July 2010 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Update from NOAA re Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill and cetaceans
by Laura Engleby 21 Jul '10

21 Jul '10

Dear MARMAM subscribers, NOAA Fisheries Service would like to provide an update on cetacean science and conservation activities being implemented by NOAA and partners in the Gulf of Mexico that are related to the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) BP oil spill event. These activities include: (1) ensuring effective stranding response and data collection by enhancing capabilities with multiple partners along the northern Gulf coast; (2) conducting synoptic aerial assessments surveys for marine mammals and sea turtles; (3) conducting vessel based assessments of bottlenose dolphins in coastal estuaries in the impacted area; (4) conducting visual health assessment and monitoring of dolphins in high risk areas; (5)* *collecting data to determine impacts on the Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed sperm whale and other protected marine mammals in the Gulf and (6) ensuring information is available in a timely manner. *Ensuring effective stranding response * NOAA Fisheries Service and USFWS are integral parts of the Wildlife Branch of the Unified Command in both Houma, LA, and Mobile, AL, which actively coordinate response to any dead, stranded, or live cetacean or manatee in distress. Our partners include all local state agencies and authorized organizations from the Southeast U.S. Marine Mammal Stranding Network. National Stranding Network members and organizations and other non-governmental organizations are also providing expertise and personnel to further enhance capabilities throughout the northern Gulf. Established protocols and procedures for treating marine wildlife impacted by oil have been developed by NOAA and its partners and have been adapted to address the particular needs of this event. Because of the various research and clean up efforts, there are also many individuals making observations along the entire northern Gulf coast. A wildlife hotline for reporting oiled, injured, distressed, or dead marine mammals, sea turtles, or birds (866-557-140), has been established and is working well; all reports are documented, and/or investigated by the appropriate wildlife response personnel. The current spill response area is from the Louisiana/Texas border to the Apalachicola area of Florida. The spill response area is evaluated based on the trajectories of the oil, the biology of the species, and the longer term outlooks. Three primary de-oiling/rehabilitation facilities have been established (LA, MS, and FL). Between April 30, 2010 and July 20, 2010, there have been 67 total verified marine mammal stranding events; 61 were dead stranded dolphins, 5 were live stranded dolphins and one dead floating sperm whale offshore. No manatee strandings have been reported within the spill response area. For details on marine mammal stranding data visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/oilspill.htm. This website is an excellent resource and includes maps of stranding locations, species, oil versus not oiled, numbers of animals necropsied, and other informaton regarding marine mammals, sea turtles and the DWH BP oil spill event. Prior to the oil spill, this year (2010) has already had unusually high stranding rates for bottlenose dolphins in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In the months of March and April, bottlenose dolphin strandings were at or above average stranding rates in the Florida panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. NOAA was in the process of initiating consultation with the Working Group for Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events at the time of the DWH BP oil spill, to determine whether a UME should be declared. That consultation was not completed as it was overcome by the actual spill itself. *Synoptic aerial surveys for assessing marine mammals and sea turtles in the region of the DWH oil spill incident* As part of the Natural Resources Damage Assessment pre-assessment efforts, on 28 April, NOAA initiated aerial surveys to assess the marine mammal and sea turtle species occurring within areas likely to be affected by oil from the DWH BP oil spill, including coastal and continental shelf waters between central Louisiana and Pensacola Bay, Florida. These surveys continue as oil has impacted nearly this entire region to various degrees. The goal of the surveys is to monitor the near-term changes in marine mammal and sea turtle spatial distribution and abundance in response to the oil. The flights are conducted from a NOAA Twin Otter along predetermined track lines that cover the coastal and adjacent continental shelf waters. The surveys are conducted at 600 feet and a speed of 100 knots. Flight duration ranges from 4-6 hours. All marine mammal and sea turtles sightings are recorded along with the occurrence and appearance of any oil. Data collected from the Twin Otter surveys will allow quantitative estimation of the abundance and spatial distribution of marine mammals and sea turtles within the surveyed area. These data can be used to infer broadscale changes in population size or shifts in spatial distribution and thereby directly quantify potential impacts of the incident on these protected species. These surveys cover the entire study area twice a month and will continue through August 2010, and potentially longer. *Vessel based assessments of bottlenose dolphins in coastal estuaries. * Soon after the DWH BP oil spill, NOAA also initiated vessel based assessments of bottlenose dolphins in several coastal areas where oil impacts were anticipated. The ongoing assessments include sampling of dolphin tissues to assess contaminant concentrations and examine stock structure and photo-identification surveys for mark-recapture analysis to document changes in abundance and examine survival and fecundity. The researchers also monitor for signs of distress or abnormal behavior. Four areas have been targeted for this research- Chandeleur Sound, LA, Barataria Bay, LA, Mississippi Sound, MS and AL. A fourth site along the Florida panhandle (St. Joseph Bay) was added in collaboration with Chicago Zoological Society. These areas were chosen based on forecasted oil trajectories, and/or because of existing historical, long-term information on the bottlenose dolphin stocks from previous studies. *Visual health assessment and monitoring of coastal dolphins* Teams are conducting marine mammal behavioral and visual health assessment response surveys in high-risk areas to monitor dolphins for potential signs of distress and provide rapid notification to the wildlife hotline should such distressed animals are detected. Although severely limited in our ability to move dolphins out of their natural habitats in response to the oil spill, NOAA and partners are doing everything we can to help animals if they are in distress and learn as much as possible about how dolphins respond to and might be affected by an oil spill. Thus far, there have not been any confirmed bottlenose dolphins in distress or showing compromised health. *Large-vessel surveys to determine impacts on endangered and other protected Marine Mammals in the Gulf* This NOAA ship-based study focuses on sperm whales and other marine mammals in the deep-water habitats of the north-central Gulf of Mexico impacted by the oil spill. Objectives include: (1) documenting incidence of whale and dolphin exposure to oil; (2) documenting sperm whale and Bryde's whale distribution and residence patterns related to oil and other factors; (3) developing information on population dynamics and stock structure of sperm whales and Bryde's whales; and (4) collecting habitat information and characterizing water column productivity and prey resources. Methods include photo-documentation, visual and long-term passive acoustic monitoring (utilizing HARP and MARU), satellite tagging, and tissue biopsies. The satellite tagging is being conducted in partnership with Oregon State University. The passive acoustic monitoring efforts are being conducted in partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Cornell University. The study areas include the deep waters of the north-central Gulf of Mexico, focusing on the high-use areas for sperm whales, Bryde's whales and other marine mammals. ** *Ensuring information is available online* The following websites include valuable information to keep interested parties informed about NOAA efforts and all other aspects of the oil spill: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/oilspill.htm This website focuses on protected species, specifically marine mammals and sea turtles. Users can find excel data sheets, maps, and other current information about marine mammals and the oil spill as well as NOAA activities. We strongly recommend bookmarking this page and referring to it frequently for marine mammal updates. http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/site/2931/# This is the official site of the Unified Command Center for the DWH BP oil spill. http://www.restorethegulf.gov/ This is the official federal portal for the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill response and recovery. This site provides the public with information on the response, current operations, news and updates, how to file a claim and obtain other assistance, and links to federal, state and local partners. http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/deepwater_horizon_oil_spill.htm This website, updated daily, contains information about Federal fisheries closures in the Gulf of Mexico and fact sheets about fish stocks, protected resources, and habitat in the Gulf. http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/deepwh/ This site provides imagery acquired by the NOAA Remote Sensing Division of the Gulf Coast following the Deepwater Horizon Incident. http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/southeast/deepwater_horizon/index.html This website provides information about natural resource damage assessments conducted by NOAA. http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/deepwaterhorizon/images.html This website provides NOAA images and video related to the oil spill. http://www.incidentnews.gov/incident/8220 The Incident News website provides publicly available information related to oil and hazardous material spills, both current and historical. It is developed and maintained by NOAA. http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/phod/dhos/index.php Maps and graphics shown here help scientists, managers, and decision makers, understand more where the water is going, its properties and how they change over time. http://www.geoplatform.gov/gulfresponse/ Geoplatform integrates the latest data the federal responders have about the oil spill's trajectory with fishery area closures, wildlife data and place-based Gulf Coast resources--such as pinpointed locations of oiled shoreline and current positions of deployed research ships--into one customizable interactive map. http://www.noaa.gov/sciencemissions/bpoilspill.html Source for NOAA data related to the oil spill. We hope this information is helpful to everyone and greatly appreciate all the incredible help and contributions from the marine mammal community. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me <mailto:laura.engleby@noaa.gov>. Best, Laura Laura K. Engleby Marine Mammal Branch Chief Protected Resources Division NOAA Fisheries Service Southeast Region 263 13th Ave South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727-824-5312

