April 2009 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Paper on a new method for estimating cetacean density using fixed passive acoustic data
by Tiago Marques 22 Apr '09

22 Apr '09

Dear colleagues, The following paper has recently been published: Marques, T. A., Thomas, L., Ward, J., DiMarzio, N. & P. L. Tyack (2009). Estimating cetacean population density using fixed passive acoustic sensors: an example with Blainville's beaked whales. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 125: 1982-1994. An abstract follows: Methods are developed for estimating the size/density of cetacean populations using data from a set of fixed passive acoustic sensors. The methods convert the number of detected acoustic cues into animal density by accounting for: (i) the probability of detecting cues, (ii) the rate at which animals produce cues, and (iii) the proportion of false positive detections. Additional information is often required for estimation of these quantities, for example from an acoustic tag applied to a sample of animals. Methods are illustrated with a case study: estimation of Blainville's beaked whale density over a 6 day period in spring 2005, using an 82 hydrophone wide-baseline array located in the Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas. To estimate the required quantities, additional data are used from digital acoustic tags (DTags), attached to 5 whales over 21 deep dives, where cues recorded on some of the dives are associated with those received on the fixed hydrophones. Estimated density was 25.3 or 22.5 animals per 1000 km$^2$, depending on assumptions about false positive detections, with 95\% confidence intervals $17.3-36.9$ and $15.4-32.9$. These methods are potentially applicable to a wide variety of marine and terrestrial species that are hard to survey using conventional visual methods. You can download a pdf of the paper at: http://www.creem.st-and.ac.uk/decaf/outputs All the best, Tiago -- ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Tiago André Marques Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St Andrews The Observatory Buchanan Gardens St Andrews Fife KY16 9LZ Scotland Tel: 00441334461842 Fax: 00441334461800 (Scotland office) Tel: 00351210198736 (Portugal home) http://www-maths.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/homepages/tam2.html http://www.creem.st-and.ac.uk/tiago/ The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532

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note on killer whale movement along the Brazilian coast
by Marcos Santos 21 Apr '09

21 Apr '09

Dear Marmamers: A short note on the movement of a male killer whale along the southeastern coast of Brazil was recently published. Find complete reference and abstract below. Requests through the e-mail: sotalia(a)gmail.com. Santos, M. C. de O. & da Silva, E. 2009. Records of a male killer whale (Orcinus orca) off southeastern Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 57(1): 65-68. ABSTRACT: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are found in all oceans, but are generally most commonly observed in coastal, temperate waters, especially in areas of high productivity. In the Western South Atlantic, long-term studies on killer whales have been conducted mainly off northern Patagonia, Argentina. The species is poorly known on the Brazilian coast where strandings and opportunistic sightings are the main sources of information. We report four sightings of a male killer whale identified through notches along its dorsal fin from 2005 and 2008, presenting the first observation on a long-distance movement (ca. 550km ) along the southeastern coast of Brazil. Cheers, Marcos C. -- Dr Marcos César de Oliveira Santos Laboratório de Ecologia de Mamíferos Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia: Diversidade e Manejo de Vida Silvestre Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Avenida Unisinos, 950, São Leopoldo, RS, Brasil, 93022-000 E-mail: mcos(a)unisinos.br Telefone/Phone: 51-3590-1229 & Projeto Atlantis, Laboratório de Biologia da Conservação de Cetáceos PROGRAMA JOVEM PESQUISADOR - FAPESP Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Campus Rio Claro Av 24-A, 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, Brasil, 13506-900. E-mail: sotalia(a)rc.unesp.br Endereço Residencial/Home Address: Rua João Alfredo Panitz, 204, apto 602, Centro, São Leopoldo, RS 93010-150 E-mail: sotalia(a)gmail.com Telefone/Phone: 3037-2128

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Study endangered killer whales this fall
by Scott Veirs, Beam Reach 21 Apr '09

