February 2009 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

VISA Informatin and Early Registration for IMCC!
by Caryn Self-Sullivan 09 Feb '09

09 Feb '09

The early registration discount deadline for the IMCC is February 15th! Travel and Visa Information is located on the IMCC Website Travel page: http://www2.cedarcrest.edu/imcc/travel.html Workshop: Improving the contribution of marine protected areas to the conservation of sirenians This workshop is being held in conjunction with the Society for Conservation Biology Marine Section's International Marine Conservation Congress "Making Marine Science Matter" in Washington, DC, 19-24 May 2009. The workshop consists of three two-hour sessions on May 21-23, and a joint wrap-up session on May 24th. It will: (1) review the strengths and weaknesses of the role of MPAs in sirenian conservation through invited regional overview ; (2) provide an overview of contemporary research to provide the natural and social science base for present sirenian conservation and MPA design through an interactive poster session; and (3) determine the features of MPAs that have proved effective in conserving sirenians through an interactive, facilitated group exercise. Registration for the IMMC is required and may be completed via the weblink above. Early registration (by February 15th) is discounted! For more information, please contact Ellen Hines , Helene Marsh , Cyndi Taylor , or Caryn Self-Sullivan .

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New publications week 43+44
by Jan Herrmann 09 Feb '09

09 Feb '09

Dear all, here are some new publications of weeks 43+44/ 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 Acutis, P.L. et al. (2008): Comment on "Comparative genomic analysis of the whale (Pseudorca crassidens) PRNP locus''. Genome 51(12): 1062. Alter, S.E. et al. (2009): Mitochondrial and Nuclear Genetic Variation across Calving Lagoons in Eastern North Pacific Gray Whales (Eschrichtius robustus). Journal of Heredity 100(1): 34-46. Benoit-Bird, K.J. and W.W.L. Au (2009): Cooperative prey herding by the pelagic dolphin, Stenella longirostris. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 125(1): 125-137. Currey, R.J.C. et al. (2008): Abundance and demography of bottlenose dolphins in Dusky Sound, New Zealand, inferred from dorsal fin photographs. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 42(4): 439-449. Tezanos-Pinto, G. et al. (2009): A Worldwide Perspective on the Population Structure and Genetic Diversity of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in New Zealand. Journal of Heredity 100(1): 11-24. Torres, L.G. (2008): A kaleidoscope of mammal, bird and fish: habitat use patterns of top predators and their prey in Florida Bay. Marine Ecology Progress Series 375(): 289-304. Hester, K.C. et al. (2008): Unanticipated consequences of ocean acidification: A noisier ocean at lower pH. Geophysical Research Letters 35(): L19601. PINNIPEDIA Gaydos, J.K. et al. (2008): Novel and canine genotypes of Giardia duodenalis in Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi). Journal of Parasitology 94(6): 1264-1268. Horning, M. et al. (2008): Intraperitoneal implantation of life-long telemetry transmitters in otariids. BMC Veterinary Research 4(51): . Stewart, R.E.A. (2008): Redefining walrus stocks in Canada. Arctic 61(3): 292-308. Wolf, N. and M. Mangel (2008): Multiple hypothesis testing and the declining-population paradigm in Steller sea lions. Ecological Applications 18(8): 1932-1955. Zabka, T.S. et al. (2009): Characterization of a Degenerative Cardiomyopathy Associated with Domoic Acid Toxicity in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). Veterinary Pathology 46(1): 105-119. OTHER MARINE MAMMALS Clark, D.A. et al. (2008): Polar bear conservation in Canada: defining the policy problems. Arctic 61(4): 347-360. Hobson, K.A., I. Stirling, and D.S. Andriashek (2009): Isotopic homogeneity of breath CO2 from fasting and berry-eating polar bears: implications for tracing reliance on terrestrial foods in a changing Arctic. Canadian Journal of Zoology 87(1): 50-55. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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Abstracts - Aquatic Mammals, vol. 34, issue 4; 2008
by Dagmar Fertl 06 Feb '09

