March 2009 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Marine Mammal Scientist and Passive Acoustic Monitoring System (PAMS) Operational Technician Vacancies
by Nick Robinson 26 Oct '10

26 Oct '10

Gardline Environmental Ltd is a member of the Gardline Marine Sciences Limited Group of Companies and are a successful Environmental contractor, operating a fleet of inshore boats, conducting major integrated offshore projects on a worldwide basis and inshore projects for major clients in the UK and overseas. As part of our continued growth there are immediate vacancies for the following positions: PAMS OPERATIONAL TECHNICIAN As a PAMS Operational Technician you will be responsible for the maintenance, despatch and receipt of all PAMS equipment. In addition, you will be expected to keep up to date with national and international development of PAMS and implement accordingly. Applicants will ideally be of degree calibre or equivalent in a relevant discipline and possess a full comprehension with the technical composition and use of PAMS. Ideally the candidate would have an understanding of marine mammals, their biology and identification and previous marine survey experience would be advantageous. MARINE MAMMAL SCIENTIST Reporting to the current Marine Wildlife Business Manager, you will be expected to undertaken and develop the application of marine mammal observations, monitoring and recording systems, the compilation and preparation of reports and the processing of observational data and possess a sound knowledge marine mammals, their biology and identification. Ideally you will be of degree calibre or equivalent, and demonstrate the ability to lead and develop projects from implementation to completion and illustrate sound commercial awareness. You will need to be a confident individual with a can do attitude and enjoy being challenged. Previous relevant marine oil and gas or renewable energy industry experience is advantageous. Both positions require the individual to spend in the region of 60 days at sea, dependent on project requirements, with the remaining time being office based (Great Yarmouth). As well as a competitive salary, these roles also include offshore allowances and a range of employee benefits, such as; personal and professional development, a further range of employee benefits and world wide travel opportunities. To apply for these positions please email your CV and covering letter to Allan Tucker, Recruitment Officer on recruitment(a)gardline.com. Closing date: 8th April 2009 Nick Robinson ________________________________ CONFIDENTIALITY - This e-mail and any attached files contain information that is confidential and/or may be subject of legal privilege, intended only for use by the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this message in error and that any dissemination, copying or use of this message or attachment is strictly forbidden, as is the disclosure of the information therein. If you have received this message in error please notify the sender immediately and preserve this confidentiality by deleting the message. No binding contract will result from this e-mail until and unless an officer, on behalf of the sender, signs a written document. Sender accepts no responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of this message as it has been transmitted over public networks. Unless otherwise specifically stated any views or opinions are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the sender Company.

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New paper - Dolphins and African apes: comparisons of sympatric socio-ecology
by Maddalena Bearzi 24 Jun '09

24 Jun '09

Dear Colleagues, This is to announce a new paper in the current issue of Contributions of Zoology entitled " Dolphins and African apes: comparisons of sympatric socio-ecology " co-authored by myself and Craig B. Stanford. Abstract Dolphins and African apes are distantly related mammalian taxa that exhibit striking convergences in their socioecology. In both cetaceans and African apes, two or more closely related species sometimes occur in sympatry. However, detailed reviews of the ways in which sympatric associations of dolphins and apes are similar have not been done. As fi eld studies of dolphins and apes have accumulated, comparisons of how the two groups avoid direct food competition when in sympatry have become possible. In this paper we review sympatric ecology among dolphins and African apes, and examine convergences in species-associations in each taxa. We review evidence for hypotheses that seek to explain avoidance of food competition, and consider whether ape-dolphin similarities in this area may be related to the way in which social groups in both taxa optimally exploit their food resources. For a free PDF copy please visit: http://dpc.uba.uva.nl/cgi/t/text/get-pdf?c=ctz;idno=7604a03 or send requests to: mbearzi(a)earthlink.net Regards, 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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Summer Dolphin Research Courses in Slovenia
by Tilen Genov 31 Mar '09

