[MARMAM] Publication on signature whistles and changes in vocal emissions in a rough-toothed dolphin

[Eric Angel Ramos]

Greetings MARMAM,

On behalf of my coauthors, I am pleased to share our new article out today
in *Frontiers in Marine Science* titled: *Signature whistle use and changes
in whistle emission rate in a rehabilitated rough-toothed dolphin*

Ramos EA, Jones BL, Austin M, Eierman L, Collom KA, Melo-Santos G,
Castelblanco-Martınez N, Arreola MR, Sanchez-Okrucky R and Rieucau G (2023)
Signature whistle use and changes in whistle emission rate in a
rehabilitated rough-toothed dolphin. Front. Mar. Sci. 10:1278299. doi:
10.3389/fmars.2023.1278299

The article is available Open Access here:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1278299/full

Abstract
Acoustic signals play a crucial role in communication among animals,
particularly in dolphins. Signature whistles, one of their most extensively
studied vocalizations, enable dolphins to convey their identity to
conspecifics through individually distinct whistle contours. However, it
remains unclear whether rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) also
produce signature whistles with individually identifying contours and, if
so, whether they are associated with stress and poor health, such as in
bottlenose dolphins. To bridge this knowledge gap, we recorded sounds
emitted by a live-stranded rough-toothed dolphin during its rehabilitation
in May 2017 at Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico. We assessed if the
dolphin produced a signature whistle and whether whistle rate,
inter-whistle interval, mean low and high frequencies, and blood chemistry
measures, changed significantly over time. While isolated from conspecifics
during rehabilitation, the dolphin generated a single, repeated, and
stereotyped whistle contour that met the previously established SIGnature
IDentification criteria for signature whistle emissions for bottlenose
dolphins. Whistle characteristics varied over the 11 recording days:
whistle rate and inter-whistle interval significantly decreased over time;
the number of whistles with preceding echolocation click trains decreased
over time; and mean low and high frequencies changed over recording days.
We conclude that this rough-toothed dolphin possessed what resembles a
signature whistle contour, and the emission of this contour underwent
significant changes throughout the rehabilitation process. While our study
presents evidence of a single rough- toothed dolphin producing a signature
whistle, further research is necessary to determine whether this vocal
behavior is prevalent across the species.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at
eric.angel.ra...@gmail.com

Best regards,

*Eric Angel Ramos, Ph.D.*
Postdoctoral Research Associate at The University of Vermont
Scientist at FINS (Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la
Sustentabilidad)

Member of the IUCN SSC Sirenian Specialist Group for Mesoamerica

www.finsconservation.org 
E-mail: eric.angel.ra...@gmail.com
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[MARMAM] Publication on Connectivity patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the north-east Mediterranean

[Drasko Holcer]

Dear colleagues,

my co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication in 
/Conservation Genetics:/


*Gaspari, S., Dooley, C., Shreves, K., Silva,  C.S.E., Chapman, N., 
Genov, Gonzalvo, J., Holcer, D. & Moura, A.E. 2023. Connectivity 
patterns of bottlenose dolphins (/Tursiops truncatus/) in the north-east 
Mediterranean: implications for local conservation. Conservation 
Genetics. DOI 10.1007/s10592-023-01577-4 
*


Full-text access is available by using the following link: 
*_https://rdcu.be/dmQur _*


Abstract
Accurate description of population structure and genetic connectivity is 
essential for efficient conservation efforts. Along the European 
coastline, /Tursiops truncatus/ typically shows high site fidelity to 
relatively small areas, often semi-enclosed waters, but patterns of 
genetic connectivity among such areas are often poorly understood. In 
this study, we investigate the patterns of genetic structure and 
connectivity of /Tursiops truncatus/ in the Adriatic Sea and contiguous 
Mediterranean, using multilocus microsatellite genotypes. We focus 
particularly on areas where photo-ID studies suggest the occurrence of 
local ‘resident communities’. Patterns of geographic structure were 
identified using multivariate methods, Bayesian assignment methods, and 
analyses of relatedness. Our results are consistent with the occurrence 
of communities with high site fidelity to the Gulf of Ambracia, Croatian 
island archipelagos, and the Gulf of Trieste. Dolphins in these regions 
do not fit a model of complete panmixia, but neither do they exhibit 
multiple discrete population units. Even for the community in the Gulf 
of Ambracia, which is well separated by several population genetic 
estimates, we can unambiguously identify individual dispersal to the 
most distant area in the Northern Adriatic Sea. We suggest that the 
population structure patterns in these animals might be best described 
as a stable metapopulation and discuss the implications of such a model 
for regional conservation efforts. The critically endangered Ambracian 
sub-population is particularly well differentiated, and is therefore at 
high risk of local extinction due to relatively small size, high degree 
of isolation and exposure to several anthropogenic pressures. The exact 
geographic boundaries of individual sub-populations cannot always be 
determined due to lack of sampling and low resolution of the methods 
used. Nevertheless, our results have important implications for 
effective conservation of local communities showing strong site fidelity.


Should you need a pdf copy of the paper or if you have any questions 
please email me (drasko.hol...@blue-world.org).



Sincerely,

Draško Holcer

--
**

*Asst.Prof. Draško Holcer, Ph.D. *

LogoBWI 


Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation
  Kaštel 24, 51551 Veli Lošinj, Croatia
*  M*: +385 91 4637424 *T*: +385 51 604666 *
  W*: Blue-World.org 
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[MARMAM] Publication on the estimation of detection probability of small cetaceans using a dual visual-acoustic platform

[Camille Ollier]

Dear MARMAM community,
On behalf of my co-auhtors, I am happy to share the publication of the 
following paper in Frontiers in Marine Science.
"Matching visual and acoustic events to estimate detection probability for 
small cetaceans in the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative"
Ollier C, Sinn I, Boisseau O, Ridoux V and Virgili A (2023)
ABSTRACT
Estimating the detection probability of small cetaceans using either visual or 
acoustic surveys is difficult because they do not surface or vocalise 
continuously and can be imperceptible to an observer or hydrophone. Animals 
seen at the surface may have lower vocalisation rates, while submerged 
individuals may be more vocally active. This study aims to estimate visual, 
acoustic and combined detection probability by using Mark-Recapture Distance 
Sampling (MRDS) methodology. We used vessel-based visual sightings and acoustic 
data (based on click identification) collected simultaneously during the 
ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative in summer 2018 onboard the R/V Song of the Whale. 
This study focused on small cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea, including the 
most commonlyencountered species, the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). 
We identified duplicate events between visual and acoustic platforms using a 
decision tree based on time and distance thresholds to estimate g(0) (the 
detection probability on the trackline) for small cetaceans. A total of 30 
duplicate events were identified from 107 and 109 events identified by the 
visual and acoustic platforms respectively. We tested the models with two key 
functions. With a hazard-rate key function, the g(0) was estimated at 0.52 
(CV=21.0%) for both platforms combined, 0.29 (CV=25.6%) for the visual platform 
and 0.32 (CV=25.1%) for the acoustic platform. With a half-normal key function, 
g(0) was estimated at 0.51 (CV = 21.7%) for both platforms combined, 0.29 (CV = 
25.6%) for the visual platform and 0.33 (CV = 23.2%) for the acoustic platform. 
Our results illustrate that passive acoustic monitoring can be used as an 
independent platform in MRDS to estimate the detection probability. Our 
estimate of g(0) was well below 1, far from the perfect detection commonly 
assumed for abundance estimation. Without correction for detection biases, 
total abundance would be underestimated by a factor of two when using both 
acoustic and visual data. This highlights the importance of using dual-platform 
surveys to estimate detection probability in order to improve abundance 
estimates and conservation efforts.
Open Access the full research from here:
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1244474
Best regards
---
Camille Ollier
PhD Student La Rochelle University, France.
Centre d'Etude Biologique de Chizé (UMR 7372)
Observatoire PELAGIS (UAR 3462)
camille.oll...@univ-lr.fr

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[MARMAM] Publication on cetacean exposure to underwater noise

[Lis Bittencourt]

Dear colleagues,

On behalf of my co-authors, I would like to share with you our most recent
publication:

"Assessment of cetacean exposure to underwater noise in the southwestern
Atlantic ocean "
Bittencourt, L.,  Barbosa, M., Paiva, A.,  Bisi, T.L., Mill, G. N., Costa,
V. S., Lailson-Brito,J.Jr., and  Azevedo, A.F. (2023)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2023.108510

ABSTRACT
Cetacean exposure to underwater noise in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean is
largely unknown. With the goal to characterize sound pressure and sound
exposure levels in different environments, we have employed data from one
month of passive acoustic monitoring in a coastal and an oceanic location
to register sound pressure level variations and to calculate sound exposure
levels to which cetacean species are subjected. Noise profiles varied
between locations; Rio de Janeiro coastal area had higher levels than the
Vitoria-Trindade Seamount Chain area. At both sites, low-frequency hearing
cetaceans were the group under higher exposure during day and night. For
high-frequency and very high-frequency groups, the day period presented
higher levels. Results highlight the conditions of these unexplored
soundscapes and the necessity for taking underwater noise into
consideration for space-time regulation of marine areas in cetacean
conservation efforts.

Kind regards,
Lis
-- 
Dr. Lis Bittencourt
Post-doctoral fellow in Oceanography
Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores - MAQUA
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro - UERJ
Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, 4º andar - sala 4002 bloco E
Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil
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[MARMAM] Publication on asphyxiation of seals due to the ingestion of Dover sole

[Jan Haelters]

Dear MARMAMers,

We are pleased to inform you about a publication in Lutra about the fatal 
asphyxiation in seals due to Dover soles.

Reference: Haelters, J., Jauniaux, T., Kik, M.J.L. & Kerckhof, F., 2023. Prey 
that kill: Dover soles (Solea solea) causing fatal asphyxiation in seals in the 
southern North Sea. Lutra 66(1): 55-65.

Abstract: Along with the increase of harbour seals and grey seals in the 
southern North Sea, the number of stranded dead and dying seals has risen 
sharply in recent decades. A selection of animals stranded in Belgium and the 
Netherlands is examined, with as one of the main objectives to collect 
information about the cause of death. One of the causes of death is suffocation 
from fish that enter the trachea, or from fish that are too large to be 
swallowed completely. In this contribution, eleven of such cases are discussed. 
It appears that Dover sole (Solea solea) is especially dangerous for seals.

If you would like to obtain a pdf copy of the article, please send me a message.

Cheers,

Jan


__
Jan Haelters
jhaelt...@naturalsciences.be
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
3de en 23ste Linieregimentsplein
B-8400 Ostend
Belgium
https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/mumm/


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[MARMAM] Publication on manatee anticipatory behavior

[Eric Angel Ramos]

Greetings MARMAM,

I am pleased to share our newest open access publication in Zoo Biology
titled: "Antillean manatee calves in captive rehabilitation change vocal
behavior in anticipation of feeding," The article can be downloaded free
from the link below:

*Ramos, E. A., Brady, B., Lasala, J. A., Liebschner, A., Obbink, S.,
Walker, Z., Rebello, M., & Magnasco, M. O. (2023). Antillean manatee calves
in captive rehabilitation change vocal behavior in anticipation of feeding.
Zoo Biology, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21785
 *

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/zoo.21785

*Abstract *
Captive animals typically develop anticipatory behaviors, actions of
increased frequency done in anticipation of an event such as feeding.
Anticipatory behaviors can be an indicator of an animal's welfare. However,
for rehabilitating animals that are expected to be reintroduced into the
wild, these behaviors need to be extinguished to ensure successful release.
Scheduled activities such as feeding occur daily and vocalizations could
potentially be used to identify anticipatory behavior. Here, we tested the
hypothesis that manatee calves modify their vocal production rate as a form
of anticipatory behavior. Vocalizations of two Antillean manatee
(Trichechus manatus manatus) calves were recorded for 10 min before,
during, and after feeding sessions at Wildtracks, a manatee rehabilitation
center in Belize. The number of calls were counted across recording
sessions and three acoustic parameters were measured from calls including
duration, frequency modulation, and center frequency. A repeated measures
ANOVA comparing the number of calls across sessions indicated manatees
produced significantly more calls before feeding sessions than during and
after sessions. In addition, manatees increased the duration and lowered
the frequency of calls before feeding sessions. This information can give
further insight on ways to improve rehabilitation protocols and manage
human interactions to increase the overall survival rate of rehabilitated
manatees when released back into the wild.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me at
eric.angel.ra...@gmail.com

Best regards,

*Eric Angel Ramos, Ph.D.*
Postdoctoral Research Associate at The University of Vermont
Scientist at FINS (Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la
Sustentabilidad)

Member of the IUCN SSC Sirenian Specialist Group for Mesoamerica

www.finsconservation.org 
E-mail: eric.angel.ra...@gmail.com
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[MARMAM] Publication on diving metabolism

[Andreas Fahlman]

Dear MARMAMers,

My co-authors and I are pleased to share this new open-access publication:
Fahlman A, Allen AS, Blawas A, Sweeney J, Stone R, Trainor R, Jensen FH, McHugh 
K, Allen JB, Barleycorn AA & Wells RS (2023). Surface and diving metabolic 
rates, and dynamic aerobic dive limits (dADL) in near- and off-shore bottlenose 
dolphins, Tursiops spp., indicate that deep diving is energetically cheap. 
Marine Mammal Science, 1-18.

Abstract:
High-resolution dive depth and acceleration recordings from nearshore (Sarasota 
Bay, dive depth < 30 m), and offshore (Bermuda) bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops 
spp.) were used to estimate the diving metabolic rate (DMR) and the locomotor 
metabolic rate (LMR, L O2/min) during three phases of diving (descent, bottom, 
and ascent). For shallow dives (depth ≤ 30 m), we found no differences between 
the two ecotypes in the LMR during diving, nor during the postdive shallow 
interval between dives. For intermediate (30 m < depth ≤ 100 m) and deep dives 
(depth > 100 m), the LMR was significantly higher during ascent than during 
descent and the bottom phase by 59% and 9%, respectively. In addition, the rate 
of change in depth during descent and ascent (meters/second) increased with 
maximal dive depth. The dynamic aerobic dive limit (dADL) was calculated from 
the estimated DMR and the estimated predive O2 stores. For the Bermuda 
dolphins, the dADL decreased with dive depth, and was 18.7, 15.4, and 11.1 min 
for shallow, intermediate, and deep dives, respectively. These results provide 
a useful approach to understand the complex nature of physiological 
interactions between aerobic metabolism, energy use, and diving capacity.

Publication available open access here: https://doi.org/10./mms.13023

If you have any questions or need a pdf copy of the paper, you can reach me at: 
afahl...@whoi.edu



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[MARMAM] Publication - Recovery of the Eastern North Pacific Gray Whale: a case study

[Reamer, Marcus]

Happy new year MarMam community,

"Recovery of the Eastern North Pacific Gray Whale: a case study" is now 
available in the Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy. The gray whale 
was the first marine mammal and one of the first of any species to be removed 
from the Endangered Species List due to recovery rather than extinction and 
this case study follows its historic decline, recovery, and delisting. The 
article includes analyses of the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal 
Protection Act, international treaties, aboriginal and subsistence whaling, and 
the successful rescue, rehabilitation, and release of a gray whale calf by a 
zoological institution. Implications and considerations for future species 
protection efforts and environmental justice are discussed.

The 
article
 is available on the journal's 
website as part of its most recent 
issue, which includes several other cetacean-focused works that may be of 
interest.
[https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/cover-img/10.1080/uwlp20.v025.i03]
Recovery of the Eastern North Pacific Gray Whale: A Case 
Study
In 1994, the United States government removed the Eastern North Pacific gray 
whale from the Endangered Species List due to its recovery rather than 
extinction. This notable action also marked the f...
www.tandfonline.com

Abstract: In 1994, the United States government removed the Eastern North 
Pacific gray whale from the Endangered Species List due to its recovery rather 
than extinction. This notable action also marked the first removal of a marine 
mammal from the List due to population recovery since its enactment in 1973. 
The gray whale case study is well documented, in large part due to the 
charismatic nature of whales, a deep regard for marine mammal species, multiple 
federal laws and international treaties involved in their management and 
recovery, and a series of legal cases involving the Makah tribe in its pursuit 
to resume cultural subsistence whaling. The events leading up to the gray 
whale’s listing as endangered, the actions taken by both the US and the 
international community, and some of the events since the species’ delisting 
creates a unique and comprehensive case study that provides space for 
reflection on the future use of environmental laws to protect and preserve 
species, including, but certainly not limited to, large cetaceans in the 
Anthropocene.

Citation: Reamer, M.B. (2022). ‘Recovery of the Eastern North Pacific Gray 
Whale: A case study’. Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy, 25(3), 
201-240. DOI: 
10.1080/13880292.2022.2146850

Happy reading!

Marcus Reamer
University of Miami
Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science
Department of Environmental Science and Policy




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Re: [MARMAM] Publication: New mark-recap model and new Cook Inlet beluga demographic rate estimates

[Himes Boor, Gina]

Corrected link to the paper:
Himes Boor, G. K., McGuire, T. L., Warlick, A. J., Taylor, R. L., Converse, S. 
J., McClung, J. R., and Stephens, A. D., 2022, Estimating reproductive and 
juvenile survival rates when offspring ages are uncertain: a novel multievent 
mark-resight model with beluga whale case study: Methods in Ecology and 
Evolution

https://doi.org/10./2041-210X.14032

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[MARMAM] Publication: New mark-recap model and new Cook Inlet beluga demographic rate estimates

[Himes Boor, Gina]

My coauthors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our recent 
open-access paper describing a new multi-event mark-recapture model to estimate 
reproductive and survival rates for species that exhibit extended parental care 
(e.g., belugas, dolphins, manatees) and for which offspring age is uncertain. 
We also provide the first robust estimates of the reproductive and juvenile 
survival rates of the endangered beluga whale population that resides in Cook 
Inlet, Alaska, USA.

