[MARMAM] New publication: blue whales and earthquakes

[Barlow, Dawn Renee]

Dear MARMAM community,

On behalf of my coauthors, I am pleased to share our recent publication in 
Royal Society Open Science:

Barlow DR, Estrada Jorge M, Klinck H, Torres LG. 2022. Shaken, not stirred: 
blue whales show no acoustic response to earthquake events. Royal Society Open 
Science. 9:220242. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.220242

Abstract: Quantifying how animals respond to disturbance events bears relevance 
for understanding consequences to population health. We investigate whether 
blue whales respond acoustically to naturally occurring episodic noise by 
examining calling before and after earthquakes (27 040 calls, 32 earthquakes; 
27 January-29 June 2016). Two vocalization types were evaluated: New Zealand 
blue whale song and downswept vocalizations ('D calls'). Blue whales did not 
alter the number of D calls, D call received level or song intensity following 
earthquakes (paired t-tests, p > 0.7 for all). Linear models accounting for 
earthquake strength and proximity revealed significant relationships between 
change in calling activity surrounding earthquakes and prior calling activity 
(D calls: R2 = 0.277, p < 0.0001; song: R2 = 0.080, p = 0.028); however, these 
same relationships were true for 'null' periods without earthquakes (D calls: 
R2 = 0.262, p < 0.0001; song: R2 = 0.149, p = 0.0002), indicating that the 
pattern is driven by blue whale calling context regardless of earthquake 
presence. Our findings that blue whales do not respond to episodic natural 
noise provide context for interpreting documented acoustic responses to 
anthropogenic noise sources, including shipping traffic and petroleum 
development, indicating that they potentially evolved tolerance for natural 
noise sources but not novel noise from anthropogenic origins.

The full article is open access, and available online: 
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.220242

Cheers,
Dawn

Dawn Barlow, PhD (she/her)
Marine Mammal Institute | Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation 
Sciences
Oregon State University | Hatfield Marine Science Center
Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab
dawn.bar...@oregonstate.edu

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[MARMAM] Two new papers on South American marine mammals electrocardiography

[Diego Rodríguez]

Dear MARMAM community,

On behalf of all the co-authors, we are happy to share our recent
publications on electrocardiography in South American pinnipeds and
Burmeister porpoises.

All inquiries and copies of the papers should be directed to Mariela
Dassis (marieladas...@gmail.com).

Thank you!

Diego Rodríguez



Dassis,M., C.de León, A.Díaz, A.Faiella, A.Saubidet, D.Rodríguez,
E.Castro. 2022. First description of the Burmeister porpoise (Phocoena
spinipinnis) electrocardiogram. J Exp Zool A Ecol Integr Physiol.
2022;1–7. DOI: 10.1002/jez.2641.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to make the first characterization of the
electrocardiogram (ECG) of the Burmeister porpoise (Phocoena
sipinipinnis). A total of three ECGs were made in one, wild juvenile
female (body weight = 32.5 kg, Lt = 1.45 m), temporarily held in
captivity for rehabilitation at Mar del Plata Aquarium (Argentina).
For ECG recordings, the animal was removed from its pool on a
stretcher under constant veterinary supervision. A traditional
six‐lead system in the frontal plane was used, with the typical four
“extremities” electrodes positioned bilaterally. ECGs were readable
and all waves were detectable. The QRS complexes were characterized by
Q wave absence in all leads. The ECG characteristically displayed
distinctly defined STs, with a T wave clearly differentiated from the
QRS complex. An STs elevation was detected in leads II and III. The
mean electrical axis was −79°, meaning a cranial left axis
orientation. The animal showed normal sinus rhythm and heart rate (HR)
showed a continuous oscillation between tachycardia and bradycardia.
Mean HR from all recordings was 147.02 ± 24.95 bpm (range = 71–176, n
= 178). Evidence of the occurrence of respiratory sinus arrhythmia was
detected through HR variations and RR interval differences, which
suggested an adequate cardiovascular system compensation to handling
conditions. This study has reported ECG amplitude and duration
measurements of a potentially healthy specimen, which represents the
starting point for the determination of normal ECG values for this
species. Also, it has confirmed that ECG is a valuable noninvasive
tool for rapid cardiac health assessment in small cetaceans.