06 Feb '09

Dear Marmam and ECS-mailbase subscribers, Apologies to those of you who will get duplicate emails due to cross-posting. The following are abstracts from the most recent issue of Aquatic Mammals, the scientific peer-reviewed journal of the European Association for Aquatic Mammals (EAAM). Abstracts are presented as a courtesy to the EAAM and the journal editors – Drs. Jeanette Thomas (managing editor; aquaticmammals(a)gmail.com) and Kathleen Dudzinski (co-editor; kdudzinski(a)dolphincommunicationproject.org) The journal publishes papers dealing with all aspects of the care, conservation, medicine and science of aquatic mammals. The journal receives support of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA). For more information on the journal, please go to: http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/. Contact information is provided for the corresponding author for each article. Please do not contact the listserve editors or me for pdfs or copies of the articles. Thank you for your continued interest in the journal and these postings. With regards, Dagmar Fertl Ziphius EcoServices dfertl(a)gmail.com http://www.ziphiusecoservices.com Walker, K.A.*, J.W. Davis, and D.A. Duffield. 2008. Activity budgets and prey consumption of sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in Washington. Aquatic Mammals 34(4):393-401. *email: walkerkr(a)interchange.ubc.ca Northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) were extirpated from the Washington coast in the early 1900s. Reintroductions of sea otters from Amchitka Island, Alaska, occurred in 1969 and 1970. By 2005, 814 sea otters occupied a range from Destruction Island north to Makah Bay. The focus of this study was to investigate diurnal activity budgets and variability in prey consumption at four locations in the current Washington sea otter range to test hypotheses concerning population growth potential and local impact of sea otters on prey availability. Overall, sea otters primarily spent their daylight hours resting (62.3%), grooming (19.7%), and feeding (7.6%). These activities varied by location. Diet consisted predominantly of crabs, clams, and sea stars. In each study area, one main prey item comprised 33.4 to 64.4% of the total prey consumed; however, the main prey item differed among locations. Of the foraging dives observed, 81.4% were successful. Average dive duration was 35.6 s; however, this varied among locations as well. The study locations were utilized differently—some as resting sites and others as feeding sites. The low diurnal feeding activity found in this study indicates that food availability was high, suggesting that this Washington population of sea otters is currently below equilibrium density. ************************************************************ Timmel, G.*, S. Courbis, H. Sargeant-Green, and H. Markowitz. 2008. Effects of human traffic on the movement patterns of Hawaiian spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) in Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii. Aquatic Mammals 34(4):402-411. *email: gtimmel(a)berkeley.edu Kealakekua Bay is an important resting site for Hawaiian spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) and is popular with both local residents and tourists. Human activities occurring here include swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and motor-boating. The objectives of this study were to document movement patterns of dolphin groups in Kealakekua Bay, to determine if different types and levels of human activity within the bay result in quantifiable changes in dolphin group movement patterns, and to provide baseline data for future studies. Theodolite tracking was used to assess responses of dolphin groups to human traffic. Variables examined included group mean leg speed (leg speed: the distance between two consecutive theodolite fixes of a dolphin group divided by time; mean leg speed: the average of all leg speeds comprising a track) and group reorientation rate. Swimmers and/or vessels were present within 100 m of all dolphin groups tracked during all surveys. Regression analyses were used to examine potential relationships between dolphin group related variables (e.g., reorientation rate, mean leg speed) and variables related to human activities (e.g., swimming, kayaking, motor-boating). Increasing levels of human activity had a limited but measurable effect on the movement patterns of Hawaiian spinner dolphin groups at this site. **************************************************************************************** Halvorsen, K.M.*, and E.O. Keith. 2008. Immunosuppression cascade in the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Aquatic Mammals 34(4):412-419. *email: Katherinemarina(a)gmail.com The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) is a federally endangered marine mammal that resides on both coasts of the Florida peninsula. The species faces many anthropogenic and natural threats, including boat strikes, exposure to harmful algal blooms, and cold water temperatures. We have developed a conceptual model that depicts how changes in the environment, such as reduced water temperature, can trigger an immunosuppressive cascade of interrelated diseases and pathological conditions ultimately leading to the death of the animal. Although the Florida manatee has a relatively robust immune system, rendering it resistant to several diseases, the onset of unfavorable environmental conditions has been shown to compromise the immune system, often leading to infections that make an animal more susceptible to opportunistic pathogens. In this paper, we review several common diseases of the Florida manatee and compare and contrast their symptoms. We then interrelate these diseases and generate a conceptual model of a cascade of immunosuppressive conditions originally triggered by adverse environmental conditions or one of the diseases. The end result of the cascade is the death of the animal. Kastelein, R.A.