October 2008 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Veterinary Assistant position, Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur
by MAR3INE 21 Oct '08

21 Oct '08

The Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur is seeking a temporary veterinary assistant to help the veterinary and operations staff. This person will work under the guidance of full-time staff and consulting veterinarians to assist in the areas of response, treatment and data collection from stranded marine mammals. They will also help oversee volunteers in all aspects of Center operations. Responsibilities: The Veterinary Assistant will directly assist staff in all areas of veterinary and husbandry care. This person will help with the day-to-day management of the Care Center under the supervision of the operations director and veterinarians. He/she will carry out the husbandry and rehabilitation of the animals as well as the associated record keeping, teach policy and procedures, guide the volunteer personnel and help to maintain the water filtration system. Qualifications: The ideal candidate for the position will have at least two years of marine mammal care/veterinary experience, be a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), have demonstrated exemplary technical expertise, be proficient with computers and databases, be physically fit, be able to communicate effectively, show an ability and willingness to assist with/perform necropsies, and be able to effectively supervise volunteers. Position is a grant-funded, full-time, salaried position for an 18-month period. Send CV and letter of recommendation to: David Bard, Operations Director Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur 3601 S. Gaffey St. San Pedro, CA 90731 For general information on the facility, please visit our website at www.marinemammalcare.org. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. The candidate search will close when the appropriate candidate is found. This position scheduled to receive funding in early 2009, with the interview process starting in January. 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.

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new paper on spinner dolphins in the Red Sea
by Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara 21 Oct '08

21 Oct '08

Dear List, I am pleased to announce that the following paper *Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Hanafy M.H., Fouda M.M., Afifi A., Costa M. 2008. Spinner dolphin (/Stenella longirostris/) resting habitat in Samadai Reef (Egypt, Red Sea) protected through tourism management. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 6 p. doi:10.1017/S0025315408002221*_ <http://www.disciara.net/downloads/NotarbartolodiSciara_etal_2008b.pdf> _has appeared on the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK, and can be viewed in the "early view" section of the journal's website at: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayIssue?iid=1811216 *Abstract:* The daily presence of spinner dolphins, Stenella longirostris, inside a small reef offshore the Red Sea coast of southern Egypt was monitored from January 2004 to January 2006. Observations indicated marked seasonal and daily variations in the use of the reef as a resting and socializing area by the dolphins, consistent during the two years of monitoring. Overall, the mean number of dolphins present in the reef at any day was 39.2 (SD = 39.34, range 0–210), with the lowest presence in February to April and the highest in June. Similar to other populations of this species in other oceans, dolphins entered the reef between daybreak and mid-morning, and started exiting during the afternoon hours. Although calves were seen in all seasons, a sharp peak was observed in June. Monitoring data provided indications relevant to governmental management efforts, which were implemented in 2004 to ensure that the dolphins could continue using the reef for their resting needs while a sustainable, respectful tourist activity is allowed in a designated zone of the reef adjacent to the dolphins’ core habitat. -- Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara giuseppe(a)disciara.net http://www.disciara.net

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Right Whale Internship, Cape Cod
by ruth leeney 20 Oct '08

20 Oct '08

Right whale Internship posting: Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies is seeking an intern for the upcoming 2009 right whale survey season. This person will work with both the aerial survey and habitat survey teams, who operate between January and May every year, documenting the abundance, distribution and behavior of North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay. The intern will primarily assist staff members with photographing right whales and collecting behavioral and environmental data at sites in Cape Cod Bay. The successful applicant will also be responsible for a number of lab-based photo-identification tasks, such as downloading images, database entry, and matching images to known animals using an online catalog. He/ she will be required to work a minimum of four full days per week. The intern will often collect data independently in the field, thus responsible, detail-oriented applicants are encouraged to apply. Fieldwork will likely involve one to two surveys per week, between January 2 and May 15. Applicants must be available for the full field season. Requirements: A degree, preferably in biological/ environmental sciences.Experience with digital SLR cameras.Experience in photo-identification of marine mammals, and matching of photographs.Data entry; basic computer skills in programs such as Excel and Word. Experience of working on boats. Must not suffer from seasickness.Must work well in a team. Field hours can be long and the winter fieldwork conditions are cold. Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab based research methods.A valid US drivers license would be beneficial but is not essential. Housing will be provided. There is no remuneration for this position. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone wishing to expand their skills in marine mammal survey techniques, and will offer the successful applicant the unique chance to work with one of the world’s most endangered cetacean species, the North Atlantic right whale. PCCS has a long history of conservation and research work with the North Atlantic right whale. This internship will afford the successful applicant an invaluable opportunity to work within a well-established institution, with highly-qualified scientists, and to gain experience in photo-identification, matching, data entry and analysis. Some experience in plankton sampling may also be gained. Details of our work can be found at the following links: Habitat program: http://www.coastalstudies.org/what-we-do/right-whales/vbhabstudies.htm Aerial program: http://www.coastalstudies.org/what-we-do/right-whales/aerialsur.htm Application process: Please submit your cover letter, resume, college transcripts (unofficial are sufficient), and the contact information for three references via email to scrockett(a)coastalstudies.org . The closing date for applications is November 20, 2008. Ruth H. Leeney Interim Director, Right Whale Aerial Survey Program Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies 5 Holway Avenue MA 02657, USA T: (+1)-808-205-5638 / (+1)-508-487-3623 ext. 109 E: rleeney(a)coastalstudies.org W: www.namibiandolphinproject.blogspot.com Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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new paper: Xenobalanus prevalence in the ETP
by Emily Kane 20 Oct '08