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New article 'white Rough-toothed dolphin'
by Marijke de Boer 21 Jul '10

21 Jul '10

Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to announce the following paper recently published in Marine Biodiversity Records. First record of a white rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) off West Africa including notes on rough-toothed dolphin surface behaviour M.N. de Boer Vol. 3, 1-4. Abstract In June 2009, a white rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) calf was photographed in a group of at least 50 dolphins in the southern Gulf of Guinea, 95 nautical miles off the Gabon coast (01845′S 007829′E), West Africa. Reports of unusually pigmented cetaceans are infrequent and this record represents the first of an all-white rough-toothed dolphin. Furthermore, there is little documentation concerning rough-toothed dolphins and this note contributes to the knowledge of this species in tropical West African waters. This article is now available online at: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayIssue?iid=7089132 Thank you to all that helped me with information and the writing of this article! Marijke de Boer, Ph.D candidate Marijke.deboer(a)wur.nl Wageningen IMARES, Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies, Postbus 167, 1790 AD Den Burg, The Netherlands

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Response to question re: BP oil spill cetacean research
by Vicki Cornish 20 Jul '10

20 Jul '10

Natacha et al - In response to your question regarding research efforts associated with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the Marine Mammal Commission is monitoring closely all aspects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, including response and assessment efforts. We are in close communication with NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) - the two primary federal agencies involved in response and assessment for marine mammals and sea turtles. These agencies are preparing a detailed response to your query, which may take a few days to post. In the interim, please note that there are a wide variety of assessment activities that are ongoing, including vessel and aircraft surveys in coastal and deepwater habitats, tagging and tracking studies, and deployment of passive acoustic monitors along the continental shelf from Texas to Florida, as well as an analysis of information and tissues from biopsy samples, stranded animals, and animals in rehabilitation. This information is being used to direct response efforts and to assess marine mammal movements and behavioral responses. NMFS and FWS have posted information on numbers of strandings, as well as response and assessment efforts, on their respective websites: - NMFS Office of Protected Resources - www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/oilspill.htm - NOAA Office of Response and Restoration - response.restoration.noaa.gov/, then click on BP Oil Spill icon - US Fish and Wildlife Service - www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/ Many researchers from the marine mammal research community have expressed an interest in doing research in the Gulf to help assess the spill's impact on marine mammals, and the Marine Mammal Commission encourages additional research. Some researchers already have permits for work in the Gulf or on species potentially affected by the spill. The Marine Mammal Commission has encouraged NMFS' permit office to coordinate research being conducted by permit holders already authorized or seeking authorization to work on Gulf marine mammals, and to solicit specific details regarding planned research. Such coordination will help NMFS ensure that necessary research is being conducted, that unnecessary redundancy is being avoided, and that the added stress from research projects is being appropriately managed. The Marine Mammal Commission will continue to support the activities of the various federal and state agencies involved in response and assessment. We have posted information about oil spills and their effect on marine mammals on the Commission's website at www.mmc.gov. Once response and assessment efforts have been fully implemented, the Marine Mammal Commission likely will review those activities to assess their effectiveness and identify ways that regulatory agencies can improve their responses to future spill events. Hope this is helpful, Vicki Cornish Energy Policy Analyst Marine Mammal Commission 4340 East-West Highway Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 504-0087 www.mmc.gov

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Wild Bottlenose Dolphin Research Internship
by kmchugh＠mote.org 20 Jul '10

20 Jul '10

*************************************************************************** Sarasota Dolphin Research Program Internships The Chicago Zoological Societys Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP), based at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, conducts the worlds longest-running study of a wild dolphin population. The programs goal is to contribute to a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of populations of small cetaceans, as well as the natural and anthropogenic factors that impact them. The SDRP uses an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach in conducting studies of bottlenose dolphins within Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and the Gulf of Mexico coastal waters. For more information about the SDRP, please visit: www.sarasotadolphin.org. The SDRP is in the process of selecting volunteer interns for the Winter/Spring 2011 internship program (a minimum of 10 weeks of participation during 3 January 13 May). The successful candidates will participate in at least two research projects: 1) Dolphin population monitoring project (approx 80% time) This study will continue to monitor the resident bottlenose dolphin community in Sarasota Bay. Duties in the field will include assisting with boat-based photographic identification surveys for dolphin groups. Behavioral, location, individual, and environmental data will be recorded for each dolphin group. While in the lab, work will generally involve photo-identification of dolphins, computer data entry, dolphin dorsal fin identification catalog maintenance, equipment maintenance and other duties. 2) Dolphin prey and habitat use project (approx. 20% time) This study will use the Sarasota dolphin community and fish populations to study predator-prey interactions and energetics, specifically helping us to understand relationships between distributions of dolphins and their prey and factors that affect fish community ecology, such as red tide. While in the field, work will involve sampling of fish communities through purse seining techniques, collections of prey fish for energetic and stable isotope analysis, and collection of other environmental data. There is no compensation for these internship positions, and successful applicants will be responsible for their own living and transportation expenses during the time of the internship. Shared housing opportunities near Mote Marine Laboratory may be available (cost: $85/week). A few scholarships are available from Mote Marine Laboratory through a competitive application process (US citizens only). Applicants would ideally have the following qualifications: Minimum of 18 years of age and engaged in or recently completed undergraduate studies; A background or degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology or a related field; Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (especially Excel and Access); Some field research experience preferred but not required; Must be able to swim; Enthusiasm and desire to learn a variety of field and lab based research methods; A willingness to spend a minimum of 2-3 months working full time with our program. To apply for a Sarasota Dolphin Research Program internship, interested persons should: 1) Fill out an application form by at Mote Marine Laboratorys website (www.mote.org/interns) Be sure to select Sarasota Dolphin Research Program as your first choice; 2) Complete and provide to Motes intern office all other application materials including: a statement of interest, current college transcript, letter of recommendation, and curriculum vitae; 3) Send a brief email to the SDRPs Intern Coordinator (Katie McHugh, kmchugh(a)mote.org) stating your name, contact information, exact dates and duration of availability and that you have provided all of your application materials to the Mote intern office, as detailed above. All applications will be reviewed; those received by September 15th will be given first priority. We are seeking 2-3 interns for the Winter/Spring of 2011, depending on scheduling. Applicants may contact Katie McHugh (941-388-4441 ext. 375, kmchugh(a)mote.org) in the SDRP with any questions. ****************************************************************************