Citation:
Himes Boor, G. K., McGuire, T. L., Warlick, A. J., Taylor, R. L., Converse, S. 
J., McClung, J. R., and Stephens, A. D., 2022, Estimating reproductive and 
juvenile survival rates when offspring ages are uncertain: a novel multievent 
mark-resight model with beluga whale case study: Methods in Ecology and 
Evolution, 
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10./2041-210X.14 
[nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com]032

Abstract:

  1.  Understanding the survival and reproductive rates of a population is 
critical to determining its long-term dynamics and viability. Mark-resight 
models are often used to estimate these demographic rates, but estimation of 
survival and reproductive rates is challenging, especially for wide-ranging, 
patchily distributed, or cryptic species. In particular, existing mark-resight 
models cannot accommodate data from populations in which offspring remain with 
parents for multiple years, are not always detected, and cannot be aged with 
certainty.
  2.  Here we describe a Bayesian multievent mark-resight modelling framework 
that uses all available adult and adult-offspring sightings (including 
sightings with older offspring of uncertain age) to estimate reproductive rates 
and survival rates of adults and juveniles. We extend existing multievent 
mark-resight models that typically only incorporate adult breeding state 
uncertainty by additionally accounting for age uncertainty in unmarked 
offspring and uncertainty in the duration of the mother-offspring association. 
We describe our model in general terms and with a simple illustrative example, 
then apply it in a more complex empirical setting using thirteen years of 
photo-ID data from a critically endangered population of beluga whales 
(Delphinapterus leucas). We evaluated model performance using simulated data 
under a range of sample sizes, and adult and offspring detection rates.
  3.  Applying our model to the beluga data yielded precise estimates for all 
demographic rates of interest despite substantial uncertainty in calf ages, 
including non-breeder survival and reproductive rates lower than that estimated 
for other beluga populations. Simulations suggested our model yields 
asymptotically unbiased parameter estimates with good precision and low bias 
even with moderate sample sizes and detection rates.
  4.  This work represents an important new development in multievent 
mark-resight modeling, allowing estimation of reproductive and juvenile 
survival rates for populations with extended adult - offspring associations and 
uncertain offspring ages (e.g., some marine mammals, elephants, bears, great 
apes, bats, and birds). Our model facilitated estimation of robust demographic 
rates for an endangered beluga population that were previously inestimable 
(e.g., non-breeder and juvenile survival, reproductive rate) and that will 
yield new insights into this population's continued decline.


Gina K. Himes Boor, PhD
(she/her/hers)
Assistant Research Professor
Ecology Department
Montana State University
AJMJ 221B
406-580-1368



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[MARMAM] Publication - winter distribution of common dolphins

[Charlotte Lambert]

Dear MARMAMers,
We are pleased to announce the publication of our paper entitled "Delayed 
response to environmental conditions and infra-seasonal dynamics of the 
short-beaked common dolphin distribution" in Royal Society Open Science. The 
article is available in open access at 
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.220379

Abstract: Cetaceans adjust their distribution and abundance to encountered 
conditions across years and seasons, but we poorly understand such small-scale 
changes for many species, especially in winter. Crucial challenges confront 
some populations during this season, such as the high levels of 
fisheries-induced mortality faced by the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in 
the Northeast Atlantic shelves. For such species, understanding the winter 
fine-scale dynamics is crucial. We aimed to identify the dolphin distribution 
drivers during the winters of 2020 and 2021, with a focus on determining the 
lag between changes in oceanographic conditions and dolphin distribution. The 
changes were related to temporal delays specific to the nature and cascading 
effects that oceanographic processes had on the trophic chain. By determining 
the most important conditions and lags to dolphin distributions, we shed light 
on the poorly understood intrusions of dolphins within coastal waters during 
winter: they displayed a strong preference for the coastal-shelf waters front 
and extensively followed its spatial variations, with their overall densities 
increasing over the period and peaking in March–April. The results presented 
here provide invaluable information on the winter distribution dynamics and 
should inform management decisions to help reduce the unsustainable mortalities 
of this species in the by-catch of fisheries.

Best,
Charlotte Lambert


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[MARMAM] Publication on Risso's dolphin behaviors from Southern California

[David Sweeney]

Dear marmam community,

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our recent
research article:

Rone BK, Sweeney DA, Falcone EA, Watwood SL and Schorr GS (2022) Movements
and diving behavior of Risso’s dolphins in the Southern California Bight.
Front. Mar. Sci. 9:873548. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.873548

The paper can be downloaded from:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.873548/full

Abstract:
Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), uncommon prior to the 1970’s, are now
regularly observed within the Southern California Bight. During long-term
cetacean monitoring programs on United States Navy range areas in the
Southern California Bight from 2009–2019, we deployed 16 Argos-linked
satellite tags on Risso’s to acquire objective, detailed depictions of
their movements and behaviors. Individuals were tracked for a median of
10.7 days (range = 0.8 – 19.7). Kernel density estimation suggested
individuals utilized the entire Southern California Bight with the 50% core
use area centered around San Clemente and Santa Catalina Islands where most
of the tag deployments occurred. Grand median dive depth was 101 m (max =
528) and dive duration was 5.6 min (max = 11.1). We used generalized mixed
models to assess seasonal and environmental effects on distribution and
diving behavior including month, distance to shore, time of day, lunar
phase, sea surface temperature, and chlorophyll-a residuals. Animals were
further from shore (including islands) during a full versus new moon and
from the mainland during the last versus first quarter moon. Animals also
tended to be closer to land in the fall and early winter months. Dives were
deeper yet shorter during the night, during a full moon, and when animals
were further offshore. Animals conducted nearly twice as many dives at
night compared to day, though deep dives (> 500 m) occurred at all times of
day. This study provides insights into Risso’s distribution and behavioral
trends while identifying priorities for future research.

Feel free to email Brenda Rone (brenda.r...@marecotel.org), our
corresponding author, with any questions.

Best,
David Sweeney

-- 
David Sweeney, Research Assistant
Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research
2468 Camp McKenzie Trail NW, Seabeck WA 98380-4513
dswee...@marecotel.org | 224-804-7754
www.marecotel.org
Follow MarEcoTel on Facebook,  Twitter
, and Instagram

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[MARMAM] Publication Announcement: Subseasonal forecasts provide a powerful tool for dynamic marine mammal management

[Julia Stepanuk]

Hello MARMAM,

We are excited to announce the open access publication of our manuscript
"Subseasonal forecasts provide a powerful tool for dynamic marine mammal
management" in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.

The publication is available here:
https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fee.2506

ABSTRACT: Adaptive approaches are needed to effectively manage dynamic
marine systems, and ecological forecasts can help managers anticipate when
and where conservation issues are likely to arise in the future. The recent
development of subseasonal global environmental forecasts provides an
opportunity to inform management by forecasting species distributions in
advance over operational timeframes. We demonstrate the utility of
environmental forecasts for managing marine mammals by integrating species
distribution models with subseasonal forecasts to predict the arrival of
migratory humpback whales (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) at foraging grounds in
the Northeast US. Environmental forecasts showed high model skill at lead
times of up to 2 weeks and resulting humpback whale models performed well
in predicting humpback arrival. Forecasts of whale distribution can shape
management efforts to minimize both impacts on whales and economic costs.
Applying subseasonal forecasts to anticipate future risk presents a
powerful tool for the dynamic management of marine mammals.

Cheers,
Julia Stepanuk, PhD

-- 
Julia Stepanuk (she/her)
Quantitative Ecologist
Biodiversity Research Institute
PhD, MS, Stony Brook University

www.briwildlife.org
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[MARMAM] Publication on drone-based photogrammetry of manatees

[Eric Angel Ramos]

Greetings MARMAM,

I am pleased to announce the publication of our newest article “Drone-based
photogrammetry assessments of body size and body condition of Antillean
manatees” in *Mammalian Biology.*

*Abstract *
Assessments of individual animal health alerts to early signs of population
level effects in wildlife but often rely on logistically complex wild
animal captures, hindering our understanding of the wellbeing of
populations in regions with limited resources. Here, we tested
photogrammetry methods using small aerial drones for accurate morphometric
measurements of Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) body size
and body condition. We flew drones to collect aerial imagery of captive
manatees in Quintana Roo, Mexico and compared manatee body size
measurements from scaled aerial imagery with physically measured body
sizes. To assess optimal altitude for imaging, body size measurements
acquired with an out-of-the-box drone were compared to measurements from
the same drone model equipped with a LiDAR for precision altimetry flown at
three altitudes (30 m, 50 m, 70 m). The accuracy of body size measures was
similar for all drone models but improved with the addition of LiDAR.
Difference in body size estimates between manual and drone-based
measurements indicate a correction factor may be needed to account for
disparities. We then used body size measurements to develop a body
condition index for Antillean manatees. Our findings highlight the strength
of low-cost aerial drones for morphometric measurements and assessments of
manatee body condition.

*Citation*
Ramos, E.A., Landeo-Yauri, S., Castelblanco-Martinez, D., Renee Areola, M.,
Quade, A., Rieucau, G. (2022). Drone-based photogrammetry assessments of
Antillean manatee body size and body condition. *Mammalian Biology*.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-022-00228-4

If you would like a copy of the article, feel free to email me (
eric.angel.ra...@gmail.com) or the corresponding author Guillaume Rieucau (
grieu...@lumcon.edu).

Best regards,

*Eric Angel Ramos, Ph.D.*
Postdoctoral Research Associate at The Rockefeller University
Scientist at FINS (Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la
Sustentabilidad)
Student Member-At-Large for the Society for Marine Mammalogy
Member of the IUCN SSC Sirenian Specialist Group for Mesoamerica
www.finsconservation.org 
E-mail: eric.angel.ra...@gmail.com/ era...@rockefeller.edu
Cell/WhatsApp : +1-347-336-5567 (USA)
Skype: ericangelramos
Facebook  | Twitter
 | Instagram

ResearchGate  | ORCiD
 | LinkedIn

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[MARMAM] Publication announcement from Shark Bay Dolphin Research

[Simon Allen]

G’day Marmamers,

We are most pleased to bring to your attention two papers on dolphin social 
complexity in the forthcoming issue of Current Biology, both stemming from our 
long-term research programme in Shark Bay, Western Australia 
(www.sharkbaydolphins.org).

In the first paper, led by University of Bristol MSc graduate Emma Chereskin, 
we show that vocal exchanges can function as a replacement of physical bonding 
in dolphin alliances. This is the first evidence for Robin Dunbar’s social 
bonding hypothesis and, interestingly, comes from outside of the primate 
lineage.

Paper 1: Chereskin E, Connor RC, Friedman WR, Jensen FH, Allen SJ, Sørensen PM, 
Krützen M, King SL (2022). Allied male dolphins use vocal exchanges to 
‘bond-at-a-distance’. Current Biology https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.02.019

Summary: Vocal interactions are intrinsic features of social groups and can 
play a pivotal role in social bonding. Dunbar’s social bonding hypothesis 
posits that vocal exchanges evolved to “groom at a distance” when social groups 
became too large or complex for individuals to devote time to physical bonding 
activities. Tests of this hypothesis in non-human primates, however, suggest 
that vocal exchanges occur between more strongly bonded individuals that engage 
in higher grooming rates and thus do not provide evidence for replacement of 
physical bonding. Here, we combine data on social bond strength, whistle 
exchange frequency, and affiliative contact behavior rates to test this 
hypothesis in wild male Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, who form multi-level 
alliances that cooperate over access to females. We show that, although whistle 
exchanges are more likely to occur within the core alliance, they occur more 
frequently between those males that share weaker social bonds, i.e., between 
core allies that spend less time together, while the opposite occurs for 
affiliative physical contact behavior. This suggests that vocal exchanges 
function as a low-cost mechanism for male dolphins that spend less time in 
close proximity and engage in fewer affiliative contact behaviors to reinforce 
and maintain their valuable alliance relationships. Our findings provide new 
evidence outside of the primate lineage that vocal exchanges serve a bonding 
function and reveal that, as the social bonding hypothesis originally 
suggested, vocal exchanges can function as a replacement of physical bonding 
activities for individuals to maintain their important social relationships.

In the second paper, led by University of Zürich PhD graduate Livia Gerber, we 
show that ‘popular’ allied male dolphins (those that are well-integrated and 
have homogenous social bonds with their allies) enjoy higher reproductive 
success.

Paper 2: Gerber L, Connor RC, Allen SJ, Horlacher K, King SL, Sherwin WB, 
Willems E, Wittwer S, Krützen M (2022). Social integration influences fitness 
in allied male dolphins. Current Biology. 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.03.027

Summary: Understanding determinants of differential reproductive success is at 
the core of evolutionary biology because of its connection to fitness. Early 
work has linked variation in reproductive success to differences in age, rank, 
or size, as well as habitat characteristics. More recently, studies in 
group-living taxa have revealed that social relationships also have measurable 
effects on fitness. The influence of social bonds on fitness is particularly 
interesting in males who compete over reproductive opportunities. In Shark Bay, 
Western Australia, groups of 4-14 unrelated male bottlenose dolphins cooperate 
in second-order alliances to compete with rival alliances over access to 
females. Nested within second-order alliances, pairs or trios of males, which 
can vary in composition, form first-order alliances to herd estrus females. 
Using 30 years of behavioral data, we examined how individual social factors, 
such as first-order alliance stability, social connectivity, and variation in 
social bond strength within second-order alliances, affect male fitness. 
Analyzing the reproductive careers of 85 males belonging to 10 second-order 
alliances, we found that the number of paternities a male achieved was 
positively correlated with his cumulative social bond strength but negatively 
correlated with his variation in bond strength. Thus, well-integrated males 
with more homogeneous social bonds to second-order allies obtained most 
paternities. Our findings provide novel insights into the fitness benefits of 
polyadic cooperation among unrelated males and highlight the adaptive value of 
social bonds in this context.

If you’d like a PDF or have any queries, please don’t hesitate to reach out to 
the primary authors 
(emma.cheres...@bristol.ac.uk and 
livia.ger...@uzh.ch).

All the best,



Simon

~
Dr Simon J Allen
Senior Lecturer
School 

[MARMAM] publication announcement

[Alejandra Romero]

My co-authors and I are glad to announce our new publication:

Romero, M.A., Coscarella, M.A., Adams, G.D., Pedraza, J.C., González, R.,
Crespo, E.A. 2022. Historical reconstruction of the population dynamics of
southern right whales in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Scientific
Reports 12, 3324. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-07370-6

Abstract:

Understanding the recovery of whale populations is critical for developing
population-management and conservation strategies. The southern right whale
(SRW) Eubalena australis was one of the baleen whale species that has
experienced centuries of exploitation. We assess here for the first time
the population dynamics of the SRW from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean at
the regional level to measure numerically the effect of whaling and
estimate the population trend and recovery level after depletion. We
reconstructed the catch history of whaling for the period 1670–1973 by an
extensive review of different literature sources and developed a Bayesian
state-space model to estimate the demographic parameters. The population
trajectory indicated that the pre-exploitation abundance was close to
58,000 individuals (median = 58,212; 95% CI = 33,329–100,920). The
abundance dropped to its lowest abundance levels in the 1830s when fewer
than 2,000 individuals remained. The current median population abundance
was estimated at 4,742 whales (95% CI = 3,853–6,013), suggesting that the
SRW population remains small relative to its pre-exploitation abundance
(median depletion P2021 8.7%). We estimated that close to 36% of the SRW
population visits the waters of the Península Valdés, the main breeding
ground, every year. Our results provide insights into the severity of the
whaling operation in the southwestern Atlantic along with the population´s
response at low densities, thus contributing to understand the observed
differences in population trends over the distributional range of the
species worldwide.



You can download the open-access publication here:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-07370-6


Best regards,

María Alejandra Romero

-- 
Dra. María Alejandra Romero
Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos
Marinos "Almirante Storni" - CONICET, Güemes 1030 – (8520) San Antonio
Oeste, Río Negro. Argentina.
Escuela Superior de Ciencias Marinas - Universidad Nacional del Comahue
(IBMP-UNCo), San Martín 247 – (8520) San Antonio Oeste, Río Negro.
Argentina.
Tel/Fax: 54 (2934) 421002/430764
Email: romero@gmail.com, arom...@cenpat-conicet.gob.ar
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[MARMAM] Publication of the Cetacean Population Studies Vol. 3 - Memorial Volume for the late Dr. Seiji Ohsumi

[Cetacean Population Studies]

Dear MARMAM Subscribers,

We are very pleased to inform you that the Cetacean Population Studies,
Volume 3 —Memorial volume for the late Dr. Seiji Ohsumi who was an eminent
cetologist in Japan and unfortunately passed away in November 2019, is now
published online here:

https://cpops.jp/archive/index.html


CPOPS is also available through our J-Stage webpage here:

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/cpops/


Cetacean Population Studies (CPOPS) is a peer-reviewed online journal
focused on cetacean and other marine mammal studies.


Further information about the journal can be found here:

https://cpops.jp/published_prospectus/index.html

To submit a manuscript for publication consideration, please visit:

https://cpops.jp/paper_submission/index.html


Regards,


Hidehiro Kato, Ph. D.

Chairman, Publication Committee for the Cetacean Population Studies

Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology

cetaceanpopulationstud...@gmail.com
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Re: [MARMAM] Publication of an article on the visual cortex of Cetartiodactyla

[Jean-marie Graic]

Dear MARMAMers,

on behalf of my colleagues, I am very pleased to share with you the
publication of our latest article on the visual cortex of a variety of
terrestrial and marine cetartiodactyls (we are supposed to say artiodactyls
again now, see Protheros et al., 2021, sorry), compared to two primate
species (chimpanzee and pig-tailed macaque) and the horse, in Brain
Structure and Function.
It should be in open access for now, so feel free to give it a read.

Graïc, J.-M., Peruffo, A., Corain, L., Finos, L., Grisan, E., & Cozzi, B.
(2021). The primary visual cortex of Cetartiodactyls: organization,
cytoarchitectonics and comparison with perissodactyls and primates. *Brain
Structure and Function*, *1*, 3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-021-02392-8
Abstract: Cetartiodactyls include terrestrial and marine species, all
generally endowed with a comparatively lateral position of their eyes and a
relatively limited binocular field of vision. To this day, our
understanding of the visual system in mammals beyond the few studied animal
models remains limited. In the present study, we examined the primary
visual cortex of Cetartiodactyls that live on land (sheep, Père David deer,
giraffe); in the sea (bottlenose dolphin, Risso's dolphin, long-finned
pilot whale, Cuvier's beaked whale, sperm whale and fin whale); or in an
amphibious environment (hippopotamus). We also sampled and studied the
visual cortex of the horse (a closely related perissodactyl) and two
primates (chimpanzee and pig-tailed macaque) for comparison. Our
histochemical and immunohistochemical results indicate that the visual
cortex of Cetartiodac-tyls is characterized by a peculiar organization,
structure, and complexity of the cortical column. We noted a general lesser
lamination compared to simians, with diminished density, and an apparent
simplification of the intra-and extra-columnar connections. The presence
and distribution of calcium-binding proteins indicated a notable absence of
parvalbumin in water species and a strong reduction of layer 4, usually
enlarged in the striated cortex, seemingly replaced by a more diffuse
distribution in neighboring layers. Consequently, thalamo-cortical inputs
are apparently directed to the higher layers of the column. Computer
analyses and statistical evaluation of the data confirmed the results and
indicated a substantial correlation between eye placement and cortical
structure, with a markedly segregated pattern in cetaceans compared to
other mammals. Furthermore, cetacean species showed several types of
cortical lamination which may reflect differences in function, possibly
related to depth of foraging and consequent progressive disappearance of
light, and increased importance of echolocation.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00429-021-02392-8

Thank you all,

Jean-Marie Graïc, Dr. Vet. Med., Ph.D.
Post-doc research fellow
*Veterinary Anatomy*
Dept. of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science
University of Padua - Veterinary Medicine
Mail : AGRIPOLIS - BCA prima stecca
Viale dell’Università, 16
35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
Tel : +39 049 827 2547
E-mail : jeanmarie.gr...@unipd.it 

*The hypopthalamus - "Here in this well-concealed spot, almost to be
covered with a thumbnail, lies the very main spring of primitive
existence – vegetative, emotional, reproductive – on which with more or
less success, man has come to superimpose a cortex of inhibitions.” Cushing
(1932)*



Le lun. 4 oct. 2021 à 12:37, Jean-marie Graic  a
écrit :

> Dear MARMAMers,
>
> on behalf of my colleagues, I am very pleased to share with you the
> publication of our latest article on the visual cortex of a variety of
> terrestrial and marine cetartiodactyls (we are supposed to say artiodactyls
> again now, see Protheros et al., 2021, sorry), compared to two primate
> species (chimpanzee and pig-tailed macaque) and the horse, in Brain
> Structure and Function.
> It should be in open access for now, so feel free to give it a read.
>
> Graïc, J.-M., Peruffo, A., Corain, L., Finos, L., Grisan, E., & Cozzi, B.
> (2021). The primary visual cortex of Cetartiodactyls: organization,
> cytoarchitectonics and comparison with perissodactyls and primates. *Brain
> Structure and Function*, *1*, 3.
> https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-021-02392-8
> http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00429-021-02392-8
> 
> Thank you all,
>
> Jean-Marie Graïc, Dr. Vet. Med., Ph.D.
> Post-doc research fellow
> *Veterinary Anatomy*
> Dept. of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science
> University of Padua - Veterinary Medicine
> Mail : 

[MARMAM] Publication: Startle and heart rate responses in captive harbour porpoises

[Siri Elmegaard]

Dear MARMAMers,

We are happy to share our recent article in Biology Open, where we show
that trained harbour porpoises exposed to sonar-like sounds initially
responded with intensified bradycardia, but habituated rapidly.
Exposure to 40kHz
pulses consistently evoked startle jerks, but elicited no other behavioural
or heart rate changes.


