September 2008 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

First announcement for the ECS 2009 Istanbul
by Bayram and Ayaka Öztürk 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

Dear All, We are pleased to announce that the 23rd Conference of the European Cetacean Society will be held in Istanbul, a city of wonders! Details are as follows: Date: 2-4 March 2009 (possible workshops on 28 February, 1 and 5 March 2009) Venue: Askeri Muzesi Kultur Sitesi (Military Museum Culture Complex), Istanbul, Turkey www.tsk.mil.tr/askerimuze/askeri_muze.htm (only in Turkish) Theme: Climate change and marine mammals As usual, we welcome offers of presentations on both the conference theme and other topics. Organized by: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) www.tudav.org (only in Turkish for the moment, but will be available in English shortly) Deadlines: a.. November 3, 2008 Abstracts submission, application for financial support, workshop submission, video submission for showing at the video night b.. January 7, 2009 Early registration c.. January 30, 2009 Late registration More details will be shown shortly on our conference website. If you have any questions, please contact ecs2009(a)tudav.org See you in Istanbul next year! Bayram Ozturk Ayaka Amaha Ozturk The Organizing Committee for ECS 2009 Istanbul TUDAV

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Job Opening - Right Whale Aerial Survey Team Leader
by Cynthia Taylor 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Wildlife Trust Right Whale Aerial Survey Team Leader Job Announcement Wildlife Trust is a non-profit wildlife research and conservation organization founded in 1971. Wildlife Trust works in the U.S. and worldwide to save threatened species from extinction, protect habitat, and improve ecological health through collaborative projects with scientists, educators, and policy experts. The Wildlife Trust team focuses its work on human-modified landscapes and seascapes where biodiversity is at risk because of habitat loss, disrupted ecosystems, and other environmental changes caused by humans. Job Location: South Carolina, USA Job Description: Right Whale Aerial Survey Team Leader This is a temporary, seasonal position contingent upon funding. Responsibilities will include: coordinating, overseeing and participating in right whale aerial survey projects in South Carolina from November through April, including hiring and supervising observers, coordinating aircraft support, scheduling staff and flights, managing and tracking budgets, managing data and photographic images, analyzing data and writing final reports, facilitating the transmittal of data to managers and other appropriate agencies, and presenting information to the scientific community. Minimum Qualifications: Previous marine mammal aerial survey and photo-identification experience is required. Applicants must be experienced in database entry and word processing. Strong administrative and supervisory skills are preferred. Aviation and marine safety and survival training will be provided. We are currently accepting applications from US citizens or permanent residents. Application Process: Please send cover letter, resume, and three references to HYPERLINK "mailto:taylor@wildlifetrust.org"taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org by September 19, 2008. Cynthia Taylor Director, Aquatic Conservation Program Senior Research Scientist Wildlife Trust 941-232-4587 HYPERLINK "mailto:taylor@wildlifetrust.org"taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org HYPERLINK "http://www.wildlifetrust.org/"www.wildlifetrust.org No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.19/1659 - Release Date: 9/8/2008 7:01 AM

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RESEARCH ASSISTANT- Right Whale Habitat Studies
by karen stamieszkin 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Dear MARMAM, Please note the CHANGE IN APPLICATION DEADLINE for the following position. RESEARCH ASSISTANT- Right Whale Habitat Studies The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (PCCS), a private, non-profit research, conservation, and education organization based in Provincetown, MA, is seeking a full-time Research Assistant for the 2009 winter/spring season (Jan. 2 – May 15) of the Right Whale Habitat Studies Program. The successful candidate will play an integral role in the rapid assessment and reporting of habitat characteristics that influence right whale distribution in the Cape Cod Bay Critical Habitat. Primary responsibilities include extensive time at sea conducting zooplankton sampling, microscopic identification and enumeration of zooplankton samples, right whale behavioral studies and photo-ID, and database management/data entry. Field work will likely occur in harsh winter weather conditions. Additional duties may involve assisting with field and laboratory operation of a Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profiler (CTD) and Optical Plankton Counter (OPC), and with the downloading and analysis of cruise data. Familiarity with the identification of Gulf of Maine zooplankton species is highly preferred, but not required. Experience with Microsoft Access and Excel, GIS software and biological oceanography software/data management techniques are preferred. Candidates must have a relevant 4-year college/university degree (B.A. or B.S.), should be highly motivated and independent, and should have strong attention to detail; completion of a Masters degree or equivalent experience is preferred. This position provides housing and a monthly stipend of approximately $2450. To learn more about PCCS and the Right Whale Habitat Studies Program, and to read field notes from last year's season, visit www.coastalstudies.org. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume with references to: Karen Stamieszkin Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies 5 Holway Ave. Provincetown, MA 02657 kstamieszkin(a)coastalstudies.org Email applications accepted. Position open until October 1, 2008.