21 Apr '09

Please forward this field research opportunity to interested students: Get off-campus and study wild orcas for 10 weeks in the spring or fall of 2009! Apply now to conduct your own research with the Beam Reach Marine Science and Sustainability School. Beam Reach is for you if you want to: -- study endangered orcas and their prey in the wild -- use advanced bioacoustic tools in your own research project -- network with experts in killer whale conservation -- learn to sail a biodiesel-electric catamaran -- explore the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest -- earn 18 credits from the University of Washington Check it out at: http:beamreach.org?mrmt4/21/2009 We are now accepting applications for: Spring 2009 -- March 30 - June 06 Fall 2009 -- August 24 - October 31 To apply you should have completed your first year of college, be interested in the marine environment, and want to spend 10 weeks off-campus in an intensive field research experience. Ask yourself: Is Beam Reach for you? http://www.beamreach.org/is-beam-reach-for-you.html?mrm4/21/2009 Let us know if you have any questions! Dr. Scott Veirs info(a)beamreach.org

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new publication - sperm whales entangled in a driftnet
by Daniela Silvia Pace 21 Apr '09

21 Apr '09

Dear MARMAM subscribers, my colleagues and I are pleased to report that the following paper has been recently published: Pace D.S., Miragliuolo A., Mussi B. (2008). Behaviour of a social unit of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) entangled in a driftnet off Capo Palinuro (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 10(2): 131–135. Abstract Driftnet fishing is notorious for being the major source of fatal entanglement of cetaceans and for its devastating impact on some pelagic species of the Mediterranean fauna. Of all the large cetaceans, the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is most affected by this fishing technique. On 9 August 2004, a group of five sperm whales, two adult females and three juvenile individuals, was found trapped in a driftnet 40 miles southwest off Capo Palinuro (Italy). Their tails were totally immobilised by the net and one animal was completely entangled. All the animals showed numerous lesions on their bodies. The group was freed by the Italian Coast Guard scuba-diving team during a two-day rescue operation. This exceptional case of sperm whale disentanglement was a unique opportunity to study the group’s acoustic and general behavior during a particularly stressful event. Out of a total video/acoustic recording of 110 minutes, 91 were examined. During the rescue procedures, the whales’ behaviour was described as open mouthed, sideways roll, agitation of fluke and pectoral fins, head rubbing, fluke contact (with head, flippers and back by the liberated animals) and defecation. As expected, the entangled individuals produced different patterns of clicks, identified as ‘usual clicks’, ‘codas’ and ‘creaks’. Each pattern was associated with specific behaviour. Despite international and national regulation banning fishing with driftnets in the Mediterranean Sea, driftnets continue to be used illegally in this sperm whale habitat, posing a constant threat to the species’ survival in the region. Pdf copies are available upon request from me (see email information below). Regards, Daniela Silvia Pace danielasilvia.pace(a)gmail.com ******************************* Daniela Silvia Pace Scientific Director Systema Naturae - Biodiversity Foundation Palazzina dell'Auditorio, Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei Via della Lungara 229/230 00165 Rome Italy Tel. +39 06 8746 5640 Fax +39 06 8746 5641 dspace(a)fondazionesystemanaturae.org www.fondazionesystemanaturae.org OCEANOMARE Via Gino Marinuzzi, 74 00124 Rome, Italy tel & fax +390650910791 www.oceanomare.info DELPHIS Mediterranean Dolphin Conservation Ischia Island Via Zaro 22, 80075 Forio (NA) tel & fax +39081989578 www.delphismdc.org

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WDCS Dolphin and Seal Centre Coordinator vacancy, Scotland
by Alice Mayne 21 Apr '09

21 Apr '09

WDCS Dolphin and Seal Centre Co-ordinators, Scotland (Job share to cover 7 days a week) 40 hours per week £15,500 pro rata depending on experience WDCS, the Whale and dolphin Conservation Society, is the global voice for the protection of whales, dolphins and their environment. WDCS has two busy wildlife centres in Scotland where visitors can take part in daily activity of watching for the Moray Firth dolphins, find out about the lives and learn about the wildlife of the area. WDCS is looking for two committed and enthusiastic Centre Co-ordinators to jointly manage the day to day running of their popular North Kessock Dolphin and Seal Centre. This is a seasonal role June to end September, working 5 in 7 days, you will be expected to work weekends. You will be supported by local volunteers and the team at the WDCS Wildlife Centre at Spey Bay. You will be experienced in retail and customer services. Experience in interpretation and wildlife tourism industry would be advantageous but not essential as training will be given. CLOSING DATE: 6th May 2009 Interviews on 11th May 2009 Application forms and full job descriptions from: www.wdcs.org/jobs. Please send completed forms to hr(a)wdcs.org writing NK0904 in the subject line Or telephone +44 (0)1249 449500 Alice Mayne Centre Manager WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society WDCS Wildlife Centre Spey Bay Moray IV32 7PJ T: +44 (0) 1343 820339 F: +44 (0) 1343 829065 BBC TV presenter Monty Halls is running the London Marathon in support of our Protect Our Dolphins campaign. Please click here <http://www.justgiving.com/montyhalls> to sponsor him and give the dolphins of the Moray Firth a future. WDCS is the global voice for the protection of whales, dolphins and their environment. This e-mail's contents are confidential to the intended recipient(s) at the e-mail address to which it has been sent. It may not be disclosed, copied to, circulated or used by anyone other than the intended addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient or have received this transmission in error please telephone the originator immediately or ring +44 (0)1249 449500. Any opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WDCS unless otherwise stated.