31 Mar '09

Dear list members, apologies for cross-posting. Summer Dolphin Research Courses in Slovenia Morigenos – marine mammal research and conservation society is organizing Summer Dolphin Research Camps in July, August and September 2009, where you can assist in the research programme of the Slovenian Dolphin Project. This is not dolphin-watching or ecotourism. Morigenos is a non-profit non-governmental organization from Slovenia, dedicated to cetacean research and conservation and to the preservation of the marine environment. More information on Morigenos can be found at www.morigenos.org. The list of scientific publications by Morigenos can be seen at http://www.morigenos.org/index.php?path=Publications Slovenian Dolphin Project is a long-term study on the ecology and conservation of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Slovenian and adjacent waters of the northern Adriatic Sea, carried out since 2002 by Morigenos. Summer Dolphin Research Camps offer people to join Morigenos team for 10 days and participate in its research activities. The camps include fieldwork (boat- and land-based, photo-identification), lectures, visits of natural monuments, etc. Anyone above the age of 16 can participate, regardless of nationality or field of expertise. No previous experience is required. Apart from research activities, the participants share everyday duties and chores with the team members. This includes cooking, washing up and general maintenance of the research base. Out in the field, the participants help searching for dolphins and collecting data. Detailed information on Summer Dolphin Research Camps can be found at http://www.morigenos.org/index.php?path=Raziskovalni_tabori<http://www.morigenos.org/> Food, accommodation and fee The participation fee is 300 EUR. This helps us cover part of our fieldwork expenses. Food and accommodation are included in the fee. Participants will be accommodated in Morigenos' research base (sleeping, cooking and working facility). They must arrange their own travel to and from Morigenos base. Applications There is no selection. Applications are treated on a "first-come, first-served" basis. Please send an e-mail to morigenos(a)morigenos.org for registration, preferred dates and possible questions. Detailed information can also be found at http://www.morigenos.org/index.php?path=Raziskovalni_tabori<http://www.morigenos.org/> ********************************************* Tilen Genov Morigenos - marine mammal research and conservation society Jarska cesta 36/a SI-1000 Ljubljana Slovenia morigenos(a)morigenos.org www.morigenos.org

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Publication on periodic structures in the Bottlenose Dolphin
by Simon Dible 31 Mar '09

31 Mar '09

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce a new paper published recently in IOP Bioinspiration & Biomimetics Dible, S.A., Flint, J.A., Lepper, P.A. *On the role of periodic structures in the lower jaw of the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin* (/Tursiops Truncatus/) Bioinspir. Biomim. 4 (2009) 015005 This article is available from http://stacks.iop.org/1748-3190/4/015005. if you have any problems downloading the article please contact me. ABSTRACT This paper proposes the application of band-gap theory to hearing in the atlantic bottlenose dolphin (/Tursiops truncatus/). Using the transmission line modelling (TLM) technique and published computed tomography (CT) data of an atlantic bottlenose dolphin (/Tursiops truncatus/), a series of sound propagation experiments have been carried out. It is shown that the teeth in the lower jaw can be viewed as a periodic array of scattering elements which result in the formation of an acoustic stop band (or /band gap/) that is angular dependent. It is shown through simple and complex geometry simulations that performance enhancements such as improved gain and isolation between the two receive paths can be achieved. This mechanism has the potential to be exploited in direction-finding sonar. Dr Simon Dible Applied Signal Processing Research Group Loughborough University Loughborough UK s.a.dible(a)lboro.ac.k

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Job announcement: Marine Mammal Coordinator/Observer and Observer Positions
by Pabst, D. Ann 31 Mar '09

31 Mar '09

The University of North Carolina Wilmington will be hiring a Coordinator/Observer and an Observer for a marine mammal and sea turtle bio-monitoring project. The team will conduct aerial and shipboard surveys for marine mammals and sea turtles in a proposed Navy training range off Jacksonville FL. Surveys will commence in May 2009, following a training period in North Carolina, and be conducted year-round. The research team will be stationed in northern Florida. The Coordinator will be expected to possess a 4-year degree (preferred in biology or marine biology), marine mammal survey experience, strong data management and photographic skills, scientific report writing experience and exceptional leadership and communication skills. Proficiency with ArcGIS 9, ArcView 3, or other GIS software is desirable. The observer will be expected to have marine mammal experience, strong data management and photographic skills, scientific report writing experience, graduation from high school and three years of related experience in laboratory work or an equivalent combination of training and experience (Bachelor's degree in biology and marine mammal survey experience preferred). UNC Wilmington actively fosters a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment and is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified men and women from all racial, ethnic, or other minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply. The closing date for these positions is April 8. For application information for these positions, please see: Marine Mammal Coordinator/Observer (Research Specialist): https://jobs.uncw.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=51144 Marine Mammal Observer (Research Technician): https://jobs.uncw.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=51142 D. Ann Pabst Biology and Marine Biology University of North Carolina Wilmington 601 S. College Rd. Wilmington, NC 28403 Phone: 910-962-7266 Fax: 910-962-4066 pabsta(a)uncw.edu<mailto:pabsta@uncw.edu>