*, and P.J. Wensveen. 2008. Effect of two levels of masking noise on the hearing threshold of a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) for a 4.0 kHz signal. Aquatic Mammals 34(4):420-425. *email: researchteam(a)zonnet.nl The 50% detection hearing thresholds of a harbor porpoise for a 4.0 kHz narrow-band FM signal, presented at the background noise level in a pool and with two masking noise levels, were measured using a go/no-go response paradigm and an up-down staircase psychometric method. The masker consisted of a ⅙-octave noise band with a center frequency of 4.25 kHz. Its amplitude declined at 24 dB/octave on both sides of the spectral plateau. The absolute hearing threshold of the porpoise, found previously, was confirmed. The animal's auditory system responded in a linear fashion to the increase in masking noise. Since the narrow-band noise was off-center of the test frequency, the critical ratio of a harbor porpoise for 4.0 kHz tonal signals in white noise can at present only be estimated to be between 18 and 21 dB re: 1 μPa. ********************************************************* Pereira, J.N.D.S.G. 2008. Field notes on Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) distribution, social ecology, behaviour, and occcurrence in the Azores. Aquatic Mammals 34(4):426-435. *email: jngpereira(a)oma.pt This study reports new information on Grampus griseus (G. Cuvier, 1812) distribution with depth and slope, group size, general and interspecific behaviour, and calving intervals for the Azorean archipelago. Observations are in agreement with scarce previous work and most other regions in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. Data were collected on 107 sightings south of Pico Island that took place between 17 May and 29 August 2003 from opportunistic research platforms. Information on occurrence, provided by an observer with 50 y of land-based cetacean experience, was included for comparison. Risso's dolphins preferred areas between 497 and 1,233 m depth (modal class 600 to 650 m; N = 69), with slopes between 27 and 35%, although these data require validation. The majority of groups were composed of up to 20 individuals (modal 6 to 10), averaging 12.3 (1 to 55; N = 74). Large socializing aggregations observed during July and August (55 to ∼175 individuals) were similar to land-based observations between 1992 and 2005.G. griseus's diurnal activities in this study were mostly traveling (77%) and socializing (13%), with feeding (5%) and resting (3.7%) occurring less frequently. The first newborn calves are reported. Two-species groups and interactions with six cetacean species are described. Harassment behaviours with Globicephala spp. and Physeter macrocephalus suggest competitive interference. Year-round observations between 1992 and 2005 near Pico Island, together with birth reports and recent data on site fidelity, suggest population residency. Weir, C.R.*, S. Canning, K. Hepworth, I. Sim, and K.A. Stockin. 2008. A long-term opportunistic photo-identification study of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) off Aberdeen, United Kingdom: Conservation value and limitations. Aquatic Mammals 34(4):436-447. *email: c.r.weir(a)abdn.ac.uk The waters of the Inner Moray Firth were designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in 2005 for the conservation of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in northeast Scotland. However, the long-term conservation of this population requires monitoring throughout its entire known range. Opportunistic photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins occurred during 65 cetacean surveys conducted between 1999 and 2008 in the coastal waters of Aberdeenshire. A total of 88 bottlenose dolphin photo-identification encounters resulted in one to 45 animals identified per survey. The minimum annual total population size based on marked animals alone was 62 individuals, and the discovery curve indicated that the population has not yet been adequately sampled. Of 40 highly distinctive adult animals, the annual sighting rate ranged from 0.167 (seen in one year only) to 1.000 (seen every year). The cumulative monthly sighting rate varied from 0.091 (photographed in one month only) to 0.636 (photographed during seven of the 11 combined survey months in the 2001 to 2008 study period). The overall seasonal occurrence of dolphins off Aberdeenshire peaked during May and June, when 65% of distinctively marked animals were recorded per month (combined data for 2001 to 2008). Eighty-four percent of distinctively marked dolphins were matched with those photographed in the Inner Moray Firth, while 93% were matched with those photographed in the southern Outer Moray Firth. Despite its opportunistic nature, the photo-identification study provided valuable information on a population of bottlenose dolphins in a poorly studied part of their range. The high percentage of matches with dolphins from the Moray Firth SAC indicates that over half of the known northeast Scotland population uses the Aberdeenshire region, and some individuals do so regularly. The frequent occurrence off Aberdeen of bottlenose dolphins from a protected SAC has repercussions for the conservation and management of the population and for the effectiveness of the SAC for their long-term protection. Richlen, M.F.*, and J.A. Thomas. 