20 Oct '08

Dear Colleagues: The following paper is now available at http://fishbull.noaa.gov/1064/1064toc.htm Kane EA, PA Olson, T Gerrodette, and PC Fiedler (2008). Prevalence of the commensal barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitis on cetacean species in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, and a review of global occurrence. Fishery Bulletin 106(4):395-404. ABSTRACT: Distribution and prevalence of the phoretic barnacle Xenobalanus on cetacean species are reported for 22 cetaceans in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (21 million km2). Four cetacean species are newly reported hosts for Xenobalanus: Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni), long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), and spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris). Sightings of Xenobalanus in pelagic waters are reported for the first time, and concentrations were located within three productive zones: near the Baja California peninsula, the Costa Rica Dome and waters extending west along the 10°N Thermocline Ridge, and near Peru and the Galapagos Archipelago. Greatest prevalence was observed on blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) indicating that slow swim speeds are not necessary for effective barnacle settlement. Overall, prevalence and prevalence per sighting were generally lower than previously reported. The number of barnacles present on an individual whale was greatest for killer whales, indicating that Xenobalanus larvae may be patchily distributed. The broad geographic distribution and large number of cetacean hosts, indicate an extremely cosmopolitan distribution. A better understanding of the biology of Xenobalanus is needed before this species can be used as a biological tag. For more information, please contact me at ekane(a)tamu.edu Emily Kane Texas A&M University at Galveston 5007 Avenue U Galveston, TX 77551 Phone: (409) 741-4318 Fax: (409) 740-5002 http://www.marinebiology.edu/Marshall/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Important discovery of a new Mediterranean monk seal breeding colony in the Aegean Sea - Greece
by a.karamanlidis＠mom 20 Oct '08

20 Oct '08

Dear colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the important discovery of a new Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) breeding colony in the Aegean Sea - Greece. A report of this discovery has just been published: Dendrinos, D., A.A. Karamanlidis, S. Kotomatas, V. Paravas, S. Adamantopoulou. 2008. Report of a New Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) Breeding Colony in the Aegean Sea, Greece. Aquatic Mammals 34(3): 355-361 Abstract: Identifying and effectively protecting the last remaining Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) populations and their habitats is a key priority for the survival of this critically endangered species. Following the opening of a restricted naval area at the island of Gyaros in the central Aegean Sea, Greece, the authors initiated efforts to verify the existence and assess the status of the species in the area. Using established monk seal habitat suitability criteria and survey techniques, the authors aimed to identify suitable habitat and document possible pup production of the species in this new area. Throughout the coastline of the island eight coastal caves were located, three of which were considered suitable for resting and pupping, while the remaining five were considered suitable for only resting. Pup production was recorded during the 2004, 2005 and 2007 pupping seasons and a minimum of ten, four and seven pups were identified respectively. In addition, mother - pup associations and interactions on three open beaches, a behavior that has not been observed in this species in the Mediterranean Sea recently, were recorded. This newly discovered colony, with relatively high natality compared to other breeding sites in the Mediterranean Sea and the rare use of open beaches, is of outstanding conservation value and is in urgent need of effective protection. Please send reprint request to the following address: Alexandros A. Karamanlidis, PhD Email: a.karamanlidis(a)mom.gr MOm, HELLENIC SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF THE MONK SEAL 18 Solomou Str. GR-10682 Athens Greece. Tel.:+30.210.5222888, Fax: +30.210.5222450, web-site: www.mom.gr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter. We are a community of 5.5 million users fighting spam. SPAMfighter has removed 2845 of my spam emails to date. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len The Professional version does not have this message

