November 2005 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Clarification for photo request
by Stephanie Ploen 30 Nov '05

30 Nov '05

Dear Colleagues, I am overwhelmed by the vast response to my request for photographs- thank you very much for your input. However, may I clarify that I am predominantly looking for photographs of testes and ovaries (i.e. gonads) from necropsied animals- I am not looking for any displays of erect penises or the like. Thank you very much for your help. Best wishes, Stephanie Plön, PhD Port Elizabeth Museum & Oceanarium/ Bayworld Humewood P. O. Box 13147 Port Elizabeth 6013 SOUTH AFRICA Tel: +27-41-5840650 Fax: +27-41-5840661 e-mail: stephanie(a)bayworld.co.za http://www.bayworld.co.za/

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Pacific ID at upcoming MMC
by Susan Crockford 29 Nov '05

29 Nov '05

Hi all, Just a quick note to let you know that I will be holding court at a Pacific ID vendor table at the upcoming MMC in San Diego, for those of you wanting to discuss future or on-going research projects involving bone identification. I will have for sale a limited quantity of our unique mousepads at a conference discount price (50% off) of $5.00, see www.pacificid.com (excellent stocking stuffer!). Also, those of you who have followed with interest my work on thyroid hormone might like to stop by to examine a proof of my in-press volume on the topic, "Rhythms of Life: Thyroid Hormone and the Origin of Species." I will take orders at a 35% discount during the conference, cash or cheque only. The book will be ready to ship in early January. see www.rhythmsoflife.ca It can also be ordered online once its in print at www.trafford.com for shipping anywhere in the world or from your favorite bookseller. It may also be available as an "e-book." Hope to see you there. Susan Susan Crockford, PhD Pacific Identifications Inc., 6011 Oldfield Rd., R.R.#3 Victoria, B.C. V9E 2J4 Canada (250) 721-7296 fax (250) 721-6215 email <sjcrock(a)shaw.ca>, <scrock(a)uvic.ca>, scrock(a)tnet.net> www.pacificid.com and Adjunct Professor (Anthropology/Faculty of Graduate Studies), University of Victoria, B.C. Canada

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Photos needed!
by Stephanie Ploen 29 Nov '05

29 Nov '05

Dear marmamers, I am currently looking for photographs (colour or black and white) of cetacean reproductive organs (male and female) to be included in two chapters of an upcoming book on cetacean reproductive biology. The pictures should ideally be of the whole organ (i.e. macroscopic anatomy) and give an indication of the size of the organs (especially for the males!). Photographs used in the volume will be acknowledged accordingly. For more info or any queries please contact me at: stephanie(a)bayworld.co.za Thanks in advance. Best wishes, Stephanie Plön, PhD Port Elizabeth Museum & Oceanarium/ Bayworld Humewood P. O. Box 13147 Port Elizabeth 6013 SOUTH AFRICA Tel: +27-41-5840650 Fax: +27-41-5840661 e-mail: stephanie(a)bayworld.co.za http://www.bayworld.co.za/

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20th ECS Conference - abstract submission
by Iwona Kuklik 28 Nov '05

28 Nov '05

Dear All, We would like to inform you, that if you are still interested in sending your abstract for the 20th Conference of the European Cetacean Society, held in Gdynia, Poland 2-7 April 2006, you are very welcome to do it within the next couple of days, but no later then the 3rd of December ! Hope this extra time will encourage some of you to decide. See also the conference webpage: www.ecs2006gdynia.univ.gda.pl Looking forward to meeting you in Gdynia ! Best regards, Iwona Kuklik On behalf of the Organizing Committee Iwona Kuklik Hel Marine Station University of Gdansk P.O.Box 2, 84-150 Hel tel. +48 58 6751 316 fax. +48 58 6750 420 Poland Iwona Kuklik Hel Marine Station University of Gdansk P.O.Box 2, 84-150 Hel tel. +48 58 6751 316 fax. +48 58 6750 420 Poland

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Whaling in NZ
by Mark Seabrook 27 Nov '05

27 Nov '05

A colleague, Karin Stockin suggested I post this request on MARMAM. My area of study is NZ's threatened wildlife (PhD at Massey University). I am hoping you can help me with some information. I have a suspicion that rats were introduced to NZ prior to their escape from Cook's ship. Tasman was the first European to record the existence of New Zealand but did not make landfall. Before the European settlers became aware of the large populations of seals and whales around NZ, the Maori had already become accomplished whalers. Subsequently, many of the crews on the European whalers were Maori. It is highly likely that whaling ships from Europe were catching whales in New Zealand waters long before the discovery voyages of Tasman, Cook and the French explorers. If so, I suspect they would have conducted some level of processing onshore, hence the introduction of rats to NZ. Is anyone aware of any publications or records that suggest/document whaling activities in NZ waters prior to 1640? If this is the case, it means that invasive species such as rats may have already been having an effect on NZ's biodiversity before Cook arrived. Many thanks for your help. Mark Mark Seabrook-Davison Ecology & Conservation Institute of Natural Resources Building 5 Massey University PB 102904 North Shore Mail Centre Albany NEW ZEALAND Ph: (64) 9 414-0800 x 41197 Fax (64) 9 443-9790 Mob: (021) 2161500 email: m.n.seabrook-davidson(a)massey.ac.nz