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New Articles
by David S. Janiger 18 Jul '10

18 Jul '10

Hi, All Here's the latest posting of new PDF's that are available. File sizes have been included. Abstracts also available on request. Make all requests to: janiger(a)cox.net (The janiger(a)bcf.usc.edu mail account is not working correctly) 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)cox.net djaniger(a)nhm.org Janiger Journals ANDRIOLO, ARTUR; PAUL G. KINAS; MARCIA H. ENGEL; CRISTIANE C. ALBUQUERQUE MARTINS and ANNE M. RUFINO. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 11(3):233-243. 2010. Humpback whales within the Brazilian breeding ground: Distribution and population size estimate. 0.976 MB ARCHER, FREDERICK I.; JESSICA V. REDFERN; TIM GERRODETTE; SUSAN J. CHIVERS and WILLIAM F. PERRIN. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 410:245-255. 2010. Estimation of relative exposure of dolphins to fishery activity. 1.241 MB ATTARD, MARIE R. G.; BENJAMIN J. PITCHER; ISABELLE CHARRIER; HEIDI AHONEN and ROBRET G. HARCOURT. ETHOLOGY 116(8):704-712. 2010. Vocal discrimination in mate guarding male Australian sea lions: Familiarity breeds contempt. 0.186 MB BAUMANN-PICKERING, SIMONE; SEAN M. WIGGINS; ETHAN H. ROTH; MARIE A. ROCH; HANS-ULRICH SCHNITZLER and JOHN A. HILDEBRAND. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 127(6):3790-3799. 2010. Echolocation signals of a beaked whale at Palmyra Atoll. 2.223 MB BEARZI, GIOVANNI; STEFANO AGAZZI; JOAN GONZALVO; SILVIA BONIZZONI; MARINA COSTA and ANNALISE PETROSELLI. AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 20(5):549-559. 2010. Biomass removal by dolphins and fisheries in a Mediterranean Sea coastal area: Do dolphins have an ecological impact on fisheries? 0.287 MB BORRELL, A.; A. GARCIA-SOLA; A. AGUILAR; N. A. GARCIA and E. A. CRESPO. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 84(6):731-737. 2010. Organochlorine residues in South American sea lions, Otaria flavescens (Shaw, 1800): Bioaccumulation and time trends. 0.280 MB BOSSART, GREGORY D.; JOHN S. REIF; ADAM M. SCHAEFER; JULI GOLDSTEIN; PATRICIA A. FAIR and JEREMIAH T. SALIKI. VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY 143(2-4):160-166. 2010. Morbillivirus infection in free-ranging Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the southeastern United States: Seroepidemiologic and pathologic evidence of subclinical infection. 0.152 MB BOYD, I. L. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 143(7):1664-1674. 2010. Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the "wicked" problem of the Steller sea lion. 1.170 MB CHEN, LIAN; MICHAEL W. BRUFORD; SHIXIA XU; KAIYA ZHOU and GUANG YANG. MARINE BIOLOGY (BERLIN) 157(7):1453-1462. 2010. Microsatellite variation and significant population genetic structure of endangered finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) in Chinese coastal waters and the Yangtze River. 0.347 MB CHRISTIANSEN, FREDRIK; DAVID LUSSEAU; EVA STENSLAND and PER BERGGREN. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 11(1):91-99. 2010. Effects of tourist boats on the behaviour of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins off the south coast of Zanzibar. 0.380 MB DE BOER, MARIJKE N. MARINE BIODIVERSITY RECORDS 3: e66. 4pp. 2010. First record of a white rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) off West Africa including notes on rough-toothed dolphin surface behaviour. 0.207 MB DIBBERN, J. STEPHEN. POLAR RECORD 46(3):210-221. 2010. Fur seals, whales and tourists: A commercial history of Deception Island, Antarctica. 0.851 MB DURBAN, J.; D. ELLIFRIT; M. DAHLHEIM; J. WAITE; C. MATKIN; L. BARRETT-LENNARD; G. ELLIS; R. PITMAN; R. LEDUC and P. WADE. MARINE BIOLOGY (BERLIN) 157(7):1591-1604. 2010. Photographic mark-recapture analysis of clustered mammal-eating killer whales around the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska. 0.511 MB ENDO, TETSUYA and KOICHI HARAGUCHI. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 60(5):743-747. 2010. High mercury levels in hair samples from residents of Taiji, a Japanese whaling town. 0.218 MB FOOTE, ANDREW D.; TIU SIMILA; GISLI A. VIKINGSSON and PETER T. STEVICK. EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY 24(4):803-814. 2010. Movement, site fidelity and connectivity in a top marine predator, the killer whale. 0.431 MB FRANKS, BECCA; HEIDI LYN; LAUREN KLEIN and DIANA REISS. ZOO BIOLOGY 29(3):397-404. 2010. The influence of feeding, enrichment, and seasonal context on the behavior of Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). 0.159 MB GILBEY, JOHN. NATURE (LONDON) 466(7301):1013. 2010. Q&A: Prime-time dissection with Joy Reidenberg. 0.237 MB GOLDSWORTHY, SIMON D.; BRAD PAGE; ANDREW WELLING; MAGALY CHAMBELLANT and COREY J. A. BRADSHAW. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 409:255-266. 2010. Selection of diving strategy by Antarctic fur seals depends on where and when foraging takes place. 1.068 MB GRANT, REBECCA J.; KAREN L. KELLEY; JAMES E. MARUNIAK; ALEJANDRA GARCIA-MARUNIAK; TOM BARRETT; CHARLES A. MANIRE and CARLOS H. ROMERO. VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY 143(2-4):384-388. 2010. Expression from baculovirus and serological reactivity of the nucleocapsid protein of dolphin morbillivirus. 0.301 MB HALL, AILSA J. and ELIZABETH FRAME. HARMFUL ALGAE 9(5):489-493. 2010. Evidence of domoic acid exposure in harbour seals from Scotland: A potential factor in the decline in abundance? 0.210 MB HAMPE, OLIVER and SVEN BASZIO. BULLETIN OF GEOSCIENCES 85(2):199-218. 2010. Relative warps meet cladistics: A contribution to the phylogenetic relationships of baleen whales based on landmark analyses of mysticete crania. 1.846 MB HANSON, M. BRADLEY; ROBIN W. BAIRD; JOHN K. B. FORD; JENNIFER HEMPELMANN-HALOS; DONALD M. VAN DOORNIK; JOHN R. CANDY; CANDICE K. EMMONS; GREGORY S. SCHORR; BRIAN GISBORNE; KATHERINE L. AYRES; SAMUEL K. WASSER; et al. (See remarks for full author list ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 11(1):69-82. 