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New Articles
by David S. Janiger 20 Apr '09

20 Apr '09

Hi, All Here's the latest posting of new PDF's that are available. File sizes have been included. Abstracts also available on request. Please don't hit the reply button. Make all requests to: janiger(a)bcf.usc.edu Cheers! David Janiger - Curatorial Assistant (Mammals) Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 763-3369 janiger(a)bcf.usc.edu djaniger(a)nhm.org Janiger Journals ABALOS, PEDRO; PATRICIO RETAMAL; OLIVIA BLANK; DANIEL TORRES and VICTORIA VALDENEGRO. VETERINARY RECORD 164(8):250. 2009. Letters Brucella infection in marine mammals in Antarctica. 0.082 MB ATKINSON, NIGEL. ARCTIC 62(1):38-44. 2009. A 10400-year-old bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) skull from Ellef Ringnes Island, Nunavut: Implications for sea-ice conditions in High Arctic Canada at the end of the last glaciation 1.387 MB AZNAR, F. J.; M. S. LEONARDI; B. BERON VERA; D. G. VALES; S. AMEGHINO; J. A. RAGA and E. A. CRESPO. PARASITOLOGY 136(3):293-303. 2009. Population dynamics of Antarctophthirus microchir (Anoplura: Echinophthiriidae) in pups from South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, in northern Patagonia. 0.218 MB BAYLIS, A. M. M.; D. J. HAMER and P. D. NICHOLS. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 36(2):169-176. 2009. Assessing the use of milk fatty acids to infer the diet of the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea). 0.289 MB BAYLIS, ALASTAIR M. M. and PETER D. NICHOLS. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 380:271-286. 2009. Milk fatty acids predict the foraging locations of the New Zealand fur seal: Continental shelf versus oceanic waters. 0.260 MB BEARZI, GIOVANNI. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 23(1):1-2. 2009. When swordfish conservation biologists eat swordfish. 0.076 MB BRANCATO, M. S.; L. MILONAS; C. E. BOWLBY; R. JAMESON and J. W. DAVIS. Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series ONMS-08-08. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Silver Spring, MD. 181 pp. 2009. Chemical contaminants, pathogen exposure and general health status of live and beach-cast Washington sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni). 4.116 MB CAMPHUYSEN, KEE (C.J.); CHRIS SMEENK; MARJAN ADDINK; HEIN VAN GROUW and OKKA E. JANSEN. LUTRA 51(2):87-122. 2008. Cetaceans stranded in the Netherlands from 1998 to 2007. 2.103 MB CHASSOT, EMMANUEL; DANIEL DUPLISEA; MIKE HAMMILL; AMANDA CASKENETTE; NICOLAS BOUSQUET; YVAN LAMBERT and GARRY STENSON. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 379:279-297. 2009. Role of predation by harp seals Pagophilus groenlandicus in the collapse and non-recovery of northern Gulf of St. Lawrence cod Gadus morhua. 0.925 MB CHIOU-JU YAO; TADASU K. YAMADA; YEN-JEAN CHEN and LIEN-SIANG CHOU. ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE 25(12):1234-1246. 2008. Cranial variation in the pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata, in the Pacific Ocean. 0.985 MB CLEMENTZ, MARK T.; SILVIA SORBI and DARYL P. DOMNING. GEOLOGY 37(4):307-310. 2009. Evidence of Cenozoic environmental and ecological change from stable isotope analysis of sirenian remains from the Tethys-Mediterranean region. 0.444 MB COLEGROVE, K. M.; F. M. D. GULLAND; K. HARR; D. K. NAYDAN and L. J. LOWENSTINE. JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY 140(2-3):105-112. 2009. Pathological features of amyloidosis in stranded California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). 0.553 MB CORKERON, PETER J. BIOLOGY LETTERS 5(2):204-206. 2009. Marine mammals' influence on ecosystem processes affecting fisheries in the Barents Sea is trivial. 