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Job opening - San Francisco, CA
by Flannery, Moe 04 Sep '08

04 Sep '08

Hello All- We are currently hiring the following part-time position: Curatorial Assistant / Preparator - Ornithology & Mammalogy (ref. 4521) POSITION SUMMARY: Under supervision, performs duties related to specimen preparation, cataloging and archiving specimens, processing loans, collection maintenance and organization; assists in implementation of ongoing programs and provides departmental support as assigned. Assigned responsibilities for this position are diverse and range from average to difficult in nature and require advanced knowledge. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Processes specimens, including sorting, preparing, some identification, cataloging, labeling and integration... To view the job, click here: http://calacademy.snaphire.com/jobseeker/safelink=JSJD&O_p=2swl7& posted by: *** Maureen Flannery Collections Manager, Ornithology & Mammalogy California Academy of Sciences 415.379.5371 phone 415.379-5738 fax mflannery(a)calacademy.org www.calacademy.org <http://www.calacademy.org/> Reopening in Golden Gate Park 9.27.08

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Job Announcement - Right Whale Aerial Survey Observer
by Cynthia Taylor 04 Sep '08

04 Sep '08

Right Whale Aerial Survey Observers Wildlife Trust Wildlife Trust, a non-profit international research and conservation organization, is seeking temporary, seasonal aerial observers for marine mammal surveys from November 2008 through April 2009. These observer positions are in anticipation of research activities to be conducted in the southeast United States, specifically coastal Georgia and South Carolina. Anticipated research would require observers to fly up to four days per week, up to eight hours per day in a small, twin engine, high wing aircraft primarily to locate North Atlantic right whales in the Southeast U.S. calving ground. Surveys will be flown every day, weather permitting, and observers must be willing to work weekends and holidays during the survey period. Observers will be required to participate in aviation and marine safety and survival training. This is a temporary, 40 hour/week position at a salary rate of $14/hr. Health benefits are not provided with this position. Housing will be provided for the duration of the project. These positions are contingent upon funding. Qualifications: Applicants must be experienced in database entry and word processing and preferably other computer applications. The ability to live and work well in a team environment and withstand up to 8 hours per day in a small aircraft is required. Previous aerial or marine mammal survey experience and experience in photo-identification of large cetaceans is strongly desired. We are currently accepting applications from US citizens and permanent residents. Application Process: Please send cover letter, resume, and three references to HYPERLINK "mailto:taylor@wildlifetrust.org"taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org by September 17, 2008. ___________________________________ Cynthia Taylor Director, Aquatic Conservation Program Senior Research Scientist Wildlife Trust 941-232-4587 HYPERLINK "mailto:taylor@wildlifetrust.org"taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org HYPERLINK "http://www.wildlifetrust.org/"www.wildlifetrust.org No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.16/1650 - Release Date: 9/3/2008 4:13 PM

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Seeking volunteers for PhD project in Western Australia
by Kristel Wenziker 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

Hi all, I am seeking volunteers to help out on field work for my PhD project, Ecology of Bottlenose dolphins and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in the Ningaloo Reef-Exmouth region of Western Australia. The project investigates population sizes, spatial distribution and habitat usage patterns of humpback and bottlenose dolphins utilising the Ningaloo Marine Park and Exmouth Gulf region of Western Australia. It also aims to determine the social structure and movement patterns of these species. Field season dates are 1st December 2008 to 28th February 2009. Volunteers are asked to commit for a minimum of five days per week for 3-8 weeks and are asked to pay $100.00 per week to cover food and accommodation expenses. You will need to make your own way to Coral Bay. Accommodation is at the Coral Bay Research Station where we will be living in close quarters. Fieldwork is highly weather dependent and research will be conducted in a small (5.15 metre) research vessel in a team of three people so volunteers must be fit, adaptable and patient. Duties include boat handling, data recording, equipment maintenance and fin-matching. Coral Bay is a small town in the remote northwest of Western Australia and conditions at this time of the year will be very hot (e.g. 35° Celsius). Fieldwork will vary between weekends and weekdays so flexibility is required. If you would like to help out then please send your CV at your earliest convenience to k.wenziker(a)murdoch.edu.au <mailto:k.wenziker@murdoch.edu.au> Regards, Kristel Kristel Wenziker PhD Candidate School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit Murdoch University 90 South Street Murdoch WA 6150 Western Australia Email: k.wenziker(a)murdoch.edu.au <mailto:k.wenziker@murdoch.edu.au> Mobile: (+61) 0409 206 408