2008. Acoustic behavior of Antarctic killer whales (Orcinus orca) recorded near the ice edge of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Aquatic Mammals 34(4):448-457. *email: richlen(a)hawaii.edu Underwater acoustic recordings of a group of seven to nine killer whales (Orcinus orca) were made opportunistically along a lead within the fast-ice in McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica in early December 1979. At the time of the recordings, the killer whale group was chasing Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae); however, no predation events were observed. A total of 87 min and 39 s were recorded and examined, with 506 sounds analyzed. The animals produced echolocation clicks, buzz sequences, pulsed signals, and whistles. Seven previously undocumented call types were described from these killer whales based on consistent aural and spectrographic analysis of signals. Acoustic measurements were made in the frequency and time domains using spectrographic and power spectrum analysis. This preliminary study is the first quantitative report on the acoustic features of underwater sounds produced by a specific group of killer whales in Antarctic waters. The acoustic characteristics are similar to sounds described from killer whale populations throughout the world, and the consistent repetition of call types suggests a pod-specific repertoire. Three different ecotypes of killer whales have been described in Antarctic waters based on their color pattern, habitat use, and prey preference. The group of animals recorded in this study is believed to be Type C killer whales based on photographs as well as behavioral observations at the surface. In order to compare vocal repertoires and acoustic behavior with analogous sympatric ecotypes from, for example, the Northeast Pacific, it will be necessary to analyze calls made from the other known Antarctic ecotypes. Acoustic analyses could very likely be a reliable diagnostic tool for identifying sympatric ecotypes in Antarctic waters. Oviedo, L.*, H.M. Guzman, L. Flórez-González, J.C. Alzueta, and J.M. Mair. 2008. The song of the southeast Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) off Las Perlas Archipelago, Panama: Preliminary characterization. Aquatic Mammals 34(4):458-463. *email: leninovi1(a)gmail.com Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) aggregate in winter breeding and calving grounds in tropical waters. Acoustic features of song produced by males in breeding wintering areas remain unknown for many breeding sites such as those located in Central America. In other areas, recordings of humpback whale songs in wintering grounds have been used to establish geographical differences among populations. Previous investigations have revealed that geographically isolated populations produce distinctive songs. This study represents the first efforts to record and analyze songs from the Southeastern Pacific stock of M. novaeangliae in the tropical wintering grounds off Central America. The aim of this study was to characterize underwater sounds of whales recorded in Las Perlas Archipelago, Panama. The acoustical structure of the themes for years 2006 and 2007 was typical of songs recorded in other wintering areas. As a result of this analysis, Las Perlas Archipelago should be identified as a critical area for breeding humpback whales. Simard, P.*, D.A. Mann, and S. Gowans. 2008. Burst-pulse sounds recorded from white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris). Aquatic Mammals 34(4):464-470. *email: psimard(a)mail.usf.edu Dolphin sounds are generally categorized as tonal whistles or pulsed clicks. Pulsed signals in dolphins are usually associated with echolocation; however, an increasing number of species have been found to produce burst-pulse signals, which may be used for communication. Groups of white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) were recorded near Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, with a hydrophone towed 25 m behind the boat at a depth of approximately 5 m and an M-Audio 24/96 digital recorder (16 bit, 96 kHz). During one 50-min encounter, 10 burst-pulse segments were recorded. Mean burst-pulse duration was 0.33 s (SD 0.17 s, range 0 3 to 0.60 s). Peaks from burst-pulses were accurately identified with a MATLAB software-based signal detection and analysis program in nine segments of the recordings, totaling 521 individual peaks. Mean pulse rate was 719 Hz (SD 207 Hz, range 423 to 1,103 Hz), while the mean pulse period was 1.39 ms (SD 0.41 ms, range 0.91 to 2.36 ms). Mean peak frequency was 35.3 kHz (SD 11 kHz, range 1.5 to 46.5 kHz), and mean 3-dB bandwidth was 5.1 kHz (SD 1.4 kHz, range 3 to 10.5 kHz). Maximum received level was 159 dB re 1 μPa. The observed pulse rates were likely too rapid to be of use for echolocation. These sounds were made immediately before the group began actively swimming away from the boat at high speed, suggesting that they were used for communication as has been proposed for other species of dolphins. This is the first time burst-pulses have been quantitatively analyzed for this genus of dolphin. Ridgway, S.H. 2008. History of veterinary medicine and marine mammals: A personal perspective. Aquatic Mammals 34(4):471-513. *no email address provided. Contact information: U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, CA 92152, USA and Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA Dr. Ridgway is one of the founding fathers of marine mammal medicine, having completed the lion's share of the seminal work in marine mammal medicine, while continuing to this day to promote both applied and basic research in the field of marine mammalogy. He has published over 250 papers, book chapters and books, including one of the most definitive works on marine mammals, Mammals of the Sea, published in 1972. He has spent his entire career working for the US Navy Marine Mammal Program. Di Guardo, G. 2008. Dolphin morbillivirus in the Mediterranean Sea. Aquatic Mammals 34(4):514-515. *email: gdiguardo(a)unite.it No abstract provided. This is a letter to the editor. _________________________________________________________________ Get more out of the Web. Learn 10 hidden secrets of Windows Live. http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!5…