0.089 MB DAWSON, CLAIRE E.; EMMA J. STUBBERFIELD; LORRAINE L. PERRETT; AMANDA C. KING; ADRIAN M. WHATMORE; JOHN B. BASHIRUDDIN; JUDY A. STACK and ALASTAIR P. MACMILLAN. BMC MICROBIOLOGY 8(224): 8pp. 2008. Phenotypic and molecular characterisation of Brucella isolates from marine mammals. 0.574 MB DE BRUYN, P. J. NICO; MARTHAN N. BESTER; ALEJANDRO R. CARLINI and W. CHRIS OOSTHUIZEN. AQUATIC BIOLOGY 5(1):31-39. 2009. How to weigh an elephant seal with one finger: A simple three-dimensional photogrammetric application. 0.300 MB DEACON, N. L. and J. P. Y. ARNOULD. JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY B BIOCHEMICAL SYSTEMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY 179(3):287-295. 2009. Terrestrial apnoeas and the development of cardiac control in Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) pups. 0.496 MB DENNISON, SOPHIE E.; LISA FORREST and FRANCES M. D. GULLAND. AQUATIC MAMMALS 35(1):36-42. 2009. Normal thoracic radiographic anatomy of immature California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and immature northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). 0.217 MB DU DOT, TIPHAINE JEANNIARD; DAVID A. S. ROSEN; JULIE P. RICHMOND; ALEXANDER S. KITAYSKY; STEVEN A. ZINN and ANDREW W. TRITES.. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 152(4):524-534. 2009 Changes in glucocorticoids, IGF-I and thyroid hormones as indicators of nutritional stress and subsequent refeeding in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). 0.707 MB GAMBAIANI, D. D.; P. MAYOL; S. J. ISAAC and M. P. SIMMONDS. JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM 89(1):179-201. 2009. Potential impacts of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions on Mediterranean marine ecosystems and cetaceans. 0.402 MB GEISLER, JONATHAN H. and JESSICA M. THEODOR. NATURE (LONDON) 458(7236):E1-E4. 2009. Hippopotamus and whale phylogeny. 0.330 MB (Reply below: Thewissen, et al.) GUTSTEIN, CAROLINA SIMON; MARIO A. COZZUOL; ALEXANDER O. VARGAS; MARIO E. SUAREZ; CESAR L. SCHULTZ and DAVID RUBILAR-ROGERS. JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY 90(2):504-519. 2009. Patterns of skull variation of Brachydelphis (Cetacea, Odontoceti) from the Neogene of the southeastern Pacific. 2.552 MB HART, KIMBERLY; VERENA A. GILL and KURUNTHACHALAM KANNAN. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 56(3):607-614. 2009. Temporal trends (1992-2007) of perfluorinated chemicals in northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) from couth-central Alaska. 0.425 MB HIGHAM, J. E. S.; L. BEJDER and D. LUSSEAU. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 35(4):294-302. 2008. An integrated and adaptive management model to address the long-term sustainability of tourist interactions with cetaceans. 0.525 MB HINDLE, ALLYSON G.; MARKUS HORNING; JO-ANN E. MELLISH and JOHN M. LAWLER. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 212(6):790-796. 2009. Diving into old age: Muscular senescence in a large-bodied, long-lived mammal, the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii). 0.301 MB JAZDZEWSKA, ANNA. POLISH POLAR RESEARCH 30(1):29-36. 2009. Antarctic necrophagous lysianassoids from a stranded fur seal carcass. 0.103 MB JEFFERSON, THOMAS A.; DAGMAR FERTL; JAIME BOLANOS-JIMENEZ and ALEXANDRE N. ZERBINI. MARINE BIOLOGY (BERLIN) 156(6):1109-1124. 2009. Distribution of common dolphins (Delphinus spp.) in the western Atlantic Ocean: A critical re-examination. 1.227 MB KOSCHINSKI, SVEN; ANSGAR DIEDERICHS and MATS AMUNDIN. JOURNAL OF CETACEAN RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT 10(2):147-155. 2008. Click train patterns of free-ranging harbour porpoises acquired using T-PODs may be useful as indicators of their behaviour. 0.592 MB KRASNOVA, V. V.; V. M. BEL'KOVICH and A. D. CHERNETSKII. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF MARINE BIOLOGY 35(1):53-59. 