Elmegaard, S.L., McDonald, B.I., Teilmann, J., Madsen, P. (2021) Heart rate
and startle responses in diving, captive harbour porpoises (Phocoena
phocoena) exposed to transient noise and sonar. Biology Open 10(6):
bio058679.


ABSTRACT:

Anthropogenic noise can alter marine mammal behaviour and physiology, but
little is known about cetacean cardiovascular responses to exposures,
despite evidence that acoustic stressors, such as naval sonars, may lead to
decompression sickness. Here, we measured heart rate and movements of two
trained harbour porpoises during controlled exposure to 6–9 kHz sonar-like
sweeps and 40 kHz peak-frequency noise pulses, designed to evoke acoustic
startle responses. The porpoises initially responded to the sonar sweep
with intensified bradycardia despite unaltered behaviour/movement, but
habituated rapidly to the stimuli. In contrast, 40 kHz noise pulses
consistently evoked rapid muscle flinches (indicative of startles), but no
behavioural or heart rate changes. We conclude that the autonomous startle
response appears decoupled from, or overridden by, cardiac regulation in
diving porpoises, whereas certain novel stimuli may motivate
oxygen-conserving cardiovascular measures. Such responses to sound exposure
may contribute to gas mismanagement for deeper-diving cetaceans.



The article is open access and available online
(*https://doi.org/10.1242/bio.058679
* )



All the best,

Siri Elmegaard

PhD graduate

Aarhus University

Marine Bioacoustics Lab
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[MARMAM] Publication 28th of May 2021 on the space use of coastal female polar bears in Svalbard

[clement brun]

Hi all,

On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our new publication in Polar 
Research:



Brun, C., Blanchet, M.-A., Ims, R.A., & Aars, J. (2021) Stability of space use 
in Svalbard coastal female polar bears: intra-individual variability and 
influence of kinship. Polar Research. https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v40.5355


ABSTRACT

Philopatry influences animal distribution and can lead to a kinship-based 
spatial structure, where proximity and relatedness are tightly linked. In the 
Barents Sea region, polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of the coastal ecotype remain 
year-round within the Svalbard archipelago. This coastal strategy is thought to 
be stable across years; however, little is known about the intra-individual 
variability in site fidelity or the influence of kinship on space use. Using 
high-resolution GPS telemetry, we looked at multi-year philopatry among 17 
coastal female polar bears over eight years (2011–19) and investigated whether 
it is linked to the females’ degree of kinship. Individuals showed a stable 
space use in both consecutive and non-consecutive years. Yearly individual home 
ranges (HRs) overlapped, on average, by 44% (range: 9–96%), and their centroids 
were, on average, 15 km (range: 2–63 km) apart. The space use of related 
females revealed a year-round strong female kin structure. Annual HRs of 
related females overlapped, on average, by 24% (range: 0–66%), and their 
centroids were, on average, 18 km (range: 2–52 km) apart. In contrast, 
non-related females had much larger distances between centroids (average: 160 
km, range: 59–283 km). Additionally, females showed a great site fidelity in 
all seasons: individual seasonal HR centroids were, on average, less than 30 km 
(range: 1.8–172 km) apart. Bears in this region seem to exhibit a stronger site 
fidelity than those reported from other parts of the species range. These 
findings also highlight the importance of maternal learning in space use.



The article is in open access, you can use the following link: 
https://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/5355




Cheers,

Clément Brun

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[MARMAM] Publication: PhotoID Reveals the Threat of Entanglement for Endangered Northern Bottlenose Whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus)

[Laura Joan Feyrer]

Dear colleagues,

We would like to to share our new paper "Origin and Persistence of Markings
in a Long-Term Photo-Identification Dataset Reveal the Threat of
Entanglement for Endangered Northern Bottlenose Whales (Hyperoodon
ampullatus)" recently published as open access in Frontiers in Marine
Science.

Feyrer, L. J., Stewart, M., Yeung, J., Soulier, C., & Whitehead, H. (2021).
Origin and persistence of markings in a long-term photo-identification
dataset reveal the threat of entanglement for endangered northern
bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus). Frontiers in Marine Science, 8,
349.

ABSTRACT
Photo-identification methods depend on markings that are stable over time.
Using a large dataset of photographs taken over a 31-year period, we
evaluate the reliability, rate of change and demographic trends in
different mark types on northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus)
in the Endangered Scotian Shelf population, and assess the prevalence and
severity of anthropogenically caused markings. Only fin notches and back
indentations were stable over long timescales, leading to 48% of the
overall population being assessed as reliably marked. Males and mature
males were found to have higher incidence of most mark types compared to
females and juveniles. The proportion of reliably marked individuals
increased over time, a trend that should be accounted for in any temporal
analysis of population size using mark-recapture methods. An overall
increase in marked individuals may reflect the accumulation of scars on an
aging population post whaling. Anthropogenic markings, including probable
entanglement and propeller-vessel strike scars, occurred at a steady rate
over the study period and were observed on 6.6% of the population. The
annual gain rate for all injuries associated with anthropogenic
interactions was over 5 times the annual potential biological removal (PBR)
calculated for the endangered population. As entanglement incidents and
propeller-vessel strike injuries are typically undetected in offshore
areas, we provide the first minimum estimate of harmful human interactions
for northern bottlenose whales. With low observer effort for fisheries
across the Canadian Atlantic, photo-identification offers an important line
of evidence of the risks faced by this Endangered whale population.

Best,
Laura

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.620804/full?_source=Email_to_authors__medium=Email_content=T1_11.5e1_author_campaign=Email_publication==Frontiers_in_Marine_Science=620804
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[MARMAM] Publication: Social structure, habitat use and injuries of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) reveal isolated, coastal and threatened communities in the South Pacific

[claire . bonneville]

Dear MARMAM community, 

My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication: "Social 
structure, habitat use and injuries of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins 
(Tursiops aduncus) reveal isolated, coastal and threatened communities in the 
South Pacific" 
This publication is available in the open access journal Frontiers in Marine 
Science at the following link: [ 
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.606975/full?_source=Email_to_authors__medium=Email_content=T1_11.5e1_author_campaign=Email_publication==Frontiers_in_Marine_Science=606975
 | 
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.606975/full?_source=Email_to_authors__medium=Email_content=T1_11.5e1_author_campaign=Email_publication==Frontiers_in_Marine_Science=606975
 ] 

Bonneville CD, Derville S, Luksenburg JA, Oremus M and Garrigue C (2021) Social 
Structure, Habitat Use and Injuries of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins 
(Tursiops aduncus) Reveal Isolated, Coastal, and Threatened Communities in the 
South Pacific.Front. Mar. Sci. 8:606975. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.606975 

Abstract: 
Understanding population structure and habitat use of poorly known cetacean 
species 
is a first step toward scientifically informed management decisions. In the 
southern 
range of New Caledonia (South Pacific), a long-term dataset of Indo-Pacific 
bottlenose 
dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) encounters primarily during winter seasons 1997 to 
2019 
(473 group observations) was used to assess social structure, habitat use and 
potential 
threats. A total of 338 individuals were photographically identified, forming 
three 
distinct communities in the south-west lagoon, the south lagoon and the Isle of 
Pines. 
Mark-recapture histories revealed that the three communities were weakly 
connected 
and might be considered as independent management units. Suitable habitats were 
estimated with presence-only distribution models relative to topographic and 
seabed 
substrate predictors. Habitat suitability increased with proximity to coasts or 
reefs, at 
shallow depth, and over muddy bottom. These habitats had various levels of 
protection 
and were used by humans, mostly in the south-west lagoon. External injuries 
were 
interpreted to determine natural interactions and potential anthropogenic 
threats. The 
prevalence in injuries did not vary among the three areas. A substantial 
proportion of 
injuries related to propeller hits was reported, representing a total of 16.7% 
(34 of 204) 
of all injuries observed on dolphins. The three communities of Indo-Pacific 
bottlenose 
dolphins revealed in the southern part of New Caledonia are particularly 
vulnerable due 
to their insularity, their coastal habitat use and the low levels of 
connectivity found among 
them. In a context of increasing maritime traffic, fishing and recreational 
activities, this 
study provides a useful baseline to the urgent assessment of the conservation 
status of 
dolphins in New Caledonia. 

Please, feel free to contact us if you have any question. 

Claire Daisy Bonneville 
Ingénieure d’études en biologie moléculaire 
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement – UMR ENTROPIE 
IRD – BPA5 Nouméa, New Caledonia 
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[MARMAM] publication announcement

[Jessica Taylor]

Dear Marmam, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the following 
publication in Marine Mammal Science: 
Taylor, JS, Hart, LB, Adams, J. Skin lesion prevalence of estuarine common 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in North Carolina, with comparisons to 
other east coast study sites. Marine Mammal Science 2020; 1-15. 
https://doi.org/10./mms.12731
Abstract:Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are sentinels of 
environmental health. Skin lesions may indicate disease and can be used to 
infer population health. We estimated the prevalence of skin lesions and 
identified major lesion types on coastal bottlenose dolphins in Roanoke Sound, 
North Carolina, over a 3-year period using photo-identification. Boat-based 
surveys were conducted from April 2012 through October 2014. High quality 
images of distinctive fins were examined for overall prevalence (P) of any skin 
lesion (n = 169, P = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.42–0.57). Lesion prevalence estimates 
varied little between years (2012 P = 0.45, 2013 P = 0.56, 2014 P = 0.52) and 
most lesions were observed in the spring (P = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.57–0.92). Of six 
lesion types examined, pale lesions were most common (P = 0.41, 95% CI: 
0.30–0.52). Annual lesion prevalence estimates for dolphins in Roanoke Sound 
were comparable to published estimates for T. truncatus in Charleston, South 
Carolina, Brunswick, Georgia, and Sarasota, Florida (p ≥ .05), although, 
seasonal differences in lesion occurrence and typewere observed (p < .05). 
Future studies should examine relationships between lesions and environmental 
variables and use stranded dolphins to investigate skin lesion etiology.

PDF reprints available upon request. Please send requests to: 
j...@obxdolphins.org
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[MARMAM] Publication announcement

[bam B]

Dear MARMAM community,



My co-authors and I would like to announce the recent publication of the
following paper: “A comparison of baleen whale density estimates derived
from overlapping satellite imagery and a shipborne survey”.



The paper is open access, and available to all from:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-69887-y.



Abstract:

As whales recover from commercial exploitation, they are increasing in
abundance in habitats that they have been absent from for decades. However,
studying the recovery and habitat use patterns of whales, particularly in
remote and inaccessible regions, frequently poses logistical and economic
challenges. Here we trial a new approach for measuring whale density in a
remote area, using Very-High-Resolution WorldView-3 satellite imagery. This
approach has capacity to provide sightings data to complement and assist
traditional sightings surveys. We compare at-sea whale density estimates to
estimates derived from satellite imagery collected at a similar time, and
use suction-cup archival logger data to make an adjustment for surface
availability. We demonstrate that satellite imagery can provide useful data
on whale occurrence and density. Densities, when unadjusted for surface
availability are shown to be considerably lower than those estimated by the
ship survey. However, adjusted for surface availability and weather
conditions (0.13 whales per km2, CV = 0.38), they fall within an order of
magnitude of those derived by traditional line-transect estimates (0.33
whales per km2, CV = 0.09). Satellite surveys represent an exciting
development for high-resolution image-based cetacean observation at sea,
particularly in inaccessible regions, presenting opportunities for ongoing
and future research.





Regards,

Connor



Connor Bamford | PhD Researcher | British Antarctic Survey

High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET
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[MARMAM] Publication of NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS‐OPR‐64, North Atlantic Right Whale Monitoring and Surveillance: Report and Recommendations of the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Expert Work

[Eric Patterson - NOAA Federal]

Dear Colleagues,

Today, NOAA Fisheries is publishing the Technical Memorandum NMFS‐OPR‐64:
North Atlantic Right Whale Monitoring and Surveillance: Report and
Recommendations of the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Expert Working
Group. This report summarizes a workshop NOAA Fisheries convened to address
objectives related to monitoring North Atlantic right whales and presents
the Expert Working Group’s recommendations for a comprehensive monitoring
strategy to guide future analyses and data collection. NOAA Fisheries will
consider the Expert Working Group’s recommendations, as well as other
relevant information, in its decision-making about right whale research and
population monitoring. We will continue to work with our partners to
optimize North Atlantic right whale monitoring and surveillance in the
future.

The Technical Memorandum is posted on the following web page:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/north-atlantic-right-whale-monitoring-and-surveillance-report-and-recommendations

Below is a summary of the report:
NOAA Fisheries’ North Atlantic right whale Steering Committee convened an
expert Working Group to address two objectives related to monitoring North
Atlantic right whales: (1) improving our understanding of population status
by identifying and tracking essential population metrics, and (2) improving
our understanding of distribution and habitat use. The Working Group
consisted of five NOAA Fisheries researchers (the authors of this report)
with expertise in marine mammal monitoring, but not directly involved in
current North Atlantic right whale monitoring efforts. The Working Group
was convened during a three-day workshop (held at NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest
Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, California, from October 22-24, 2019,
with remote participants on Day 1), and on a series of follow up conference
calls. This report provides a brief summary of the information provided to
the Working Group, including historic and current North Atlantic right
whale monitoring efforts conducted by NOAA Fisheries and partner
institutions, information on the status and trends of North Atlantic right
whales, and analyses conducted during the workshop or at the Working
Group’s request. Moreover, the report primarily presents the Working
Group’s recommendations for a comprehensive monitoring strategy to guide
future analyses and data collection on (1) North Atlantic right whale
demographics and population status, (2) distribution shifts and habitat use
range-wide, and (3) the health of individuals and the population. The
Working Group’s recommendations are intended to improve NOAA Fisheries’
overall monitoring strategy for North Atlantic right whales, with
recognition of the significant contribution to North Atlantic right whale
research and monitoring carried out by NOAA Fisheries and partner
institutions and agencies.

Cheers,

*Eric M. Patterson, Ph.D.*





*Fish BiologistMarine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation DivisionOffice of
Protected ResourcesNOAA FisheriesU.S. Department of Commerce*

*301-427-8415 <301-427-8415>eric.patter...@noaa.gov
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/office-protected-resources
*
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[MARMAM] publication option for wild marine mammals’ health related articles

[Danny Morick]

Subject: publication option for wild marine mammals’ health related
articles: *Animals* Special Issue - Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses of
Wild Marine Animals



Dear MARMAM subscribers,

*Animals* Special Issue - Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses of Wild Marine
Animals ((IF=2.323, Q1, Veterinary Sciences) is accepting articles related
to marine animals' diseases and, hopefully, will have a special chapter for
marine mammal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses. Researchers in this field
are welcome to submit articles for peer review and contribute to marine
mammal research and conservation.

Over the past few decades, there has been a global increase in the
reporting of diseases affecting marine mammals. Climate change is
additional pressure on marine ecosystems that are already subject to many
anthropogenic disturbances, such as overfishing, pollution, and habitat
destruction. Environmental conditions play a crucial role not only in
pathogen transmission between marine mammals but also as risk factors for
clinical disease occurrence.

Dolphins, seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals are all susceptible to
infectious diseases and some of these pathogens can transmit diseases to
humans. Marine zoonoses represent a public health problem, which is an
understatement considering the status of the world's citizenry and
socio-economic fallout. Numerous pathogens and many different transmission
modes are involved, and many factors influence the epidemiology of disease
transmission. Surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, research, training, and
education are key elements in combating the upsurge of infectious agents
and zoonoses in and from the sea.

 For further details, please contact:

Dr. Danny Morick, DVM, Ph.D., CertAqV

Email: dmor...@univ.haifa.ac.il

*Guest Editor  *
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[MARMAM] publication on river dolphins

[Heloíse Pavanato]

Dear Marmam colleagues,

On behalf of my co-authors I'm pleased to share our recent publication on
South American river dolphins in JCRM.

Pavanato H.J., Gomez-Salzar C., Trujillo F., Lima D., Paschoalini M.,
Ristau N., Marmonetel M. 2019.* Density, abundance and group size of river
dolphins (Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis) in Central Amazonia,
Brazil.* J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 20: 93-100.

The paper is available do download from the following link:
https://archive.iwc.int/?r=9654

Alternatively you can contact me requesting a copy at
hpavan...@maths.otago.ac.nz

Please find the abstract below.

