September 2006 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Publication in Animal Behaviour
by Lars Bejder 20 Sep '06

20 Sep '06

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 l.bejder(a)murdoch.edu.au

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Data Management position available at NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center
by Jessica Redfern 19 Sep '06

19 Sep '06

Hello, Could you please post the following announcement for a data management position at NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center? Please let me know if you need any additional information. Thank you! Cheers, Jessica Redfern *POSITION AVAILABLE Data Manager Ecosystem Studies Program Protected Resources Division* *Southwest** Fisheries Science Center** NOAA Fisheries La Jolla, California* *http://swfsc.noaa.gov/prd-ecology.aspx * *Position description:* The Ecosystem Studies Program at Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, is seeking a technician to assume data management and processing responsibilities. This person will work under the supervision of Team Leaders in oceanography, mid-trophic species, and apex predators to establish and implement data management practices, and may assist senior scientists with research. The person filling this position must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and have strong interpersonal skills. Field work is not required but is possible, pending interests of successful applicant. Specific responsibilities include: - assist Team Leaders in developing a data management system - write computer programs to edit previously collected data sets - archive data sets collected on annual research cruises - create and manage a website to fulfill data requests and track users of Ecosystem Studies Program data sets - design and maintain Microsoft Access databases - enter all Ecosystem Studies data sets into ERSI’s ArcGIS - serve as a GIS consultant for senior scientists, developing maps as needed - prepare technical memoranda documenting data collection protocols and preliminary results following annual research cruises - process data relating to mid and top trophic-level marine organisms *Required skills and expertise:* - Programming expertise in one or more languages (e.g., Perl or Visual Basic) - Expertise in the design and construction of Microsoft Access databases, queries, and reports - Experience with ESRI’s ArcGIS - Experience designing and maintaining database-driven web sites - Strong writing skills * * *Preferred skills and expertise:* - Experience with SQL - Experience in developing metadata *Additional Information:* *Salary:* Starting salary between $45,000 and $51,000, depending upon qualifications. Potential for salary increase, subject to performance. *Benefits: *Health benefits package included. *Term of employment:* 12-month contract with potential for renewal. *Application deadline: *October 15, 2006** *Start date: *The preferred start date is November 1, 2006, although alternatives dates will be considered. *To apply, please send a cover letter describing your qualifications, a resume, and list of three professional references (phone numbers and e-mail contacts) to:* Dr. Jessica Redfern Jessica.Redfern(a)noaa.gov <mailto:Jessica.Redfern@noaa.gov> Or: Dr. Jessica Redfern SWFSC 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive La Jolla, CA 92037 USA *For questions and inquiries, please contact*: Dr. Jessica Redfern, Jessica.Redfern(a)noaa.gov <mailto:Jessica.Redfern@noaa.gov>

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job openings at Marine Mammal Care Center
by jackjaak＠aol.com 19 Sep '06