2009. Formation of behavior in the White Sea beluga calf, Delphinapterus leucas, during early postnatal ontogenesis. 0.232 MB KUHN, CAREY E.; DANIEL E. CROCKER; YANN TREMBLAY and DANIEL P. COSTA. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY 78(3):513-523. 2009. Time to eat: Measurements of feeding behaviour in a large marine predator, the northern elephant seal Mirounga angustirostris. 0.639 MB LEA, MARY-ANNE; DEVIN JOHNSON; ROLF REAM; JEREMY STERLING; SHARON MELIN and TOM GELATT. BIOLOGY LETTERS 5(2):252-257. 2009. Extreme weather events influence dispersal of naive northern fur seals. 0.484 MB LEWIS, A. E.; M. O. HAMMILL; M. POWER; D. W. DOIDGE and V. LESAGE. ARCTIC 62(1):13-24. 2009. Movement and aggregation of eastern Hudson Bay beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas): A comparison of patterns found through satellite telemetry and Nunavik traditional ecological knowledge. 1.513 MB MARUBINI, FRANCESCA; ALESSANDRO GIMONA; PETER G. H. EVANS; PETER J. WRIGHT and GRAHAM J. PIERCE. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 381:297-310. 2009. Habitat preferences and interannual variability in occurrence of the harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena off northwest Scotland. 0.820 MB MO, GIULIA; ALESSANDRO ZOTTI; SABRINA AGNESI; MARIA GRAZIA FINOIA; DANIELE BERNARDINI and BRUNO COZZI. ANATOMICAL RECORD: ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 292(4):544-556. 2009. Age classes and sex differences in the skull of the Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779). A study based on bone shape and density. 0.862 MB NESTERENKO, V. A. and I. O. KATIN. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 40(1):48-54. 2009. Original Russian Text in Ekologiya, 2009, No. 1, pp. 53-59. Haulout: Scope of the term and procedure for identification. 0.314 MB NEWSOME, SETH D.; M. TIM TINKER; DANIEL H. MONSON; OLAV T. OFTEDAL; KATHERINE RALLS; MICHELLE M. STAEDLER; MARILYN FOGEL and JAMES A. ESTES. ECOLOGY 90(4):961-974. 2009. Using stable isotopes to investigate individual diet specialization in California sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis). 1.071 MB NINO-TORRES, CARLOS ALBERTO; SUSAN C. GARDNER; TANIA ZENTENO-SAVIN and GINA M. YLITALO. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 56(2):350-359. 2009. Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus californianus) from the Gulf of California, Mexico. 0.315 MB PANIZ-MONDOLFI, ALBERTO ENRIQUE and LILIAN SANDER-HOFFMANN. EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES 15(4):672-673. 2009. Lobomycosis in inshore and estuarine dolphins. 0.168 MB PARSONS, K. M.; K. C. BALCOMB III; J. K. B. FORD and J. W. DURBAN. ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 77(4):963-971. 2009. The social dynamics of southern resident killer whales and conservation implications for this endangered population. 0.428 MB ROCKWELL, R. F. and L. J. GORMEZANO. POLAR BIOLOGY 32(4):539-547. 2009. The early bear gets the goose: Climate change, polar bears and lesser snow geese in western Hudson Bay. 0.482 MB ROTELLA, JAY J.; WILLIAM A. LINK; JAMES D. NICHOLS; GILLIAN HADLEY; ROBERT A. GARROTT and KELLY M. PROFFITT. ECOLOGY 90(4):975-984. 2009. An evaluation of density-dependent and density-independent influences on population growth rates in Weddell seals. 0.866 MB ROTSTEIN, DAVID S.; LESLIE G. BURDETT; WILLIAM MCLELLAN; LORI SCHWACKE; TERI ROWLES; KAREN A. TERIO; STACY SCHULTZ and ANN PABST. EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES 15(4):588-590. 2009. Lobomycosis in offshore bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), North Carolina. 0.205 MB SAKAMOTO, KENTARO Q.; KATSUFUMI SATO; YASUHIKO NAITO; YOSHIAKI HABARA; MAYUMI ISHIZUKA and SHOICHI FUJITA. JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE 71(3):341-344. 