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Orca skull CT data to share?
by Corrie Allen, Ph.D. 25 Nov '05

25 Nov '05

Hi Folks, I'm putting together a three dimensional animation which will demonstrate the soft tissues involved in sound production in orcas. To provide a solid foundation for this project, I've been looking for CT or MRI data from a scan of an orca skull. I have been unable to find published images of such scans and was wondering if anybody out there had a collection of this data that they would be willing to share. Any direction or advice will certainly be appreciated. Corrie Corrie Allen, Ph.D. Lone Wolf Bioscience P.O. Box 413 La Conner, WA 98257

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20th ECS Conference URGENT
by Krzysztof Skóra 22 Nov '05

22 Nov '05

Dear Marmammers This is to remind you that the deadline for abstract submission and workshop proposals for the 20th Conference of the European Cetacean Society, which will take place next year in April, 2-7 in Gdynia, Poland, is the 28^th of November 2005 - so hurry up! You can visit the conference website - www.ecs2006gdynia.univ.gda.pl <http://www.ecs2006gdynia.univ.gda.pl/> - for all the details. If you have any questions contact Iwona Kuklik: oceik(a)univ.gda.pl <mailto:oceik@univ.gda.pl> Gdynia invites you in 2006! Iwona Kuklik on behalf of the Organizing Committe Iwona Kulkik Hel Marine Station University of Gdańsk 84-150 Hel, Poland tel. +48-58-6751316 fax +48-58-6750420

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M.E.E.R. field course, springtime 2006 (MARMAM)
by MEER e.V. 22 Nov '05

22 Nov '05

------ Dear All! The non-profit association M.E.E.R. would like to announce it's next field courses in behavioural biology in the Canary Islands: "Assisting in field research of the project M.E.E.R. La Gomera". 17-31 March 2006 The project M.E.E.R. La Gomera is conducting a study on the interactions between cetaceans and whale watching boats since many years. The participants of these 2-weeks practical courses will get an insight into the behavioural research conducted from whale watching boats operating off the island of La Gomera. In this area, 21 cetaceans species could be identified during the last years, representing one of the highest known species diversities in the world. A list of publications that resulted from this project is given below. The course includes a full training program: the theory and practice of behavioural research will be learned and profound background information on whale watching will be given. Research experience that will be gained includes sighting data recording, behavioural sampling, photo identification and others. The course is fully accepted for the study of Biology at the Humbodt-Universitaet Berlin (Germany) and the University of Vienna (Austria). Moreover, the research is embedded in conservation efforts aiming at the preservation and promotion of whale watching as a sustainable use of cetaceans and the establishment of a marine sanctuary in the waters off La Gomera. M.E.E.R. La Gomera was honoured in 2001 with the international environmental award "Tourismus und Umwelt", which is granted since 1987 by the German Association of Travel Agencies and Travel Operators (DRV). As was said during the bestowal, the project "realises new ways of co-operation of research and tourism in an exemplary and innovative way". For further information please visit http://www.m-e-e-r.de/index.php?id=208&L=2 One course is offered during the 2004 springtime field season: 17-31 March 2005. The price is 875.- € including 7 whale watching research excursions, accommodation, full training program, scientific supervision, donation to M.E.E.R. e.V., written working material, certificate of attendance and one year MEER e.V. membership (The journey to and from La Gomera is not included in the price.) Early bookings are accepted until 31 December 2005 at a price of 814.- € For further information, booking, etc., please send an e-mail to newsletter(a)m-e-e-r.de _____________________________________ The non-profit association M.E.E.R. is registred and based in Berlin. The objectives of the association are conservation, research and education in order to protect cetaceans in their natural habitats. Our work aims at increasing the public awareness for the oceans and to present ways how humans can deal with nature in a responsible way. Our co-operation partners are the "Deutsche Umwelthilfe" (Radolfzell/Germany) "Gesellschaft zur Rettung der Delphine" (Munich/Germany), " and the "Club de Mar" (whale watching operator/La Gomera). _____________________________________________ Publications in conjunction with the work of the project M.E.E.R. La Gomera: Ritter, F. & Ladner, U.A. 1996. Whale Watch Research on La Gomera: A new Interdisciplinary Approach. European Research on Cetaceans 9. Proc. 9th Ann. Conf. ECS, Lisbon 1996, 48ff. Ritter, F. 1996. Abundance, Distribution and Behaviour of Cetaceans off La Gomera (Canary Islands) and Their Interaction with Whale Watching-Boats and Swimmers. Diploma Thesis to the University of Bremen, Faculty of Biology. 114pp. Ritter, F. & Brederlau, B. 1998. First Report of Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) Frequenting the Canary Island Waters. European Research on Cetaceans 12. Proc. 12th Ann. Conf. ECS, Monaco, 20-24th January 1998, 95-98. Ritter, F. & Brederlau, B. 1999. Abundance, Distribution and Behaviour of Dense Beaked Whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) off La Gomera (Canary Islands) and their Interactions with Humans. AQUATIC MAMMALS, 25.2, 55-61. Ritter, F. 2001. Twenty-one Cetacean Species off La Gomera (Canary Islands): Possible Reasons for an extraordinary Species Diversity. Poster presented at the 11th Annual Conference of the ECS, 5-7 May 2001, Rome, Italy. Ritter, F. 2002. Behavioural Observations of Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) off La Gomera (Canary Islands) with a special Reference to their Interactions with Humans. AQUATIC MAMMALS 28.1, 46-59. Smit, V., Ritter, F. & Neumann, K. 2003. Feasibility study: Land-based observations of cetaceans off La Gomera. Abstr. 14 Ann. Conf. ECS, Gran Canaria, Spain. Ritter, F. 2003. Boat-Related behaviours as a tool for the development of species-specific whale watching guidelines. Abstr. 14 Ann. Conf. ECS, Gran Canaria, Spain. Ritter, F. 2003. Interactions of Cetaceans with Whale Watching Boats - Implications for the Management of Whale Watching Tourism. M.E.E.R. e.V., Berlin, Germany, 91 pp. Mayr, I. & Ritter, F.: PHOTO-IDENTIFICATION OF ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHINS OFF LA GOMERA (CANARY ISLANDS) WITH NEW INSIGHTS INTO SOCIAL ORGANISATION. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the ECS, La Rochelle, France, April 2005. -- _________________________ Fabian Ritter MEER e.V. Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin TEL/FAX: (0)30-85 07 87 55 e-mail: info(a)m-e-e-r.de www.m-e-e-r.org _________________________ "The dolphins were having a great relaxed time and had no major answers they wished to know the question to." (after Douglas Adams)