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Summer Fieldworkers required for Moray Firth Dolphin Research
by Thompson, Professor Paul M. 31 Mar '09

31 Mar '09

We are seeking two experienced fieldworkers to work from early May on six-month contracts to support studies of the distribution and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins and other cetaceans in the Moray Firth, NE Scotland. Candidates should have experience of conducting boat-based marine fieldwork projects, and of using computer packages to organise and analyse field data. Experience of photo-identification techniques, use of electronic data recorders such as T-PODS and boat handling qualifications would all be highly desirable. Crucially, you must have proven ability to work effectively in small groups, good problem solving skills and a willingness to engage in the full range of field and lab-based tasks required to support a project of this kind. The post will be based at the University's Lighthouse Field Station in Cromarty (www.abdn.ac.uk/zoology/lighthouse) Small boat work will be based from the Field Station in Cromarty, but you may also be required to spend longer periods at sea on larger vessels. PLEASE NOTE - we are unable to consider applications from candidates for this post who require a work permit to work in the UK. Salary will be at the appropriate point on the Grade 3 salary scale (£17,026 per annum). To obtain further particulars and apply online for this position visit www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs or alternatively you may request an application pack by emailing your name and contact details to jobs(a)abdn.ac.uk or by telephoning our 24 hour answer service on (01224) 272727 quoting the job reference number YZY193S. The closing date for the receipt of applications is Friday 17 April 2009. The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.

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Abstracts - Aquatic Mammals, vol. 35(1); 2009
by Dagmar Fertl 30 Mar '09

