December 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

FW: Information sought on phocid seals in SE asia
by Grant Abel 15 Dec '11

15 Dec '11

Could the following be circulated to the MarMam listserve for information please. Thank you Grant Abel General Curator Zoological Operations and Education Ocean Park Corporation Wong Chuk Hang Rd Aberdeen, Hong Kong SAR Mob: +852.9856.2395 Fax: +852.2553.4598 Tel: +852.3923.2649 Email: grant.abel(a)oceanpark.com.hk<mailto:grant.abel@oceanpark.com.hk> Website: http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/home/ Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums ================================== A Spotted Seal (phoca largha) was reportedly caught by fishermen in waters adjacent to Vietnam in August 2011. The nearest known range for this species includes the northern Yellow and Bohai Seas of China and this event may represent a wayward individual or other type of activity in this region. We have also received unconfirmed reports of true seals being seen elsewhere in Asia, outside the published range for this species. The earliest report of a possible seal sighting in Hong Kong waters is contained in the Hong Kong Telegraph dated April 17, 1914. We are very keen to hear of other reports if any, of seals in coastal waters of Southern China and the South China Sea. Anyone interested in photographs of the seal allegedly caught by fishermen near Vietnam and other information to hand is available by contacting Grant Abel of Ocean Park Hong Kong (Email: grant.abel(a)oceanpark.com.hk<mailto:grant.abel@oceanpark.com.hk>) Please think GREEN before printing this e-mail. Disclaimer: The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you have received this in error, please delete it from your system. If you require assistance, please contact us at opc(a)oceanpark.com.hk Beginning 1 January 2006, Ocean Park raises its conservation commitment further by donating part of the admission to Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (www.opcf.org.hk) to support its research projects and public awareness programmes for wildlife conservation in Asia.

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Research Technician in Marine Evolution and Conservation -- University of Groningen, the Netherlands -- Online submission required instructions within
by Per J Palsboll 15 Dec '11

15 Dec '11

My apologies for the second posting but it appears that I was provided incorrect instructions the first time and that application have to be submitted on-line. Please see below (at the very end). ----------- Research Technician 0,6fte Organisation The University of Groningen is one of the largest and oldest research universities in the Netherlands. It ranks among the top 200 Universities in the world (The Times World University Rankings, 2010-2011). The Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies (CEES) at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences with the University of Groningen invites applications for a position as a research technician placed at the research group Marine Evolution and Conservation (MarECON). MarECON’s main research focus is the evolution and conservation of marine mammals. The group has excellent laboratory facilities for molecular analyses. Research description We are recruiting a Research Technician for our general research program which utilizes marine mammals, in particularly the large whales, to study the population genetics and evolution in the marine realm. The ultimate goal is to understand the mechanisms driving population genetic structuring and local adaptation in wide-ranging mammals. Many aspects of our research have conservation implications as well. Qualifications We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated co-worker, who enjoys acquiring new skills and enjoys working with a team of researchers and students. He /she should have a Bachelor or Masters degree in Biology (HLO) or related background. The ideal candidate will have experience with (or the ability to acquire) modern molecular genetic methods and instrumentation employed in evolutionary and population genetics such as prepare libraries for next generation sequencing, Sanger sequencing, STR genotyping and cloning. Experience with database management is preferred and a good command of written and spoken English necessary. Additional information For more information contact Dr. Per Palsboll (p.j.palsboll(a)rug.nl) or Dr. Martine Berube (m.berube(a)rug.nl) Conditions of employment The University of Groningen offers a salary dependent on qualifications and work experience starting at € 1986 gross per month up to maximum of € 2682 (scale 7, step 10) gross per month for a 100% employment. This position is defined according to the UFO function profile 'Onderwijs-/onderzoeksmedewerker'. The part-time (60%) appointment is initially for a fixed period of 3 years and subject to an evaluation after the first year. Application The application should be written in English including a personal motivation, curriculum vitae, as well as the names and addresses of three referees (including telephone number and email address). The application should be submitted on-line. The link for the advertisement and on-line submission may be found at this URL http://www.rug.nl/corporate/vacatures/jobOpportunitiesRUG -- Per J. Palsboll, Professor Marine Evolution and Conservation Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies University of Groningen Nijenborgh 7 9747 AG Groningen The Netherlands Office phone: +31 50 363 9882 Mobile +31 64 870 3295 Mail address: PO Box 11103 9700 CC Groningen The Netherlands