Kind regards,
Heloise

Abstract:
A boat-based survey was conducted in the Tefé river and lake (Brazil) in
December 2013, during the transitional water period. A combination of
strip-width transects parallel to the river, lake-margins and confluences,
and cross-channel line transects in the lake, were used to cover a total
distance of 670 linear kilometres of the dolphins’ habitat. A total of 383
groups of Amazon river dolphin and 124 groups of tucuxi were observed.
Group size, density and abundance estimates were obtained per species and
habitat (tributary, lake-margin and confluence). Group sizes ranged
from one to six individuals for the Amazon river dolphin and from one to
eight individuals for the tucuxi. The abundance of river dolphins was
higher for the Amazon river dolphin (911, CV = 0.15) than the tucuxi (511,
CV = 0.26). Higher densities were found in the lake-margin and tributary
for the Amazon river dolphin and in the confluences for the tucuxi.
Lake-margins, confluences and tributaries are therefore proposed as critical
habitats for the conservation of river dolphins in central Amazonia. The
Tefé lake is identified as an area of concern due to a high number of human
stressors such as boat traffic, fishing and habitat degradation.
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[MARMAM] Publication: Seismic surveys reduce cetacean sightings across a large marine ecosystem

[Ailbhe Kavanagh]

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our new publication entitled
'Seismic surveys reduce cetacean sightings across a large marine ecosystem'
in *Scientific Reports.*

The paper is freely available

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-55500-4

Kavanagh, A.S., Nykänen, M., Hunt, W., Richardson, N., Jessopp, M.
*Abstract:*

Noise pollution is increasing globally, and as oceans are excellent
conductors of sound, this is a major concern for marine species reliant on
sound for key life functions. Loud, impulsive sounds from seismic surveys
have been associated with impacts on many marine taxa including mammals,
crustaceans, cephalopods, and fish. However, impacts across large spatial
scales or multiple species are rarely considered. We modelled over 8,000
hours of cetacean survey data across a large marine ecosystem covering >880,000
km2 to investigate the effect of seismic surveys on baleen and toothed
whales. We found a significant effect of seismic activity across multiple
species and habitats, with an 88% (82–92%) decrease in sightings of baleen
whales, and a 53% (41–63%) decrease in sightings of toothed whales during
active seismic surveys when compared to control surveys. Significantly
fewer sightings of toothed whales also occurred during active versus
inactive airgun periods of seismic surveys, although some species-specific
response to noise was observed. This study provides strong evidence of
multi-species impacts from seismic survey noise on cetaceans. Given the
global proliferation of seismic surveys and large propagation distances of
airgun noise, our results highlight the large-scale impacts that marine
species are currently facing.


Contact: Ailbhe kavanagh (ailbheskavan...@gmail.com) or Mark Jessopp (
m.jess...@ucc.ie)
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[MARMAM] Publication of new paper: Phylogenomic Resolution of the Cetacean Tree of Life Using Target Sequence Capture

[Michael McGowen]

Publication of new paper in Systematic Biology:

Phylogenomic Resolution of the Cetacean Tree of Life Using Target Sequence
Capture

Michael R McGowen, Georgia Tsagkogeorga,  Sandra Álvarez-Carretero, Mario
dos Reis, Monika Struebig,  Robert Deaville, Paul D Jepson, Simon
Jarman, Andrea
Polanowski, Phillip A Morin,
Stephen J Rossiter


Abstract:
The evolution of cetaceans, from their early transition to an aquatic
lifestyle to their subsequent diversification, has been the subject of
numerous studies. However, while the higher-level relationships among
cetacean families have been largely settled, several aspects of the
systematics within these groups remain unresolved. Problematic clades
include the oceanic dolphins (37 spp.), which have experienced a recent
rapid radiation, and the beaked whales (22 spp.), which have not been
investigated in detail using nuclear loci. The combined application of
high-throughput sequencing with techniques that target specific genomic
sequences provide a powerful means of rapidly generating large volumes of
orthologous sequence data for use in phylogenomic studies. To elucidate the
phylogenetic relationships within the Cetacea, we combined sequence capture
with Illumina sequencing to generate data for ∼3200 protein-coding genes
for 68 cetacean species and their close relatives including the pygmy
hippopotamus. By combining data from >38,000 exons with existing sequences
from 11 cetaceans and seven outgroup taxa, we produced the first
comprehensive comparative genomic dataset for cetaceans, spanning 6,527,596
aligned base pairs and 89 taxa. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed with
maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference of concatenated loci, as well as
with coalescence analyses of individual gene trees, produced mostly
concordant and well-supported trees. Our results completely resolve the
relationships among beaked whales as well as the contentious relationships
among oceanic dolphins, especially the problematic subfamily Delphininae.
We carried out Bayesian estimation of species divergence times using
MCMCTree, and compared our complete dataset to a subset of clocklike genes.
Analyses using the complete dataset consistently showed less variance in
divergence times than the reduced dataset. In addition, integration of new
fossils (e.g., Mystacodon selenensis) indicate that the diversification of
Crown Cetacea began before the Late Eocene and the divergence of Crown
Delphinidae as early as the Middle Miocene.


https://academic.oup.com/sysbio/advance-article/doi/10.1093/sysbio/syz068/5601630


--

Michael McGowen, PhD

Research Zoologist and Curator of Marine Mammals

Curator-in-Charge, Division of Mammals

Department of Vertebrate Zoology

National Museum of Natural History

Smithsonian Institution

10th St & Constitution Ave. NW

Washington, DC 20560 USA

+1 (202) 633-1292

mcgow...@si.edu

1mmcgow...@gmail.com
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[MARMAM] Publication: glider based research on the west coast of Canada

[burnhamr]

My co-authors and I are happy to share our new publication:

Burnham, R.E., Duffus, D.A., Mouy, X. 2019. The presence of large whale
species in Clayoquot Sound and its offshore waters. Continental Shelf
Research. 177: 15-23
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2019.03.004

Abstract:
Large whale populations in the northeast Pacific were severely reduced by
whaling, with many showing limited recovery. Their use of offshore waters
and limited knowledge of life histories has hindered studies focused on
estimating population numbers and mapping habitat use. Acoustic
recordings, using vocalizations as a marker of whale presence, may be the
first step in re-establishing baseline knowledge of species presence over
time and space. Recordings from both stationary and mobile platforms,
covering waters from coastal to shelf-break and offshore waters, show
spatial segregation in the dominant species recorded. Inshore recordings
are dominated by more coastally-focused species, whereas fin (Balaenoptera
physalus) blue (Balaenoptera musculus) and sperm whales (Physeter
macrocephalus) are primarily heard in the shelf-break zones. Calls
tentatively described for sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) are also
noted. Calls matching those previously described to these species as
breeding and foraging calls were found. Acoustic monitoring surveys like
this study are needed to better map presence and habitat use of these rare
and endangered species, ultimately leading to the identification and
protection of areas important to population recovery.

The publication is available here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278434318304412?via%3Dihub
or I am happy to provide a PDF

Thanks
Rianna Burnham, PhD


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[MARMAM] Publication of paper on Bayesian estimation of group sizes for a coastal cetacean using aerial survey data in Marine Mammal Science

[Charlotte Boyd - NOAA Affiliate]

Dear Colleagues

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our paper on
Bayesian estimation of group sizes for a coastal cetacean using aerial
survey data in *Marine Mammal Science*.

Citation: Boyd C, Hobbs RC, Punt AE, Shelden KE, Sims CL, Wade PR. 2019.
Bayesian estimation of group sizes for a coastal cetacean using aerial
survey data. *Marine Mammal Science*.

Abstract: Many small cetacean, sirenian, and pinniped species aggregate in
groups of large or variable size. Accurate estimation of group sizes is
essential for estimating the abundance and distribution of these species,
but is challenging as individuals are highly mobile and only partially
visible. We developed a Bayesian approach for estimating group sizes using
wide‐angle aerial photographic or video imagery. Our approach accounts for
both availability and perception bias, including a new method (analogous to
distance sampling) for estimating perception bias due to small image size
in wide‐angle images. We demonstrate our approach through an application to
aerial survey data for an endangered population of beluga whales
(*Delphinapterus
leucas*) in Cook Inlet, Alaska. Our results strengthen understanding of
variation in group size estimates and allow for probabilistic statements
about the size of detected groups. Aerial surveys are a standard tool for
estimating the abundance and distribution of various marine mammal species.
The role of aerial photographic and video data in wildlife assessment is
expected to increase substantially with the widespread uptake of unmanned
aerial vehicle technology. Key aspects of our approach are relevant to
group size estimation for a broad range of marine mammal, seabird, other
waterfowl, and terrestrial ungulate species.

The paper is available at
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10./mms.12592. If you have
trouble accessing it, please send me an email (charlotte.b...@noaa.gov) to
request a pdf.

All the best

Charlotte

-- 
Charlotte Boyd PhD
Marine Mammal Laboratory
NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center
7600 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle WA 98115
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[MARMAM] Publication

[Mariana Alonso]

Dear all,



On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of the
following article:



“*Preliminary study of long-range transport of halogenated flame retardants
using Antarctic marine mammals**”. *Oscar Aznar-Alemany, Xuefei Yang,
Mariana B. Alonso, Erli Schneider Costa, João Paulo M. Torres, Olaf Malm,
Damià Barcelo, Ethel Eljarrat (2019)

*Science of the Total Environment* 650: 1889–1897

DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.287



*Capsule abstract:* Halogenated flame retardants were in tissues of
Antarctic seals proving long-range transport. Dechloranes showed similar
behaviour to PBDEs, additionally they crossed the BBB (blood-brain barrier).



*Abstract:*

Eight PBDE congeners, three emerging brominated flame retardants, five
dechloranes and eight MeO-PBDEs were monitored in tissues (muscular,
adipose, brain) and fur of southern elephant seal and Antarctic fur seal of
the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula. Total PBDEs and total
dechloranes concentrations ranged between n.d.–6 ng/g lw. While PBDEs were
not detected in brain tissue, Dec 602 was found in brain tissue of both
seal species indicating that dechloranes —with potential neurological
toxicity— could cross the blood-brain barrier. Emerging brominated flame
retardants were not detected in any sample and only two MeOPBDEs, which are
of natural origin, were found. The presence of the detected compounds in
biota from the Antarctic evidences their long-range transportation, being
of special interest the detection of emerging compounds such as
dechloranes. This is the first time that these contaminants have been
detected in marine mammals from the Antarctic. BDE-47 concentrations were
lower than previously reported for the same species, suggesting a
successful effect of the existing regulation and bans on PBDEs.



The full text and pdf are available from:

*https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969718337380?via%3Dihub
*



For any questions or pdf requests please email:

Mariana Alonso: alonso...@gmail.com 



Best regards,

*Mariana Batha Alonso**, Ph.D.*

Adjunct Professor

Laboratory of Radioisotopes Eduardo Penna Franca
Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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[MARMAM] Publication: Fjord habitat use strategies of fin and humpback whales

[Eric Keen]

On behalf of my co-authors, I would like to bring the following publication
in *Marine Environmental Research* to your attention:

*Distinct habitat use strategies of sympatric rorqual whales within a fjord
system*
EM Keen, J Wray, J Pilkington, KL Thompson, CR Picard

Link to article 

*Abstract:*
We used ecosystem sampling during systematic surveys and opportunistic
focal follows, comparison tests, and random forest models to evaluate fin
whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
habitat associations within an inland feeding ground (Kitimat Fjord System,
British Columbia, Canada). Though these species are sympatric and share a
common prey source, they were attuned to different aspects of the local
habitat. The fin whales were associated with habitat properties reminiscent
of the open ocean. Humpback whales, in contrast, were associated with
features more commonly associated with the inland waters of fjords. Fixed
habitat features, such as seafloor depth and distance from the fjord mouth,
were the most important predictors of fin whale presence, but fixed and
dynamic variables, such as surface properties, predicted humpback whale
presence with equal (moderate) success. With the exception of strong
salinity gradients for humpback whales, habitat conditions were poor
predictors of feeding state. Fin whales practiced a spatially confined,
seasonally stable, and thus more predictable use of certain channels within
the fjord system. These findings are compatible with site loyal behavior,
which is interesting in light of the species' historical, unique use of
this fjord system. The relatively lackluster performance of
humpback-habitat models, coupled with the importance of oceanographic
properties, makes the humpback's habitat use strategy more uncertain. The
fact that two sympatric species sharing a common prey source exhibited
different habitat use strategies suggests that at least one species was
informed by something in addition to prey. Given that the two species are
attuned to different aspects of the fjord habitat, their responses to
habitat changes, including anthropogenic impacts, would likely be different
in both nature and degree. Our findings highlight the value of comparative
studies and the complexity of rorqual habitat use, which must be understood
in order for critical habitat to be identified and protected.


--
Eric M Keen

PhD, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Visiting Professor, Sewanee: The University of the South
Science Director, North Coast Cetacean Society
Biologist, Marine Ecology & Telemetry Research
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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] publication about ​the ​ Use of Cetaceans ​ ​ as Bait in Southern Bahia, Brazil ​

[Márcio Vargas]

Dear

 C
 olleagues,

On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our new publication about
the
 Use of Cetaceans
 as Bait in Southern Bahia, Brazil
It can be downloade here:
http://ojs.ethnobiology.org/index.php/ebl/index
Ethnobiology Letters
ojs.ethnobiology.org
Ethnobiology Letters (EBL) invites manuscripts concerning ethnobiology, the 
study of the relationships between humans and environments in diverse spatial 
and temporal ...


or here:
http://ojs.ethnobiology.org/index.php/ebl/article/view/953
Use of Cetaceans as Bait in Southern Bahia, Brazil, by Expert Fishermen that 
Market Shark Fins: A Lucrative Trade and Two Threatened Zoological Groups | 
Barbosa-Filho | Ethnobiology 
Letters
ojs.ethnobiology.org
Use of Cetaceans as Bait in Southern Bahia, Brazil, by Expert Fishermen that 
Market Shark Fins: A Lucrative Trade and Two Threatened Zoological Groups





Abstract

In Brazil, despite the existence of a federal law prohibiting the capture and 
harassment of marine mammals, the use of fat as fishing bait has been reported. 
However, the processes of obtaining and using bait have not been described for 
southern Bahia state. The objective of this study was to learn how these 
processes occur in populations of fishermen along the southern coast of the 
state and how to minimize the negative impacts on the cetacean population. 
Semi-structured interviews about shark fishing and use of cetaceans as bait 
were conducted with 65 shark fishers from Ilhéus, Una, and Canavieiras 
municipalities in Brazil. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with 
percentage distributions. Fishermen emphasized the adipose tissue of dolphins, 
whales, and porpoises as preferred bait for catching sharks. Of our sample, 
81.5% of fishers knew about the use of fat as bait and 56.9% knew someone who 
had caught cetaceans. Regarding beached whales, 67.7% reported knowing of their 
use and 20% had used them. This study shows the interrelation of people’s use 
of two zoological groups: cetaceans as bait, which represents a threat to the 
group, and sharks for commercialization, a group in which 75% of species are 
endangered. It shows the ecological impacts of these interactions. Protection 
measures will only be effective when they approach the local culture in an 
integrated manner by considering traditional customs that have developed from 
centuries of exploitation.



Márcio Luiz Vargas Barbosa Filho

Mestre - Zoologia (UESC)
Doutorando - Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza (UFRPE)


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[MARMAM] Publication of Cook Inlet beluga satellite-tagging technical report

[Kim Shelden - NOAA Federal]

The following publication is now available for viewing/download:

Shelden, K. E. W., K. T. Goetz, R. C. Hobbs, L. K. Hoberecht, K. L. Laidre,
B. A. Mahoney, T. L. McGuire, S. A. Norman, G. O’Corry-Crowe, D. J. Vos, G.
M. Ylitalo, S. A. Mizroch, S. Atkinson, K. A. Burek-Huntington, and C.
Garner. 2018. Beluga whale, Delphinapterus leucas, satellite-tagging and
health assessments in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 1999 to 2002. U.S. Dep. Commer.,
NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-AFSC-369, 227 p.

Document available:
http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/Publications/AFSC-TM/NOAA-TM-AFSC-369.pdf

​Extended Abstract:

​ Cook Inlet beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas, are currently listed
as ‘Endangered’ under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). The National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) began monitoring this population during the
1990s after it was added to the ESA Candidate Species list in 1988.
Monitoring efforts included aerial surveys, and in 1995, the first attempts
to capture and satellite-tag whales. Working with Canadian scientists and
Alaska Native subsistence hunters in 1995 and 1997, tagging methods were
adapted to conditions in Cook Inlet (muddy water, extreme tides, and
extensive mudflats), culminating in successful capture and tracking of a
whale during the summer of 1999. This was followed by three more years of
capture and tagging studies during late summer. Tags were attached to 18
whales between 1999 and 2002.
 We do not have detailed accounts of these later tagging seasons (e.g.,
similar to the Appendix chronicling events from the 1997 and 1999 seasons
in Ferrero et al. (2000)). Litzky et al. (2001) summarized field operations
for the 2000 tagging season, but no reports exist for 2001 and 2002. A
reanalysis of the tag dataset (Goetz et al. 2012) led to questions about
the captures and how tags were programmed during this time period. Given
the Cook Inlet population has continued to decline (Hobbs et al. 2015,
Shelden et al. 2017), and was listed as an Endangered Distinct Population
Segment under the ESA in October 2008 (NOAA 2008), future recommendations
for tagging will depend on lessons learned from these past projects.
Lacking detailed field reports, we consolidated information from multiple
sources.
 Herein, we bring these varied sources together to provide a thorough
documentation of the tagging operations undertaken in Cook Inlet each
summer in 2000, 2001, and 2002. We include revised tag transmission
timelines, monthly movement maps, dive behavior data, and ice-association
graphs and maps for all whales (where applicable) tagged in 1999, 2000,
2001, and 2002. Whale locations were compared to sighting records
(opportunistic and systematic) to determine how many whales were likely
proximate to tagged whales. Animations of whale movements are available at
http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/News/Cook_Inlet_Beluga_Range_Contracted.htm
(accessed 17 Aug.
2016).
 Beginning with the 2000 season, each whale underwent a health
assessment at the time of tagging. Results from laboratory analyses of the
blood, blubber, skin, and mucus samples are presented. These include
results obtained for hematology and serum chemistry values, hormones, DNA
extractions, blubber lipid composition, fatty acid profiles, stable isotope
ratios, and persistent organic pollutant profiles. We also provide a
follow-up to the tagging study, describing captured and tagged whales that
have been photo-documented since 2005 by the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale
Photo-identification Project (https://www.cookinletbelugas.com/).

-- 


*Kim E.W. Shelden, M.M.A.*
Marine Biologist, Cetacean Assessment & Ecology Program
Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center
7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, Washington 98115-6349
(206) 526-6275 office, (206) 526-6615 fax, www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/

*Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and
buildings and start wars, etc., and all that dolphins do is swim in the
water, eat fish, and play around.  *
*Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons.*  -
Douglas Adams
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[MARMAM] publication marine litter and cetaceans in the Med

[Ecoocean institut]

Greetings all,

Dear colleagues,

we are pleased to announce the publication of the following article in 
Marine Pollution Bulletin :


"Floating macro-litter along the Mediterranean French coast: 
Composition, density, distribution and overlap with cetacean range".