30 Mar '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 Neale, J. C. C.*, K. R. Schmelzer, J. T. Harvey, E. A. Berg, R. J. Small, E. K. Grigg, S. G. Allen, and R. S. Tjeerdema. 2009. PCB and DDE contamination in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from north-central California and Bristol Bay, Alaska. Aquatic Mammals 35 (1):1-11. *Department of Natural Resources, American River College, 4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento, CA 95841, USA; E-mail: nealej(a)arc.losrios.edu In recent years, concerns have increased regarding accumulation of persistent, lipophilic contaminants by marine mammals. We quantified blood levels of the two most prevalent organochlorine (OC) contaminants of the marine ecosystem in a model species, the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) from three north-central California populations and a population in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Intensive sampling (n = 190) produced robust quantification of blood concentrations of selected PCBs and DDE, and allowed us to investigate factors affecting levels of these contaminants in seal populations with distinct environments and exposure histories. In the Alaskan samples, PCB and DDE levels were most strongly related to sex and age; OCs increased with age in males and decreased with age in females, likely due to cumulative exposure in males and load-dumping during lactation in females. Among females, an inverse relationship was observed between condition and PCB blood levels. In contrast, in the California seals, in which loads were generally much greater, pups had greater levels of PCBs and DDE than subadults and adults, suggesting stable to decreasing environmental contaminant levels. Spatial heterogeneity and seasonal differences also contributed substantially to variation among harbor seals in contaminant loads. These findings underscore the importance of accounting for demographic, geographic, seasonal, and physiological effects in toxicological studies of marine mammals. ************* Galindo, J. A.*, A. Serrano, L. Vázquez-Castán, c. González-Gándara, and M. López-Ortega. 2009. Cetacean diversity, distribution, and abundance in northern Veracruz, Mexico. Aquatic Mammals 35 (1):12-18. *Laboratorio de Mamíferos Marinos, Universidad Veracruzana, Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico, CP 92850; E-mail: arserrano(a)uv.mx or arturoserrano(a)prodigy.net.mx The distribution and abundance of marine mammals along the United States coast of the Gulf of Mexico are well-documented, but similar studies for the Mexican coast of the Gulf of Mexico are lacking. Furthermore, these animals are important indicators of the marine ecosystem health, and scientific research is needed to develop appropriate conservation strategies. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the diversity, distribution, and relative abundance of marine mammals in the northern coasts of Veracruz, Mexico. Boat-based surveys and aerial surveys were carried out from March 2005 to August 2006. The following species were observed: bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), spinner dolphin (S. longirostris), rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), and an unidentified species of a dolphin. Also, the remains of a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) were observed. The Margalef Diversity Index showed a value of 1.82 for the entire study area. There were differences in the species sightings across seasons. The abundance for the entire study area was 10,824 (%CV 25.05); the density was 1.45 cetaceans/km2 (%CV 25.05), and the cluster density was 0.71 cetaceans/km2 (%CV 15.25). The dry season showed a relative abundance of 1.98 cetaceans/h; the rainy season, 1.07 cetaceans/h; and the cold front season, 1.28 cetaceans/h. This is a first glimpse of cetacean population sizes in Mexico. Mexican authorities consider all marine mammal species to be under some conservation status, but they do not have population estimates. Supplementary studies will extend the information presented here for further refinement of cetacean diversity and distribution in Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Special effort is needed in deeper waters of the Mexican part of the Gulf of Mexico since there is no information about diversity and abundance of marine mammals for those areas. ********************** Richmond, J. P., and S. A. Zinn. 2009. Validation of heterologous radioimmunoassays (RIA) for growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in phocid, otariid, and cetacean species. Aquatic Mammals 35 (1):19-31. University of Connecticut, Department of Animal Science, 3636 Horsebarn Road Ext., Unit 4040, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; E-mail: julie.richmond(a)uconn.edu Growth hormone (GH) is a homeorhetic hormone that coordinates diverse physiological processes to partition nutrients toward lean tissue accretion and milk production, and to inhibit utilization of nutrients by adipose tissue, especially during periods of energy deficiency. Due to age-related declines in GH, GH is negatively correlated with overall growth rate and lipid accretion but positively associated with protein accretion. Circulating GH influences peripheral tissues directly or indirectly and is primarily mediated via an insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I. Similar to GH, age and nutrition influence IGF-I secretion. In general, IGF-I is positively associated with growth rate and accretion of protein. Since purified pinniped or cetacean GH and IGF-I are not available, heterologous assay techniques must be employed to quantify concentrations of these hormones. Critical to the reliability of heterologous assays are the proper execution of validations to demonstrate the accuracy and precision of the assay for each new species of interest. In this study, we developed and validated heterologous radioimmunoassays for seven marine mammal species using porcine and human antisera for GH and IGF-I quantification, respectively. Sensitivity, recovery of mass, assay precision, parallelism, and dilution linearity were determined for each assay and species. Both assays exhibited excellent parallelism and linearity. Appropriate concentrations of hormone were quantified throughout the range of the standard curve. Importantly, using these assays, we have demonstrated that serum concentrations of GH and IGF-I change with age and nutrient intake in these species. Validation of these assays allows evaluation of metabolic hormones that may provide unique perspectives on physiological regulation of differential growth and nutrient allocation for diverse marine mammal species. ************************ Kastelein, R. A.