Dassis,M., C.de León, A.Díaz, E.Rodríguez, D.Rodríguez, G.Giardino,
E.Castro. 2022. Comparative electrocardiogram in two anesthetized
pinnipeds, the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) and
the Southern sea lion (Otaria byronia), with analysis of ECG
parameters allometry. Mar Mam Sci. 2022;1–15. DOI: 10./mms.12915.

Abstract

The mammalian heart has been described as a highly evolutionarily
conserved structure and the cardiovascular system allometry has been
fully studied among many mammalian species, but few of these studies
have been focused on marine mammals. Previously reported
electrocardiogram (ECG) of anesthetized Southern sea lions (SSL; n =
13) and South American fur seals (SAFS; n = 19) females were compared,
and linear models were used to examine variations of ECG parameters
with body mass (BM) and heart rate (HR). Electrocardiograms resulted
in qualitatively similar characteristics (rhythm, polarity patterns,
mean electrical axes orientation, and waves/complex forms), but there
were significant quantitative differences in HR and all ECG
parameters. With few exceptions, duration and amplitude parameters
were significantly higher in the SSL, whereas the SAFS had a
significantly higher HR. Allometric scaling was verified for most
duration variables (P, T, QRS, and PR interval) and P wave amplitude,
which were all significantly and positively associated with BM, with
no significant effect found for HR. Results suggest that the cardiac
conduction system is highly conserved, and allometry occurs for these
species even in anesthetized subjects, particularly in atrial
contraction and atrioventricular conduction, which was proposed as
potentially related to optimal atrioventricular activation sequence
and high hemodynamic efficiency.


-- 
Dr.Diego Rodríguez
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras,
Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales,
Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata-CONICET.
Casilla de Correos 1260 (Correo Central)
(7600) Mar del Plata, Argentina
TE + 54 (0) 223 4754060 (Int.244)
FAX +54 (0) 223 4753150
Skype: diego291162
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/136323163081610/
Website: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Diego_Rodriguez16
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/-0002-5080-3739

"Si los pueblos no se ilustran, si no se divulgan sus derechos, si cada
hombre no conoce lo que puede, vale, debe, nuevas ilusiones sucederán a las
antiguas y será tal vez nuestra suerte cambiar de tiranos sin destruir la
tiranía" (Mariano Moreno)

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[MARMAM] SMRU Consulting - Canada - job posting

[Cormac Booth]

Job Posting: Senior Scientist.
Deadine: 1st August 2022.

SMRU Consulting is a world leading marine mammal consultancy with an unrivalled 
reputation for providing innovative, robust, and environmentally sound 
solutions for clients active in the marine environment. SMRUC is owned by the 
University of St Andrews, with offices in Scotland, Vancouver, BC and Friday 
Harbor, WA (near Seattle). Our senior professionals are experienced scientists 
and world-class consultants working across all marine sectors from renewables, 
civil engineering, infrastructure to government, defence, and scientific 
research and development.

We are looking for candidates with existing experience that can be applied to 
our current and future project portfolio, with a focus on the offshore wind 
sector and marine infrastructure projects although there will be the 
opportunity to get involved in a wide variety of sectors and projects. Much of 
this activity is specifically related to the potential for impacts from 
underwater noise, a stimulating and growing field of marine mammal science. We 
are keen therefore to attract talented candidates with client-facing experience 
in this area.
Key attributes and skills:

  *   Marine mammal scientist with industry and/or regulatory experience
  *   Proven ability to project manage and liaise with clients
  *   An understanding of the relevant policy landscape as it relates to marine 
mammal protection
  *   Strategic, critical thinker and strong communicator who understands the 
needs of our clients
  *   Ability to multi-task and balance the needs of a variety of project 
deliverables
We provide excellent career development opportunities, personal development 
time and a commitment to staff training.  Employment with SMRU Consulting 
offers global opportunities for collaboration and travel. We offer a 
competitive salary commensurate with experience, with associated benefits, 
flexible working patterns and a commitment to staff wellbeing.