Nathalie Di-Méglio and Ilaria Campana

*a b s t r a c t
*This study investigated the composition, density and distribution of 
floating macro-litter along the Liguro-Provençal basin with respect to 
cetaceans presence. Survey transects were performed in summer between 
2006 and 2015 from sailing vessels with simultaneous cetaceans 
observations. During 5171 km travelled, 1993 floating items were 
recorded, widespread in the whole study area. Plastics was the 
predominant category, with bags/packaging always representing N45% of 
total items. Overall mean density (14.98 items/km2) was stable with 
significant increase reported only in 2010–2011; monthly analysis showed 
lower litter densities in July–September, suggesting possible seasonal 
patterns. Kernel density estimation for plastics revealed ubiquitous 
distribution rather than high accumulation areas, mainly due to the 
circulation dynamics of this area. The presence range of cetaceans (259 
sightings, 6 species) corresponded by ~50% with plastic distribution, 
indicating high potential of interaction, especially in the eastern part 
of the area, but effective risks for marine species might be 
underrepresented.


The full text can be downloaded using this links : 
http://www.ecoocean-institut.org/ressources/33


or in contacting the authors, Nathalie Di-Méglio 
(nathalie.di-meg...@wanadoo.fr ) 
or Ilaria Campana (ilariacamp...@yahoo.it )


Kind regards,

Nathalie and Ilaria


--
EcoOcéan Institut
18 rue des Hospices
34090 Montpellier
+33 (0)467842887
ecooc...@wanadoo.fr
http://www.ecoocean-institut.org

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[MARMAM] publication on 40 years of harbour seal monitoring in the southern North Sea

[Brasseur, Sophie]

Dear all,
Thanks to my co-authors and all the people involved throughout the years of 
aerial monitoring of the seals in the Wadden Sea, I am happy to announce our 
recent publication in the open-access journal PLoS ONE

Echoes from the past: Regional variations in recovery within a harbour seal 
population
Sophie M. J. M. Brasseur , Peter J. H. Reijnders, Jenny Cremer, Erik Meesters, 
Roger Kirkwood, Lasse Fast Jensen, Armin Jeβ, Anders Galatius, Jonas Teilmann, 
Geert Aarts
Published: January 3, 2018https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189674

Read the full publication via:
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0189674

Abstract
Terrestrial and marine wildlife populations have been severely reduced by 
hunting, fishing and habitat destruction, especially in the last centuries. 
Although management regulations have led to the recovery of some populations, 
the underlying processes are not always well understood. This study uses a 
40-year time series of counts of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Wadden 
Sea to study these processes, and demonstrates the influence of historical 
regional differences in management regimes on the recovery of this population. 
While the Wadden Sea is considered one ecologically coupled zone, with a 
distinct harbour seal population, the area is divided into four geo-political 
regions i.e. the Netherlands, Lower Saxony including Hamburg, 
Schleswig-Holstein and Denmark. Gradually, seal hunting was banned between 1962 
and 1977 in the different regions.

Counts of moulting harbour seals and pup counts, obtained during aerial surveys 
between 1974 and 2014, show a population growth from approximately 4500 to 
39,000 individuals. Population growth models were developed to assess if 
population growth differed between regions, taking into account two Phocine 
Distemper Virus (PDV) epizootics, in 1988 and 2002 which seriously affected the 
population.

After a slow start prior to the first epizootic, the overall population grew 
exponentially at rates close to assumed maximum rates of increase in a harbour 
seal population. Recently, growth slowed down, potentially indicative of 
approaching carrying capacity. Regional differences in growth rates were 
demonstrated, with the highest recovery in Netherlands after the first PDV 
epizootic (i.e. 17.9%), suggesting that growth was fuelled by migration from 
the other regions, where growth remained at or below the intrinsic growth rate 
(13%). The seals' distribution changed, and although the proportion of seals 
counted in the German regions declined, they remained by far the most important 
pupping region, with approximately 70% of all pups being born there. It is 
hypothesised that differences in hunting regime, preceding the protection in 
the 1960's and 1970's, created unbalance in the distribution of breeding 
females throughout the Wadden Sea, which prevailed for decades. Breeding site 
fidelity promoted the growth in pup numbers at less affected breeding sites, 
while recolonisation of new breeding areas would be suppressed by the 
philopatry displayed by the animals born there. This study shows that for 
long-lived species, variable management regimes in this case hunting 
regulations, across a species' range can drive population dynamics for several 
generations.

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] Publication on dolphin response to naval MINEX training

[Marc Lammers]

Dear colleagues,

My co-authors and I would like to share with you a recent publication on 
the behavioral response by coastal dolphins to naval mine neutralization 
exercises:


Lammers, M.O., Howe, M., Zang, E., McElligott, M., Engelhaupt, A. and 
Munger, L. (2017) “Acoustic monitoring of coastal dolphins and their 
response to naval mine neutralization exercises.” Royal Society Open 
Science. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170558


To investigate the potential impacts of naval mine neutralization 
exercises (MINEX) on odontocete cetaceans, a long-term passive acoustic 
monitoring study was conducted at a US Navy training range near Virginia 
Beach, USA. Bottom-moored acoustic recorders were deployed in 2012–2016 
near the epicentre of MINEX training activity and were refurbished every 
2–4 months. Recordings were analysed for the daily presence/absence of 
dolphins, and dolphin acoustic activity was quantified in detail for the 
hours and days before and after 31 MINEX training events. Dolphins 
occurred in the area year-round, but there was clear seasonal 
variability, with lower presence during winter months. Dolphins 
exhibited a behavioural response to underwater detonations. Dolphin 
acoustic activity near the training location was lower during the hours 
and days following detonations, suggesting that animals left the area 
and/or reduced their signalling. Concurrent acoustic monitoring farther 
away from the training area suggested that the radius of response was 
between 3 and 6 km. A generalized additive model indicated that the 
predictors that explained the greatest amount of deviance in the data 
were the day relative to the training event, the hour of the day and 
circumstances specific to each training event.


You can access the paper free of charge here:

HTML Full Text: 
http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/cgi/content/full/rsos.170558?ijkey=peaGbNYxbz52WeT=ref
PDF: 
http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/cgi/reprint/rsos.170558?ijkey=peaGbNYxbz52WeT=ref


Aloha,
Marc



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[MARMAM] Publication of NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS‐OPR‐57, 2015 Vessel Activity in the Arctic

[Jeff Adams - NOAA Federal]

NOAA Fisheries has published Technical Memorandum NMFS-OPR-57, 2015 Vessel
Activity in the Arctic. The Technical Memorandum is posted on the following
web page: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/publications/techmemos.htm. This work
is also the subject of a poster that will be presented at the Society for
Marine Mammalogy 2017 Biennial Conference in Halifax on Monday, 23 October
from 13:30-15:00 and Tuesday, 24 October from 17:15-18:45 in Bay 10.3. If
you have any difficulties accessing the Technical Memorandum, please
contact Jeffrey Adams at jeff.ad...@noaa.gov.

-- 
Jeffrey D. Adams
National Marine Fisheries Service
Office of Protected Resources
1315 East West Hwy, Building SSMC3
Silver Spring, MD 20910
phone: (301) 427-8434
fax: (301) 713-0376
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[MARMAM] publication on new dolphin morbillivirus molecular technique

[Sandro Mazzariol]

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the 
following publication:


*Molecular analysis of dolphin morbillivirus: A new sensitive detection 
methodbased on nested RT-PCR.* Centelleghe C, Beffagna G, Zanetti R, 
Zappulli V, Di Guardo G,Mazzariol S. Abstract: Cetacean Morbillivirus 
(CeMV) has been identified as the most pathogenic virusfor cetaceans. 
Over the past three decades, this RNA virus has caused several outbreaks 
of lethal disease in odontocetes and mysticetes worldwide. Isolationand 
identification of CeMV RNA is very challenging in whales because of the 
poor preservation status frequently shown by tissues from stranded 
animals. Nestedreverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nested 
RT-PCR) is used instead of conventional RT-PCR when it is necessary to 
increase the sensitivity and thespecificity of the reaction. This study 
describes a new nested RT-PCR technique useful to amplify small amounts 
of the cDNA copy of Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV)when it is present in 
scant quantity in whales' biological specimens. This technique was used 
to analyze different tissues (lung, brain, spleen and otherlymphoid 
tissues) from one under human care seal and seven cetaceans stranded 
along the Italian coastline between October 2011 and September 2015. 
Awell-characterized, 200 base pair (bp) fragment of the dolphin 
Morbillivirus (DMV) haemagglutinin (H) gene, obtained by nested RT-PCR, 
was sequenced and used to confirm DMV positivity in all the eight marine 
mammals under study. In conclusion, this nested RT-PCR protocol can 
represent a sensitive detectionmethod to identify CeMV-positive, poorly 
preserved tissue samples. Furthermore, this is also a rather inexpensive 
molecular technique, relatively easy to apply.


.

The paper is available online at the following page:

*http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166093416300350*



Kind Regards,


Sandro Mazzariol

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[MARMAM] Publication of the Norwegian killer whales' identification catalogue

[Jourdain Eve]

Hello,
Norwegian Orca Survey is pleased to announce the publication of a first 
identification catalogue of killer whalesthat occur in Norwegian waters. The 
catalogue aims at providing an overview of individual killer whales that 
frequent coastal Norwegian waters, providing a support to future publications 
and educating about photo-identification.
You will find the online page and the pdf version of the catalogue 
at:www.norwegianorca-id.no
Best wishes,
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[MARMAM] Publication of a paper on the threats to the Gangetic dolphin

[Shah Nawaz Jelil]

Hi all,

I wanted to circulate a publication on the Conservation threats of the
Gangetic dolphin/South Asian river dolphin.

Interested readers may follow the link below.

https://www.academia.edu/25106306/Conservation_threats_of_the_Gangetic_Dolphin_Platanista_gangetica_gangetica_in_River_Kulsi_A_Tributary_of_Brahmaputra_Assam_India


*Abstract: *A site-specific threat assessment of the gangetic dolphin was
carried out in river

Kulsi. Threats were identified by extensive literature survey and direct
observation in

field. Twelve threats were identified after the study. The study was a
fervent attempt

to identify the threats and prepare a detailed list of these threats faced
by the cetacean

in Kulsi. The study reiterates that Kulsi is one of the last refuges of the

gangetic dolphin and that the threats faced by the animal in this river are
to yet to

be acknowledged by the concerned authorities in order to conserve this
species.



Suggestions and views on the paper are welcome!



Thanks,
Nawaz
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[MARMAM] Publication on bottlenose dolphin prey availability and calorific value

[Shannon McCluskey]

Dear Colleagues,

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the recent publication of our
paper titled "Dolphin Prey Availability and Calorific Value in an Estuarine
and Coastal Environment".

The paper is available for download FREE from Frontiers in Marine Science:

http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2016.00030/full

You can also find a link to the article and more information about the
Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit by going here:


http://mucru.org/hot-off-the-press-dolphin-prey-availability-and-calorific-value/

You may also contact me directly with any queries. The abstract is below.

Sincerely,
Shannon McCluskey

Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit
School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Murdoch University
Perth, Western Australia


Abstract

Prey density has long been associated with prey profitability for a
predator, but prey quality has seldom been quantified. We assessed the
potential prey availability and calorific value for Indo-Pacific bottlenose
dolphins (*Tursiops aduncus*) in an estuarine and coastal environment of
temperate south-western Australia. Fish were sampled using three methods
(21.5 m beach seine, multi-mesh gillnet, and fish traps), across three
regions (Estuary, Bay, and Ocean) in the study area. The total biomass and
numbers of all species and those of potential dolphin prey were determined
in austral summers and winters between 2007 and 2010. The calorific value
of 19 species was determined by bomb calorimetry. The aim of the research
was to evaluate the significance of prey availability in explaining the
higher abundance of dolphins in the region in summer vs. winter across
years. A higher abundance of prey was captured in the summer (mean of two
summer seasons 12,080 ± 160) than in the winter (mean of two winter seasons
= 7358 ± 343) using the same number of gear sets in each season and year.
In contrast, higher biomass and higher energy rich prey were captured
during winters than during summers, when fewer dolphins are present in the
area. Variability was significant between season and region for the gillnet
(*p* < 0.01), and seine (*p* < 0.01). The interaction of season and region
was also significant for the calorific content captured by the traps (*p* <
0.03), and between the seasons for biomass of the trap catch (*p* < 0.02).
The dolphin mother and calf pairs that remain in the Estuary and Bay year
round may be sustained by the higher quality, and generally larger, if
lesser abundant, prey in the winter months. Furthermore, factors such as
predator avoidance and mating opportunities are likely to influence
patterns of local dolphin abundance. This study provides insights into the
complex dynamics of predator—prey interactions, and highlights the
importance for a better understanding of prey abundance, distribution and
calorific content in explaining the spatial ecology of large apex predators.
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[MARMAM] Publication on winter foraging ecology of southern elephant seals

[Sara Labrousse]

Dear all,

My co-authors and I are pleased to bring to your attention the following
publication :

Labrousse, S., Vacquié-Garcia, J., Heerah, K., Guinet, C., Sallée, J.-B.,
Authier, M., Picard, B., Roquet, F., Bailleul, F., Hindell, M., Charrassin,
J.-B., 2015. *Winter use of sea ice and ocean water mass habitat by
southern elephant seals: The length and breadth of the mystery.* *Progress
in Oceanography* 137, 52–68. doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2015.05.023


Abstract
Understanding the responses of animals to the environment is crucial for
identifying critical foraging habitat. Elephant seals (*Mirounga leonina*)
from the Kerguelen Islands (49 °20'S, 70 °20'E) have several different
foraging strategies. Why some individuals undertake long trips to the
Antarctic continent while others utilize the relatively close frontal zones
is poorly understood. Here, we investigate how physical properties within
the sea ice zone are linked to foraging activities of southern elephant
seals (SES). To do this, we first developed a new approach using indices of
foraging derived from high temporal resolution dive and accelerometry data
to predict foraging behaviour in an extensive, low resolution dataset from
CTD-Satellite Relay Data Loggers (CTD-SRDLs). A sample of 37 post-breeding
SES females were used to construct a predictive model applied to demersal
and pelagic dive strategies relating prey encounter events (PEE) to dive
parameters (dive duration, bottom duration, hunting-time, maximum depth,
ascent speed, descent speed, sinuosity, and horizontal speed) for each
strategy. We applied these models to a second sample of 35 seals, 20 males
and 15 females, during the post-moult foraging trip to the Antarctic
continental shelf between 2004 and 2013, which did not have fine-scale
behavioural data. The females were widely distributed with important
foraging activity south of the Southern Boundary Front, while males
predominately travelled to the south-eastern part of the East Antarctica
region. Combining our predictions of PEE with environmental features (sea
ice concentration, water masses at the bottom phase of dives, bathymetry
and slope index) we found higher foraging activity for females over
shallower seabed depths and at the boundary between the overlying Antarctic
Surface Water (AASW) and the underlying Modified Circumpolar Deep Water
(MCDW). Increased biological activity associated with the upper boundary of
MCDW, may provide overwintering areas for SES prey. Male foraging activity
was strongly associated with pelagic dives within the Antarctic Slope Front
where upwelling of nutrient rich Circumpolar Deep Water onto surface water
may enhance and concentrate resources. A positive association between sea
ice and foraging activity was found for both sexes where increased
biological activity may sustain an under-ice ecosystem. Variability of the
East Antarctic sea ice season duration is likely a crucial element to allow
air-breathing predators to benefit from profitable prey patches within the
pack ice habitat.

A PDF may be obtained from Science Direct:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079661115001287

or requests for reprints can be sent to: sara.labrou...@utas.edu.au

Kind regards,
Sara Labrousse

-- 
Sara Labrousse
PhD candidate
UPMC - LOCEAN
4 place Jussieu
Boite 100 - 45-55 4ème étage
75252 Paris cedex 05
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[MARMAM] Publication Announcement

[Kirsten Thompson]

Dear All,

We are very pleased to announce our new publication that examines genetic 
diversity and population structure in Gray’s beaked whales.

Thompson KF, Patel S, Baker CS, Constantine R, Millar CD. (2015) Bucking the 
trend: genetic analysis reveals high diversity and little differentiation in a 
deep ocean cetacean. Heredity Advanced Online Publication 2 December 2015; 
doi:10.1038/hdy.2015.99

Abstract
Understanding the genetic structure of a population is essential to its 
conservation and management. We report the level of genetic diversity and 
determine the population structure of a cryptic deep ocean cetacean, the Gray’s 
beaked whale (Mesoplodon grayi). We analysed 530 bp of mitochondrial control 
region and 12 microsatellite loci from 94 individuals stranded around New 
Zealand and Australia. The samples cover a large area of the species 
distribution (~ 6000 km) and were collected over a 22-year period. We show high 
genetic diversity (h=0.933–0.987, π= 0.763–0.996% and Rs =4.22–4.37, 
He=0.624–0.675), and, in contrast to other cetaceans, we found a complete lack 
of genetic structure in both maternally and biparentally inherited markers. The 
oceanic habitats around New Zealand are diverse with extremely deep waters, 
seamounts and submarine canyons that are suitable for Gray’s beaked whales and 
their prey. We propose that the abundance of this rich habitat has promoted 
genetic homogeneity in this species. Furthermore, it has been suggested that 
the lack of beaked whale sightings is the result of their low abundance, but 
this is in contrast to our estimates of female effective population size based 
on mitochondrial data. In conclusion, the high diversity and lack of genetic 
structure can be explained by a historically large population size,
in combination with no known exploitation, few apparent behavioural barriers 
and abundant habitat.

http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/hdy.2015.99 




Kirsten Thompson
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group
Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences
University of Exeter, UK
email: kt...@exeter.ac.uk

Molecular Genetics and Development Group & Marine Mammal Ecology Group
SBS, University of Auckland
New Zealand



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[MARMAM] Publication: Cetaceans of Guinea-Bissau

[Ruth Leeney]

Hello MARMAMers,

The following paper has recently been published:

Leeney RH, Weir CR, Campredon P, Regalla A, Foster J.
Occurrence of Atlantic humpback (*Sousa teuszii*) and bottlenose (*Tursiops
truncatus*) dolphins in the coastal waters of Guinea-Bissau, with an
updated cetacean species checklist.
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK.
doi:10.1017/S0025315415000661

ABSTRACT
There is a paucity of information on the cetacean fauna of Guinea-Bissau in
West Africa. We compiled records published in the literature and novel
unpublished sighting data (2008–2014) to examine the occurrence and
distribution of cetacean species. At least 10 species were verified to
occur in Guinea-Bissau waters, of which eight were documented from a small
number of sightings, whaling captures or skeletal remains. By far the most
frequently recorded species were the common bottlenose dolphin (*Tursiops
truncatu*s) (N = 146) and the Atlantic humpback dolphin (*Sousa teuszii*)
(N = 110). These two species were sympatric in distribution, both being
found throughout coastal waters from the northern regions of Canal de Jeta
and Rio Mansoa south to the Rio Cacine and around the Arquipelago dos
Bijagos. However, differences were apparent in their finer-scale
distribution and in the distance of sightings from shore, with bottlenose
dolphin sightings generally occurring further from shore (and especially in
the region of the Canal do Geba) than Atlantic humpback dolphins. Sightings
indicate that both species likely inhabit Guinea-Bissau waters throughout
the year. Dedicated systematic cetacean survey work is urgently needed in
coastal Bissau-Guinean waters in order to ascertain the abundance,
spatio-temporal distribution, population structure and causes of mortality
of bottlenose and Atlantic humpback dolphins, particularly given the
Vulnerable conservation status of the latter species. Clarification of the
status of cetaceans in offshore waters requires survey
effort throughout the Guinea-Bissau EEZ.

