July 2006 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Volunteers required for successful Whale watching and Shark cage diving company.
by Sarah Barry 08 Jul '06

08 Jul '06

Please post this message on MARMAM: Volunteers required for successful Whale watching and Shark cage diving company. Dyer Island cruises is a highly successful Whale watching company based in Gansbaai, South Africa. Volunteers are needed to help guide and assist with photo-id work of the Southern Right Whales, Humpback and Bottlenose Dolphins. Dyer Island Cruises is heavily involved with local conservation work, funding various projects over the years including attending cetacean strandings, seal and sea bird rescues and introducing a penguin nesting box scheme to help the local population of African penguins. As a volunteer you could be directly involved with this. Accommodation and food allowance will be provided. For more information see the website: http://www.dyer-island-cruises.co.za/ or email bookings(a)whalewatchsouthafrica.com Marine Dynamics is a the sister organisation to Dyer Island Cruises and is a White shark cage diving company working directly with the conservation group the White Shark Trust. The Trust has researchers on the vessel Shark Fever on a daily basis. You will be working in and around the world famous Shark Alley seen on many television programmes. A volunteer is required as videographer onboard. This will involve filming the sharks underwater from the boat. Accommodation and food allowance will be provided. For more information see the website: http://www.sharkwatchsouthafrica.com/ or email bookings(a)whalewatchsouthafrica.com Sarah Barry. www.marineteam.com Nuages 108 Freeborough Road Moorsholm Nr Saltburn Cleveland TS12 3JB UK Tel: ++44 (0) 1287 660 838 Mob: ++44 (0) 7854 688 123 --------------------------------- Yahoo! Messenger - with free PC-PC calling and photo sharing.

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Bycatch Communication Network Newsletter
by Emma Bradshaw 05 Jul '06

05 Jul '06

The bycatch communication network newsletter was an initiative of judges (myself included) from the first WWF SmartGear (www.smartgear.org <http://www.smartgear.org/> ) competition in February 2005. The idea was to produce a newsletter to share developments, projects and issues on marine bycatch. There are currently 100 subscribers from 20 countries, the first issue was distributed in April and the second is due in early August. Articles from the first issue included: * Fishing gear involved in entanglements of right and humpback whales (US) * Shark oil: solution to longline seabird bycatch? (AUS) * Project GLOBAL: global bycatch assessment project (US) * North Atlantic Right Whale funding opportunities along the east coast of the U.S. * Atlantic coast states cooperative planning for right whale recovery program (US) * BirdLife International launches Albatross Task Force (UK) * Gulf of Carpentaria Ghost Nets Program (AUS) * Regional fisheries management organisations: their central role in reducing bycatch on the high seas and need for input from bycatch specialists (UK) * Techniques to reduce wildlife bycatch in wild fisheries of Australia: web-linked database (AUS) * The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction (USA) If you would like to subscribe to the mailing list, contribute an article to the second edition or receive a PDF copy of the first edition, please email ejb(a)bigpond.net.au. Thanks, Emma Bradshaw P: +61 (7) 5514 6021 M: 0416 031 402 P.O. Box 1473 Oxenford, QLD 4210 AUSTRALIA

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New paper on life history and brain size in odontocetes
by Lori Marino 05 Jul '06