2010. Species and stock identification of prey consumed by endangered southern resident killer whales in their summer range. 0.840 MB HOBBS, RODERICK C. and JANICE M. WAITE. FISHERY BULLETIN 108(3):251-267. 2010. Abundance of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in three Alaskan regions, corrected for observer errors due to perception bias and species misidentification, and corrected for animals submerged from view. 1.353 MB IBSEN, STUART D.; WHITLOW W. L. AU; PAUL E. NACHTIGALL; CAROLINE M. DELONG and MARLEE BREESE. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 127(6):3821-3829. 2010. Changes in consistency patterns of click frequency content over time of an echolocating Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. 0.713 MB JOHANOS, THEA C.; BRENDA L. BECKER; JASON D. BAKER; TIMOTHY J. RAGEN; WILLIAM G. GILMARTIN and TIM GERRODETTE. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 11(2):123-132. 2010. Impacts of sex ratio reduction on male aggression in the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal Monachus schauinslandi. 0.671 MB KORN, MARIA GRACAS A.; GABRIEL LUIZ DOS SANTOS; SUZANA M. ROSA; LEONARDO S. G. TEIXEIRA and PEDRO V. DE OLIVEIRA. MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL 96(1):12-16. 2010. Determination of cadmium and lead in cetacean Dolphinidae tissue from the coast of Bahia state in Brazil by GFAAS. 0.151 MB LAMBERT, OLIVIER; GIOVANNI BIANUCCI; KLAAS POST; CHRISTIAN DE MUIZON; RODOLFO SALAS-GISMONDI; MARIO URBINA and JELLE REUMER. NATURE (LONDON) 466(7302):105-108. 2010. The giant bite of a new raptorial sperm whale from the Miocene epoch of Peru. 0.471 MB LAW, ROBIN J.; JON BARRY; PHILIPPE BERSUDER; JONATHAN L. BARBER; ROB DEAVILLE; ROBERT J. REID and PAUL D. JEPSON. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 44(12):4447-4451. 2010. Levels and trends of brominated diphenyl ethers in blubber of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from the UK, 1992-2008. 0.174 MB LEENEY, RUTH H.; ANNETTE C. BRODERICK; CHERYL MILLS; SUE SAYER; MATTHEW J. WITT and BRENDAN J. GODLEY. JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM 90(5):1033-1040. 2010. Abundance, distribution and haul-out behaviour of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, UK. 0.205 MB LEHNERT, K.; G. VAN SAMSON-HIMMELSTJERNA; D. SCHAUDIEN; C. BLEIDORN; P. WOHLSEIN and U. SIEBERT. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY 40(7):845-853. 2010. Transmission of lungworms of harbour porpoises and harbour seals: Molecular tools determine potential vertebrate intermediate hosts. 0.653 MB LUKE, JONAS PHILIPP; JOSE G. MARICHAL-HERNANDEZ; FERNANDO ROSA and JAVIER ALMUNIA. APPLIED ACOUSTICS 71(8):771-776. 2010. Real time automatic detection of Orcinus orca vocalizations in a controlled environment. 0.555 MB MANCIA, ANNALAURA; GREGORY W. WARR; JONAS S. ALMEIDA; ARTUR VELOSO; RANDALL S. WELLS and ROBERT W. CHAPMAN. ESTUARIES AND COASTS 33(4):919-929. 2010. Transcriptome profiles: Diagnostic signature of dolphin populations. 0.440 MB MOLNAR, PETER K.; ANDREW E. DEROCHER; GREGORY W. THEIMANN and MARK A. LEWIS. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 143(7):1612-1622. 2010. Predicting survival, reproduction and abundance of polar bears under climate change. 0.480 MOON, HYO-BANG; KURUNTHACHALAM KANNAN; SEHUN YUN; YONG-ROCK AN; SEOK-GWAN CHOI; JUNG-YOUN PARK; ZANG-GEUN KIM; DAE-YEON MOON and HEE-GU CHOI. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 60(7):1130-1135. 2010. Perfluorinated compounds in minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) from Korean coastal waters. 0.272 MB MORIN, PHILLIP A.; FREDERICK I. ARCHER; ANDREW D. FOOTE; JULIA VILSTRUP; ERIC E. ALLEN; PAUL WADE; JOHN DURBAN; KIM PARSONS; ROBERT PITMAN; LEWYN LI; PASCAL BOUFFARD; SANDRA C. ABEL NIELSEN; MORTEN RASMUSSEN; et al. (See remarks for ful author list) GENOME RESEARCH 20(7):908-916. 2010. Complete mitochondrial genome phylogeographic analysis of killer whales (Orcinus orca) indicates multiple species. 0.530 MB PAILHAS, YAN; CHRIS CAPUS; KEITH BROWN and PATRICK MOORE. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 127(6):3809-3820. 2010. Analysis and classification of broadband echoes using bio-inspired dolphin pulses. 1.156 MB PARK, BU-KYEONG; GYUM-JOON PARK; YONG-ROCK AN; HEE-GU CHOI; GI BEUM KIM and HYO-BANG MOON. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 60(5):768-774. 2010. Organohalogen contaminants in finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) from Korean coastal waters: Contamination status, maternal transfer and ecotoxicological implications. 0.720 MB PASTENE, LUIS A.; JORGE ACEVEDO; MUTSUO GOTO; ALEXANDRE N. ZERBINI; PAOLA ACUNA and ANELIO AGUAYO-LOBO. CONSERVATION GENETICS 11(4):1553-1558. 2010. Population structure and possible migratory links of common minke whales, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, in the Southern Hemisphere. 0.376 MB PINSKY, M. L.; S. D. NEWSOME; B. R. DICKERSON; Y. FANG; M. VAN TUINEN; D. J. KENNETT; R. R. REAM and E. A. HADLY. MOLECULAR ECOLOGY 19(12):2418-2429. 2010. Dispersal provided resilience to range collapse in a marine mammal: Insights from the past to inform conservation biology. 0.295 MB PORSCHMANN, ULRICH; FRITZ TRILLMICH; BIRTE MUELLER and JOCHEN B. W. WOLF. MOLECULAR ECOLOGY 19(12):2574-2586. 2010. Male reproductive success and its behavioural correlates in a polygynous mammal, the Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki). 0.290 MB RAUSCH, ROBERT L.; ANN M. ADAMS and LEO MARGOLIS. JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 96(2):359-365. 2010. Identity of Diphyllobothrium spp. (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) from sea lions and people along the Pacific coast of South America. 0.555 MB ROSSI, MICHAEL. ISIS 101(2):338-361. 2010. Fabricating authenticity modeling a whale at the American Museum of Natural History, 1906-1974. 