Please contact me if you would like further information or a pdf. Best
wishes,

Ruth

-- 
Ruth H. Leeney, PhD

Benguela Research  Training
Walvis Bay, Namibia
T: (+264)-81-809-8214


*http://publicationslist.org/ruth.leeney
http://publicationslist.org/ruth.leeney*
*www.westafricacetaceans.blogspot.com
http://www.westafricacetaceans.blogspot.com*

*The Protect Africa's Sawfishes project*
https://www.facebook.com/ProtectAfricasSawfishes
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[MARMAM] Publication of paper on migratory movements and migratory interchange of humpback whales off eastern Australia and across Oceania

[Wally Franklin]

Hi MARMAM Colleagues,

We are pleased to advise that the following publication is now available online:

Franklin, W., T. Franklin, N. Gibbs, S. Childerhouse, C. Garrigue, R. 
Constantine, L. Brooks, D. Burns, D. Paton, M. M. Poole, N. Hauser, M. 
Donoghue, K. Russell, D. K. Mattila, J. Robbins, M. Anderson, C. Olavarria, J. 
Jackson, M. Noad, P. Harrison, P. Baverstock, R. Leaper, S. C. Baker, and P. 
Clapham. 2014. Photo-identification confirms that humpback whales (Megaptera 
novaeangliae) from eastern Australia migrate past New Zealand but indicates low 
levels of interchange with breeding grounds of Oceania. Journal of Cetacean 
Research and Management 14 (1):133-140.

ABSTRACT
Recent photo-identification and genetic studies have identified at least five 
discrete breeding populations in Australia and Oceania: western Australia (D), 
eastern Australia (E (i)), New Caledonia (E (ii)), Tonga (E (iii)), French 
Polynesia and the Cook Islands (F). Also evident are low levels of 
intermingling among breeding populations consistent with the degree of genetic 
differentiation. Photo-identification has confirmed linkages between Area V 
feeding areas and eastern Australia breeding grounds and one genotype match has 
been reported between Area V feeding areas and Oceania breeding grounds. Recent 
abundance estimates show strong increases in the eastern Australian population, 
and some recovery in the New Caledonia and Tonga populations, but with little 
evidence of recovery at other known Oceania breeding grounds or New Zealand. 
Studies to date have provided no conclusive evidence of the migratory 
destination of humpback whales passing through New Zealand waters en route 
between Antarctic feeding areas and tropical breeding grounds. 
Photo-identification comparisons were undertaken between humpback whale fluke 
catalogues from eastern Australia (EA, 1315), Oceania east (OE, 513), Oceania 
west (OW, 166) and New Zealand (NZ, 13). Five matches were found between OE/OW, 
four matches between OW/EA and three matches between NZ/EA. The data are used 
to investigate and discuss the migratory destination and breeding ground 
migratory interchange of humpback whales travelling through New Zealand waters. 
The data confirm that humpback whales with site fidelity to eastern Australia 
migrate past New Zealand including through the Cook Strait and Foveaux Strait.

The publication can be downloaded from:
https://archive.iwc.int/pages/view.php?ref=3608search=%21collection15order_by=relevancesort=DESCoffset=0archive=0k=curpos=39
 
https://archive.iwc.int/pages/view.php?ref=3608search=!collection15order_by=relevancesort=DESCoffset=0archive=0k=curpos=39
 

Regards,


Wally Franklin on behalf of Authors


Dr Trish Franklin  Wally Franklin
The Oceania Project
PO Box 646 Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia
ABN 73 052 470 630   ACN 052 470 630
 
Phone: 0418 797 326
Skype:  oceania.org.au
 
Email: trish.wa...@oceania.org.au mailto:trish.wa...@oceania.org.au
 


















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[MARMAM] Publication of the first statewide abundance estimate for the Florida manatee

[Edwards, Holly]

My coauthors and I are pleased to announce the publication of the first 
statewide abundance estimate for the Florida manatee in the journal Biological 
Conservation.

http://authors.elsevier.com/a/1QkNv1R~d~EoX

Combining information for monitoring at large spatial scales: First statewide 
abundance estimate of the Florida manatee
Julien Martina,1, Holly H. Edwardsa, Christopher J. Fonnesbeckb, Stacie M. 
Koslovskya, Craig W. Harmaka, Teri M. Danea

aFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research 
Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
bDepartment of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37203
1U.S. Geological Survey, Southeast Ecological Science Center, 7920 NW 71st 
Street, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA.

Abstract
Monitoring abundance and distribution of organisms over large landscapes can be 
difficult. Because of challenges associated with logistics and data analyses 
uncorrected counts are often used as a proxy for abundance. We present the 
first statewide estimate of abundance for Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus 
latirostris) using an innovative approach that combines multiple sources of 
information. We used a combination of a double-observer protocol, repeated 
passes, and collection of detailed diving behavior data to account for 
imperfect detection of animals. Our estimate of manatee abundance was 6350 
(95%CI: 5310-7390). Specifically, we estimated 2790 (95%CI: 2160-3540) manatees 
on the west coast (2011), and 3560 (95%CI: 2850-4410) on the east coast (2012). 
Unlike uncorrected counts conducted since 1991, our estimation method 
considered two major sources of error: spatial variation in distribution and 
imperfect detection. The Florida manatee is listed as endangered, but its 
status is currently under review; the present study may become important for 
the review process. Interestingly, we estimated that 70% (95%CI: 60-80%) of 
manatees on the east coast of Florida were aggregated in one county during our 
survey. Our study illustrates the value of combining information from multiple 
sources to monitor abundance at large scales. Integration of information can 
reduce cost, facilitate the use of data obtained from new technologies to 
increase accuracy, and contribute to encouraging coordination among survey 
teams from different organizations nationally or internationally. Finally, we 
discuss the applicability of our work to other conservation applications (e.g., 
risk assessment) and to other systems.



Holly H. Edwards, Ph.D.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
100 Eighth Ave. SE
St Petersburg, FL  33701
727-896-8626 ext. 4745
holly.edwa...@myfwc.com


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[MARMAM] Publication: The accuracy of Fastloc-GPS locations and implications for animal tracking

[ANTOINE MARIE DUJON]

Dear marine biologists and scientists,

Some of you are probably using Fastloc-GPS tags to track animals. We just 
published a paper in Methods in Ecology And Evolution were we investigated the 
typical accuracy of Fastloc-GPS tags. We also provide a methodology to 
calculate accurate speed of travels and headings. Globally, our results confirm 
that Fastloc-GPS is a powerful tool to study marine species movement.

Dujon A. M., Lindstrom R. T. and Hays G. C., 2014. The accuracy of Fastloc-GPS 
locations and implications for animal tracking, Methods in Ecology and 
Evolution, DOI: 10./2041-210X.12286

The publication can be downloaded in open access at this link: 
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10./2041-210X.12286/abstract

Publication Abstract:

1.  Over recent years, a major breakthrough in marine animal tracking has 
occurred with the advent of Fastloc-GPS that provides highly accurate location 
data even for animals that only surface briefly such as sea turtles, marine 
mammals and penguins.
2.  We assessed the accuracy of Fastloc-GPS locations using fixed trials of 
tags in which 45 000 locations were obtained. Procedures for determining the 
speed of travel and heading were developed by simulating tracks and then adding 
Fastloc-GPS location errors. The levels of detail achievable for speed and 
heading estimates were illustrated by using empirical Fastloc-GPS data for a 
green turtle (Chelonia mydas, Linnaeus, 1758) travelling over 3000 km across 
the Indian Ocean.
3.  The accuracy of Fastloc-GPS locations varied as a function of the 
number of GPS satellites used in the location calculation. For example, when 
Fastloc-GPS locations were calculated using 4 GPS satellites, 50% of locations 
were within 36 m and 95% within 724 m of the true position. These values 
improved to 18 and 70 m, respectively, when 6 satellites were used. Simulations 
indicated that for animals travelling around 2·5 km h−1 (e.g. turtles, penguins 
and seals) and depending on the number of satellites used in the location 
calculation, robust speed and heading estimates would usually be obtained for 
locations only 1–6 h apart.
4.  Fastloc-GPS accuracy is several orders of magnitude better that 
conventional Argos tracking or light-based geolocation and consequently will 
allow new insights into small-scale movement patterns of marine animals.


If you have any questions about that work, feel free to contact me.

Best Regards,

Antoine DUJON


---
Antoine DUJON
PhD Student In Quantitative Movement Analysis
Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Deakin University, Warrnambool Campus, PO Box 423, Warrnambool, VIC 3280
Email : adu...@deakin.edu.aumailto:adu...@deakin.edu.au

Google Scholar : http://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=-rH46BsJ
Research Gate 
https:/www.researchgate.net/profile/Antoine_Dujonhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Antoine_Dujon
Twitter : https://twitter.com/AMDujon

Recent publications:

Dujon A. M., Lindstrom R. T. and Hays G. C., 2014. The accuracy of Fastloc-GPS 
locations and implications for animal tracking, Methods in Ecology and 
Evolution, DOI: 10./2041-210X.12286

FREELY AVAILABLE HERE: 
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10./2041-210X.12286/abstract

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[MARMAM] Publication beaked whale records in Western Australian

[Raudino, Holly]

Dear MARMAMers

We are pleased to share with you another publication on stranding data from 
Western Australia

Christine J. Groom, Douglas K. Coughran and Holly C. Smith (2014). Records of 
beaked whales (family Ziphiidae) in Western Australian waters. Marine 
Biodiversity Records, 7, e50 doi:10.1017/S1755267214000475.

Abstract
Western Australia has an extensive coastline extending 12889 km (excluding 
islands) from latitude 35 degrees in the south to 14 degrees in the north. The 
extensive coastline intersects the distribution of many species of beaked 
whale. A total of 74 Ziphiidae were recorded as stranded along the Western 
Australian coast between 1940 and 2010 (70 years). Ten of the 21 species of 
beaked whales currently recognized taxonomically worldwide have been observed 
in Western Australia with True's beaked whale Mesoplodon mirus and Shepherd's 
beaked whale Tasmacetus shepherdi recorded more than elsewhere in Australia. 
Western Australia has the highest species diversity (10) of beaked whale 
strandings compared to other Australian states and regions. Gray's beaked 
whale, Mesoplodon grayi, was the most commonly reported species (33 records) 
and had the largest mass stranding group size (seven) of the beaked whales 
stranded in Western Australia. The records presented in this paper confirm the 
distribution of Arnoux's beaked whale Berardius arnuxii, strap-toothed beaked 
whale Mesoplodon layardii, Shepherd's beaked whale, Blainville's beaked whale 
Mesoplodon densirostris in Western Australian waters. The records presented of 
True's beaked whale confirm its presence in Australian waters, with Western 
Australia a possible key location for this species. Factors causing strandings 
and death should be investigated in future where ever possible, particularly 
the rostral injuries reported for six beaked whales. Beaked whale species 
identification should be confirmed through genetic analysis in future to 
maximize certainty of species identification.

You can access the article at 
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=onlineaid=9258894fulltextType=RAfileId=S1755267214000475

Or please contact us if you would like a PDF copy

Thanks in advance,

Holly Raudino, PhD
Research Scientist
Marine Science Program
Dept of Parks and Wildlife

* holly.raud...@dpaw.wa.gov.aumailto:holly.raud...@dpaw.wa.gov.au
* 9219 9754
[cid:image003.png@01CF6F50.A23087B0]
Science and Conservation Division


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[MARMAM] Publication on dolphin bycatch from North-Western Australia

[Simon Allen]

G'day MARMAM folks,


We're pleased to announce the online publication of the following research 
article in PLoS ONE last week:


Allen SJ, Tyne JA, Kobryn HT, Bejder L, Pollock KH and Loneragan, NR (2014). 
Patterns of Dolphin Bycatch in a North-Western Australian Trawl Fishery. PLoS 
ONE 9(4): e93178. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0093178


Abstract

The bycatch of small cetaceans in commercial fisheries is a global wildlife 
management problem. We used data from skippers’ logbooks and independent 
observers to assess common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) bycatch 
patterns between 2003 and 2009 in the Pilbara Trawl Fishery, Western Australia. 
Both datasets indicated that dolphins were caught in all fishery areas, across 
all depths and throughout the year. Over the entire datasets, observer reported 
bycatch rates (n = 52 dolphins in 4,124 trawls, or 12.6 dolphins/1,000 trawls) 
were ca. double those reported by skippers (n = 180 dolphins in 27,904 trawls, 
or 6.5 dolphins/1,000 trawls). Generalised Linear Models based on observer 
data, which better explained the variation in dolphin bycatch, indicated that 
the most significant predictors of dolphin catch were: (1) vessel - one trawl 
vessel caught significantly more dolphins than three others assessed; (2) time 
of day – the lowest dolphin bycatch rates were between 00:00 and 05:59; and (3) 
whether nets included bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) - the rate was reduced 
by ca. 45%, from 18.8 to 10.3 dolphins/1,000 trawls, after their introduction. 
These results indicated that differences among vessels (or skippers’ trawling 
techniques) and dolphin behavior (a diurnal pattern) influenced the rates of 
dolphin capture; and that spatial or seasonal adjustments to trawling effort 
would be unlikely to significantly reduce dolphin bycatch. Recent skipper’s 
logbook data show that dolphin bycatch rates have not declined since those 
reported in 2006, when BRDs were introduced across the fishery. Modified BRDs, 
with top-opening escape hatches from which dolphins might escape to the 
surface, may be a more effective means of further reducing dolphin bycatch. The 
vulnerability of this dolphin population to trawling-related mortality cannot 
be assessed in the absence of an ongoing observer program and without 
information on trawler-associated dolphin community size, broader dolphin 
population size and connectivity with adjacent populations.


If interested, you can download the PDF at 
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0093178


Kind regards, Simon


Simon Allen
Research Associate and PhD candidate
Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit
School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Murdoch University
WA 6150 Australia

ph: +61(8) 9360 2823
mob: +61(0) 416 083 653
email: s.al...@murdoch.edu.au
web: http://mucru.org/group-members/simon-allen/

The opposite for courage is not cowardice, it is conformity. Even a dead fish 
can go with the flow (Jim Hightower)
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[MARMAM] Publication: Food habits of Sowerby's beaked whales

[Frederick Wenzel - NOAA Federal]

Dear list members,

My colleagues and I are happy to announce our recent publication:

Wenzel, F.W., P. T. Polloni, J. E. Craddock, D. P. Gannon, J. R. Nicolas,
A. J. Read, P. E. Rosel. 2013. Food habits of Sowerby’s beaked whales,
*Mesoplodon
bidens*, taken in the western North Atlantic pelagic drift gillnet fishery.
Fishery Bulletin 111(4):381-389.


Abstract:

We describe the food habits of the Sowerby’s beaked whale (*Mesoplodon
bidens*) from observations of 10 individuals taken as bycatch in the
pelagic drift gillnet fishery for Swordfish (*Xiphias gladius*) in the
western North Atlantic and 1 stranded individual from Kennebunk, Maine. The
stomachs of 8 bycaught whales were intact and contained prey. The diet of
these 8 whales was dominated by meso- and benthopelagic fishes that
composed 98.5% of the prey items found in their stomachs and cephalopods
that accounted for only 1.5% of the number of prey. Otoliths and jaws
representing at least 31 fish taxa from 15 families were present in the
stomach contents. Fishes, primarily from the families Moridae (37.9% of
prey), Myctophidae (22.9%), Macrouridae (11.2%), and Phycidae (7.2%), were
present in all 8 stomachs. Most prey were from 5 fish taxa: Shortbeard
Codling (*Laemonema barbatulum*) accounted for 35.3% of otoliths, Cocco’s
Lanternfish (*Lobianchia gemellarii*) contributed 12.9%, Marlin-spike (*Nezumia
bairdii*) composed 10.8%, lanternfishes (*Lampanyctus *spp.) accounted for
8.4%; and Longfin Hake (*Phycis chesteri*) contributed 6.7%. The mean
number of otoliths per stomach was 1196 (range: 327–3452). Most of the fish
prey found in the stomachs was quite small, ranging in length from 4.0 to
27.7 cm. We conclude that the Sowerby’s beaked whales that we examined in
this study fed on large numbers of relatively small meso- and benthopelagic
fishes that are abundant along the slope and shelf break of the western
North Atlantic.



A PDF may be obtained from Fishery Bulletin

http://fishbull.noaa.gov/1114/wenzel.pdf



Or requests for reprints can be sent to: frederick.wen...@noaa.gov

 Cheers,
Frederick




Frederick Wenzel

Protected Species Branch

NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center

166 Water Street

Woods Hole, MA 02543

frederick.wen...@noaa.gov
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[MARMAM] Publication: Sowerby's beaked whales

[Danielle Cholewiak]

Dear list members,

My colleagues and I are happy to announce our recent publication:

Cholewiak, D., Baumann-Pickering, S., and S. Van Parijs. 2013. Description
of sounds associated with Sowerby's beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens) in
the western North Atlantic Ocean. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 134, 3905-3912.


Abstract:
Several groups of Sowerby's beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens) were
encountered on July 4, 2011, during a shipboard cetacean survey conducted
off the eastern seaboard of the United States. Acoustic recordings were
collected using a three-element towed hydrophone array. Many echolocation
clicks were recorded during the encounter, but no tonal sounds were
detected. A total of 2969 echolocation clicks were included in analyses of
frequency and temporal characteristics. A Gaussian mixture model with four
mixtures was fitted to the histogram of peak frequencies; four subsets of
clicks were designated. The majority of clicks (n = 2048) contained a
median peak frequency of 33 kHz, while the others contained a median peak
frequency of 25 kHz (n = 324), 51 kHz (n = 304), or 67 kHz (n = 293). Most
clicks did not contain a clear frequency-modulated upsweep, though some
clicks exhibited a slight sweep from 30–36 kHz. Seven burst pulses were
detected in the encounter, two of which were of high enough quality for
detailed analysis. The acoustic characteristics of Sowerby's beaked whales
have not previously been described; the current study will facilitate
incorporation of these data into passive acoustic monitoring programs in
the North Atlantic Ocean.


