October 2007 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New article: Phylogenetic review of tonal sound production in whales in relation
by Laura May-Collado 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

The following article is recently published and has free access in: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/7/136 Laura J. May-Collado, Ingi Agnarsson, Douglas Wartzok. 2007. Phylogenetic review of tonal sound production in whales in relation to sociality. BMC Evolutionary Biology 7:136. Abstract Background It is widely held that in toothed whales, high frequency tonal sounds called 'whistles' evolved in association with 'sociality' because in delphinids they are used in a social context. Recently, whistles were hypothesized to be an evolutionary innovation of social dolphins (the ‘dolphin hypothesis’). However, both 'whistles' and 'sociality' are broad concepts each representing a conglomerate of characters. Many non-delphinids, whether solitary or social, produce tonal sounds that share most of the acoustic characteristics of delphinid whistles. Furthermore, hypotheses of character correlation are best tested in a phylogenetic context, which has hitherto not been done. Here we summarize data from over 300 studies on cetacean tonal sounds and social structure and phylogenetically test existing hypotheses on their co-evolution. Results Whistles are 'complex' tonal sounds of toothed whales that demark a more inclusive clade than the social dolphins. Whistles are also used by some riverine species that live in simple societies, and have been lost twice within the social delphinoids, all observations that are inconsistent with the dolphin hypothesis as stated. However, cetacean tonal sounds and sociality are intertwined: (1) increased tonal sound modulation significantly correlates with group size and social structure; (2) changes in tonal sound complexity are significantly concentrated on social branches. Also, duration and minimum frequency correlate as do group size and mean minimum frequency. Conclusions Studying the evolutionary correlation of broad concepts, rather than that of their component characters, is fraught with difficulty, while limits of available data restrict the detail in which component character correlations can be analyzed in this case. Our results support the hypothesis that sociality influences the evolution of tonal sound complexity. The level of social and whistle complexity are correlated, suggesting that complex tonal sounds play an important role in social communication. Minimum frequency is higher in species with large groups, and correlates negatively with duration, which may reflect the increased distances over which non-social species communicate. Our findings are generally stable across a range of alternative phylogenies. Our study points to key species where future studies would be particularly valuable for enriching our understanding of the interplay of acoustic communication and sociality. Laura J. May-Collado Ph.D. Candidate Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199 Email: lmayc002(a)fiu.edu Personal Home Page: www.delphinids.com Investigadora Asociada Fundacion KETO Apartado 1735-1002 San Jose, Costa Rica www.fundacionketo.org Phone: (305) 348-7429

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Marine Mammal Observers Course Oct 07 UK
by Yvonne Miles 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

Please note that the closing day for the Marine Mammal Observers at the RNLI in Poole Dorset, UK, course will be the 17th October 2007 All registrations and payments should be made by then if you want to attend. The new course dates will be posted on the web site at the end of this week for 2008, please register early for discounts. If you require group training please visit the web site and fill out the quotations form. Notice to all students, please check out the web site for funding options on this course -- Yvonne Miles 9 Long Street Point Vernon Hervey Bay QLD 4655 Australia 0435 017 524 mob 07 4124 8320 land line http://www.scanningoceansectors.org/

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New publications week 28
by Jan Herrmann 04 Oct '07

04 Oct '07

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 28 / 2007, 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 Borrell, A. et al. (2007): Post-mortem stability of blubber DLCs, PCB and tDDT in by-caught harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Marine Pollution Bulletin 54(10): 1663-1666. Du, B. et al. (2007): Construction and Characterization of a Lipotes vexillifer Genomic DNA BAC Library. Zoological Science 24(4): 401-407. Fish, F.E. et al. (2006): Passive cambering and flexible propulsors: cetacean flukes. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics 1(4): S42-S48.Epub. Fukui, Y. et al. (2007): Attempt at Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection of In Vitro Matured Oocytes in Common Minke Whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) Captured During the Kushiro Coast Survey. Journal of Reproduction and Development 53(4): 945-952. Harlin-Cognato, A.D. et al. (2007): Multi-locus phylogeography of the dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus): passive dispersal via the west-wind drift or response to prey species and climate change? BMC Evolutionary Biology 7(1): 131. May-Collado, L.J., I. Agnarsson, and D. Wartzok (2007): Phylogenetic review of tonal sound production in whales in relation to sociality. BMC Evolutionary Biology 7(1): 136. Mooney, T.A. et al. (2007): Acoustic and stiffness properties of gillnets as they relate to small cetacean bycatch. ICES Journal of Marine Science 64(7): 1324-1332. Nishida, S. et al. (2007): Phylogenetic relationships among cetaceans revealed by y-chromosome sequences. Zoological Science 24(7): 723-732. Stockin, K.A. et al. (2007): Trace elements, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in New Zealand common dolphins (Delphinus sp.). Science of the Total Environment 387(1-3): 333-345. Onbe, K. et al. (2007): Sequence variation in the tbx4 gene in marine mammals. Zoological Science 24(5): 449-464. PINNIPEDIA Barnett, J.E.F. et al. (2007): Haematological and biochemical values for grey seal pups (Halichoerus grypus) during early rehabilitation. The Veterinary Record 161(13): 447-451. Neale, J.C. et al. (2007): Blood concentrations of some persistent organohalogens in free-ranging spotted seals (Phoca largha) from Bristol Bay, Alaska. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health - Part A 70(20): 1776-1778. OTHER MARINE MAMMALS Sarko, D.K. et al. (2007): Somatosensory nuclei of the manatee brainstem and thalamus. The Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology 290(9): 1138-1165. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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Attendee Travel Forum for SMM 2007 Biennial
by sara.heimlich 03 Oct '07