*, M. F. van Dooren, and D. Tibboel. 2009. A case study of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a juvenile striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). Aquatic Mammals 35 (1):32-35. *SEAMARCO (Sea Mammal Research Company), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands; E-mail: Researchteam(a)zonnet.nl Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) was observed in a stranded juvenile male striped dolphin. The 2- to 3-y-old animal had survived with its stomachs and intestines in the thoracic cavity, which had caused a large size difference between its two lungs. The animal also had a relatively small penis. The animal’s combination of anomalies was either due to a genetic syndrome or caused by maternal exposure to toxic agents. ******************** Dennison, S. E.*, L. Forrest, and F. M. D. Gulland. 2009. Normal thoracic radiographic anatomy of immature California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and immature northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). Aquatic Mammals 35 (1):36-42. * Department of Surgical Sciences (Radiology), School of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA; E-mail: dennison(a)svm.vetmed.wisc.edu Immature California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) without evidence of thoracic disease were radiographed under anesthesia. Important species-specific variations were noted on thoracic radiographs. For the California sea lions, the mean vertebral heart score was 8.65 from the left lateral view, and the cardiac silhouette occupied a mean of 66% of the internal thoracic width. The tracheal bifurcation in California sea lions was located at the level of the first thoracic vertebral body. For the northern elephant seals, there was variation in the number of thoracic vertebrae and ribs from 12 to 15, a lack of pulmonary lobation, and an indistinct cardiac silhouette. Cardiac measurements could only be made on ventrodorsal (VD) and dorsoventral (DV) digital radiographs where the cardiac silhouette occupied a mean of 62% of the internal thoracic width. The combination of smooth to rounded lung lobe margins with border effacement of the cardiac silhouette and diaphragmatic margin is an important, normal, species-specific finding of the northern elephant seal that could be easily mistaken for pleural effusion. The carina in the northern elephant seals was at the level of the fifth thoracic vertebral body. In both species, the aortic bulb was evident as a focal, fairly symmetrical cranial mediastinal widening cranial to the cardiac silhouette on the VD and DV views, resulting in the aorta being identifiable on both the right and the left. This is an important normal finding in marine mammals that should not be mistaken for pathology. Both species had a diffuse bronchointerstitial pulmonary pattern that was slightly more prominent in California sea lions. This finding was consistent with variation between these species in the tissues supporting the small airways.This prospective study serves as a normal reference for immature California sea lions and northern elephant seals in veterinary care. ********************* Howells, E. M.*, J. S. Reif, S. E. Sarah E. Bechdel, M. E. Murdoch, G. D. Bossart, S. D. McCulloch, and M. S. Mazzoil. 2009. A novel case of non-offspring adoption in a free-ranging Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Aquatic Mammals 35 (1):43-47. *Center for Marine Ecosystem Health, Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Ft. Pierce, FL 34946, USA; E-mail: ehowells(a)hboi.fau.edu Wild and captive epimeletic care has been reported worldwide in many different species of cetaceans. Epimeletic care can be described as nurturant or succorant in nature. While adoption can be considered an example of nurturant behavior, to date there have been no reported cases of permanent adoption among wild cetaceans. During routine photo-identification surveys, an adult female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was found in the presence of a young calf that was not her own. This mother-calf-like relationship lasted nearly 2 y until the death of the allomother. This paper documents a novel case of free-ranging bottlenose dolphin adoption that occurred in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. ************** Mignucci-Giannoni, A. A.*, R. J. Rosario-Delestre, M. M. Alsina-Guerrero, L. Falcón-Matos, L. Guzmán-Ramírez, J. Williams, E.H., G. D. Bossart, and J. S. Reidenberg. 2009. Asphyxiation in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) from Puerto Rico due to choking on a black margate (Anisotremus surinamensis). Aquatic Mammals 35 (1):48-54. *Red Caribeña de Varamientos, P.O. Box 361715, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936; E-mail: mignucci(a)manatipr.org Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are found in the coastal and offshore waters of Puerto Rico. However, little is known about causes of their mortality in the Caribbean. On 18 February 2002, a female bottlenose dolphin was found dead in Bahía de San Juan, Puerto Rico. Remarkably, a black margate (Anisotremus surinamensis) was firmly lodged in the dolphin’s oral cavity and the pharynx. The throat of the dolphin was markedly swollen; the larynx was dislocated; and signs of agonal death were evident. Grossly, the cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation due to choking. Fifty strandings of bottlenose dolphins have been reported between 1937 and 2006 in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In those for which a cause of death was determined, four were human related and 11 died of natural causes (including this case). The present case study fits the definitions of “choking” and “asphyxiation.” The evolved respiratory anatomy of cetaceans in which the larynx is inserted into the nasal passages leading to the blowhole makes asphyxiation due to choking unlikely in odontocetes. However, if the larynx is irreversibly dislodged from its normal position during swallowing, this may cause the dolphin to stop breathing or even drown. Thus, respiratory blockage from a natural prey item represents an uncommon mortality factor associated with piscivorous cetaceans and is the first record of such marine mammal mortality in the Caribbean. ************ Rivas, M.*, and M. Trimble. 