05 Jul '06

Dear Colleagues - this is to announce that the following new paper on brains and life history in odontocetes is on-line at http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=Ausgabe&ProduktNr=… Lefebvre, L, Marino, L., Sol, D, Lemieux S, Arshad, S. (2006). Large brains and lengthened life history periods in odontocetes. Brain Behavior and Evolution. 268: 218-228. Abstract Previous work on primates and birds suggests that large brains require longer periods of juvenile growth, leading to reproductive constraints due to delayed maturation. We examined the relationship between brain size and life history periods in cetaceans, a large-brained mammalian order that has been largely ignored. We looked at males and females of twenty-five species of odontocetes, using independent contrasts and multiple regressions to disentangle possible phylogenetic effects and inter-correlations among life history traits. We corrected all variables for body size allometry and separated life span into adult and juvenile periods. For females and both sexes combined, gestation, time to sexual maturity, time as an adult and life span were all positively associated with residual brain size in simple regressions; in multiple regressions maximum life span and time as an adult were the best predictors of brain size. Males showed few significant trends. Our results suggest that brain size has co-evolved with extended life history periods in odontocetes, as it has in primates and birds, and that a lengthened adult period could have been an important component of encephalization in cetaceans. For a reprint please contact me at lmarino(a)emory.edu Thank you, Lori Marino -- Lori Marino, Ph.D. Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology Program 1462 Clifton Road, Suite 304 Emory University Atlanta, GA 30322 Phone: (404) 727-7582 Fax: (404) 727-7471 When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world. - John Muir

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Bottlenose Dolphin Internships - BDRI: Immediate opening
by Bruno Diaz 05 Jul '06

05 Jul '06

Common Bottlenose Dolphin Internships (Sardinia) - Immediate Openings Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) is currently seeking one intern for "immediate opening" as research interns. Research interns participate in BDRI's ongoing research projects, giving them broad exposure to a variety to research methodologies. Interns receive extensive on the job training in observing wild bottlenose dolphin behavior, collecting observational data, working with research equipment, and assisting with research sessions. Please visit www.geocities.com/B_D_R_I for a list of current research efforts and publications. We support non-invasive and non-disruptive research. Internships require a minimum of a 5 - week commitment (6 - 12 weeks is preferable) from mid August 2006. Internships gain experience in many different areas, such as boat-based wild bottlenose dolphin research and assisting with data analysis, entry in database, etc. in our research laboratory. An internship with the BDRI requires a lot of motivation and interest in dolphin research, enthusiasm, and the open-mindedness to work, live and communicate with other people of mixed nationality and background. Interns would assist with aspects of the field work, photographic identification of individual animals, bioacoustic, behavioural analysis and data compilation. BDRI interns participating in field work activities are normally asked to contribute to all aspects of the research programme, including the upkeep of materials, boat-keeping, dealing with volunteers, etc. Therefore, as part of a working team, you will be expected to articipate in all activities of the day including your share of basic domestic duties such as cooking, cleaning and maintenance. Interns are required to complete a small project on an assigned relevant topic. Our internships program is a full time voluntary position. Unfortunately, funds are very limited, there is no compensation for this internship position and successful applicants will be responsible for their living and transportation expenses during the time of the internship. Food and living space could be arranged for internships onsite (in the field base paying approx. 