03 Oct '07

There is now a SMM Attendee Travel Forum Electronic Message Board for the 17th Biennial SMM meeting in Cape Town, on Google groups. http://groups.google.com/group/attendee-travel-forum-smm-2007-bienneal?hl=en This Message Board has been established so that _*any*_ attendee to the 17th Biennial SMM meeting in Cape Town can communicate with others regarding travel to, or in, South Africa and Capetown, about other arrangements (such as room shares, or sharing in or joining for sightseeing activities, excursions, car hires), or conference arrangements (such as selling/buying banquet tickets, etc.) Please make sure that all postings relate to the logistics of attending and participating in the 2007 Cape Town Biennial. Currently, the settings of this Message Board allow the content to be viewed by anyone (although the page cannot be searched for on Google), but only members can make postings. To join this group, click on "join this group" in the navigation bar to the left. You will then be asked to create a Google account. If you currently use gmail, you already have a Google account. If you do not use gmail, you can create a Google account using /any/ email address that you would like. You will then be asked how you would like to subscribe to the Message Board (e.g., email, digest, online). Note that you can change your subscription option at any time. Once you are a member, you can make a posting; however, postings from new members will be moderated (i.e., the message will have to be approved by me before posting). I believe that this approach offers some protection from misuse to the Message Board, while allowing it to be somewhat self-sufficient. If I detect signs of misuse or people joining/posting that should not, then I will necessarily need to make the Board more secure. Feel free to contact me <mailto:sara.heimlich@oregonstate.edu> at any time with questions, concerns, or ideas about this Message Board. Happy planning! Sara Heimlich

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CAPRICORNIA CETACEANS PROJECT: AssIstant and volunteers opportunity
by d.cagnazzi.10＠scu.edu.au 02 Oct '07

02 Oct '07

CAPRICORNIA CETACEANS PROJECT PROJECT TITLE: SOUTHERN GREAT BARRIER REEF INSHORE DOLPHIN PROJECT RESEARCH CENTRE: Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre The SCUWRC is a cetacean centre that was established in 2001 at Southern Cross University in Lismore, NSW, Australia. The principle objective of the centre is to undertake research on cetacean populations in the Southern Hemisphere. Daniele Cagnazzi PhD student at SCUWRS is looking for volunteers, to cover the period from March 2008 to September 2008 to assist the researcher during the field work. We conduct boat-based research with the primary objective to investigate population parameters, size, social dynamics, habitat preference, movement, range, seasonal occurrence and abundance and pattern of diurnal behaviour of Snubfin dolphin and Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. We also collect information on all the cetacean species, mainly members of the Delphinidae family, sighted during the surveys. The primary aims of the project are: 1) To estimate the distribution and abundance of the inshore dolphins (primarily Snubfin and Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin) in the Southern Great Barrier Reef Region. 2) To investigate the population structure of inshore dolphin species in Central Queensland 3) To identify key habitats for dolphins feeding and resting and socialising. 3) To collect data of any other species recorded in the study area. The field work will be conducted on a daily basis on the 6m research vessel, Sousa, mainly in coastal waters and estuaries. Exploratory surveys, at least one week each month (weather permitting) of five or more consecutive days in remote or offshore regions will be conducted using a 12 m powered Catamaran. THE CAPRICORNIA CETACEANS PROJECT is looking for a a) One Research Assistant. The research assistant will receive a compensation plus free accommodation. b) Two volunteers: Volunteers will share a house close to the beach with the researchers and the rest of the team but will have to participate to the accommodation costs. Accommodation in a shared room for volunteers including power, water and internet connection are provided at 95$ per week. Prerequisites for the position can be found in www.capricorncetaceans.com under OPPORTUNITIES Applicants please reply to my e-mail address, dcagna10(a)scu.edu.au, attaching a CV, including previous experiences and background studies. For more information www.capricorncetaceans.com Daniele Cagnazzi PhD student SCUWRC Daniele Cagnazzi PhD Candidate Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre Southern Cross University P.O. Box 157, Lismore, N.S.W. Australia, 2480 Mobile 0439-782-243 Ph. +61 2 6620-3815 Fax. +61 2 6621-2669

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Affects of a Seismic Survey on Western Gray Whales
by Steve Johnson 01 Oct '07

01 Oct '07

There are six (6) papers recently published (electronically) in the journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment concerning the affects of a 2001 seismic survey off northeast Sakhalin Island on the endangered western North Pacific gray whale population that summers in this area. The papers are fully available (no cost) by clicking on the titles at the following web address: http://www.springerlink.com/content/?mode=boolean&k=ti%3a(western+gray+whal… Steve Johnson -- Stephen R. Johnson, Ph.D., RP Bio. Senior Vice-President LGL Limited environmental research associates 9768 Second Street Sidney, British Columbia V8L 3Y8 Canada Office ph: 250 656 0127 Office fax: 250 655 4761 Home ph: 250 656 7825 Home fax: 250 656 3117 Cell ph: 250 857 5132 LGL email: srj(a)lgl.com LGL web: www.lgl.com LGL ftp: ftp.lgl.com

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