[MARMAM] Publication: The accuracy of Fastloc-GPS locations and implications for animal tracking
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 ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Volunteer opportunity - Heaviside’s dolphin research in Namibia
*Volunteer opportunity - Heaviside’s dolphin research in Namibia* *BACKROUND:* This volunteer position is to assist University of Pretoria MSc student Sara Golaski. The project aims to obtain baseline information on abundance and habitat use of Heaviside’s dolphins in Namibia using primarily photographic identification (photo-ID). *WHERE:* Walvis Bay, Namibia *WHEN:* January and February 2015 *DATA ANALYSIS FIELDWORK:* The volunteer position is primarily office based processing photo-ID images, but you will be aiding the Namibian Dolphin Project in all project activities including some fieldwork, community outreach and assisting with cetacean or sea turtle strandings should they occur. *EXPECTATIONS*, volunteers are expected to: - Be experienced with photo-ID work - Have good attention to detail - Be reliable, adaptable and hard-working - Be prepared to work long days - Be sociable, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude. - Participate for a minimum of 6 weeks, 2 months preferred Post would suit upper level undergrads and graduate students who have interest and background in Biology, Marine Biology and an interest in pursuing further study. Due to the training required, applicants should be available for a *minimum of 6 weeks.* *LIVING COSTS:* Volunteers are expected to cover their own living expenses, including flight costs. We can assist in finding accommodation which can be around ZAR 3000 (~$300 USD) per month. Food and other personal expenses can be kept between ZAR 2000-3000 a month. *DEADLINE AND APPLICATIONS:* Interested volunteers should email Sara Golaski as soon as possible with a: *1 - LETTER of interest outlining relevant experience and motivation for participation* *2 – CV* *3 - Duration of stay (expected start and end date)* *to Sara Golaski **sgola...@coa.edu* sgola...@coa.edu *FOR MORE INFORMATION:* Namibian Dolphin Project website: http://www.namibiandolphinproject.com/ Namibian Dolphin Project blog: http://namibiandolphinproject.blogspot.com/ -- Sara Golaski MSc Candidate, Zoology University of Pretoria Namibian Dolphin Project sgola...@coa.edu http://www.namibiandolphinproject.com/ ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] JOB POSTING involving Marine Mammals: Marine Wildlife Report Writer Vacancy
MARINE WILDLIFE REPORT WRITER Closing Date: 28/11/2014 Duration: Permanent (UK Based in Great Yarmouth) Hours: Full Time As a Marine Wildlife Report Writer you will be responsible for the analysis, interpretation and presentation of marine wildlife data in reports to our clients. You will be one of the team responsible for the collation and interpretation of data relating to marine wildlife collected in the field by Marine Mammal Observers, Passive Acoustic Monitoring System Operatives and Seabird Surveyors You will work closely with Project Managers and consultancy teams to ensure the production and delivery of quality controlled, accurate reports, to agreed client specifications, often within tight timescales. You will need to communicate and collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders across the Gardline group of companies. The successful candidate should be of environmental degree calibre, and demonstrate a sound knowledge of the marine environment with both a scientific and commercial awareness. You will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to gain and process complex information, present that information clearly and concisely and think logically, critically and decisively. Excellent scientific writing skills and attention to detail are essential. The ideal candidate must be confident using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word. It would also be beneficial if you have experience of using and understanding Adobe Acrobat, ArcGIS and statistical software packages. There will also be the opportunity to participate in occasional field surveys, up to 60 days offshore per annum. If you believe you have the experience, skills and ambition for this role, please e-mail your CV and covering letter to recruitm...@gardline.commailto:recruitm...@gardline.com Quoting 2014-47 CONFIDENTIALITY - This e-mail and any attached files contain information that is confidential and/or may be subject of legal privilege, intended only for use by the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this message in error and that any dissemination, copying or use of this message or attachment is strictly forbidden, as is the disclosure of the information therein. If you have received this message in error please notify the sender immediately and preserve this confidentiality by deleting the message. No binding contract will result from this e-mail until and unless an officer, on behalf of the sender, signs a written document. Sender accepts no responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of this message as it has been transmitted over public networks. Unless otherwise specifically stated any views or opinions are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the sender Company. _ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System, on behalf of the Gardline Group of Companies. For more information please visit http://www.symanteccloud.com MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Reminder: Special Issue in AECT