A PDF may be obtained from JASA:  http://link.aip.org/link/?JAS/134/3905/

Or requests for reprints can be sent to: danielle.cholew...@noaa.gov


Cheers,
Danielle



Danielle Cholewiak, Ph.D.
Protected Species Branch
NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center
166 Water Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543
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[MARMAM] Publication announcement: NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWR-044

[Lauren Saez - NOAA Affiliate]

On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication
of* NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWR-044:
Understanding the co-occurrence of large whales and commercial fixed gear
fisheries off the west coast of the United States. *

Large whale entanglement in commercial fishing gear in the Pacific Ocean
off the U.S. west coast has been identified as an issue of concern by NOAA
Fisheries because of the potential impacts to both large whales
(individually and at a stock/population level) and the commercial fishing
industry.  An average of 10 large whales were reported per year as
entangled off California, Oregon, and Washington from 2000 to 2012.  This
is likely an underestimate of total entanglements since sightings are
opportunistic.  Because so little is known about the origin of and
identification of entangling gear types, an investigation of large whale
entanglements was warranted.   As a result, we developed a model to analyze
the co-occurrence of fishing gear and whales.  Fixed gear commercial
fishery effort was modeled for 11 fixed gear fisheries in the off the U.S.
west coast based on reported landings.  Fishery effort was overlapped with
previously published whale density* *models to identify timing and areas of
low and elevated co-occurrence, and consequently entanglement risk, for
five species of large whales across the U.S. west coast.  This effort
represents the first assessment of whale entanglement risk on the U.S. west
coast across all of these fixed gear fisheries, describing the necessary
assumptions and limitations of the available data and analysis.  Our
expectation is that research on the elevated risk areas identified by this
paper should inform any future efforts to minimize or mitigate the risk of
large whale entanglements in the future.


The NOAA technical memorandum and appendices can be accessed at:
http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/protected_species/marine_mammals/fisheries_interactions_assess_risk.html

 If you have any questions or would like a PDF of the report, please feel
free to contact me.


 Have a wonderful day.

-- 

Lauren Saez
Contractor with Ocean Associates, Inc.
NMFS West Coast Region
Protected Resources Division
Phone: 562-980-3561
Email: lauren.s...@noaa.gov
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[MARMAM] Publication: Northernmost record of Shepherd's beaked whale

[Lars Bejder]

Dear Marmam readers,

We'd like to draw your attention to a recent publication entitled: Northernmost 
record of Shepherd's beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi) - a morphological and 
genetic description from a stranding from Shark Bay, Western Australia.

The full citation details are:

Holyoake, C., Holley, D., Spencer, P.B.S., Salgado-Kent, C, Coughran, D. and 
Bejder, L. 2013. Northernmost record of Shepherd's beaked whale (Tasmacetus 
shepherdi) - a morphological and genetic description from a stranding from 
Shark Bay, Western Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology. 19(2): 169-174.

If this paper is of interest to you, please email Carly Holyoake 
(c.holyo...@murdoch.edu.aumailto:c.holyo...@murdoch.edu.au) or Lars Bejder 
(l.bej...@murdoch.edu.aumailto:l.bej...@murdoch.edu.au) for PDFs.

Kind regards,

Lars

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[MARMAM] Publication on bowhead whales in the Beaufort Sea

[Cynthia Christman - NOAA Federal]

Greetings,

We are pleased to announce our recent publication in Polar Biology. The
citation and abstract are below. If you would like a pdf of the
publication, please contact me at cynthia.christ...@noaa.gov.

Regards,
Cynthia L. Christman

Field Research Leader III
Contractor with Ocean Associates, Inc.
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
National Marine Mammal Laboratory
7600 Sand Point Way NE, Bldg. 4
Seattle, WA 98115
Phone Number: (508) 274-3142
Email: cynthia.christ...@noaa.gov


Christman CL, Citta JJ, Quakenbush LT, Clarke JT, Rone BK, Shea RA,
Ferguson MC, Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen. 2013. Presence and behavior of
bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea in July
2011. Polar Biology: 1-6. DOI 10.1007/s00300-013-1395-4

Abstract The Western Arctic bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is highly
adapted to sea ice and annually
migrates through the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas. While the overall
distribution and seasonal movements of bowhead whales are mostly
understood, information about their distribution in the Alaskan Beaufort
Sea in early to mid-summer has not been well documented. In July 2011, we
conducted an exploratory flight in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea, north of
Camden Bay (71 N 144 W), near the location of a single satellite-tagged
bowhead whale. Eighteen bowhead whales were observed, and behavior
consistent with feeding was documented. To our knowledge, this is the first
documentation of behavior consistent with feeding north of Camden Bay in
mid-July. Few studies have focused on bowhead whale distribution in the
Alaskan Beaufort Sea in early to mid-summer, and no long-term, region-wide
surveys have been conducted during summer. Bowhead whales are already
exposed to anthropogenic disturbance in the Canadian Beaufort Sea in
summer, the Alaskan Beaufort Sea in fall, and the Chukchi and Bering seas
from fall through spring. The presence of bowhead whale aggregations in the
Alaskan Beaufort Sea in summer should be considered when assessing the
cumulative effects of human-related activities.
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[MARMAM] Publication: Genetic variation and reproductive success in right whales

[Timothy Frasier]

We are pleased to announce the publication of our paper describing how 
fertilization patterns in North Atlantic right whales are biased towards 
genetically dissimilar gametes.  The short-term implication is that this 
process may be partially responsible for the reduced reproductive performance 
of this species, but in the long-term it has resulted in a slight increase in 
heterozygosity in calves born throughout the study period.  Thus, it appears to 
be a double-edged sword in terms implications, depending on if you look at it 
from a short- or long-term scale.

This was the subject of my speed talk at the last Society for Marine 
Mammalogy conference (in Florida).