19 Sep '06

The Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur currently has two job openings: Job Opening: Business Manager Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur The Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur is seeking a full-time Business Manager. This person is responsible for managing the comprehensive administrative duties at the Care Center and running the office. He/she will coordinate activities of MAR3INE, the Care Center’s non-profit support organization. He/she will coordinate, oversee and participate in the many tasks associated with fundraising, account management, contractual obligations, special events, budgeting, educational outreach, membership, the newsletter, among others. He/she will train and oversee volunteers who may carry out these duties. He/she must be able to interface with governing agencies, collaborative partners, and the media. The position requires a self-motivated person to perform the many diverse activities associated with the duties listed above. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, experience supervising volunteers, a proven track record with a non-profit agency, knowledge of human resources management, proficiency in Quickbooks, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and fund-raising software. He/she should have demonstrated a proven ability to effectively coordinate and oversee people of varying skill levels. The candidate should be willing and able to work occasional weekends, evenings and/or holidays. The ideal candidate should also have superior written and verbal communication skills. An effective manager will have respect for and a practical understanding of animals, the environment, and the realities inherent in caring for sick and injured animals. He/she will understand the needs of a non-profit rehabilitation center for marine mammals, be willing to work effectively in a crisis situation and demonstrate flexibility if asked to perform a task outside their area of expertise. The Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur provides equal employment opportunities to all of our employees and applicants for employment regardless of race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran status. If you require special accommodation to complete the recruitment process, please let us know. Please apply in writing by providing a cover letter, resume, and professional references to: Jackie Jaakola, Director Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur 3601 S. Gaffey Street San Pedro, CA 90731 Or by email: jackjaak(a)aol.com No phone calls, please. This position will be filled as soon as an appropriate candidate is found. For general information about the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur, please refer to MAR3INE’s website at www.mar3ine.org. Job Opening: Assistant Operations Manager Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur The Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur is seeking a candidate to fill the full-time, grant-funded position of Assistant Operations Manager. This person is responsible for helping manage the comprehensive, day-to-day operations of the Care Center. He/she will coordinate, oversee and participate in the husbandry and rehabilitation of all marine mammals in conjunction with and as advised by the Operations Manager and Veterinarian. He/she will oversee and train part-time staff and volunteers, be responsible for operating and maintaining the water filtration system, be responsible for maintaining the facility, and keep records associated with all duties. He/she will also assist the Care Center’s Director with activities of MAR3INE (the Care Center’s non-profit support organization) and perform other assigned duties as required. Additionally, he/she will interface with governing agencies, collaborative partners, and the media. The position requires a self-motivated person to perform many diverse activities associated with the duties listed above. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree, a strong background in the sciences, experience with marine mammals, and paid supervisory experience with volunteers and part-time staff. He/she should have proven ability to affectively coordinate and oversee teams of people with varying skill levels who may care for a variety of marine mammals in an emergency-room type setting. The candidate should be willing and able to work weekends and/or holidays. The ideal candidate should also have good written and verbal communication skills, as well as superior ability to relate to a variety of people and organizations. This position is full-time, grant funded for two years at a rate of $30,000 annually. The Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur provides equal employment opportunities to all of our employees and applicants for employment regardless of race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran status. If you require special accommodation to complete the recruitment process, please let us know. Please apply in writing by providing a cover letter, resume, and professional references to: Jackie Jaakola, Director Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur 3601 S. Gaffey Street San Pedro, CA 90731 Or by email: jackjaak(a)aol.com No phone calls, please. This position will be filled as soon as an appropriate candidate is found. For general information about the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur, please refer to MAR3INE’s website at www.mar3ine.org. ________________________________________________________________________ Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

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The Dolphin Pod
by Kathleen Dudzinski 19 Sep '06

19 Sep '06

Dear MARMAMers The Dolphin Communication Project is pleased to announce the launch of our new science podcast: The Dolphin Pod. http://www.thedolphinpod.com <http://www.thedolphinpod.com/> Last week¹s episode titled ³The Dim Dolphin Controversy² features a discussion of Dr. Paul Manger¹s recent article: Manger, P. R. (2006). An examination of cetacean brain structure with a novel hypothesis correlating thermogenesis to the evolution of a big brain. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc, 81(2), 293-338. Both Dr. Manger and Dr. Lori Marino have been interviewed for this episode, yielding a very lively and fruitful discussion. Although intended for a general audience (with an interest in science), this episode will appeal to academics and marine science professionals as well. If you are already podcast savvy, you can download this and other episodes by subscribing to this feed: http://www.thedolphinpod.com/podcast.php You can also download mp3 audio files of this and other episodes from The Dolphin Pod website directly (www.thedolphinpod.com) You can also play the audio from our website using an integrated Flash player. If you are not exactly sure what a podcast is, you can follow this link for an explanation: http://www.thedolphinpod.com/index.php?p=faq In brief: podcasts are audio broadcasts that are available for download from the internet. A transcript of The Dim Dolphin Controversy episode is available here http://www.thedolphinpod.com/index.php?p=transcripts/thedimdolphincontrovers y You can read a full transcript of the interviews with Dr. Manger and Dr. Marino here: http://www.thedolphinpod.com/index.php?p=transcripts/thedimdolphincontrovers yinterview Our weekly podcasts feature facts about dolphins, coverage of dolphin news items, explanations of recent research results from dolphin studies, scientific discussions and debates. We aim to bring scientifically accurate information about dolphin behavior, cognition, anatomy, etc. to the public, and also provide a forum for researchers and academics to discuss their work. We hope that MARMAMers will use The Dolphin Pod as a means of reaching both the public and other MARMAMers. If you are currently involved in research that you would like to have featured in an upcoming episode, or if you can suggest some dolphin facts that you feel need airing, or if you have a book to promote, or simply a scientific point of view that you would like to share with the world, please contact our producer (Justin Gregg) at podcast(a)thedolphinpod.com. Although primarily focusing on dolphins, we also discuss other marine mammals as well. If you have any questions about The Dolphin Pod, please get in touch with us at podcast(a)thedolphinpod.com Kind regards, Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D. Director, Dolphin Communication Project Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration 55 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355 kdudzinski(a)mysticaquarium.org www.mysticaquarium.org www.dolphincommunicationproject.org

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New publications week 37
by Jan Herrmann 19 Sep '06