60 Euro per week). Interested applicants should correspond by email to: Bruno Díaz López (BDRI Director) Email: B_D_R_I(a)yahoo.com Accepted applicants will be notified by e-mail on or before July 25th, 2006. Accepted applicants will have 5 days to notify us in writing of their acceptance of the position. We are happy to answer any questions you have, but answers to common questions can be found on our web site at http://www.geocities.com/B_D_R_I A list of our current publications. 2006 1.Díaz López, B., 2006. Interactions between Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and gillnets off Sardinia, Italy. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 63(5): 946-951 2005 1. Díaz López, B., 2005. Interactions between bottlenose dolphins with trammel nets in the Sardinia Island. Talk ICES Annual Science Conference CM 2005. Aberdeen, Scotland. 2. Díaz López, B., 2005. Interaction between bottlenose dolphins and fish farms: could there be an economic impact? Talk ICES Annual Science Conference. Aberdeen, Scotland. 3. Díaz López, B., Marini, L., Polo, F., in press. The impact of a fish farm on a bottlenose dolphin population in the Mediterranean Sea. Thalassas An international Journal of Marine Sciences, 2005, 21 (2): 53-58. 4. Díaz López, B. & Shiray, A., 2005. Analysis of diving behaviour on bottlenose dolphins studied in the inshore waters of Sardinia. Talk presented at the 6º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine. November. Comune di Sperlonga (LT), Italy. 5. Díaz López, B., 2005 & Shiray, A., 2005. A survey of anti-bottlenose dolphin control at marine fish farm. Talk presented at the 6º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine. November. Comune di Sperlonga (LT), Italy. 2004 1 . Díaz López, B., Marini, L.. and Polo, F., 2004. Evolution of a bottlenose dolphins population in the Noth-Eastern waters of Sardinia (Italy). In: European Research on Cetaceans 15 (Ed- P.G.H. Evans). European Cetacean Society, pp 70. Cambrigde, UK. 2003 1. Testa, Roberta., 2003. Studio eco-etologico di una popolazione di tursiope Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), nella Sardegna Nord-orientale. MSc thesis. La Sapienza University, Rome. 2002 1. Polo, F; Díaz López, B.; Marini, L. & Brovelli, M., 2002. Fast ferries influence on the bottlenose dolphin presence and social structure in waters of North-eastern Sardinia". Poster presented at the 16th Annual Conference European Cetacean Society. Liege 2002. 2. Díaz López, B.; Marini, L.; Polo, F. & Brovelli, M., 2002. Photo-identification of bottlenose dolphin in waters of north-eastern Sardinia. Poster presented at the 16th Annual Conference European Cetacean Society. Liege 2002. 3. Brovelli, Manuela., 2002. Studio eco-etologico non influenziato di una popolazione di tursiope Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), nelle acque della Sardegna Nord-orientale. MSc thesis. Roma Tre University, Rome. pp 193. 2001 1 . Díaz López, B., Polo, F. and Marini, L., 2001. Feeding Behaviour of bottllenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) along the north-eastern coast of Sardinia. Talk presented at the 29th Annual Symposium EAAM. Genova 9-12 March 2001. 2. Díaz López, B., Marini, L.., Polo, F. and Brovelli, M., 2001. Etologia del tursiope, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), lungo la costa nord-orientale della Sardegna. Talk presented at the 5º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine. 6 9 December. Comune di Monte Argentario (GR), Italy. 3. Díaz López, B., Marini, L.., Polo, F. and Brovelli, M., 2001. Influenza dei traghetti veloci sulla presenza e la struttura sociale del tursiope, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), nelle acque della Sardegna. Poster presented at the 5º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine. 6 9 December. Comune di Monte Argentario (GR), Italy. 4. Díaz López, B., Marini, L.., Polo, F. and Brovelli, M., 2001. Fotoidentificazione di tursiope, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), presenti nelle acque della costa Nord.orientale della Sardegna. Poster presented at the 5º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine. 6 9 December. Comune di Monte Argentario (GR), Italy. --------------------------------- Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. --------------------------------- Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