This successful applicant will be working in our Canada office, based in 
Vancouver. We maintain strong links with our US office (Friday Harbor) and UK 
office (located in the Scottish Oceans Institute at the University of St 
Andrews). We have strong links with the Sea Mammal Research Unit and the Centre 
for Research into Environmental and Ecological Modelling (CREEM) and regularly 
work together to deliver projects and services to clients and funders, 
irrespective of location.

Please see https://www.smruconsulting.com/employment-opportunities for more 
details.

Regards,
Cormac

Dr Cormac Booth
Scientific Director

[cid3463345404*image001.png@01D8384E.8D87C740]

SMRU Consulting | 
@SMRU_Consulting
SMRU Consulting, Scottish Oceans Institute, East Sands, University of St 
Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB
Email: c...@smruconsulting.com
Mobile: +358 (0) 403219235
Main office: +44 (0) 1334 466010

NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY: This message, and any attachments, are intended 
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registered in Scotland, Registered Number: SC296937.  Registered Office:  SMRU 
Limited, Walter Bower House, Main Street, Guardbridge, St Andrews KY16 0US


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[MARMAM] Aquatic Mammals - New Audio Podcasts (Ridgway, Perrin) and Issue 48.4 published

[AMJ Business]

Dear MARMAM & ECS Talk Subscribers,

Sadly, this week we lost two icons of the Marine Mammal Community - Dr. Sam 
Ridgway and Dr. Bill Perrin. 
Both were two of the first Historical Perspectives participants and they have 
been added to the HP audio podcast roster as an early Tribute to their legacies 
in our field. 
Listen to each reflect on his career and other topics on these newly posted 
audio podcasts from the HP series on Spotify or Anchor.com 
! 

Also, the 4th issue of volume 48 (48.4) of Aquatic Mammals journal is published 
online. 
 
Further information about the journal can be found at: 
http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/ 
To submit a manuscript for publication consideration, please visit: 
http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php 

 
With regards,
 
Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D.
Editor, Aquatic Mammals Journal
busin...@aquaticmammalsjournal.org 
 
Volume 48, Issue 4 (Items preceded by an ** are open access)

Elizabeth R. Hawkins, Mia Gustavsson, Lara Pogson-Manning, Heather Pheloung, 
and Christian Jaehnichen. (2022). Prevalence of Skin Lesions and Injuries in 
Australian Humpback Dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) and Indo-Pacific Bottlenose 
Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Moreton Bay, Queensland. Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 
297-313  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.297 
 
**Ronald A. Kastelein, Marja J. L. Kik, and Léonie A. E. Huijser. (2022). 
Behavioral, Pathomorphological, and Clinical Observations of a Young Harbor 
Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) with Congenital Hemihydranencephaly. Aquatic 
Mammals, 48(4), 314-323.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.314 
 
Rodney A. Rountree, Kelsey R. Moreno, and Francis Juanes. (2022). Hunting, 
Fighting, or Playing with Bubbles: Possible Usage and Acoustic Characteristics 
of Bubble Burst Sounds Produced by the Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) 
Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Moreton Bay, Queensland. (2022). 
Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 324-340.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.324 
 

Isabel Cristina Avila, Luis Fernando Ortega, Estefanía Isaza-Toro, and Elio 
Angulo. (2022). Recent Accidental Entanglements of Humpback Whales (Megaptera 
novaeangliae) in the Colombian Pacific. Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 341-348.  DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.341 
 

**Anya Dietrich, Lorenzo von Fersen, and Kurt Hammerschmidt. (2022). Signature 
Calls in West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus)? Aquatic Mammals, 
48(4), 349-354.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.349 
 

Yoshihiro Tanaka and Hiroyuki Taruno. (2022). First Record of a Right Whale 
Fossil Radius from the Pre-Historic Period of Japan. Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 
355-361.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.355 
 
**Victoria M. Neises, Shawna A. Karpovich, Mandy J. Keogh, and Stephen J. 
Trumble. (2022). Examination of Blubber Fatty Acids in Pregnant and Lactating 
Alaskan Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina). Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 362-379.  DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.362 
 

**Emily L. Hague, Nick McCaffrey, Rachel Shucksmith, and Lauren McWhinnie. 
(2022). Predation in the Anthropocene: Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina) Utilising 
Aquaculture Infrastructure as Refuge to Evade Foraging Killer Whales (Orcinus 
orca). Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 380-393.  DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.380 
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