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new report on ocean noise
by Michael Jasny 21 Nov '05

21 Nov '05

Dear All, In 1999, NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) published a report on ocean noise pollution entitled "Sounding the Depths." Today, we're releasing a second and significantly updated edition of that report. As with the first edition, our intention is to give an accessible overview of the issue, survey the leading producers of ocean noise, and make recommendations for reducing its impacts on marine mammals and other species. The report is available for download from NRDC's website (www.nrdc.org/wildlife/marine/sound/contents.asp) Cheers, Michael Michael Jasny 4479 W. 5th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6R1S4 604-736-9386 mjasny(a)telus.net

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Workshop on Research and Conservation of the genus Sotalia
by Salvatore Siciliano 21 Nov '05

21 Nov '05

SOCIEDAD LATINOAMERICANA DE ESPECIALISTAS EN MAMIFEROS ACUATICOS-SOLAMAC LATIN AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AQUATIC MAMMAL SPECIALISTS THE LATIN AMERICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC MAMMALS LAJAM A N N O U N C E M E N T Workshop on Research and Conservation of the genus Sotalia Following deliberations at its eleventh biennial meeting in Quito, Ecuador in 2004, SOLAMAC is organizing a Workshop on Research and Conservation of the genus Sotalia to be held in the seaside resort town of Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 19 and 23 June 2006. The aim of the workshop is to address the conservation, biology and taxonomy of the genus Sotalia. Specific objectives are: · to ascertain the current status of Sotalia; · to identify where and what data are scarce and needed; · to make recommendations for further research, legislative and management measures, and conservation programs; and · to contribute and further the implementation of international and national conservation and management Action Plans of relevance to the species. This five-day workshop is expected to bring together approximately 50 people. Participation at the workshop will be by invitation only. All invited participants are expected to contribute with an abstract and working paper in English on the main focus areas for the Workshop: distribution and status, taxonomy, natural history, major threats, research and monitoring, conservation and management including socio-economic aspects. Working languages of the workshop will be Spanish and Portuguese. English translation will be considered on the basis of English-speaking confirmed participants. Results of the workshop will be published as a Special Issue of The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals-LAJAM. Financial support is provided by MBR- Minerações Brasileiras Reunidas S.A. and other prospective Brazilian and international partners. Institutional support is given by FIOCRUZ, Wildlife Conservation Society-Brazil and Brazilian private sector partners. Workshop schedule deadlines are provided below. Letters of invitation, provisional workshop agenda, participation confirmation forms, as well as presentation and paper formats will be forwarded in due course. Direct all inquiries to: On behalf of SOLAMAC- Salvatore Siciliano, President: <mailto:sal@ensp.fiocruz.br>sal(a)ensp.fiocruz.br Workshop Schedule Deadlines for Invited Participants * Abstract 15 February 2006 * Working Paper 30 April 2006 (to <mailto:sal@ensp.fiocruz.br>sal(a)ensp.fiocruz.br) * Participation Confirmation Forms 10 May 2006 * Sotalia Workshop 19-23 June 2006

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