2009. Aggregation behaviour in South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) pups at Isla de Lobos, Uruguay. Aquatic Mammals 35 (1):55-61. *Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay; E-mail: rivas.mayda(a)gmail.com When otariid females leave the colony to forage at sea, pups stay in the rookery and gather in groups in which they rest and play. The major selective benefits of these groups are to develop social skills and physical abilities, as well as to reduce the risk of aggression by adults. The aim of this research was to study the aggregation behaviour in South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) pups at Isla de Lobos, Uruguay, during the first 2 mo of life. During the breeding season of 2007 (January to March), from 0800 to 1800 h, instantaneous scan-samples were conducted every 2 h to record the number of groups in the area, number of pups per group, behavioral state, and location (land or sea). The number of groups increased during the first month, being positively correlated with the total number of pups in the area. A group size of two pups was most frequent (60.2%), followed by three pups (20.1%). Rest was the most frequent activity during most of the study period, and pup group activity did not vary over the weeks. The type of activity varied according to the time of day, with pups most active early in the morning, and also according to group size (the larger the group size, the higher the proportion of individuals resting in the group). The proportion of groups at sea increased with pup age, and interactions in a large group were more frequent at sea than on land. This research represents one of the first detailed analyses about aggregation behaviour in otariid pups. **************** Bacchus, M.-L. C., S. G. Dunbar, and C. Self-Sullivan. 2009. Characterization of resting holes and their use by the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in the Drowned Cayes, Belize. Aquatic Mammals 35 (1):62-71. * Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; E-mail: mlbacchus(a)gmail.com In the Drowned Cayes area of Belize, manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) are commonly observed resting in depressions in the substrate, locally referred to as manatee resting holes. To understand why manatees prefer locations with resting holes, the physical and environmental attributes of the depressions were characterized and diurnal and nocturnal use by manatees at four resting hole sites were documented over two summers. Twelve resting hole sites were compared with 20 non-resting hole sites in the Drowned Cayes, using water depth, substrate type, vegetation, water velocity, salinity, and water temperature. Four resting holes were chosen for repeated diurnal and nocturnal observations, during which sea and weather conditions were recorded in addition to the presence/absence of manatees. Resting holes were significantly deeper and had slower surface water velocity than areas without resting holes. A total of 168 point scans were conducted over 55 d, resulting in 39 manatee sightings over two summers. There was a significant difference in the number of sightings between research years and between day and night scans. Given the large number of resting holes in the Drowned Cayes, many of which are in sheltered areas with slow currents, it is possible that manatees select these spots based on the tranquility of the water and environment. The combination of slow currents, protection from waves, low numbers of boats, and nearby seagrass beds would make these ideal resting areas. These findings have implications for the conservation of important manatee habitat. ******** Hoson, O.*, S. Kawada, and S. Oda. 2009. Ossification patterns of cranial sutures in the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) (Sirenia, Trichechidae). Aquatic Mammals 35 (1):72-81. *Laboratory of Animal Management and Resources, Graduate School of Bio-Agricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; E-mail: osasonosa(a)yahoo.co.jp Although morphological skull characters are used to identify species or subspecies of the genus Trichechus, little information is available on the growth of the manatee skull. We examined the ossification of the skull of the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) with regard to its growth pattern. We observed ten sutures in 137 crania (70 males and 67 females). Based on these results, the sutures can be classified into two groups by their ossification pattern. The first group contains the maxilloincisive suture, median palatine suture, frontal suture, and coronal suture. This group begins to ossify early in growth. The age of suture closure does not differ among the sexes. The second group consists of sutures related to the basicranium. This group is characterised by slower ossification compared to the first group. Suture ossification in this group proceeds from anterior to posterior. In this suture series, ossification occurred at later ages in males than in females. A notable feature is the formation of the occipital bone. Ossification of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis occurred earlier than that of the occipital condyle. This pattern is unique among mammals, including the dugong. Osteological maturity was determined by the status of the sutures. The sutures of the basicranium ossify slowly, and thus they are more valuable in evaluating the growth status of the skull than those of the viscerocranium and calvaria. The supraoccipital-exoccipital synchondrosis was the last to begin ossification, starting when individuals were more than 15 y old and 11 y old in males and females, respectively. We conclude that the ossification of the basicranium exhibits a unique pattern in the Florida manatee and that it is possible to determine the osteological maturity of the skull from the ossification of the supraoccipital-exoccipital synchondrosis. ************ Boyd, I. L. 2009. The history of marine mammal research in the United Kingdom: An exploration of the interaction of human socioeconomics and marine mammal ecology. Aquatic Mammals 35 (1):82-93. Dr. Ian Boyd reviews the history of marine mammal research in the UK. ******* Hofman, R. 2009. The continuing legacies of the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals. Aquatic Mammals 35 (1):94-129. Dr. Robert Hofman reviews the legacy of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission. ************* Fertl, D. 2009. Book Review: Marine Wildlife and Tourism Management: Insights from the Natural and Social Sciences. Editors: James Higham and Michael Lück. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, 2008. Aquatic Mammals 35(1):130-131. Ziphius EcoServices, 8112 Springmoss Drive, Plano, TX 75025, USA; E-mail: dfertl(a)gmail.com _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail® is up to 70% faster. Now good news travels really fast. http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_70faster_032009