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Sirenian Workshop at the SCB IMMC 21-24 May, 2009, Washington, DC
by Caryn Self-Sullivan 06 Feb '09

06 Feb '09

Workshop: Improving the contribution of marine protected areas to the conservation of sirenians This workshop is being held in conjunction with the Society for Conservation Biology Marine Section's International Marine Conservation Congress "Making Marine Science Matter" in Washington, DC, 19-24 May 2009. URL: http://www2.cedarcrest.edu/imcc/index.html The workshop consists of three two-hour sessions on May 21-23, and a joint wrap-up session on May 24th. It will: (1) review the strengths and weaknesses of the role of MPAs in sirenian conservation through invited regional overview ; (2) provide an overview of contemporary research to provide the natural and social science base for present sirenian conservation and MPA design through an interactive poster session; and (3) determine the features of MPAs that have proven effective in conserving sirenians through an interactive, facilitated group exercise. Registration for the IMMC is required and may be completed via the weblink above. For more information, please contact Ellen Hines (ehines(a)sfsu.edu) Helene Marsh (helene.marsh(a)jcu.edu.au) Cyndi Taylor (taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org) or Caryn Self-Sullivan (cselfsullivan(a)georgiasouthern.edu) Workshop: Improving the contribution of marine protected areas to the conservation of sirenians This workshop is being held in conjunction with the Society for Conservation Biology Marine Section's International Marine Conservation Congress "Making Marine Science Matter" in Washington, DC, 19-24 May 2009. The workshop consists of three two-hour sessions on May 21-23, and a joint wrap-up session on May 24th. It will: (1) review the strengths and weaknesses of the role of MPAs in sirenian conservation through invited regional overview ; (2) provide an overview of contemporary research to provide the natural and social science base for present sirenian conservation and MPA design through an interactive poster session; and (3) determine the features of MPAs that have proved effective in conserving sirenians through an interactive, facilitated group exercise. Registration for the IMMC is required and may be completed via the weblink above. For more information, please contact Ellen Hines , Helene Marsh , Cyndi Taylor , or Caryn Self-Sullivan .

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Sirenian Workshop at the SCB IMMC 21-24 May, 2009, Washington, DC
by Caryn Self-Sullivan 06 Feb '09

06 Feb '09

Workshop: Improving the contribution of marine protected areas to the conservation of sirenians This workshop is being held in conjunction with the Society for Conservation Biology Marine Section's International Marine Conservation Congress "Making Marine Science Matter" in Washington, DC, 19-24 May 2009. The workshop consists of three two-hour sessions on May 21-23, and a joint wrap-up session on May 24th. It will: (1) review the strengths and weaknesses of the role of MPAs in sirenian conservation through invited regional overview ; (2) provide an overview of contemporary research to provide the natural and social science base for present sirenian conservation and MPA design through an interactive poster session; and (3) determine the features of MPAs that have proved effective in conserving sirenians through an interactive, facilitated group exercise. Registration for the IMMC is required and may be completed via the weblink above. For more information, please contact Ellen Hines , Helene Marsh , Cyndi Taylor , or Caryn Self-Sullivan .