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New publications week 29
by Jan Herrmann 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 29/ 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 Beatty, B.L. and B.M. Rothschild (2008): Decompression syndrome and the evolution of deep diving physiology in the Cetacea. Naturwissenschaften 95(9): 793-801. Cowan, D.F., E.M. Haubold, and Y. Tajima (2008): Histological, Immunohistochemical and Pathological Features of the Pituitary Gland of Odontocete Cetaceans from the Western Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Comparative Pathology 139(2-3): 67-80. McGowen, M.R., C. Clark, and J. Gatesy (2008): The Vestigial Olfactory Receptor Subgenome of Odontocete Whales: Phylogenetic Congruence between Gene-Tree Reconciliation and Supermatrix Methods. Systematic Biology 57(4): 574-590. Arnason, U. et al. (2008): Mitogenomic relationships of placental mammals and molecular estimates of their divergences. Gene 421(1-2): 37-51. PINNIPEDIA Charrassin, J.-B. et al. (2008): Southern Ocean frontal structure and sea-ice formation rates revealed by elephant seals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 105(33): 11634-11639. Cronin, M.A. and B.J. McConnell (2008): SMS seal: A new technique to measure haul-out behaviour in marine vertebrates. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 362(1): 43-48. Holmes, A.L. et al. (2008): Metal tissue levels in Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups. Marine Pollution Bulletin 56(8): 1416-1421. Kastak, D. et al. (2008): Noise-induced permanent threshold shift in a harbor seal. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 123(5): 2986. Schusterman, R.J. and C. Reichmuth (2008): Sound production by pinnipeds can be modified by contingency learning. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 123(5): 3508. OTHER MARINE MAMMALS -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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Unique research internship with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
by Jason Allen 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

*Unique research internship with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program* The Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP), based at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, is the world's longest-running wild dolphin research program. The program's goal is to contribute to a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of populations of small cetaceans, as well as the natural and anthropogenic factors that impact them. The SDRP uses an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach in conducting studies of bottlenose dolphins within Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and the Gulf of Mexico coastal waters. For more information about the SDRP, please visit: TUwww.sarasotadolphin.orgUT <http://www.sarasotadolphin.org/>. The SDRP is in the process of selecting volunteer interns for the spring 2009 internship program (a minimum of 2 months of participation during 5 January - 24 April). The successful candidate(s) will have the unique opportunity to participate in three diverse research projects: 1) *Dolphin population monitoring project* (TUwww.sarasotadolphin.org/Ecology/monitor_2008.aspUT <http://www.sarasotadolphin.org/Ecology/monitor_2008.asp>) This study will continue to monitor the resident bottlenose dolphin community in Sarasota Bay. Duties in the field will include assisting with boat-based photographic identification surveys for dolphin groups. Behavioral, location, individual, and environmental data will be recorded for each dolphin group. While in the lab, work will generally involve photo-identification of dolphins, computer data entry, dolphin dorsal fin identification catalog maintenance, equipment maintenance and other duties (approx. 40% time); 2) *Dolphin prey** and habitat use project* (TUhttp://www.sarasotadolphin.org/Ecology/prey_2008.aspUT) This study will use the Sarasota dolphin community and fish populations to study predator-prey interactions and bioacoustics, specifically helping us to understand relationships between distributions of dolphins and their prey and factors that affect fish community ecology, such as red tide. While in the field, work will involve sampling of fish communities through purse seining techniques, recording of fish sounds via hydrophone and collection of other environmental data (approx. 15% time); 3) *Sea bird ecology project* (TUwww.sarasotadolphin.org/Health/redtide_2008.aspUT <http://www.sarasotadolphin.org/Health/redtide_2008.asp>) This study will look at the abundance, distribution and habitat use of sea birds in Sarasota Bay and the effects of red tide on those sea bird communities. In the field, this work will consist of boat-based point-count surveys of sea birds in four habitats. Behavior, distance, species, and environmental data will be recorded for each station (approx. 45% time). There is no compensation for these internship positions and successful applicants will be responsible for their own living and transportation expenses during the time of the internship. Shared housing opportunities near Mote Marine Laboratory may be available (cost: $75/week). Scholarships are available from Mote Marine Laboratory through a competitive application process. Applicants would ideally have the following qualifications: *Minimum of 18 years of age and engaged in or recently completed undergraduate studies; *A background or degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology or a related field; *Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (especially Excel and Access); *Some field research experience preferred but not required; *Must be able to swim; *Enthusiasm and desire to learn a variety of field and lab based research methods; *A willingness to spend a minimum of 2 - 3 months working full time with our program. *To apply for a **Sarasota** Dolphin Research Program internship, interested persons should:* 1) Fill out an application form by navigating to Mote Marine Laboratory's website (TUwww.mote.org/internsUT <http://www.mote.org/>) and following the education links to the college intern page. Be sure to select "Center for Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Research" as your first choice and then type in "Sarasota Dolphin Research Program" as the specific program; 2) Complete and provide to Mote's intern office all other application materials including: a statement of interest, current college transcript, letter of recommendation, and /curriculum vitae/; 3) Send a brief email to the SDRP's Lab Manager (Jason Allen, TUallenjb(a)mote.orgUT <mailto:allenjb@mote.org>) stating your name, contact information, exact dates available and that you have provided all of your application materials to the Mote intern office, as detailed above. All applications will be reviewed; those received by October 15P^th ^P will be given first priority. Applicants may contact Jason Allen (941-388-4441 ext. 452, TUallenjb(a)mote.orgUT <mailto:allenjb@mote.org>) in the SDRP with any questions. -- Jason Allen Lab Manager, Field Coordinator Sarasota Dolphin Research Program Chicago Zoological Society c/o Mote Marine Laboratory 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236 Tel: 941.388.4441 ext. 452 Fax: 941.388.4223