It is published in the Open Access journal Ecology and Evolution, and should 
therefore be free for all.  A link is below.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.738/abstract

~~~
Timothy R. Frasier
Department of Biology  Forensic Sciences Program
Saint Mary's University
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
Canada
Tel: (902) 491-6382
Fax: (902) 420-5046
E-mail: timothy.fras...@smu.camailto:timothy.fras...@smu.ca
www.frasierlab.cahttp://www.frasierlab.ca



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[MARMAM] Publication on blue whale foraging habitat

[Doniol-Valcroze, Thomas]

Dear MARMAM members,

We thought the following paper might be of interest.

Doniol-Valcroze T., Lesage V., Giard J.  Michaud R. (2012) Challenges in 
marine mammal habitat modelling: evidence of multiple foraging habitats from 
the identification of feeding events in blue whales. Endangered Species 
Research 17: 255-268.

Abstract: Effective conservation of animal species depends on accurate 
identification of their critical habitat. Marine mammals, however, often 
transit through heterogeneous habitats and perform various activities within 
short periods of time. The predictive power of habitat modelling techniques can 
thus suffer from variability in behaviour and the use of multiple habitat 
types. We used data loggers and ecological-niche factor analysis (ENFA) 
modelling techniques to determine blue whale Balaenoptera musculus associations 
with underwater topography on a feeding ground in the St. Lawrence River 
estuary, Canada. We compared a naïve model that had no knowledge of behaviour 
with a model that used the locations of feeding events inferred from specific 
velocity signatures. Blue whales travelled over several habitat types with 
different characteristics, which confounded modelling efforts when pooled 
together. The model based on the feeding set had considerably higher predictive 
power but could not highlight all suitable habitats at the same time. Using 
cluster analysis, we identified 4 habitat types used for feeding, each 
corresponding to distinct underwater topographies. Feeding depth and behaviour 
varied across these habitats, which were used preferentially at different times 
of the tidal cycle and appeared linked to known prey aggregation mechanisms. 
Our results suggest that failure to identify feeding activity or to take into 
account the existence of multiple foraging habitats at a fine scale could 
result in spurious modelling results.

Key words: Habitat modelling · Feeding behaviour · Habitat suitability · ENFA · 
Blue whale · St. Lawrence River · Marine mammals

The paper is part of the ESR special Beyond Marine Mammal Habitat Modeling: 
Applications For Ecology And Conservation, and is available in open access at: 
http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v17/n3/p255-268/

Questions and comments can be addressed to: thomas.doniol-valcr...@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Best regards,

Thomas Doniol-Valcroze

Biologist, Marine mammal section
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Maurice-Lamontagne Institute
850, route de la mer
Mont-Joli, QC, Canada G5H 3Z4
Telephone 418-775-0666
Facsimile 418-775-0740

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[MARMAM] Publication: Bottlenose dolphins exchange signature whistles when meeting at sea

[Nicola Quick]

Dear all,

The following paper appeared online earlier in the year, but we are pleased to 
announce it is now available with a full citation.

Nicola J. Quick and Vincent M. Janik (2012). Bottlenose dolphins exchange 
signature whistles when meeting at sea. Proc. R. Soc. B  279; 2539-2545

ABSTRACT: The bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, is one of very few 
animals that, through vocal learning, can invent novel acoustic signals and 
copy whistles of conspecifics. Furthermore, receivers can extract identity
information from the invented part of whistles. In captivity, dolphins use such 
signature whistles while separated from the rest of their group. However, 
little is known about how they use them at sea. If signature whistles are the 
main vehicle to transmit identity information, then dolphins should exchange 
these whistles in contexts where groups or individuals join. We used passive 
acoustic localization during focal boat follows to observe signature whistle 
use in the wild. We found that stereotypic whistle exchanges occurred primarily 
when groups of dolphins met and joined at sea. A sequence analysis verified 
that most of the whistles used during joins were signature whistles. Whistle 
matching or copying was not observed in any of the joins. The data show that 
signature whistle exchanges are a significant part of a greeting sequence that 
allows dolphins to identify conspecifics when encountering them in the wild.

A pdf copy of the work can be obtained from the lead author at n...@smru.co.uk

Best Regards

Nicola Quick

Dr Nicola Quick
Senior Research Scientist
 
Scottish Oceans Institute
SMRU Ltd
New Technology Centre
North Haugh
St Andrews
Fife  KY16 9SR
Scotland
 
email: n...@smru.co.uk
http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/staffProfile.aspx?sunID=njq
 
Tel: +44 (0)1334 479100
Fax:+44 (0)1334 477878
 
www.smru.co.uk
http://soi.st-andrews.ac.uk/
 
 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 LIMITED is a limited company registered in Scotland, Registered
Number: 296937.  Registered Office:  5 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh  EH3 8EJ.

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[MARMAM] Publication Request

[Cathy Bacon]

Hello All,

I am in need of a report and was hoping that someone on the list would have
it or has access to it.
NMML and ARLIS do not have it. We have explored other possibilities as
well.

The report I need is:

Hall, J.D., M.L.Gallagher, K.D. Brewer, and D.K. Ljungblad. 1991. Passive
acoustic monitoring program at the ARCO Alaska, Inc. Fireweed prospect
September-October 1990. Report from Coastal  Offshore Pacific
Corporation,Walnut Creek, CA for ARCO Alaska, Inc., Anchorage, AK.

Please send to cathyeba...@gmail.com

Thank you in advance,

Cathy

-- 
Cathy Bacon
Marine Mammal Research Assistant/Marine Biologist
Smultea Environmental Sciences, LLC (SES)
www.smultea.com
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[MARMAM] Publication: Ecological characteristics contribute to sponge distribution and tool use in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops sp.

[Lars Bejder]

Dear Marmam readers,

 

The following paper has recently been published in Marine Ecology Progress 
Series: 

 

Tyne, J.A., Loneragan, N.R., Kopps, A.M., Allen, S.J., Krützen, M. and Bejder, 
L. 2012. Ecological characteristics contribute to sponge distribution and tool 
use in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops sp.. Marine Ecology Progress Series 
444:143-153.

 

ABSTRACT: 

 

In Shark Bay, Western Australia, bottlenose dolphins Tursiops sp. carry conical 
sponges Echinodictyum mesenterinum on their rostra in the only documented 
cetacean foraging behaviour using a tool ('sponging'). In this study, we 
examined the influence of various ecological factors on live sponge 
distribution and the occurrence of sponging in parts of the western gulf of 
Shark Bay. We assessed sponge distribution and seagrass cover along 12 
transects of approximately 11 km length, by recording sponges and seagrass in a 
total of 1380 quadrats (1 × 1 m), of which 56 quadrats contained conical 
sponges. The occurrence of sponging dolphins ('spongers') was documented along 
10 of these 12 transects. The distribution of conical sponges was negatively 
correlated with the distribution of seagrass: no conical sponges were observed 
in water depths of 10 m and no seagrasses were found at depths of 12 m. A 
digital elevation model, created from the sample depth data, identified 
channels in the region. Binary logistic and Poisson log linear generalised 
linear models showed that water depth and bathymetric features including 
channel, substrate and slope were significant in predicting the occurrence and 
the mean number of conical sponges, as well as that of seagrass. Conical sponge 
distribution was positively correlated with the distribution of sponging, 
indicating that ecological factors influence where sponging occurs. The greater 
number of spongers found in this region may be explained by the larger area of 
habitat suitable for conical sponges in the western than the eastern gulf of 
Shark Bay.

 

The paper can be accessed via: www.mucru.org

 

or via email requests to: Julian Tyne (j.t...@murdoch.edu.au) or Lars Bejder 
(l.bej...@murdoch.edu.au)

 

 

Best,

 

Lars

~

Lars Bejder, PhD.

Cetacean Research Unit

Centre for Fish, Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystem Research

Murdoch University South Street  Murdoch WA 6150

 

 

 

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[MARMAM] Publication on inferring causal factors for declining dolphin populations

[Rohan Currey]

Dear colleagues,

The following article was recently published online:

Currey, R. J. C., Dawson, S. M., Schneider, K., Lusseau, D.,  
Boisseau, O. J., Haase, P. A.,  Slooten, E. 2010. Inferring causal  
factors for a declining population of bottlenose dolphins via  
temporal symmetry capture-recapture modelling. Marine Mammal Science.  
doi: 10./j.1748-7692.2010.00417.x


We applied temporal symmetry capture–recapture (TSCR) models to  
assess the strength of evidence for factors potentially responsible  
for population decline in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in  
Doubtful Sound, New Zealand from 1995 to 2008. Model selection was  
conducted to estimate recruitment and population growth rates. There  
were similar levels of support for three different models, each  
reflecting distinct trends in recruitment. Modeling yielded low  
overall estimates of recruitment (0.0249, 95% CI: 0.0174–0.0324) and  
population growth rate (0.9642, 95% CI: 0.9546–0.9737). The TSCR rate  
of population decline was consistent with an estimate derived from  
trends in abundance (lambda = 0.9632, 95% CI: 0.9599–0.9665). The  
TSCR model selection confirmed the influence of a decline in the  
survival of calves (1 yr old) since 2002 for population trends.  
However, TSCR population growth rates did not exceed 1 in any year  
between 1995 and 2008, indicating the population was declining prior  
to 2002. A separate reduction in juvenile survival (1–3 yr old) prior  
to 2002 was identified as a likely contributing factor in the  
population decline. Thus, TSCR modeling indicated the potential cause  
of the population decline in Doubtful Sound: cumulative impacts on  
individuals 3 yr old resulting in a reduced recruitment.


A PDF copy of the article is available at:
http://dx.doi.org/10./j.1748-7692.2010.00417.x

Alternatively, please send requests to rohan.cur...@gmail.com.

Best wishes,

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[MARMAM] Publication on aquatic mammals of the Venezuelan Atlantic available online

[Sociedad Ecológica SEA VIDA]

Dear MARMAM subscribers, the ebook version of the Linea Base Ambiental 
Plataforma Deltana (Baseline Study of the Venezuelan Atlantic, Orinoco delta 
Platfform), related to the oil and gas industry, that includes a chapter on 
aquatic mammals (Cetacea, Sirenia, Mustelidae), is now available online. It was 
edited by PDVSA, the Venezuelan Oil Company and the Universidad Simón Bolivar 
(USB). It is available in Spanish at USB's website and can be downloaded 
directly from: 

http://cbm.usb.ve/sv/assets/Uploads/Libros/LBAPD-ebook.pdf

Please feel free to contact me for any further comment or clarification or 
for the PDF (approx. 15Mb). Suggested citation is as follows:

Martín, A., L. Malavé, D. Sánchez, R. Aparicio, F. Arocha, D. Bone, J.A. 
Bolaños, J. Bolaños-Jiménez, J. Castañeda, J.J. Cárdenas, A.K. Carbonini, Y.J. 
Díaz, H.J. Guada, E. Klein, R. Lazo, A. Lemus, M. Lentino, C. Lira, C. 
Lodeiros, R. López, B. Marín, G. Martínez, B. Márquez, A. Márquez, R. Molinet, 
F. Morales, J. Posada, A. Prieto, A. Riera, C.T. Rodríguez, A. Ramírez, W. 
Senior, P. Solana, H. Severeyn, P. Spiniello, E. Valera, C. Yanes y E. Zoppi. 
2007. Línea Base Ambiental Plataforma Deltana. A. Martín y D. Bone (ed.). 
Petróleos de Venezuela, S. A. - Universidad Simón Bolívar. Caracas, Venezuela. 
176 p.

Please forward your requests to my email address  megapte...@yahoo.com 



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[MARMAM] Publication on periodic structures in the Bottlenose Dolphin

[Simon Dible]

Dear colleagues,
 
We are pleased to announce a new paper published recently in IOP 
Bioinspiration  Biomimetics
 
Dible, S.A., Flint, J.A., Lepper, P.A. *On the role of periodic 
structures in the lower jaw of the
Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin* (/Tursiops Truncatus/)  Bioinspir. Biomim. 
4 (2009) 015005

This article is available from 
http://stacks.iop.org/1748-3190/4/015005.  if you have any problems 
downloading the article please contact me.
 
ABSTRACT
This paper proposes the application of band-gap theory to hearing in the 
atlantic bottlenose dolphin (/Tursiops truncatus/). Using the 
transmission line modelling (TLM) technique and published computed 
tomography (CT) data of an atlantic bottlenose dolphin (/Tursiops 
truncatus/), a series of sound propagation experiments have been carried 
out. It is shown that the teeth in the lower jaw can be viewed as a 
periodic array of scattering elements which result in the formation of 
an acoustic stop band (or /band gap/) that is angular dependent. It is 
shown through simple and complex geometry simulations that performance 
enhancements such as improved gain and isolation between the two receive 
paths can be achieved. This mechanism has the potential to be exploited 
in direction-finding sonar.

Dr Simon Dible


Applied Signal Processing Research Group
Loughborough University
Loughborough
UK
s.a.di...@lboro.ac.k




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[MARMAM] Publication in Environmental Conservation

[Lars Bejder]

Dear all,

 

Please see below details for recent publication.  

 

Higham, J.E.S., Bejder, L. and Lusseau, D. (2009). An integrated and
adaptive management model to address the long-term sustainability of
tourist interactions with cetaceans. Environmental Conservation 35 (4):
294-302. doi:10.1017/S0376892908005249

 

SUMMARY

Rapid growth in demand for tourist interactions with cetaceans in the
wild constitutes a challenge to management. Short-term animal behaviour
changes can have long-term biological consequences for individual
animals and populations. This paper reviews the whale-watching
management context, describing the interplay of the macro (global), meso
(national/regional) and micro-level (local/site specific) policy,
planning and management settings. Here, an integrated and adaptive
management model based largely upon the delineation and monitoring of
limits of acceptable change (LAC) parameters is proposed to address
current shortcomings in the long-term sustainable management of
whale-watching activities. Although no integrated management framework
currently exists, a comprehensive management approach must be developed
and applied in the interests of the long-term sustainable management of
tourist interactions with cetaceans in the wild. The proposed management
model highlights the importance of integrating multiple stakeholder
perspectives in a way that is both research-informed and adaptive.
Beyond tourist interactions with cetaceans, this management framework
could be applied to a wide range of wildlife management contexts.

 

Please see Environmental Conservation home page to obtain a PDF of the
manuscript or send me an email and I shall forward you a copy.

 

All the best,

 

Lars Bejder (l.bej...@murdoch.edu.au mailto:l.bej...@murdoch.edu.au )

 

Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU)

Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research

Murdoch University

Western Australia

http://www.cffr.murdoch.edu.au/mucru/
http://www.cffr.murdoch.edu.au/mucru/
http://wwwscieng.murdoch.edu.au/centres/fish/index.html 

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[MARMAM] Publication about Hawaiian Spinner dolphins and Vessel and Swimmer Traffic

[Sarah Courbis]

The following article will be appearing in Marine Mammal Science (I can provide 
a pdf on request):  

Courbis, S. and G. Timmel. 2008. Effects of vessels and swimmers on behavior of 
Hawaiian spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) in Kealake‘akua, Honaunau, 
and Kauhako Bays, Hawai‘i.


 Studies of the influence of boat traffic on small cetaceans have shown 
that the animals exhibit behavioral responses, including changes in swimming 
speed, diving and aerial behavior, vocalization patterns, and movement patterns 
(e.g., Au and Perryman 1982; Janik and Thompson 1996; Constantine et al. 2004; 
Delfour 2007). Janik and Thompson (1996) cautioned that such disruptions could 
cause longer-term changes in behavior, ecology, or status of a population, 
including avoidance of certain areas or increases in mortality rates. In some 
cases, injury or death of dolphins (Stone and Yoshinaga 2000) and injury or 
death of humans (Shane et al. 1993; Santos 1997) have been reported. Recent 
studies have begun to discover dolphin avoidance of high traffic areas (Lusseau 
2004, 2005; Bejder et al. 2006a). 
 Concerns have been raised about the effects of vessel and swimmer traffic 
on spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) resting in Hawaiian bays (Lammers 
2004, Delfour 2007). Vessel and swimmer traffic in Kealake‘akua and other 
Hawaiian bays has increased (Östman-Lind et al. 2004, Delfour 2007) since the 
original studies of Ken Norris and his colleagues (Norris and Dohl 1980; Norris 
et al. 1985, 1994). Spinner dolphins in the bays attract people, and dolphin 
disturbance as a result of increased swimmer and boat traffic needs to be 
assessed. Spinner dolphins use Hawaiian bays as havens in which to rest during 
the day (Norris et al. 1994), so disturbance by vessels and swimmers may affect 
their activity budgets and fitness. Concerns regarding dolphin disturbance have 
caused NOAA Fisheries to propose new regulations for interaction with Hawaiian 
spinner dolphins (Department of Commerce 2005, 2006). In response to these 
concerns, the purpose of our study was to document behavior of Hawaiian spinner 
dolphins in three bays with respect to vessel and swimmer traffic.

Sarah Courbis
Ph.D. Candidate
Portland State University
[EMAIL PROTECTED]













































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[MARMAM] publication

[Mark Baumgartner]

Colleagues,

The following paper was recently published in a special issue of a  
journal that does not typically print marine mammal articles (sad as  
that may be).  I thought some of you may be interested.  The article  
is freely available for download at http://aslo.org/lo/toc/vol_53/ 
issue_5_part_2 or by request to me.


Kind regards,
Mark Baumgartner

Baumgartner, M.F. and D.M. Fratantoni.  2008.  Diel periodicity in  
both sei whale vocalization rates and the vertical migration of their  
copepod prey observed from ocean gliders.  Limnology and Oceanography  
53: 2197-2209.


Abstract:
The daily activity cycles of marine predators may be dictated in  
large part by the timing of prey availability. For example, recent  
studies have observed diel periodicity in baleen whale vocalization  
rates that are thought to be governed by the diel vertical migration  
of their zooplanktonic prey. We addressed this hypothesis by studying  
associations between sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) vocalization  
rates, oceanographic conditions, and the vertical distribution of the  
whales’ prey, the calanoid copepod Calanus finmarchicus, during May  
2005 in the southwestern Gulf of Maine using an array of autonomous  
ocean gliders. Each of the four gliders was equipped with sensors to  
measure temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll fluorescence. Three of  
the four gliders carried a digital acoustic recorder and the fourth  
carried a 1-MHz acoustic Doppler current profiler. We observed strong  
diel periodicity in the acoustic backscatter measured by the current  
profiler that we attribute (based on a corroborating shipboard study)  
to the diel vertical migration of C. finmarchicus. Sei whale  
vocalization rates also exhibited diel periodicity, with more calls  
detected during the daytime when C. finmarchicus was observed at  
depth. We found no evidence to suggest that the observed patterns in  
sei whale calling rates were attributable to diel periodicity in  
background noise or acoustic propagation conditions. Sei whales are  
adept at foraging on nearsurface aggregations of C. finmarchicus;  
therefore we expect that the whales were feeding at night. We  
hypothesize that calling rates are reduced at night while the whales  
are feeding, but increase with social activity during the day when  
copepods are either more difficult or less efficient to capture at  
depth. The gliders’ persistence during adverse weather conditions  
experienced during the study allowed continuous collocated  
observations of whale vocalization behavior and oceanographic  
conditions that have not been previously possible with traditional  
shipboard techniques.



Mark Baumgartner
Assistant Scientist
Biology Department
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
MS #33, Redfield 256
Woods Hole, MA 02543
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.whoi.edu/sites/mbaumgartner
(508)289-2678 phone
(508)457-2134 fax



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[MARMAM] Publication available on evidence of maternal teaching behavior by Atlantic spotted dolphins

[Wild Dolphin Project]

Please post this message to all the List Members.

Thank you and kind regards,

Courtney E. Bender
Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


Subject: Publication available on evidence of maternal teaching  
behavior by Atlantic spotted dolphins

Dear MARMAM subscribers,

I would like to announce the recent publication of a study as a part  
of ongoing research at The Wild Dolphin Project, which provides  
evidence of maternal teaching behavior by Atlantic spotted dolphins  
is now available. The article will be published in Animal Cognition  
and is available with supplementary videos from the study depicting  
the possible teaching behavior through an early online version at the  
following link:


http://www.springerlink.com/content/d34432212317u643/? 
p=af0dd7af6a7140cf83bdbf04d7f773f4pi=14

The citation is:

Bender, C. E., Herzing, D. L.,  Bjorklund, D. F. (2008). Evidence of  
Teaching In Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis) by Mother  
Dolphins Foraging in the Presence of their Calves.  Animal Cognition,  
[Epub ahead of print].

Published Online: July 29, 2008
DOI: 10.1007/s10071-008-0169-9

If you have any questions or comments about the article, feel free to  
the authors at the contact information below.


Thank you,

Courtney E. Bender, Denise Herzing, David Bjorklund
Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Dr. Denise Herzing
Research Director/Founder
The Wild Dolphin Project
www.wilddolphinproject.org
[EMAIL PROTECTED]




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[MARMAM] Publication of A New Marine Animal Journal

[michael . belanger]

Hi Everyone

The Oceanographic Environmental Research Society (OERS) is pleased to  
announce that the first issue of their new journal- the Journal of  
Marine Animals  Their Ecology (JAMATE)is now available!

JAMATE is an electronic journal focused on issues related to the protection,
conservation, rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals and their  
environment. The goal of the journal is to increase interest and the  
exchange of ideas and knowledge in this rapidly growing area of marine  
animals and their ecology. The broad and diverse topics will be of  
interest to scientists, biologists, managers, rehabilitation  
specialists, veterinarians, and the public.

Volume 1, Issue 1; 2008

Journal of Marine Animals and Their Ecology (JMATE)
TABLE of CONTENTS

EDITORIAL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


INVITED COMMENTARY

Cost of rehabilitation ? why save one seagull?
Belanger MP

BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS

Assessment of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) habitat characteristics
in estuary waters of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, South Australia.
Cribb N, Miller C, Seuront L


ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS

TECHNICAL SECTION:

A hand held PDA system for seabird data collection during cetacean surveys.
Bearzi M, Saylan C

CLINICAL REPORTS:

Staphylococcal pyelonephritis and cystitis in a California Sea lion  
(Zalophus californianus).
Fravel V, Evans RH

SCIENTIFIC SECTION:

Winter abundance estimates for the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)  
in the western approaches of the English Channel and the effect of  
responsive movement.
De Boer MN, Leaper R, Keith S, Simmonds MP

The nature of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeanliae) song.
Parsons ECM, Wright AJ, Gore M

REVIEW ARTICLES:

Contaminants in Sirenians and recommendations for future research and  
conservation strategies.
Belanger MP, Wittnich C


JAMATE can be downloaded, free of charge, at:

www.oers.ca/journal/journal.html

The Editors are now inviting submissions for the next issue (Dec/08)  
with the deadline being October 1st, 2008. Instructions for Authors  
can be found at:

  www.oers.ca/journal/journal.html

OERS wishes to express its thanks to everyone who made this first  
issue possible and hopes that JAMATE becomes a journal that will allow  
anyone with an interest in marine animals to publish their data, ideas  
or express their opinions.


Mike Belanger
Director
Oceanographic Environmental Research Society


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[MARMAM] Publication: metal levels in dolphins

[Trish Lavery]

Dear Marman Subscribers,

The following paper has recently been published:

Lavery, TJ; Butterfield, N; Kemper, CM; Reid, RJ; Sanderson, K.  (2008)  Metal 
and selenium in the liver and bone of three dolphin species from South 
Australia, 1988 - 2004.  Science of the Total Environment, 390: 77 - 85.

ABSTRACT:

Metal and selenium concentrations (wet weight) were determined in the liver 
(Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn, Cu and Se) and bone (Pb and Cd) of common dolphins (Delphinus 
delphis, N=71) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus, N=12, and Tursiops 
aduncus, N=71) stranded or by-caught in
South Australia from 1988 to 2004. Differences in metal burdens existed between 
species, stranding location, and relative age. T. aduncus had the greatest mean 
tissue burdens of liver Pb (0.45 mg/kg), Cd (6.45 mg/kg), Hg (475.78 mg/kg), Se 
(178.85 mg/kg) and Zn (93.88 mg/kg) and bone Pb (2.78 mg/kg), probably 
reflecting their coastal habitat and benthic prey. Mean Cu was highest in T. 
truncatus (21.18 mg/kg). Bone Cd was measured only in T. aduncus and averaged 
0.05 mg/kg. Stranding location impacted metal burdens. Dolphins from Spencer 
Gulf had higher mean levels of liver Pb (0.39 mg/kg) while Gulf St Vincent 
dolphins had greater liver Hg (444.64 mg/kg), liver Se (163.12 mg/kg), and bone 
Pb (2.85 mg/kg). This may be due to high anthropogenic inputs of Pb and Hg into 
Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent respectively. Liver Cd, Hg, Se and Pb 
increased with age in all species while Cu decreased with age, in keeping with 
previous studies. Se and Hg were
 positively correlated. The possibility that metallothioneins are driving 
observed correlations between Zn, Cd, Hg and Cu are discussed. Future research 
must investigate the toxicological consequences of the metal concentrations 
reported


Pdf copies are available on request: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Kind thanks!


  Get the name you always wanted with the new y7mail email address.
www.yahoo7.com.au/y7mail

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[MARMAM] Publication available

[Peter Corkeron]

Dear Marmamers

The following paper was published recently:

ACCUMULATION AND TRANSFER OF CONTAMINANTS IN KILLER WHALES (ORCINUS
ORCA) FROM NORWAY: INDICATIONS FOR CONTAMINANT  METABOLISM

HANS WOLKERS, PETER J. CORKERON, SOFIE M. VAN PARIJS, TIU SIMILÄ , and
BERT VAN BAVEL

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 26, No. 8, pp. 1582–1590, 2007

Abstract—Blubber tissue of one subadult and eight male adult killer
whales was sampled in Northern Norway in order to assess the degree
and type of contaminant exposure and transfer in the herring–killer
whale link of the marine food web. A comprehensive selection of
contaminants was targeted, with special attention to toxaphenes and
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). In addition to assessing
exposure and food chain transfer, selective accumulation and
metabolism issues also were addressed. Average total polychlorinated
biphenyl (PCB) and pesticide levels were similar, approximately 25
_g/g lipid, and PBDEs were approximately 0.5 _g/g. This makes killer
whales one of the most polluted arctic animals, with levels exceeding
those in polar bears. Comparing the contamination of the killer
whale's diet with the diet of high-arctic species such as white whales
reveals six to more than 20 times higher levels in the killer whale
diet. The difference in contaminant pattern between killer whales and
their prey and the metabolic index calculated suggested that these
cetaceans have a relatively high capacity to metabolize contaminants.
Polychlorinated biphenyls, chlordanes, and
dichlorodiphenyldichloro-ethylene (DDE) accumulate to some degree in
killer whales, although toxaphenes and PBDEs might be partly broken
down.

The first author's a little preoccupied at present, so if you'd like a
pdf, please email me: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Btw, I've started blogging some of my experiences: http://aleakage.blogspot.com/

Peter Corkeron

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[MARMAM] Publication on Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins

[Sarah Courbis]

 The following publication is now available.  Abstract is below.
 
 Courbis, S. 2007. Effect of spinner dolphin presence on vessel and swimmer 
 activity in Hawaiian bays. Tourism in Marine Environments. 4(1):1-14.
 
 EFFECT OF SPINNER DOLPHIN PRESENCE ON LEVEL OF
 SWIMMER AND VESSEL ACTIVITY IN HAWAIIAN BAYS
 SARAH COURBIS
 Portland State University, Portland, OR 97207, USA
 
 Questions have been raised about the effects human activity in Hawai ' ian 
 bays has on dolphins.
 Concerns about the effects of this activity have led the National Marine 
 Fisheries Service to begin the
 process of enacting regulations to reduce the impacts of swimmers and vessels 
 on Hawaiian spinner
 dolphins (Stenella longirostris). One step in evaluating potential effects is 
 to determine if dolphin
 presence attracts swimmers and vessels into bays. In this study, numbers of 
 vessels and swimmers in
 Kealake ' akua, Honaunau, and Kauhako Bays were measured and related to 
 spinner dolphin presence.
 In Kauhako Bay, mean number of swimmers per scan sample was significantly 
 higher when dolphins
 were present, and in Honaunau Bay, mean number of kayaks per scan sample was 
 significantly higher
 when dolphins were present. In addition to measuring the relationship between 
 dolphin presence and
 vessel and swimmer presence, it is important to track vessel and swimmer 
 numbers over time and to
 determine patterns of use in individual bays. This establishes trends in 
 human use of bays and allows
 management on a more individual bay basis. During this study, Kealake ' 
 akua Bay experienced significantly
 more vessel and swimmer activity than Kauhako Bay. Numbers of one- to 
 three-person
 kayaks, motorboats 6 m, and zodiacs were highest in Kealake ' akua Bay. 
 Numbers of swimmers
 from shore were higher in Honaunau Bay than in Kauhako Bay. Overall, numbers 
 of vessels and
 swimmers in the bays were higher than in previous decades, and swimmers 
 comprised the majority
 human activity in the bays.
 
 Key words: Hawai ' i; Vessel; Swimmer; Stenella longirostris; Spinner 
 dolphin
 
 
 Cheers!
 Sarah
 
 Sarah Courbis
 Ph.D. Candidate
 Portland State University
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 

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[MARMAM] Publication in Animal Behaviour

[Lars Bejder]

Dear Marmam Readers:

We are pleased to announce the release of the following in press manuscript 
on the journal Animal Behaviour's website:

Bejder, L., Samuels, A., Whitehead, H. and Gales, N. 
2006.Interpreting short-term behavioural responses to disturbance within a 
longitudinal perspective. Animal Behaviour. Doi: 
10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.04.003

Abstract:

We documented immediate, behavioural responses of 
Indo-Pacifc bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) to 
experimental vessel approaches in regions of high and low vessel 
trafic in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Experimental vessel 
approaches elicited significant changes in the behaviour of targeted dolphins 
when compared with their behaviour before and after approaches. 
During approaches, focal dolphin groups became more compact, had higher rates of 
change in membership and had more erratic speeds and directions of travel. 
Dolphins in the region of low vessel traffic (control site) had stronger and 
longer-lasting responses than did dolphins in the region of high 
vessel traffic (impact site). In the absence of additional 
information, the moderated behavioural responses of impact-site 
dolphins probably would be interpreted to mean that long-term 
vessel activity within a region of tourism had no detrimental effect on resident 
dolphins. However, another study showed that dolphin-watching 
tourism in Shark Bay has contributed to a long-term decline in 
dolphin abundance within the impact site (Bejder et al., 2006, 
Conservation Biology). Those findings 
suggest that we documented moderated responses not because impact-site dolphins 
had become habituated to vessels but because those individuals that were 
sensitive to vessel disturbance left the region before our study began. This 
reinterpretation of our findings led us to question the traditional premise that 
short-term behavioural responses are sufficient indicators of impacts of 
anthropogenic disturbance on wildlife.
PDF's are available at Animal Behaviour's website (in press section).

All the best,

Lars Bejder
Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research
Murdoch University
Western Australia
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[MARMAM] Publication - Marine Mammals as Sentinel Species for Oceans and Human Health.

[Stephen McCulloch]

Request to post the following 
publication: 
Steve 
McCulloch
Dear Marmamers
I'm happy to announcethe following publication in the June issue 
ofOceanography (Vol 19, No. 2, June 
2006), of a'Case Study'related to marine mammal health.
The citation is:Gregory 
D.Bossart - 2006."Marine Mammals as Sentinel Species for Oceans and 
Human Health". 

There's no 
abstract. Those without a subscription to the journal can get a pdf from me 
at the email 
address below.
Gregory D. Bossart, V.M.D., Ph.D.
Director and Head of Pathology
Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
5600 US 1 North 
Ft. Pierce, Florida 34946

772.465.2400 (Ext 556)
772.466.4853 (Fax)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

www.hboi.edu

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