2009. Morphological features and blood parameters of Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) mothers and pups during the breeding season. 0.185 MB SEIXAS, TERCIA G.; HELENA A. KEHRIG; ANA PAULA M. DI BENEDITTO; CRISTINA M. M. SOUZA; OLAF MALM and ISABEL MOREIRA. JOURNAL OF THE BRAZILIAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 20(2):243-251. 2009. Trace elements in different species of cetacean from Rio de Janeiro coast. 0.285 MB SHAW, SUSAN D.; MICHELLE L. BERGER; DIANE BRENNER; KURUNTHACHALAM KANNAN; NINA LOHMANN and OLAF PAPKE. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 407(10):3323-3329. 2009. Bioaccumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and hexabromocyclododecane in the northwest Atlantic marine food web. 0.308 MB SIMMONDS, MARK P. and WENDY J. ELIOTT. JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM 89(1):203-210. 2009. Climate change and cetaceans: Concerns and recent developments. 0.185 MB ST. LEGER, J. A.; L. BEGEMAN; M. FLEETWOOD; S. FRASCA, JR.; M. M. GAMER; S. LAIR; S. TREMBLEY; M. J. LINN and K. A. TERIO. VETERINARY PATHOLOGY 46(2):299-308. 2009. Comparative pathology of nocardiosis in marine mammals. 2.529 MB SUZUKI, IPPEI; YASUHIKO NAITO; LARS P. FOLKOW; NOBUYUKI MIYAZAKI and ARNOLDUS S. BLIX. POLAR BIOLOGY 32(4):667-671. 2009. Validation of a device for accurate timing of feeding events in marine animals. 0.196 MB THEWISSEN, J. G. M.; LISA NOELLE COOPER; MARK T. CLEMENTZ; SUNIL BAJPAI and B. N. TIWARI. NATURE (LONDON) 458(7236):E5. 2009. Hippopotamus and whale phylogeny Reply. 0.050 MB TOSH, C. A.; H. BORNEMANN; S. RAMDOHR; M. SCHROEDER; T. MARTIN; A. CARLINI; J. PLOETZ and M. N. BESTER. ANTARCTIC SCIENCE 21(2):113-121. 2009. Adult male southern elephant seals from King George Island utilize the Weddell Sea. 0.291 MB UDAKA, M.; T. IKEMOTO; H. ZENKE; S. TAKAHASHI; V. B. BATOEV; E. A. PETROV and S. TANABE. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 58(2):290-294. 2009. Radionuclide (Cs-137 and K-40) concentrations in the muscle of Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica) from Lake Baikal. 0.189 MB VERFUß, URSULA K.; LEE A. MILLER; PETER K. D. PILZ and HANS-ULRICH SCHNITZLER. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 212(6):823-834. 2009. Echolocation by two foraging harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). 0.811 MB WATANABE, YUUKI; CHRISTIAN LYDERSEN; KATSUFUMI SATO; YASUHIKO NAITO; NOBUYUKI MIYAZAKI and KIT M. KOVACS. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 380:287-294. 2009. Diving behavior and swimming style of nursing bearded seal pups. 0.309 MB WITTEVEEN, BRIANA H.; GRAHAM A. J. WORTHY; KATE M. WYNNE and JAMES D. ROTH. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 379:299-310. 2009. Population structure of North Pacific humpback whales on their feeding grounds revealed by stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios. 0.951 MB WOLKERS, HANS; FRANCE BOILY; JOHANNA FINK-GREMMELS; BERT VAN BAVEL; MIKE O. HAMMILL and RAUL PRIMICERIO. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 56(2):360-370. 2009. Tissue-specific contaminant accumulation and associated effects on hepatic serum analytes and cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 0.389 MB WRIGHT, ANDREW J.; NAOMI A. ROSE; E. C. M. PARSONS and SARAH J. DOLMAN. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 58(2):314-316. 2009. Correspondence Urging cautious policy applications of captive research data is not the same as rejecting those data. 0.126 MB ZUEMER, RICHARD L. and DAVID P. ALT. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY 47(4):1202-1205. 2009. Variable nucleotide tandem-repeat analysis revealing a unique group of Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona isolates associated with California sea lions. 0.268 MB