0.458 MB ROWE, LUCY E.; ROHAN J. C. CURREY; STEPHEN M. DAWSON and DAVE JOHNSON. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 11(1):83-89. 2010. Assessment of epidermal condition and calf size of Fiordland bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus populations using dorsal fin photographs and photogrammetry. 0.877 MB RUGH, DAVID J.; KIM E. W. SHELDEN and RODERICK C. HOBBS. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 12(1):69-75. 2010. Range contraction in a beluga whale population. 0.744 MB SALVADEO, CHRISTIAN J.; DANIEL LLUCH-BELDA; ALEJANDRO GOMEZ-GALLARDO; JORGE URBAN-RAMIREZ and COLIN D. MACLEOD. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 11(1):13-19. 2010. Climate change and a poleward shift in the distribution of the Pacific white-sided dolphin in the northeastern Pacific. 0.545 MB SAMARAN, FLORE; CHRISTOPHE GUINET; OLIVIER ADAM; JEAN-FRANCOIS MOTSCH and YVES CANSI. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 127(6):3800-3808. 2010. Source level estimation of two blue whale subspecies in southwestern Indian Ocean. 0.559 MB SCHMIDT, JEREMY J. and MARTHA DOWSLEY. HUMAN ECOLOGY 38(3):377-387. 2010. Hunting with polar bears: Problems with the passive properties of the commons. 0.197 MB SMULTEA, MARI A; THOMAS A. JEFFERSON and ANN M. ZOIDIS. PACIFIC SCIENCE 64(3):449-457. 2010. Rare sightings of a Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) and sei whales (B. borealis) (Cetacea: Balaenopteridae) northeast of O'ahu, Hawai'i. 0.533 MB SONNE, CHRISTIAN. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 36(5):461-491. 2010. Health effects from long-range transported contaminants in Arctic top predators: An integrated review based on studies of polar bears and relevant model species. 3.287 MB STAGGS, LYDIA; JUDY ST. LEGER; GREGORY BOSSART; FORREST I. TOWNSEND, JR.; CHRISTIE HICKS and MICHAEL RINALDI. JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE 41(2):287-290. 2010. A novel case of Fusarium oxysporum infection in an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). 0.483 MB STOCKIN, K. A.; R. J. LAW; W. D. ROE; L. MEYNIER; E. MARTINEZ; P. J. DUIGNAN; P. BRIDGEN and B. JONES. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 60(6):834-842. 2010. PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in Hector's (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) and Maui's (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) dolphins. 0.414 MB SUPIN, ALEXANDER YA.; PAUL E. NACHTIGALL and MARLEE BREESE. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 127(6):3830-3836. 2010. Target distance-dependent variation of hearing sensitivity during echolocation in a false killer whale. 0.544 MB TAGUCHI, MIOKO; SUSAN J. CHIVERS; PATRICIA E. ROSEL; TAKASHI MATSUISHI and SYUITI ABE. MARINE BIOLOGY (BERLIN) 157(7):1489-1498. 2010. Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography of the harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena in the North Pacific. 0.442 MB TEILMANN, JONAS; FRANK RIGET and TERO HARKONEN. ICES (INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE SEAS) JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 67(5):952-958. 2010. Optimizing survey design for Scandinavian harbour seals: Population trend as an ecological quality element. 0.368 MB UHEN, MARK D. ANNUAL REVIEW OF EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES 38:189-219. 2010. The origin(s) of whales. 1.474 MB VAZQUEZ-MEDINA, JOSE PABLO; DANIEL E. CROCKER; HENRY JAY FORMAN and RUDY M. ORTIZ. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 213(14):2524-2530. 2010. Prolonged fasting does not increase oxidative damage or inflammation in postweaned northern elephant seal pups. 0.454 MB VIDDI, FRANCISCO A.; RODRIGO HUCKE-GAETE; JUAN P. TORRES-FLOREZ and SANDRA RIBEIRO. ICES (INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE SEAS) JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 67(5):959-970. 2010. Spatial and seasonal variability in cetacean distribution in the fjords of northern Patagonia, Chile. 0.711 MB WEIJS, LIESBETH; KRISHNA DAS; HUGO NEELS; RONNY BLUST and ADRIAN COVACI. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 60(5):725-731. 2010. Occurrence of anthropogenic and naturally-produced organohalogenated compounds in tissues of Black Sea harbour porpoises. 0.477 MB WIESKOTTEN, S.; G. DEHNHARDT; B. MAUCK; L. MIERSCH and W. HANKE. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 213(13):2194-2200. 2010. Hydrodynamic determination of the moving direction of an artificial fin by a harbour seal (Phoca vitulina). 0.763 MB WIIG, OYSTEIN; LUTZ BACHMANN; NILS OIEN; KIT M. KOVACS and CHRISTIAN LYDERSEN. POLAR BIOLOGY 33(7):979-984. 2010. Observations of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in the Svalbard area 1940-2009. 0.355 MB WISZNIEWSKI, JOANNA; LUCIANO B. BEHEREGARAY; SIMON J. ALLEN and LUCIANA M. MOELLER. CONSERVATION GENETICS 11(4):1405-1419. 2010. Environmental and social influences on the genetic structure of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in southeastern Australia. 0.605 MB YIJIE XIAN; KEXIONG WANG; LIJUN DONG; YUJIANG HAO and DING WANG. MARINE AND FRESHWATER BEHAVIOUR AND PHYSIOLOGY 43(3):221-225. 2010. Some observations on the sociosexual behavior of a captive male Yangtze finless porpoise calf (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis). 0.146 MB YORDY, JENNIFER E.; RANDALL S. WELLS; BRIAN C. BALMER; LORI H. SCHWACKE; TERI K. ROWLES and JOHN R. KUCKLICK. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 44(12):4789-4795. 2010. Partitioning of persistent organic pollutants between blubber and blood of wild bottlenose dolphins: Implications for biomonitoring and health. 0.851 MB ZEPPELIN, TONYA K. and ANTHONY J. ORR. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 409:241-253. 2010. Stable isotope and scat analyses indicate diet and habitat partitioning in northern fur seals Callorhinus ursinus across the eastern Pacific. 0.703 MB