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New publications week 33
by Jan Herrmann 19 Oct '08

19 Oct '08

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 33/ 2008, 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.php> 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 Bearzi, M. and C.B. Stanford (2008): Beautiful minds--the parallel lives of great apes and dolphins. ISBN 978-0674027817. Harvard University Press, Cambridge (MA). Degrati, M. et al. (2008): Diurnal Behavior of Dusky Dolphins, Lagenorhynchus obscurus, in Golfo Nuevo, Argentina. Journal of Mammalogy 89(5): 1241-1247. Etnier, S.A. et al. (2008): Ontogenetic changes in the structural stiffness of the tailstock of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Experimental Biology 211(20): 3205-3213. Jayasankar, P. et al. (2008): Erratum ( JAYASANKAR, P. et al. (2008) Molecular Identification of Delphinids and Finless Porpoise (Cetacea) from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Zootaxa, 1853, 57-67.). Zootaxa 1861(): 68. Kastelein, R.A. et al. (2008): The influence of 70 and 120kHz tonal signals on the behavior of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in a floating pen. Marine Environmental Research 66(3): 319-326. Krützen, M. (2008): Beautiful minds--the parallel lives of great apes and dolphins. Maddalena Bearzi and Craig B. Stanford. Integrative and Comparative Biology 48(4): 546. Marino, L. (2008): Beautiful Minds-For How Long? PLoS Biology 6(7): e189. Quick, N.J. and V.M. Janik (2008): Whistle rates of wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): Influences of group size and behavior. Journal of Comparative Psychology 122(3): 305-311. Yeates, L.C. and D.S. Houser (2008): Thermal tolerance in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Experimental Biology 211(20): 3249-3257. Nollens, H.H. et al. (2008): Cross-reactivity of immunoglobulin G of whales and dolphins correlates with evolutionary distance. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology 15(10): 1547-1554. PINNIPEDIA Hanke, F.D. et al. (2008): Multifocal lenses in a monochromat: the harbour seal. Journal of Experimental Biology 211(20): 3315-3322. Ponganis, P.J. et al. (2008): Blood flow and metabolic regulation in seal muscle during apnea. Journal of Experimental Biology 211(20): 3323-3332. Voinov, V.B. et al. (2008): Behavioral and physiological adaptations of gray and Greenland seals to diving. Doklady Biological Sciences 420(1): 172-175. OTHER MARINE MAMMALS none -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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AZORES-NORWAY SPERM WHALE PHOTO-ID MATCHES
by Lisa Steiner 19 Oct '08

19 Oct '08

Sperm whale photo-id matches have just been discovered between the Azores and Norway. Photo-id began in the Azores in 1987, with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and in Norway in 1989. Matching photos has been attempted between the two locales since 1990 without success until now. Lisa Steiner, marine biologist for Whale Watch Azores, has teamed up with Luca Lamoni and Marta Acosta Plata, biologists working with Arctic Sea Cruises to match photos taken in Norway during the 2007 and 2008 seasons (thanks to Lena Petterson for making the introductions). One whale was observed in the Azores in 1999 and re-sighted in Norway in 2007. And two other matches were found to the 2008 Norway catalogue, one whale observed in the Azores in 1993 and the other in 2003. The matches were made using the Europhlukes Software, Phlex and Match. Photos taken in the Azores are routinely matched to photos taken elsewhere in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. When observed in the Azores the whales were classed as males; by their size (males reach up to 18m while females only reach 12-13m) and these matches to Norway confirm that classification. Female sperm whales are not thought to migrate to high latitudes. We do not know where these whales have been in the intervening years. “Teenage” male sperm whales usually form bachelor groups, after leaving the maternal group, until they reach breeding age when they usually occur singly or in pairs. Prior to these matches, the only other confirmed long-range photo-id match for Azorean sperm whales was a female observed in the Azores in 1990 and re-sighted in the Canaries in 1993 from “Song of the Whale” IFAW’s research boat. This finding shows how useful whale watching platforms can be for collecting photo-id data when operators collaborate together. We hope to publish these data in 2009. Anyone with photo-id pictures of sperm whales is encouraged to submit them to a database such as NAMSC (run by IFAW) to further this type of work. Potential contributors can contact me at wwa2(a)yahoo.com. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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Florida Manatee Photo-identification Internships
by Johnson, Jennifer 17 Oct '08