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Dolphins at Santa Monica Pier
by Maddalena Bearzi 05 Feb '09

05 Feb '09

Hi Emily, This behavior is quite common in Santa Monica Bay even if sea lions usually forage more with common dolphins than bottlenose dolphins in this area. I wrote a publication about sea lion and dolphin aggregations during feeding activities in the bay back in 2006 entitled: Bearzi, M. 2006. California sea lions use dolphins to locate food. Journal of Mammalogy 87(3):606617. I also have photos and videos of these animals feeding together on sardines or anchovies. You can download the PDF of the publication from the Ocean Conservation website at http://www.oceanconservation.org/research/publications.htm Please, feel free to share this information with any Marmam member. Sincerely, Maddalena Bearzi Maddalena Bearzi, Ph.D. Ocean Conservation Society, President P.O. Box 12860 Marina del Rey, CA 90295 - USA ph.310.8225205, fax 310.8225729 mbearzi(a)earthlink.net http://www.oceanconservation.org

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ONR Call for Proposals: Remote Release Device for Marine Mammal Electronic Tags
by Weise, Michael 05 Feb '09

05 Feb '09

US Department of Defense (DOD) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs invites small business firms and research institutions to jointly submit proposals to develop a radio-activated, remotely triggered device that would release a tag package (archival and/or satellite-linked tags) attached to a marine mammal without the need to disturb the tagged animal. Background: To improve the amount and quality of data recovered from marine mammal electronic tags, the U.S. Navy is interested in developing a remotely triggered self-detaching recoverable unit. Corrosive links attached to tags that are glued to animals have been used previously, but not knowing the exact time of the release is inconvenient and decreases the probability of tag recovery. A radio triggered device could be released by investigators when animals are sighted. The tag package (archival or satellite-linked tag attached to the animal by a RRD) could be released without necessitating the animal's recapture. Requirements: Each recoverable tag and RRD attached to the animal should have a unique and specific radio frequency and should be activated by a small handheld transmitter with a FCC approved coded radio signal and a transmission range of 2 - 3.5 km line of sight to the tagged animal. The RRD requires a receiver with a rechargeable or replaceable battery and antennae. To survive extreme pressures and hydrodynamic drag experienced by diving animals, the RRD receiver should be a small and lightweight electronic package capable of accepting tag packages up to 370g, good to a depth of 1500-2000m, battery life good up to 1 year, and adaptable to secure to various mechanisms of attachment to the animal (glue to pelage, suction cups, implantable attachments). Deadlines: 27 January 2009 - Pre-release of solicitation 24 February 2009 - DOD begins accepting proposals 25 March 2009 - Deadline for receipt of proposals at 0600 EST. For more information on STTR program and eligibility/limitations go to http://www.dodsbir.net/solicitation/sttr09A/preface09A.htm. Go to www.dodsbir.net/topics and select topic # N09-T029 for more information on topic. For questions regarding topic please contact me before 24 February 2009. After 23 February 2009 all questions must be submitted via SITIS. Dr. Michael J. Weise Marine Mammals & Biological Oceanography Program Office of Naval Research - Code 32 One Liberty Center - Rm 1068 875 N. Randolph St. Arlington, VA 22203-1995 703.696.4533 office 703.696.2007 fax michael.j.weise(a)navy.mil

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Post Externship Program Request
by Kathleen Hannah 04 Feb '09