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Abstracts - The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals, Vol. 7(1-2), 2009
by Dagmar Fertl 18 Jul '10

18 Jul '10

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 The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals (LAJAM). LAJAM is distributed to members of the Sociedad Latinoamericana de Especialistas en Mamíferos Acuaticos/Latin American Society of Experts on Aquatic Mammals (solamac.org) and the Sociedad Mexicana de Mastozoología Marina/Mexican Society for Marine Mammalogy (www.somemma.org) For more information on subscriptions to LAJAM or manuscript submittals, please go to: solamac.org. Abstracts are presented as a courtesy to LAJAM's Editor-in-Chief – Dr. Daniel Palacios (Daniel.Palacios(a)noaa.gov) and Managing Editor – Dr. Salvatore Siciliano (sal(a)ensp.fiocruz.br) LAJAM publishes articles concerning research, management and conservation biology of aquatic mammals in Latin America, regardless of the nationality of the authors. Articles on techniques broadly applicable to the study of aquatic mammals will also be considered regardless of author's nationality. 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 dfertl(a)gmail.com ******************* Franco-Trecu, V.*, P. Costa, C. Abud, C. Dimitriadis, P. Laporta, C. Passadore, and M. Szephegyi. 2009. By-catch of franciscana Pontoporia blainvellei in Uruguayan artisanal gillnet fisheries: an evaluation after a twelve-year gap in data collection. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2): 11-22. *Corresponding author, e-mail: franciscana(a)fcien.edu.uy The franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) is the most threatened small cetacean in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Its incidental capture in the Uruguayan fisheries of the Atlantic oceanic coast (AOC) has been recorded since 1940 and was systematically studied from 1974 to 1994, providing the most recent by-catch per unit of effort estimate (BPUE) for the AOC region (0.0064 franciscanas per 1000m net per fishing set). The lack of new by-catch data during the past 12 years has led to a data gap in by-catch estimates for the species in Uruguay. The current study was developed in two separate stages, a first stage (July 2004 - December 2005) designed to identify fisheries that interact with franciscana, and a second stage (2006), designed to determine new BPUE and franciscana mortality estimates for the selected fisheries. During the first stage, 13 artisanal fisheries of the Uruguayan coast were visited monthly, while in the second stage five fisheries (including the Rio de la Plata estuary and the AOC) were selected for monitoring. During 2006, 26 fishermen recorded all the information related to each fishing event, allowing the estimation of fishing effort calculated in linear units multiplied by hour (FEL). We also estimated a fishing set (FES) based by-catch rate which allowed the comparison with previously reported results. For 2006, the BPUEL (based on FEL) was estimated at 0.0020 franciscanas per 1000m net per hour and the BPUES at 0.0286 franciscanas per 1000m net per fishing set. The BPUEL was extrapolated to the surveyed fishing fleets during 2006, resulting in a mortality estimate of 289 (95% CI: 266-350) franciscanas. Based on the fishing dynamics reported herein, we consider the BPUEL the most accurate estimate of by-catch for the Uruguayan coast. This research updates the values of BPUE in the AOC after a 12-year information gap and includes the first by-catch evaluation in the Uruguayan estuarine coast. We highly recommend an abundance estimation of the species to complement the information reported herein in order to know the current status of franciscana dolphin population in Uruguay. *********** Salvadeo, C.J.*, A. Gómez-Gallardo, D. Lluch-Belda, and J. Urbán R. 2009. The odontocete community and its environment in the southwestern Gulf of California. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):23-32. *Corresponding author, e-mail: chsalvadeo(a)yahoo.com.mx Community structure is a function of the number of species, their relative abundance and the characteristics of the dominant, common and rare species that are part of it. It also can be described by changes in its physical and biological environment. The aim of the present work is to describe the odontocete community, its temporal changes and the relationship with environmental variability and food availability in the southwestern Gulf of California (GC). Information was obtained from 21 sampling trips from September 2003 to March 2006 between La Paz Bay and Loreto, with a sampling effort of 8769.1km. We recorded the presence, location and other biological parameters of odontocete sightings. Data on environmental variability was obtained from satellite images of sea surface temperature and chlorophyll concentration, and food availability from published reports. A total of 30201 odontocete cetaceans were recorded from 353 sightings, belonging to 10 different species. We observed a temporal lag between the peaks in productivity and an increased presence of odontocete species. The community structure showed a seasonal change in the abundance of the dominant (Tursiops truncatus and Delphinus sp.) and common species (Globicephala macrorhynchus and Kogia sp.), as well as by the absence or presence of scarce (Physeter macrocephalus and Orcinus orca) and rare species (Pseudorca crassidens and Lagenorhynchus obliquidens). This seasonal community change is in agreement with the known seasonal movements of its main prey inside the GC, which, in turn, is related to seasonal environmental variation. We observed that the community structure was dominated by fish-eating species during the temperate season and responded to the increased presence and aggregation of sardines (Sardinops sagax caerulea) in the southern GC, whereas the warm season was dominated by squid-eating species and related to the increased presence and aggregation of the jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) in the GC’s west coast. ************* Pacheco, A.S.*, S. Silva, and B. Alcorta. 2009. Winter distribution and group composition of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) off northern Peru. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):33-38. * Corresponding author, e-mail: babuchapv(a)yahoo.com >From late July to the end of September 2009, the temporal and spatial distribution and group composition of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were studied in order to provide new information about the species in northern Peru, the southern limit of the breeding area for the Southeast Pacific population. Daily surveys were made from a whale-watching boat from Los Organos (04°10’38.78"S, 81°8’04.40"W) and covering an area of approximately 74km2. Data about geographic position and group composition are presented. A total of 43 trips yielded a total of 124 sightings. Whales were observed throughout the study period with a peak in abundance in late August. Humpbacks were distributed mainly in shallow waters between 20 and 50m depth. Pairs and trios were the most common group type, whereas adults and mother/calf pairs were the principal sex/age classes. Our data confirms breeding and nursing activities in the southern limit of the wintering area for the Southeast Pacific stock. Frequent use of the shallow waters of the northern Peruvian coast by fishing operations may cause negative impacts on this sensitive phase in the humpback’s life cycle. Thus, strengthening the current protection measures is encouraged. *********** Castelblanco- Martínez, D.N., B. Morales-Vela*, H.A. Hernández-Arana, and J. Padilla-Saldivar. 2009. Diet of the manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Chetumal Bay, Mexico. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):39-46. * Corresponding author, e-mail: bmorales(a)ecosur.mx Manatees, as well as other sirenians, are aquatic, opportunistic herbivores. Knowledge of their diet is important to determine habitat requirements. This is the first study of manatee diet in México. Our main objective was to identify the plant species eaten by manatees in Chetumal Bay, and to establish if diet composition varied by climatic season, sex or age class. We compared plant epidermal fragments found in feces with histological descriptions and permanent collections of suspected plants and algae. Thirty-six fecal samples and nine tract digestive content samples (mouth, stomach, and cecum) were examined. We found eight distinct plant items, including seagrasses, freshwater grasses, algae and vascular plants. Halodule wrightii and Thalassia testudinum were found in 41 samples (92%), and Ruppia sp. was present in 57.8%. Another common item was red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), found in 66.7% of samples. Additionally, we report Chara sp. and Najas sp. as part of the West Indian manatee’s diet outside of Florida. A multivariate analysis based on a presence/absence triangular matrix and a similarity analysis were used to test differences among samples. Season, sex or age class did not influence diet composition. All species identified are present in Chetumal Bay, suggesting that manatees do not move long distances at sea in search of food. We postulate that consumption of red mangrove by Chetumal Bay manatees may occur as compensation for the scarcity of submersed aquatic plants, which has not been reported for other habitats for this species. *********** Luz Carvalho, V.*, A.C. Oliveira De Meirelles, M.R. Alves Motta, D.C. Branco De Sousa Colares Maia, M.V. Moraes Campello, and C.M. Leal Bevilaqua. 2009. Occurrence of Pulmonicola cochleotrema (syn. Cochleotrema cochleotrema) (Digenea: Opisthotrematidae) in Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Brazil. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):47-52. * Corresponding author, e-mail: vitorluz(a)yahoo.com.br The present work reports the first record of the trematode parasite Pulmonicola cochleotrema in Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Brazil. Out of 15 necropsied manatees in the State of Ceará, the parasite was found in the nares, trachea and bronchi of four animals (two juvenile males, one juvenile female and one adult female), for a prevalence of 26.7%. The parasites were identified based on morphological features observed in the 38 collected specimens. No pathological manifestations were observed associated with the presence of the parasites in the present study. The prevalence observed in the State of Ceará and the lack of reports of this parasite species in other states of northeastern Brazil may suggest the existence of an isolated population, a higher occurrence of the intermediate host, or differences in the feeding habits of the manatees. ********************* Jefferson, T.A.*, P.A. Olson, T.R. Kieckhefer, and L. Rojas-Bracho. 2009. Photo-identification of the vaquita (Phocoena sinus): the world’s most endangered cetacean. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):53-56. *Corresponding author, e-mail: sclymene(a)aol.com No abstract was provided. This note is about how in the autumn of 2008, a large-scale international effort to study the vaquita and develop methods to monitor its population status was conducted. As part of this effort, the authors investigated the feasibility of getting high quality photos of vaquitas and of using photoidentification methods. From 2-30 October 2008, the authors conducted small-vessel surveys for vaquitas from a shore-based station in San Felipe, Baja California Norte, Mexico. Six individuals were photo-identified. Based on this sample, and considering only those with long-term markings, an estimated 24-31% of adults would be suitable for long-term photo-identification. ************** Pardo, M.A., A. Mejía-Fajardo, S. Beltrán-Pedreros, F. Trujillo, I. Kerr, and D.M. Palacios*. 2009. Odontocete sightings collected during offshore cruises in the western and southwestern Caribbean Sea. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2): 57-62. *Corresponding author, e-mail: Daniel.Palacios(a)noaa.gov No abstract was provided. This note is about odontocete sightings made during four offshore cruises in Colombian and Panamanian waters spanning the period 1988-2008. Fourteen sightings of six odontocete species were collected during the four cruises: Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata), common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Observations of the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), the false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) and the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) are the first for these areas. *************** Pardo, M.A.*, C. Jiménez-Pinedo, and D.M. Palacios. 2009. The false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) in the southwestern Caribbean: first stranding record in Colombian waters. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):63-67. * Corresponding author, e-mail: biomario(a)gmail.com No abstract was provided. This note documents the first record of a stranding of the false killer whale Pseudorca crassidens in the Colombian Caribbean, and describes in detail the skull morphology of the specimen. The stranding occurred in June 2001 in the Santuario de Fauna y Flora Los Flamencos (SFFLF), a national natural reserve located 23km southwest of the city of Rioacha, Columbia. With this report, the authors validate occurrence of the false killer whale in Colombian waters and add the southwestern Caribbean to the confirmed range of this species. ***************** Fraija, N.*, L. Flórez-González, and A. Jáuregui. 2009. Cetacean occurrence in the Santa Maria region, Colombian Caribbean, February-May 2007. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):69-73. * Corresponding author, e-mail: natalia.fraija(a)gmail.com No abstract was provided. This note reports on the cetacean community around Santa Marta in Colombian Caribbean waters. The study was conducted during February and May 2007 from both land-based and boat-based platforms; the article also presents stranding records. Species documented include a stranding of the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), and sightings of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), and rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis). ************* Bolaños-Jiménez, J., D. Fertl, and M. Iñíguez. 2009. Killer whale (Orcinus orca) occurrence in Venezuelan waters, 1982-2008. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):75-79. * Corresponding author, e-mail: sea_vida(a)yahoo.es No abstract was provided. This note documents 18 sighting records of killer whales in Venezuelan waters during April 1992-January 2008. The authors note that little information is available for killer whales in Carribean waters. Possible seasonal occurrence for the species in this region is discussed. *************** Alava, J.J. and G. Merlen. 2009. Video-documentation of a killer whale (Orcinus orca) predatory attack on a giant manta (Manta birostris) in the Galápagos Islands. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):81-84. * Corresponding author, e-mail: jalavasa(a)sfu.ca No abstract was provided. This note presents the first detailed observations of killer whale predation on a giant manta in Galápagos waters, including still photographs, based on an underwater video recording. The video recording of this event was made on 4 June 2004 by a tourist traveling aboard an ecotourism vessel north of Fenandina and Isabela islands. Also provided is a compilation of reported ray predation events worldwide by killer whales. ************** Díaz-Aguirre, F.*, S. Navarrete, C. Salinas, L. Hiriart, V. Castillo, A. Zerega, R. Ritter, and C. Castilla. 2009. First report on the long-term presence of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) off central Chile. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):85-87. * Corresponding author, e-mail: ferna.diaz(a)uandresbello.edu No abstract was provided. This note reports on land-based and boat-based observations were conducted from November 2004 to September 2006, December 2006 to March 2007 and August 2007 off central Chile. This study represents the first long-term documentation of this species in the nearshore waters of the V Region of Chile and provides evidence of a previously undocumented population of common bottlenose dolphins inhabiting central Chile. The authors conclude that the long-term presence of this population could be related to the high levels of productivity in the area due to upwelling events off Punta Curaumilla. ************** De Mello, D.M.D.*, V.M.F. Da Silva, and A.R. Martin, 2009. Hematological values of wild tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) from the central Amazon. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):89-91. * Corresponding author, e-mail: danielamello(a)hotmail.com No abstract was provided. This note reports the first hematological values determined from blood samples taken from two wild adult tucuxis. **************** Flores, P.A.C.* 2009. Occurrence of franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) in Baía Norte, southern Brazil. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):93-95. *Corresponding author: paulo.flores(a)icmbio.gov.br, flores.p(a)terra.com.br No abstract was provided. In this note, information is presented on distribution, occurrence, group size and composition of franciscanas in Baía Norte, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, based on six sightings made between 1996 and 2003 during ongoing research on the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Groups ranged from 3 to 12 individuals in size, which is consistent with the range reported elsewhere for the species. Five of the six sightings (83%) occurred inside the Environmental Protection Area of Anhatomirim (EPAA), a multiple-use, federal marine protected area created in 1992 mainly to ensure protection of the wild resident population of Guiana dolphins. **************** Santos, M.C. De O.* and E.H. Ditt. 2009. Incidental capture of a spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris (Gray, 1828), In a shark gillnet off southeastern Brazil. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):97-99. * Corresponding author, e-mail: sotalia(a)gmail.com No abstract was provided. This note describes the incidental capture in January 1993 of at least one spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) in a gillnet set for sharks off the Brazilian southeast coast. The capture occurred in waters deeper than 480m. ******************** Daneri, G.A.* 2009. Two records of male southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) on the Atlantic coast of Uruguay. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):101-102. *Corresponding author: gdaneri(a)macn.gov.ar , gadaneri(a)retina.ar No abstract was provided. This short communication reports on two sightings of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) at two different localities on the Atlantic coast of Uruguay, from 2003 and 2005. Both specimens were completely moulted subadult males and did not bear any marks or tags. The authors suggest that the two male elephant seals here reported would belong to the Península Valdés breeding colony. ******************* Palacios-Alfaro, J.D. 2009. First record of the dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) in Caribbean waters of Costa Rica. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):103. Corresponding author; e-mail: dpalacios(a)fundacionketo.org No abstract was provided. This short communication reports on the first record of the dwarf sperm whale for Caribbean waters off Costa Rica, based on a sighting supported by photographic documentation. The sighting was of a single individual in June 2006 in waters with a bottom depth of 200m. ***************** Alardo Souto, L.R., L. Muritiba Lemos, T.H.A.S. Violante, and R. Maia-Nogueira. 2009. Record of a neonate dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima (Owen, 1866) stranded on the coast of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 7(1-2):105-106. *Corresponding author, e-mail: lucianoalardo(a)yahoo.com.br No abstract was provided. This short communication discusses a February 2005 stranding of a neonate Kogia sima in northeastern Brazil. As a result of their work, the authors suggest that the size range for the species be lowered to 72.5-130cm. _________________________________________________________________ The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multiaccount&ocid=PID28…