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Advice or ideas on sea burial/sinking of dead Brydes Whale
by Greg Soljak 30 Mar '09

30 Mar '09

Hi Everybody, We are dealing with a dead ship-struck (intact) male Bryde's Whale. The whale is 14m long and has been dead since at least 23.03.2009. It's current position as at 12:56hrs on 31 March 2009 is 36° 33.970 South, 174° 00.840 East. We cannot leave the whale to decompose on local beaches as we are located in a highly urbanised coastal region of New Zealand (Auckland, East Coast Bays). Recreational and commercial vessel use is very high in this area. We have nearly run out of burial plots for dead cetaceans on uninhabited offshore islands in the Hauraki Gulf. There is also some developing scientific opinion that burying large cetaceans on these islands is affecting the local ecology adversely. 1. Does anyone have experience with sinking dead cetaceans as a disposal method? 2. Does anyone have any methods used to calculate buoyancy of dead whales based on species, gender, length, girth? Is days since death another factor that needs to be considered when calculating buoyancy? 3. We also need to consider environmentally friendly methods and materials when sinking the whale. I understand that concrete blocks take a long time to degrade in the marine environment; we may also need biodegradable ropes/attachment options when attaching any weights to the whale. 4. We have tried attaching about 5 tonnes of concrete blocks (weight in air) to the Brydes whale's tail and lancing open various sections of the body cavity. This has been inadequate and the whale is still floating. 5. Does anyone have any idea of the time it takes for a whale of this size to decompose naturally in marine environment? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I am hoping that someone has already dealt with this issue... Many thanks, Greg Greg Soljak Ranger Marine Reserves North Head Historic Reserve, Takarunga Road P.O. Box 32-026, Devonport North Shore City, NZ Ph +64 09 445 9142 Fax + 64 09 445 9637 Mob 027 490 3330 Email: gsoljak(a)doc.govt.nz <mailto:gsoljak@doc.govt.nz> ############################################## This e-mail (and attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. ##############################################

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Volunteer field helper for elephant seal research
by simo_liste＠tiscali.it 30 Mar '09