04 Feb '09

Externship Program The veterinary externship program is open to students who will be in their third or fourth year of veterinary studies at the time of their stay at The Marine Mammal Center. Resumes/applications for externships are due by February 1st, ONE year prior to the planned externship. For example, applications for the spring/summer of 2010 are due by February 1, 2009. Applications should include a letter of intent, curriculum vitae (resume), and two letters of recommendation. Students will be notified of their acceptance into the program by the end of April, one year prior to the planned externship. Externships are unpaid positions. Externships are scheduled for three-week periods between March 1 and September 15 of each year. Students should plan to spend a full three weeks at the Center. Shared housing is available at no cost in the Center's Extern Housing Unit located within the Marin Headlands. Transportation is the extern's responsibility; there is no public transportation to the Center. Priority for assignment to the best time slots is according to rank during the selection process. Please contact the Director of Human Resources via email for more information at lechleitnerj(a)tmmc.org<mailto:lechleitnerj@tmmc.org> or you can mail hard copies of completed resumes, letters of intent (cover letters), and letters of recommendation may be emailed to the Center at lechleitnerj(a)tmmc.org<mailto:lechleitnerj@tmmc.org> or mail hard copies of completed letters of intent, resumes & letters of recommendation to: The Extern Program, Director of Human Resources, The Marine Mammal Center, 2000 Bunker Road, Marin Headlands, Sausalito, CA 94965. No faxes or telephone calls please. For more information on the Center go to our website at www.marinemammalcenter.org<http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/>. Kathleen M. Hannah Volunteer Coordinator/Human Resources Assistant The Marine Mammal Center 2000 Bunker Road Sausalito, CA 94965 415.289.7374 hannahk(a)tmmc.org<mailto:hannahk@tmmc.org>

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new paper on fidelity to feeding areas in southern right whales
by Luciano Valenzuela 04 Feb '09

04 Feb '09

The following paper was published in /Molecular Ecology/'s EarlyView today. Isotopic and genetic evidence for culturally inherited site fidelity to feeding grounds in southern right whales (/Eubalaena australis/). Luciano O. Valenzuela, Mariano Sironi, Victoria J. Rowntree and Jon Seger. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2008.04069.x Abstract Ocean warming will undoubtedly affect the migratory patterns of many marine species, but specific changes can be predicted only where behavioural mechanisms guiding migration are understood. Southern right whales show maternally inherited site fidelity to near-shore winter nursery grounds, but exactly where they feed in summer (collectively and individually) remains mysterious. They consume huge quantities of copepods and krill, and their reproductive rates respond to fluctuations in krill abundance linked to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Here we show that genetic and isotopic signatures, analysed together, indicate maternally directed site fidelity to diverse summer feeding grounds for female right whales calving at Península Valdés, Argentina. Isotopic values from 131 skin samples span a broad range (-23.1 to -17.20/00?13C, 6.0 to 13.80/00?15N) and are more similar than expected among individuals sharing the same mitochondrial haplotype. This pattern indicates that calves learn summer feeding locations from their mothers, and that the timescale of culturally inherited site fidelity to feeding grounds is at least several generations. Such conservatism would be expected to limit the exploration of new feeding opportunities, and may explain why this population shows increased rates of reproductive failure in years following elevated sea-surface temperature anomalies off South Georgia, the richest known feeding ground for baleen whales in the South Atlantic. Thanks, Luciano Valenzuela -- Luciano O. Valenzuela Postdoctoral Researcher Department of Biology University of Utah 257 South 1400 East Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA Phone: 1-801-587-3405 valenzuela(a)biology.utah.edu http://ecophys.biology.utah.edu

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Dolphin and Sea Lion Feeding Behavior question
by Emily Pratt 04 Feb '09

04 Feb '09

Hi MARMAM'ers, An interesting spectacle has been happening off the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California for the last few days. Many of our seasoned Aquarium staff members have never seen anything like it. Does anyone have research which documents the following behavior? Several dolphins, 4 at a time, flanked by sea lions on each end, are coordinating attacks on a massive bait ball of anchovies. The dolphins with sea lions on either side are one right next to the other (linear formation) and then attack the bait ball together. We've seen dolphins before doing similar behaviors. The sea lions joining in was new. The bait ball is at least one hundred yards in all directions from the pier. And it is so thick you cannot see past it, when you look down towards the bottom of the ocean. Thank you for any information. As we said, this is quite an incredible thing to see for us! Emily Pratt Heal the Bay/ Santa Monica Pier Aquarium _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways to connect. http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_AE_Faster_022009

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