering and matrix-assisted 
laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, and of sequence 
type ST25 by multilocus sequence typing analysis. No correlation was observed 
between Brucella infection and pathology. This report displays the isolation 
and identification of B. pinnipedialis in marine mammals in the Dutch part of 
the Atlantic Ocean.
Key words: Brucella pinnipedialis, Halichoerus grypus, MALDI-TOF MS, marine 
mammals, MLST, MLVA-16, Phoca vitulina, the Netherlands.


Best regards,
Sophie

Dr. Sophie M.J.M. Brasseur
Marine Mammalogist
tel. +31 317 487072
home +31 6 215 677 41
sophie.brass...@wur.nl

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[MARMAM] Vacancy PhD Student “Individual-based modelling to study the effect of retreating sea ice on arctic seals”

[Brasseur, Sophie]

Vacancy PhD Student “Individual-based modelling to study the effect of 
retreating sea ice on arctic seals”
We are looking for an excellent, highly motivated PhD student with a keen 
interest in quantitative ecology and seals. The PhD student will be working in 
a multidisciplinary research project at the NIOZ department of Coastal Systems, 
Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management (AEW, Wageningen 
University), the Arctic centre (University of Groningen), and Wageningen Marine 
Research (WMR, Wageningen University).
LOCATION: ROYAL NIOZ TEXEL (THE NETHERLANDS)
VACANCY ID: 2018-059
CLOSING DATE:SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2018
Please check out the full text on the website and reply via the link at the 
bottom of the web page (“APPLY TO THE JOB HERE”):
https://www.workingatnioz.com/our-jobs/phd-student-“individual-based-modelling-to-study-the-effect-of-retreating-sea-ice-on-arctic-seals”.html


on behalf of the team,
Dr. Sophie M.J.M. Brasseur
sophie.brass...@wur.nl

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[MARMAM] Leopard seal volunteer position New Zealand

[Krista Hupman]

Leopard seal volunteer position New Zealand
A volunteer is required to assist with an ongoing study investigating the site 
fidelity and movement of leopard seals around New Zealand. This work involves 
desktop research including data entry and photo-identification of leopard seals.
This project is part of the ongoing research for the Marine Megafauna Group at 
the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington and in 
collaboration with LeopardSeals.Org.
DATES: September 2018 – April 2019.

A minimum commitment of three months is required and priority will be given to 
those who can commit for longer periods.

LOCATION: Wellington, 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 in Wellington, living expenses, travel costs and visa.

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. 
Additionally, proficiency in photo manipulation software (such as photoshop) 
would be an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
. Email your CV to krista.hup...@niwa.co.nz
. Outline of 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.

Kind regards,
Dr Krista Hupman

Marine Mammal Biologist/Ecologist
krista.hup...@niwa.co.nz

T +64-4-386-0527




301 Evans Bay Parade, Greta Point, Wellington





[cid:imagea9acf1.PNG@50f00a8c.4c9a44c0]
Dr Krista Hupman
Cetacean Biologist/Ecologist
T +64-4-386-0527

301 Evans Bay Parade, Greta Point, Wellington
Connect with NIWA: niwa.co.nz 
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To ensure compliance with legal requirements and to maintain cyber security 
standards, NIWA's IT systems are subject to ongoing monitoring, activity 
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[MARMAM] Marmam listserv submission: Link to webinar recording

[Emily Knight]

Now Available: Webinar Recording on Examining Relationships between Northern 
Fur Seals, Pollock, and Climate Change in Alaska

On Wednesday, July 25, 2018, the Lenfest Ocean Program hosted a webinar that 
featured Dr. Jeremy Sterling (Alaska Fisheries Science Center) and colleagues 
discussing their project to develop a new spatially explicit bioenergetics 
model to estimate the dietary needs of northern fur seals, and link the model 
to the existing climate-to-fish model of the Bering Sea (FEAST) and the 
multi-species stock assessment model (CEATTLE).

You can access the webinar recording 
here.

Please forward the link to anyone that might be interested. Also, let me know 
if you'd like a pdf of the PPT. Please feel free to reach out to me - Emily 
Knight, ekni...@pewtrusts.org - if you have any 
questions.

Best, Emily

Emily Knight
Manager, Lenfest Ocean Program
[LenfestOceanProgram-Logo-Color-(2)]
901 E Street NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20004

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UP 
FOR LENFEST OCEAN NEWS

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