19 Sep '06

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 37 / 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. Thanks to all of you who sent in reprints to be included in the weekly announcements. Kindest Regards, Jan Herrmann CETACEA Götz, T., U.K. Verfuß, and H.-U. Schnitzler (2006): 'Eavesdropping' in wild rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis)? Biology Letters 2(1): 5-7. Hung, C.L.H. et al. (2006): A preliminary risk assessment of organochlorines accumulated in fish to the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) in the Northwestern waters of Hong Kong. Environmental Pollution 144(1): 190-196. Laland, K.N. and V.M. Janik (2006): The animal cultures debate. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 21(10): 542-547. Wade, P.R. et al. (2006): Acoustic detection and satellite-tracking leads to discovery of rare concentration of endangered North Pacific right whales. Biology Letters 2(3): 417-419. Zhukovskii, Y.G. et al. (2006): Mechanisms by which dolphins identify target movement characteristics and their technical use in hydrolocation and radiolocation. Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology 36(8): 801-809. Fish, F.E. (2006): Limits of nature and advances of technology: What does biomimetics have to offer to aquatic robots? Applied Bionics and Biomechanics 3(1): 4940. Teuten, E.L. et al. (2006): Identification of highly brominated analogues of Q1 in marine mammals. Environmental Pollution 144(1): 336-344. Nriagu, J.O. (2006): Marine mammal research: Conservation beyond crisis. Science of the Total Environment 364(1-3): 303. PINNIPEDIA Pendleton, G.W. et al. (2006): Survival of Steller sea lions in Alaska: a comparison of increasing and decreasing populations. Canadian Journal of Zoology 84(8): 1163-1172. Sun, L. et al. (2006): A 2000-year record of mercury and ancient civilizations in seal hairs from King George Island, West Antarctica. Science of the Total Environment 368(1): 236-247. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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ACS Conference: Whales Without Borders (Nov 10-12)
by American Cetacean Society 17 Sep '06

17 Sep '06

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Recommend a hydrophone please?
by Anne Stewart 16 Sep '06

16 Sep '06

The Public Education Program at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre is looking to purchase a simple hydrophone set-up for teaching purposes. We would love to hear your recommendations for durable, water-proof systems that can be amplified enough for students in an uncovered vessel to hear from several meters away (in the pouring rain!). It would be a bonus if the quality was good enough for recording but not absolutely necessary. Please contact Anne Stewart, Public Education Coordinator, Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. <astewart(a)bms.bc.ca> -- Anne Stewart Public Education Program Coordinator, Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, 100 Pachena Rd., Bamfield, BC, V0R1B0 p: 250.728.3301 ext 226 f: 250.728.3452 astewart(a)bms.bc.ca

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Abstracts: beaked whale diving behavior
by Robin W Baird 15 Sep '06