30 Mar '09

PROJECT: Long term study of southern elephant seals POSITION: Volunteer field helper for elephant seal research DURATION: 3 months, September-November 2009 Various volunteer field helpers are required for the 2009 field season of a long term project on southern elephant seals carried out by the Elephant Seal Research Group. The field work site is Sea Lion Island (Falkland Islands). More details on the project are available on the research team web site: www.eleseal.org. Successful applicants will receive adequate training and will help with tagging, marking, counts, behavioral observations, handling of pups, and collection of biological sampling. Volunteers will be supervised by the PIs and/or by trained technicians. Previous experience of field work is appreciated but not essential. The field season runs for approximately 3 months, from the beginning of September to the end of November. Only applicants who can stay for the whole season can be taken into consideration. Applicants should pay all expenses required to get to the field work site, and telephone/Internet expenses while at Sea Lion Island. Accommodation at Sea Lion Island is rather basic and self-catering. Applicants will be required to work for the whole length of the day, seven days per week (with half day per week of rest). The work is physically demanding, and it is often carried out in rather bad weather conditions. People without a good tolerance to cold are discouraged to apply. The island is a wonderful place with a rich and tame wildlife. To apply please send a cover letter describing your interest in the position and a CV or resume to Filippo Galimberti at fil_esrg@eleseal. org, and copy to fil_esrg(a)prodigy.net.mx. Contact information for one or more references is appreciated but not essential. Thanks. The ESRG team Con Tutto Incluso chiami e navighi senza limiti e hai 4 mesi GRATIS.L'attivazione del servizio è gratis e non paghi più Telecom! L'offerta è valida solo se attivi entro il 31/03/09 http://abbonati.tiscali.it/promo/tuttoincluso/

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Abstract: evidence of a possible decline of false killer whales in Hawaii
by Robin W Baird 28 Mar '09

28 Mar '09

New publication: Reeves, R.R., S. Leatherwood, and R.W. Baird. 2009. Evidence of a possible decline since 1989 in false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) around the main Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Science 63:253-261. The abstract is below. A pdf can be downloaded from www.cascadiaresearch.org/robin/falsekillerwhale.htm >From Randy Reeves: Steve Leatherwood died 12 years ago, at the age of 53, leaving behind not just an aggrieved family and a host of cherished friends and colleagues, but also a great deal of "unfinished business." A small item in the last category was a set of observations made during a one-off aerial survey project in Hawaii. Next to other, weightier projects, the task of bringing this one to the publication stage kept getting put off. In fact, both Steve and I had basically forgotten about it by the time he died. When, about a year ago, Robin raised the idea of publishing our findings, I was able to locate only the data sheets and a handwritten narrative describing methods and results of the 1989 surveys. The photographs, which would provide very useful confirmation of both the species and the numbers, are still missing. Maybe some day they will surface. Meantime, we welcome this chance not only to complete this little item of unfinished business, but also to remind others in the field of marine mammal science and conservation of Steve's many contributions to it. The American Cetacean Society published a tribute issue to Steve in their journal Whalewatcher in 1999. They have made pdf copies of the articles from that issue available on their web site free of charge - http://www.acsonline.org/publications/whalewatcher/ww-catalog1994.html Abstract Recent evidence indicates there is a small, demographically isolated, island-associated population of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) around the main Hawaiian Islands. Although it is known that false killer whales in Hawai'i are sometimes killed or seriously injured in the Hawai'i-based long-line fishery, it is not known whether such interactions have resulted in a reduction in population size, or whether other factors have been negatively influencing population size. We report the results of an aerial survey in June and July 1989, the purpose of which was to obtain a minimum count of the number of false killer whales around the main Hawaiian Islands. The false killer whale was the third most commonly seen species of odontocete off the island of Hawai'i during the survey, representing 17% of sightings. Groups of more than 300 individuals were seen on three different days, with minimum counts of 380, 460, and 470 individuals in these groups. The encounter rate, relative species ranking, and average group size from the 1989 survey were all substantially greater than those from more recent aerial and ship-based surveys. The largest group observed in 1989 (470) contained almost four times as many whales as estimated for the entire main Hawaiian Islands from recent aerial surveys (121 individuals, CV = 0.47) or mark-recapture analyses (123 individuals, CV = 0.72). Therefore, the population of false killer whales around the main Hawaiian Islands may have declined substantially since 1989. The cause or causes of such a decline are uncertain. ======================================================== Robin W. Baird, Ph.D. Research Biologist Cascadia Research Collective 218 1/2 W. 4th Avenue Olympia, WA 98501 USA Fax 1-360-943-7026 e-mail: rwbaird(a)cascadiaresearch.org www.cascadiaresearch.org/robin/hawaii.htm www.cascadiaresearch.org/robin/kwindex.htm

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