17 Oct '08

Manatee Photo-identification Internships The manatee photo-identification program is based in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). FWRI is the research arm of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a state agency of Florida. For more information about FWRI, please visit: http://Research.MyFWC.com. FWRI's manatee photo-identification research focuses on the long-term monitoring of Florida manatees in southwest Florida. The primary goal of our program is to document individual manatees. These capture histories are used to estimate annual adult survival rates and to model population dynamics for state and federal assessments of Florida manatee status and recovery. Photo-identification data also provide insight regarding manatee movements, site fidelity, habitat use, behavior, intra- and inter- specific associations, and reproductive parameters such as calving intervals and length of calf dependency. Interns will primarily assist staff members with photographing manatees and collecting behavioral and environmental data at sites around Tampa Bay. Interns will also be responsible for a number of lab-based photo-identification tasks, such as downloading images, database entry, and matching images to known animals. Interns often collect data independently in the field, thus responsible, detail oriented applicants are encouraged to apply. Most field work is land-based, however during the winter session opportunities are available to assist with boat-based manatee photo-identification. Other responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, data entry, special projects, and outreach activities. This internship provides a great opportunity to gain valuable field and lab experience at a government agency. Five positions are available each year: two positions in the winter (December-March), one position in the spring (March-May), one position in the summer (June-August), and one position in the fall (September-November). Start and end dates are flexible. There is no compensation for these internship positions and successful applicants will be responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from the Institute. Positions are open until filled. Qualifications: * Basic computer proficiency; Microsoft Access literacy preferred; * Working knowledge of SLR digital cameras, filters, and lenses preferred, but not required; * The ability to lift approximately 50 pounds of equipment; * A valid U.S. Driver's License; * Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab based research methods; * A willingness to spend a minimum of three months working four days per week with our program. Application process: Please submit your cover letter, resume, college transcripts (unofficial are sufficient), and the contact information for three references via hardcopy to FWRI's Intern Coordinator, Dr. William Arnold, at the address listed below. Alternatively, application materials may be submitted via email to ManateeInterns(a)MyFWC.com. Please indicate in your cover letter the position for which you are applying and the dates you are available. Dr. William S. Arnold - Internship Coordinator Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 100 8th Avenue SE St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Applicants may contact FWRI's Manatee Photo-identification Project Manager, Kari Rood, (Kari.Rood(a)MyFWC.com, 727-896-8626 x1912) with questions regarding the internship.

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GIS shapefile available for pinniped haulouts in Oregon, USA
by Bryan Wright 17 Oct '08

17 Oct '08

Dear colleagues, As part of a marine reserve site selection process in Oregon, a number of coastal Oregon GIS layers are now publicly available at http://www.oregonmarinereserves.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=ca tegory&sectionid=9&id=42&Itemid=84 including a pinniped haul-out layer that we recently created http://www.oregonmarinereserves.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=vi ew&id=126&Itemid=84 We hope the availability of this layer may be of use to those studying pinniped haul-out site selection (e.g., Ban and Trites 2007 "Quantification of terrestrial haul-out and rookery characteristics of Steller sea lions") and related subjects. Please contact me (AFTER reading the metadata) if you have any questions about this layer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bryan Wright, Biometrician Marine Mammal Research Program Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 7118 NE Vandenberg Ave. Corvallis, OR 97330, USA (541) 757-4186 x225 (541) 757-4252 (fax) bryan.e.wright(a)state.or.us ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Request for literature/information on Marine Mammal interaction with submarine cables/electromagnetic fields
by Katharine Savage 17 Oct '08

17 Oct '08

Greetings, With the current need for alternative energy sources, we are starting to assess a number of pilot projects dealing with hydrokinetic/tidal energy. These projects involve either buried or free submarine cables and I am finding there's a dearth of information regarding marine mammal interactions with cable systems, e.g. entanglements, or potential effects of electromagnetic fields. I do have a document by Norman and Lopez (2002) and various articles on wind farm issues, but was wondering if anyone is aware of further information. I have accessed the various databases in NOAA's Seattle library, and, of course,Google Scholar without much success. If anyone can recommend other specific sources to check, that would be great as well. Thank you, Kate Savage katharine.savage(a)noaa.gov -- Katharine Savage, Marine Mammal Specialist Protected Resources Division NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Region Ph: 907-586-7312 Fax: 907-586-7012

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