Dear all, We would like to draw your attention to a Special Issue entitled 'New developments and perspectives in marine mammal toxicology’ which will be published in Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (ISSN 0090-4341 (print version), ISSN 1432-0703 (electronic version), http://www.springer.com/environment/environmental+toxicology/journal/244). As guest editors, we invite you to contribute a full length research paper or mini-review (5,000 words including references) for potential publication. Special issue: New developments and perspectives in marine mammal toxicology Deadline: 31 January 2015 Special Issue Description As apex predators in aquatic ecosystems with relatively long life spans and considerable fat deposits, many marine mammals undergo contaminant accumulation and related effects. It is widely recognized that marine mammals are exposed to a wide variety of pollutants, with a weight of evidence indicating impacts on their health through endocrine disruption. Since hundreds of new chemicals enter the global market every year, the methods, approaches and technologies used to characterize pollution levels or impacts are also in a constant state of flux. However, legal and ethical constraints often limit the type and extent of toxicological research being carried out in marine mammals. Nevertheless, new and emerging in vivo, in vitro as well as in silico research opportunities abound in the field of marine mammalogy. In the application of findings to population-, species-, or habitat-related risk assessments, the identification of causal relationships which inform source apportionment is important. This, in turn, is informed by a comprehensive understanding of contaminant classes, profiles and fate over space and time. Such considerations figure prominently in the design and interpretation of marine mammal (eco)toxicology research. This Special Issue will showcase new developments in marine mammal toxicology, approaches for exposure-effect research in risk assessment, and future perspectives. This Special Issue will welcome all contributions towards: · Biomonitoring studies that have investigated temporal or spatial trends in marine mammals worldwide; · Biomonitoring studies of new and emerging contaminants in marine mammals; · Biological effect studies on the development, validation and application of new contaminant-related biomarker approaches in marine mammal; · Studies developing in vitro and in silico methods for the study of the mode of action of pollutants in marine mammals; · Studies which inform the identification of contaminants of concern in marine mammals and their habitat. Please keep in mind that all submissions are subject to the regular peer review process at AECT and need to be written and formatted according to the Aims and Scopes of AECT. Full-length reviews are not allowed as this remains the prevue of Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (RECT), but we may accept mini-reviews (5,000 words including references). The final deadline for MS submission has been set on January 31st 2015. If you are interested in submitting your MS, please remember to specify in the submission process that you are applying for the Special issue: New developments and perspectives in marine mammal toxicology We are looking forward to receiving your valuable contribution and to hearing from you soon! Kind regards, Liesbeth and Annalisa Dr. Liesbeth Weijs National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (Entox) The University of Queensland QHFSS, 39 Kessels Road Coopers Plains Queensland, 4108 Australia Website: http://www.entox.uq.edu.au/ E-Mail: l.we...@uq.edu.aumailto:l.we...@uq.edu.au and Dr. Annalisa Zaccaroni Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences University of Bologna Viale Vespucci 2 Cesenatico (FC) 47042 Italy Website: http://www.scienzemedicheveterinarie.unibo.it/it E-Mail: annalisa.zaccar...@unibo.itmailto:annalisa.zaccar...@unibo.it ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New publication on lung function in pinnipeds
Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of our recent paper: Title: Fahlman, A., S. H. Loring, S. Johnson, M. Haulena, A. W. Trites, V. A. Fravel and W. Van Bonn (2014). Inflation and deflation pressure-volume loops in anesthetized pinnipeds confirms compliant chest and lungs. Frontiers in Physiology 5. Abstract: We examined structural properties of the marine mammal respiratory system, and tested Scholander’s hypothesis that the chest is highly compliant by measuring the mechanical properties of the respiratory system in five species of pinniped under anesthesia (Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina; northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris; northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus; California sea lion, Zalophus californianus; and Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus). We found that the chest wall compliance (CCW) of all five species was greater than lung compliance (airways and alveoli, CL) as predicted by Scholander, which suggests that the chest provides little protection against alveolar collapse or lung squeeze. We also found that specific respiratory compliance was significantly greater in wild animals than in animals raised in an aquatic facility. While differences in ages between the two groups may affect this incidental finding, it is also possible that lung conditioning in free-living animals may increase pulmonary compliance and reduce the risk of lung squeeze during diving. Overall, our data indicate that compliance of excised pinniped lungs provide a good estimate of total respiratory compliance. An open access copy of the article can be found at: http://www.frontiersin.org/Journal/Abstract.aspx?s=54name=aquatic_physiologyART_DOI=10.3389/fphys.2014.00433 http://www.frontiersin.org/Journal/Abstract.aspx?s=54name=aquatic_physiologyART_DOI=10.3389/fphys.2014.00433 If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Andreas Andreas Fahlman Department of Life Sciences Texas AM- Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Dr Unit 5892 Corpus Christi, TX 78412 Ph. +1-361-825-3489 Fax +1-361-825-2025 mail: andreas.fahl...@tamucc.edu web: http://www.comparative-physiology.tamucc.edu/ ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