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strand feeding dolphin specimens?
by Brian Beatty 02 Sep '08

02 Sep '08

Hello all, My name is Brian, and I've been studying tooth wear in odontocetes. Of particular interest to me are odontocetes that perform "strand feeding" behaviors, which thus far has only included a handful of populations of delphinids. But my sample size of those is not as high as I would like it to be, and I suspect I am missing other populations of strand feeding odontocetes. If there are some collections of skeletal specimens of strand-feeding odontocetes in collections you know of, would you please contact me with suggestions for how to access them? I have been to many collections, but suspect that there are many that I am not familiar with that could really help. Thank you very much, Brian Brian L. Beatty, PhD Assistant Professor of Anatomy New York College of Osteopathic Medicine Northern Boulevard Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000 Phone: (516) 686-7435 Fax: (516) 686-3740 email: bbeatty(a)nyit.edu http://iris.nyit.edu/nycom/Departments/Anatomy/index.htm ****************************************************************************** This e- mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by e-mail and destroy all copies of the original. ******************************************************************************

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Job Posting
by Kathleen Hannah 02 Sep '08

02 Sep '08

RESEARCH ASSISTANT APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 The Marine Mammal Center is seeking applicants for the position of RESEARCH ASSISTANT to provide administrative support and research assistance to staff of the Veterinary Science Department. This is a full-time position with very good benefits. The Marine Mammal Center is dedicated to marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, release, research and education. Duties: Provide administrative and research assistance to the veterinary staff, including: data recording, entry and management; specimen storage and management, shipping assistance; necropsy assistance including carcass disposal, equipment maintenance and cleaning; coordination of sample requests and collaborative research projects; and library management. Requires: Bachelors degree in science; and computer skills in word processing, data entry and data management. Candidates must be physically fit and able to lift 45 lbs and to hike 5 miles. To apply, please send resume and salary requirements to: Director of Human Resources, The Marine Mammal Center, 1065 Fort Cronkhite, Marin Headlands, Sausalito, CA 94965-2609. OR email resume & salary requirements to: lechleitnerj(a)tmmc.org<mailto:lechleitnerj@tmmc.org>. Applications must be received by September 12, 2008. No phone calls or faxes please. The Marine Mammal Center is an equal opportunity employer. Kathleen Kathleen M. Hannah Volunteer Coordinator/Human Resources Assistant The Marine Mammal Center 1065 Fort Cronkhite Sausalito, CA 94965 415.289.7374 hannahk(a)tmmc.org

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