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Request for information - Cook Inlet beluga
by Sylvia Brunner 20 Apr '09

20 Apr '09

Hi all, I just received this Anchorage Daily News article from another list and thought it might be appropriate here: Anchorage Daily News By DON HUNTER dhunter(a)adn.com (04/17/09 01:00:34) Federal biologists are deciding what parts of Cook Inlet are vital to the survival of the area's population of beluga whales, and want to know what you know about the animals. The National Marine Fisheries Service listed the belugas as an endangered species last October. Now scientists have to designate "critical habitat" for the whales. Once that happens, federal agencies will have to make sure they don't fund activities or projects in those habitat areas that further endanger the whales. NMFS is asking for help in answering several questions, including: • What parts of the inlet are used by belugas, and when? • What physical and biological features of the inlet are essential to the whales' survival? • What kinds of protection are important for those areas? • What are the economic trade-offs? Are some areas so important for other reasons that they should not be designated as "critical habitat?" • What current or planned activities or projects in Cook Inlet might affect the whales' habitat? "We aren't yet proposing a rule on critical habitat for the Cook Inlet beluga whales, but we will," said Doug Mecum, acting Alaska administrator for NMFS, in a written statement. "This notice is an effort to get as much information as possible early in the process." Comments and information will be accepted until May 14. Studies have shown Cook Inlet's belugas are a genetically distinct species and don't interact with belugas in other parts of the North Pacific. A 1979 survey put the population at about 1,300 animals, but during the 1990s their numbers plummeted and a survey in 1998 estimated about 350 whales remained in the inlet. Subsistence hunting of the whales was largely curtailed, and scientists hoped their numbers would recover. That has not happened. The population now is believed to be 300 to 400 animals. Comments and information about the Cook Inlet belugas can be sent to the Protected Resources Division, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau 99802-1668. -- Sylvia Brunner, PhD Research Associate Museum of Southwestern Biology University of New Mexico 737 Edith Blvd. SE Albuquerque, NM 87102 USA Phone: (505) 277-8017 (505) 243-1029 Cell: (905) 506-2148

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Marine Mammal Observer and Passive Acoustic Monitoring Course May 2009
by Yvonne Miles 19 Apr '09

19 Apr '09

Hi All *Scanning Ocean Sectors – A Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) training company and Joint Nature Conservation Committee – JNCC, recognised course for industry and research.* We have years of research behind the effective training of MMOs with courses adapted to the requirements of the clients, and taught by professionals in their specialised fields. With fully trained and experienced MMOs teaching. Each student is graded in their certificates to ensure the *quality standard * of the MMO industry is gaining. *Please note that the mid range registration for the UK May and June 2009 courses will stay open until 24th April 2009, Late registration will start on 25th April 2009 and final bookings close on 9th May 2009* *Registration will close two weeks before course starts. * * We are now running Passive Acoustic Monitoring courses for MMOs* *May PAM course is 28th & 29th 2009* *And* *June PAM Course 11th **– 12th June 2009* *This course is booking up quickly so don’t leave it late* Please visit our website for more information and to register for all courses *Note * *When you register for a course the course prices will be sent directly to you* *Note – There are limited numbers for each course so please book early to avoid disappointment. This is a 3 **FULL** day INTENSIVE course * If anyone is interested in advertising in our newsletter please contact us for the next issue www.scanningoceansectors.org info(a)scanningoceansectors.org -- Yvonne Miles 9 Long Street Point Vernon Hervey Bay QLD 4655 Australia 0431 824 063 mob 07 4124 8320 land line info(a)scanningoceansectors.org www.scanningoceansectors.org

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New Article: Franciscana dolphins found in inner estuarine waters in Brazil.
by Marcos Santos 19 Apr '09