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New publications week 25
by Jan Herrmann 03 Jul '06

03 Jul '06

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 25 / 2006, which haven't been announced on MARMAM earlier AFAIK. By clicking the following link you are guided to a website, where the following references are linked to their according journal homepages. There you can find abstracts and contact information: http://www.mmbib.com/news.html Please do not contact MARMAM, the MARMAM editors or me for reprints. Thank you. Kindest Regards, Jan Herrmann CETACEA Clemins, P.J. and M.T. Johnson (2006): Generalized perceptual linear prediction features for animal vocalization analysis. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 120(1): 527-534. Culley, A.I., A.S. Lang, and C.A. Suttle (2006): Metagenomic analysis of coastal RNA virus communities. Science 312(5781): 1795-1798. DeLorenzo Costa, A., E.G. Durbin, and C.A. Mayo (2006): Variability in the nutritional value of the major copepods in Cape Cod Bay (Massachusetts, USA) with implications for right whales. Marine Ecology Progress Series 27(2): 109-123. Hammond, P.S. (2006): Whale science-and how (not) to use it. Significance 3(2): 54-58. Hampe, O. (2006): Middle/late Miocene hoplocetine sperm whale remains (Odontoceti: Physeteridae) of North Germany with an emended classification of the Hoplocetinae. Fossil Record - Mitteilungen aus dem Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin 9(1): 61-86. Rasmussen, M.H. et al. (2006): Source levels and harmonic content of whistles in white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris). The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 120(1): 510-517. Stachowitsch, M. (2006): Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises. A World Handbook for Cetacean Habitat Conservation. Marine Ecology Progress Series 27(2): 184-185. Supin, A.Y., P.E. Nachtigall, and M. Breese (2006): Source-to-sensation level ratio of transmitted biosonar pulses in an echolocating false killer whale. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 120(1): 518-526. Tryland, M. et al. (2006): Serum chemistry of free-ranging white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Svalbard. Veterinary Clinical Pathology 35(2): 199-203. Borsa, P. (2006): Marine mammal strandings in the New Caledonia region, Southwest Pacific. Comptes rendus Biologies 329(4): 277-288. Werth, A.J. (2006): Mandibular and dental variation and the evolution of suction feeding in odontoceti. Journal of Mammalogy 87(3): 579-588. PINNIPEDIA Aldridge, B.M. et al. (2006): Paucity of class I MHC gene heterogeneity between individuals in the endangered Hawaiian monk seal population. Immunogenetics 58(3): 203-215. Ganova-Raeva, L. et al. (2006): Primer Extension Enrichment Reaction (PEER): a new subtraction method for identification of genetic differences between biological specimens. Nucleic Acids Research 34(11): e76. Okamoto, M. et al. (2006): Small intestinal volvulus in a captive Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). The Veterinary Record 159(1): 21-23. Tripovich, J.S. et al. (2006): Individual variation in the pup attraction call produced by female Australian fur seals during early lactation. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 120(1): 502-509. van Polanen Petel, T.D. et al. (2006): An assessment of the audibility of sound from human transport by breeding Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii). Wildlife Research 33(4): 275-291. Wright, T.J. and R.W. Davis (2006): The effect of myoglobin concentration on aerobic dive limit in a Weddell seal. Journal of Experimental Biology 209(13): 2576-2585. OTHER MARINE MAMMALS Phillips, R., C. Niezrecki, and D.O. Beusse (2006): Theoretical detection ranges for acoustic based manatee avoidance technology. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 120(1): 153-163. Yan, Z. et al. (2006): Background noise cancellation of manatee vocalizations using an adaptive line enhancer. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 120(1): 145-152. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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Bottlenose dolphin behaviour and gillnets: new paper
by Bruno Diaz 02 Jul '06

02 Jul '06

Dear MARMAM members, I am pleased to announce the release of the new manuscript on the ICES Journal of Marine Science. Díaz López, B. 2006. Interactions between Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and gillnets off Sardinia, Italy. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 63(5): 946951. doi:10.1016/j.icesjms.2005.06.012 Abstract: A first attempt at analysing interactions between bottlenose dolphins and gillnets along the northeastern coast of Sardinia (Italy) was conducted between October 1999 and December 2004. A new approach was used: combining interviews with fishers with boat-based direct observations and behavioural and group size analysis. Fishers on monitored boats noted 2556 days on which gillnet damage was caused by bottlenose dolphins, 68.7% of the total fishing days, with no difference between seasons. An annual estimate of the number of bottlenose dolphins caught in the gillnets was 1.47 (0.98 immatures and 0.49 adults). In all, 317 days were spent making observations at sea, of which 330.6 h were spent directly observing the dolphins. There were no changes in the distribution of daily encounter rate among seasons, group size, or number of immatures, in the presence or the absence of gillnets. However, bottlenose dolphins spent more time both in the study area and feeding when gillnets were present. The extent of the estimated bycatch is worrisome in terms of the ability of bottlenose dolphins off Sardinia to sustain such an annual loss. Keywords: behaviour, bottlenose dolphin, bycatch, fisheries, gillnets, Mediterranean Sea, trammel nets. This is available through Science Direct. http://www.sciencedirect.com/ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WGG-4JRVDYR-1&_u… Paper also available on request: B_D_R_I(a)yahoo.com Regards, --------------------------------- Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

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