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Announcing Vol. 7(1-2) of LAJAM
by Daniel Palacios 18 Jul '10

18 Jul '10

Dear LAJAM readership, On behalf of our Editorial Board I am pleased to announce the publication of Vol. 7 of the The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals (LAJAM), combining Nos. 1 and 2. As you are probably aware the journal has accrued a significant backlog in the past few years, but we are making steady progress in getting caught up with the publication schedule. The year of publication of Vol. 7 would have been 2008 but in order to reduce the backlog we decided to include manuscripts received through 2009. For this reason, please note that the year of publication of Vol. 7 is 2009. No issue was published with a 2008 date. The Table of Contents for Vol. 7, No. 1-2, along with the abstracts and the e-mail address of the corresponding authors for requesting PDF copies will be posted separately. LAJAM is distributed to members of the Sociedad Latinoamericana de Especialistas en Mamíferos Acuáticos / Latin American Society of Specialists on Aquatic Mammals (solamac.org) and the Sociedad Mexicana de Mastozoología Marina / Mexican Society for Marine Mammalogy (www.somemma.org) If you are a paid member of SOLAMAC or SOMEMMA for 2008-2009 you should be receiving a printed copy of the journal in the mail in the coming weeks. LAJAM’s Managing Editor, Dr. Salvatore Siciliano, will be handling the mailing, so if you have any inquiries in this regard please direct them to him (sal(a)ensp.fiocruz.br ). LAJAM publishes articles concerning research, management and conservation biology of aquatic mammals in Latin America, regardless of the nationality of the authors. Articles on techniques broadly applicable to the study of aquatic mammals are also considered regardless of author’s nationality. We are currently working on the next issue, Vol. 8, No. 1-2, for December 2010, which will be a special issue on the biology and conservation of neotropical dolphins of the genus Sotalia. In addition, we are accepting submissions for Vol. 9. A file containing the current ‘Instructions for Authors’ is available on SOLAMAC’s website, or it can be requested from me (Daniel.Palacios(a)noaa.gov ). With this letter I am making available the editorial for Vol. 7 (see attachment), which contains important news for the readership. Sincerely, Daniel Palacios Editor-in-Chief Attachments: Editorial, Vol. 7

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Immediate opening: Seal Pup Rehabilitation Internship
by Phocid＠aol.com 18 Jul '10

18 Jul '10

Immediate opening: Seal Pup Rehabilitation Internship July 15 to September 15 Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre is a registered not for profit organization located on Salt Spring Island off the west coast BC, Canada. We are one of only two marine mammal rehabilitation facilities in the country and operate under permits from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada and the Ministry of Water, Land and Air. IWNCC's focus is on the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned, sick and injured Harbour Seal pups. This is a volunteer position with housing, a small grocery allowance, wireless internet and use of a shared intern vehicle. Interns are accepted internationally and are responsible for their own transportation to and from British Columbia. Interns work directly under marine mammal rehabilitation specialists and can expect to learn and/or improve their skills in the following: Safe rescue and handling of Harbour Seal pups; stabilizing critical patients and new arrivals; diet preparation through all stages of the rehabilitation process; gavage (tube) feeding, force feeding and hand feeding techniques; proper hygiene and isolation protocols to prevent the spread of disease; administration of oral medications; behavioural and medical observation and proper record keeping; general care of many other indigenous avian and terrestrial species. For more information see our website at www.sealrescue.org. To apply, please e-mail your resume to iwncc(a)aol.com. Jeff Lederman Director 322 Langs Road, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1N3 (250) 537-0777

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BP oil spill cetacean research
by Natacha Aguilar 17 Jul '10

17 Jul '10

Dear All, William Rossiter wrote a few days ago about the BP oils spill in the Gulf, and he included the following: "(...) shore, marine and aerial surveys, stranding responses and rehab efforts are obvious needs, (...)" It is easy to agree completely with him. So, would anybody please update us, the community, about what is going on with respect to dedicated cetacean surveys offshore to assess the status of the animals found in/out of the main affected areas? Are these surveys happening? Are they using acoustic means to help finding the animals? What kind of data are being gathered? While there are counts of cetaceans found dead, there is not much information about if all these are stranded specimens. It is predictable that cetaceans have been cought in areas covered by oil offshore, mainly when the Mississippy Canyon is a well known concentration area for sperm whales and other deep divers. Only dedicated surveys finding the animals and assessing their status can quantify the extent of the effect. In addition to the short-term effects and the direct mortalities of cetaceans, the message from Craig Markin showed us an example of how oil spills may affect cetacean in the long term, even with population effects in some cases. As a community of scientist and people interested on cetaceans and marine mammals in general, I think that the main associations (SOLAMAC, ECS, SMM, ASCOBAMS, ACCOBAMS...) should write a statement of concern on the impact of the oil spill. Furthermore, we should support an international moratoria in offshore drilling, given that this spill has shown that the deep-drilling technology is too risky, not able of preventing strong damages in the marine ecosystem. Thanks a lot for the update and happy to give a hand if these initiatives are put forward Sincerelly Natacha Aguilar (naguilar(a)ull.es) La Laguna University, Tenerife, Canary Islands Leigh Marine Lab. Univ. Auckland. New Zealand

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New paper on Humpback whales, habitat use and commercial exploitation in Greenland
by Tenna Boye 16 Jul '10

16 Jul '10

Dear Marmam subscribers The following paper has just been published online by the Journal of Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Please contact Tenna Boye, tebo(a)natur.gl, with questions regarding the work. Boye T.K., Simon M. and Madsen P.T. (2010) Habitat use of humpback whales in Godthaabsfjord, West Greenland, with implications for commercial exploitation. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. doi:10.1017/S0025315410000755 ABSTRACT: North Atlantic humpback whales migrate from breeding grounds to high latitude feeding areas to where individuals display large scale site fidelity. In Godthaabsfjord (Greenland), humpback whales are present from early spring to late autumn. To test for small scale site fidelity and occurrence, identification-photographs were collected from May to September 2007 and 2008 and compared with an older catalogue. We found high small scale site fidelity where 40% of the whales present in 2007 were resighted in 2008. The average resight rate from 1992 to 2008 was 30.2%. Individuals did not remain in the fjord the entire season and the time spent in the fjord was highly variable amongst individuals varying between 7-60% of the time from May to September. Individual humpback whales in the presence and absence of boats were tracked with a land-based theodolite to test for effects of whale watching on whale behaviour. Whale watch vessels were shown to significantly increase whale swimming speed, to shorten long dives and diminish the ratio between surfacings and long dives. It is concluded that the same foraging whales use this fjord system year after year, calling for regulation of whale watching and for consideration when discussing reopening the whaling of humpback whales in West Greenland Keywords: humpback whale, photo-identification, site fidelity, habitat use, theodolite tracking, whale watching Inussiarnersumik inuulluaqqusillunga / Med venlig hilsen / Best regards Tenna Kragh Boye, Project Scientist Pinngortitaleriffik - Grønlands Naturinstitut - Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Postboks 570, DK-3900 Nuuk, Greenland Phone: (+299) 36 12 00 E-mail: tebo(a)natur.gl <mailto:lara@natur.gl> , http://www.natur.gl <http://www.natur.gl/>

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