19 Apr '09

Dear Marmamers: The following manuscript on the discovery of a new population of La Plata dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) in inner estuarine waters of Brazil was recently published. Pdf file available: requests to sotalia(a)gmail.com. Santos, M.C. de O.; Oshima, J.E.F. & da Silva, E. 2009. Sightings of franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei): the discovery of a polulation in the Paranagua Estuarine Complex, southern Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 57(1): 57-63. ABSTRACT: Franciscana dolphins (*Pontoporia blainvillei*)* *are small cetaceans distributed along coastal Atlantic waters of South America from Itaúnas (18º25’S), Brazil, to Golfo Nuevo, Argentina; usually found in shallow, turbid waters, out to the 30 m isobath on the continental shelf, generally associated with estuarine and riverine discharges. The species is considered as a particular conservation concern because of its restricted distribution and vulnerability to incidental captures in fishing gear. Most of the information gathered on the species biology came from studies of dead individuals found stranded or incidentally captured in fishing operations, as *P. blainvillei *is difficult to be sighted in its habitat. However, several sightings made within the area of the species´ distribution have been described. Franciscana dolphins were sighted during boat surveys undertaken to evaluate ecological aspects of Guiana dolphins (*Sotalia guianensis*) in inner estuarine waters of southern and Brazil (~25o30’S) in 2007-2008. Ten franciscana sightings are reported in the Paranagua Estuarine Complex (PEC). Group sizes varied from 2 to 12 individuals. Water depth where sightings occurred varied from 3.8 to 13.4 m and water transparency from 1.3 to 2.5 m. In winter, water salinity ranged between 30 to 31 ppm and its superficial temperature ranged from 16oC to 20oC. In summer, these values were 10 ppm and 27oC, respectively. Adult individuals presented films of algae attached to their bodies. Five individuals presented distinguishable marks on the top or on the posterior border of the dorsal fin, including one female observed in two distinct seasons. Franciscana groups were observed in close proximity to Guiana dolphins (*ca.* 20 m) on several occasions, but no interactions between them were seen. The presence of franciscana dolphins in the PEC reinforces the importance of the Lagamar estuary for biodiversity conservation. Efforts should be directed towards a detailed investigation into population parameters, giving emphasis to abundance, use of area, and the evaluation of whether calves are present all year round, which could constitute important evidence as to the use of the area as a breeding site. Cheers, Marcos C. -- Dr Marcos César de Oliveira Santos Laboratório de Ecologia de Mamíferos Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia: Diversidade e Manejo de Vida Silvestre Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Avenida Unisinos, 950, São Leopoldo, RS, Brasil, 93022-000 E-mail: mcos(a)unisinos.br Telefone/Phone: 51-3590-1229 & Projeto Atlantis, Laboratório de Biologia da Conservação de Cetáceos PROGRAMA JOVEM PESQUISADOR - FAPESP Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Campus Rio Claro Av 24-A, 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, Brasil, 13506-900. E-mail: sotalia(a)rc.unesp.br Endereço Residencial/Home Address: Rua João Alfredo Panitz, 204, apto 602, Centro, São Leopoldo, RS 93010-150 E-mail: sotalia(a)gmail.com Telefone/Phone: 3037-2128

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Whale watching data collection programs - response requested
by Jooke Robbins 19 Apr '09

19 Apr '09

The Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission reviews whale watching activities world-wide, including associated data collection programs. To facilitate that work, we are requesting the following basic information from organizations that collect or receive cetacean data from commercial platforms of opportunity. We are attempting to keep this information current, so if you responded to this request in previous years please confirm that your information still applies in 2008. In the future, we hope to have an on-line interface that will allow you to keep your own information up-to-date. 1) Name of scientific organization 2) Location in which data were collected 3) Years of study 4) Cetacean species studied 5) Type of commercial opportunistic platform used: a) whale watching vessel, b) ferry, c) fishing vessel, d) other-please specify. 6) Type(s) of data collected (list any that apply): a) cetacean sighting data, b) survey effort data, c) animal behavior, d), photo-ID, e) management oriented data (fisheries interactions, ship strikes, harassment), f) scat/prey collection, g) environmental data 7) Category of person responsible for collecting the data: a) captain, b) crew, c) naturalist, d) dedicated scientific observer, e) other--please specify. 8) Were data contributed to another archive (such as an oceanic catalog)? If so, please indicate which one. 9) Will this data collection program continue in 2009? Please e-mail your response as soon as possible and no later than April 30, 2009. Responses should be addressed to Jooke Robbins <jrobbins(a)coastalstudies.org>. Sincerely, Jooke Robbins, Ph.D. Senior Scientist Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies

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