15 Sep '06

Two new publications/reports are available on Cuvier's and Blainville's beaked whale diving behavior. The report also contains information on site fidelity of Kogia sima in Hawaii. Full citations and abstracts are below, and pdf files of both can be downloaded from www.cascadiaresearch.org/robin/hawaii.htm Robin ------------------------- Baird, R.W., D.L. Webster, D.J. McSweeney, A.D. Ligon, G.S. Schorr and J. Barlow. 2006. Diving behaviour of Cuvier's (Ziphius cavirostris) and Blainville's (Mesoplodon densirostris) beaked whales in Hawai'i. Canadian Journal of Zoology 84:1120-1128. Abstract Beaked whales (family Ziphiidae) are thought to be among the longest and deepest diving mammals, and some species appear to be prone to mass-strand in response to high-intensity sonar. We studied diving behaviour of Cuvier's (Ziphius cavirostris G. Cuvier, 1823) and Blainville's (Mesoplodon densirostris (Blainville, 1817)) beaked whales in Hawaiian waters using suction-cup attached time-depth recorders. Six whales, two Cuvier's and four Blainville's, were tagged and 41 hours of dive data were collected. While Cuvier's beaked whales were found in significantly deeper water depths (median depth = 2,079 m) than Blainville's beaked whales (median depth = 922 m), several aspects of diving were similar between the species: 1) both regularly dove for 48-68 minutes to depths greater than 800 m (maximum 1,408 m for Blainville's, 1,450 m for Cuvier's); 2) ascent rates for long/deep dives were substantially slower than descent rates, while for shorter dives there were no consistent differences; and 3) both spent prolonged periods of time (66 - 155 minutes) in the upper 50 m of the water column. Based on time intervals between dives for the Cuvier's beaked whales, such long dives were likely aerobic, but both species appeared to prepare for long dives by spending extended periods of time near the surface. --------------------------- Baird, R.W., G.S. Schorr, D.L. Webster, D.J. McSweeney, and S.D. Mahaffy. 2006. Studies of beaked whale diving behavior and odontocete stock structure in Hawai'i in March/April 2006. Report prepared under contract No. AB133F-06-CN-0053 to Cascadia Research from the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NMFS, La Jolla, CA. SUMMARY Small-boat surveys were undertaken in March/April 2006 off the west side of the island of Hawai'i for the purposes of obtaining dive data from Blainville's (Mesoplodon densirostris) and Cuvier's (Ziphius cavirostris) beaked whales, as well as collecting biopsy samples and photo-identification of these and other species of odontocetes for studies of stock structure and residency patterns. There were 157 sightings of 13 species of odontocetes in 4,264 km of effort, with 120 genetic samples from seven species and over 29,000 photographs from 13 species obtained. Photographic matching to existing catalogs is currently underway for eight species. Site fidelity of dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima) was evidenced by a high rate of both within- and between-year photographic re-sightings. Photographs of distinctive individual Cuvier's (3) and Blainville's (11) beaked whales were obtained from 8 encounters (2 with Cuvier's, 6 with Blainville's). One of the three Cuvier's and three of the 11 Blainville's had been previously documented in the area, with matches for two individuals (one of each species) spanning a 15-year period, demonstrating long-term site fidelity for both species. Time-depth recorder/radio tags were deployed on three Blainville's beaked whales, with 30.65 to 64.53 hours of data collected from each individual (sum = 135 hours). Overall dive patterns were similar to the smaller sample of dive data for this species presented by Baird et al. (2006), with dives >800 m occurring an average of once every 2.49 hour and averaging approximately 1,100 m in depth and 54 minutes in duration (maximum 1,520 m, 83.4 minutes). One Blainville's beaked whale was tagged in deep water (>3,000 m) and regularly dove to 1,100 - 1,500 m. Diel patterns were assessed using data from these individuals and from one tagged in 2004 by Baird et al. (2006). Deep (>800 m) dives occurred slightly more often at night (mean = 0.46 h-1, SD = 0.11) than during the day (mean = 0.35 h-1, SD = 0.08), though this difference was not significant, and deep dive depths and durations were similar between the day and night. Dives to mid-water (100-600 m) occurred more than five times as often during the day (mean = 1.74 h-1, SD = 0.44) than at night (mean = 0.32 h-1, SD = 0.23), and whales spent more time in the top 100 m at night than during the day. Dive data collected simultaneously from two individuals in the same group (one adult male, one adult female) indicated whales closely coordinated their dive depths in the top 600 m of the water column (average vertical distance between the pair of 10 m), while below 600 m the whales diverged and likely foraged independently (average vertical distance of 95 m). ======================================================== Robin W. Baird, Ph.D. Research Biologist Cascadia Research Collective 218 1/2 W. 4th Avenue Olympia, WA 98501 USA Phone 1-360-943-7325 Fax 1-360-943-7026 e-mail: rwbaird(a)cascadiaresearch.org www.cascadiaresearch.org/robin/robin.htm

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[Fwd: History Channel Mega Movers]
by Christine Alfano 15 Sep '06

15 Sep '06

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Pre-publication for Issues on Comparative Cognition in Primates and Dolphins
by Jeanette A Thomas 15 Sep '06

15 Sep '06

Aquatic Mammals Pre-publication Special Offer to MARMAM CD subscription, four issues for 2006: $30 ____ Online subscription, four issues for 2006: $40 ____ Hardcopy subscription, four issues for 2006: $80 ____ Special Issues: 2005, A Survey of the Environments of Cetaceans in Human Care, Guest Editor Laurence Couquiaud CD: $10 ____ 2006, Comparative Cognition in Primates and Dolphins: Insights & Innovations, Guest Editors Denise Herzing & Chris Johnson Hard copy: $22 ____ CD: $12 ____ 2007, Using Auditory Evoked Potential Methods to Study Marine Mammal Hearing, Guest Editors Michel Andre & Paul Nachtigall Hard copy: $22 ____ CD: $12 ____ Total Purchases: $______________ Name:_________________________ Address:_______________________ Email:_________________________ Credit Card No. _________________ Expiration date:_________________ Prices do not include shipping Send orders to: Gina Colley, DPS, Western Illinois University, 59 Horrabin Hall, Macomb, IL 61455 Dr. Jeanette Thomas, Professor Biological Sciences Western Illinois University-Quad Cities 3561 60th St. Moline, Illinois 61265 USA and Editor of Aquatic Mammals same address Tel: 309-762-9481 ext 311 Fax: 309-762-6989 E-mail: J-Thomas(a)wiu.edu BECAUSE I TEACH AT THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, EMAIL IS THE BEST WAY TO REACH ME.

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