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New paper on bottlenose dolphins
by Ibiza Martinez-Serrano 14 Dec '11

14 Dec '11

Please post the following message: Dear colleagues, I am pleased to inform you we recently published a paper on home range and distribution of bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*). *I Martínez-Serrano, A Serrano*, G Heckel, Y Schramm.2011. Distribution and home range of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) off Veracruz, Mexico. Ciencias Marinas 37(4A): 379––392* You can ask for PDF copies to ibimarse(a)gmail.com or download it directly from the Journal webpage: http://www.cienciasmarinas.com/index.php/cmarinas/index *ABSTRACT* With the goal of gathering ecological data in order to develop future cetacean management and conservation plans, the distribution, home range (HR) and residency of bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*) were studied in the central-north Mexican Gulf of Mexico (21°35’ N, 97°19’ W and 20°08’ N, 96°40’ W). Between July 2005 and June 2008, 59 boat surveys were carried out for a total of 313 h of effort at sea. During these surveys, 471 individuals were observed in 88 different groups. Photographs of naturally marked animals resulted in 275 different individuals photo-identified. Their distribution was homogeneous throughout the study site at a mean distance from coast of 2.5 km (SD = 2.9, *n* = 471) and depths below 20 m. Of the total of dolphins identified, 202 (73%) had a low sighting rate and were considered transients, whereas 34 individuals (12%) with medium and high sighting rates were considered resident animals. Home range estimates using the minimum convex polygon method showed a mean of 2771 ±1116 km2. Using the adaptive kernel method, the average size of home range was 1199 ± 143 km2, with five core areas identified. These areas decreased in size during rainy season because dolphins remained close to the rivers’ plumes. At individual level, the mean home range was 129.2 km2 ( *n *= 66), according to other reports from Texas and Florida in spite of the habitat differences. The main component determining the size of the home range in this area was the presence of rivers, rather than the geomorphology of the coast. Key words: Distribution;* *Gulf of Mexico; home range; *Tursiops truncatus*; Veracruz. I hope you find the work helpful. -- Dra. Ibiza Martínez Serrano PTC Facultad de Biología-Xalapa Universidad Veracruzana México ------------------------------------------------------------ ** *"2011 Año Internacional de los Bosques"* *Reporta incendios forestales al: 0180046236346* Considera si realmente es necesario imprimir este correo.... -- Dra. Ibiza Martínez Serrano PTC Facultad de Biología-Xalapa Universidad Veracruzana ------------------------------------------------------------ ** *"2011 Año Internacional de los Bosques"* *Reporta incendios forestales al: 0180046236346* Considera si realmente es necesario imprimir este correo....

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New publication on elephant seal vocal recognition
by Stephen Insley 13 Dec '11

13 Dec '11

The following paper is now available online: Insley, S.J. and Holt, M.M. 2012. Do male northern elephant seals recognize individuals or merely relative dominance rank? J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 131 (1), pp. EL35-41. Published Online 13 December 2011. The publication is available online at: http://link.aip.org/link/?JAS/131/EL35 Abstract: Vocal recognition was tested in a socially dynamic context where many individuals interact: the female defense polygyny practiced by male northern elephant seals. The goal was to tease apart whether animals recognize other individuals or instead use a simple rule-based category (i.e., relative dominance rank). A total of 67 playback experiments conducted with 18 males at An˜o Nuevo State Reserve, California, tested three aspects of recognition: (1) recognition of relative rank; (2) whether such recognition was continuous or categorical; and (3) recognition of familiarity. Results indicate that males recognize familiar individuals although responses are primarily based on relative dominance rank. © 2012 /Acoustical Society of America/

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Alaska Whale Foundation Looking for 2012 Interns
by AWF's Rapunzel Project 13 Dec '11

13 Dec '11

The Alaska Whale Foundation is looking for interns to participate in a study on the impacts of anthropogenic sound on humpback whale communication and group behavior led by Oregon State University graduate student, Michelle Fournet. Field work will be conducted from the Five Finger Lighthouse in Frederick Sound, Southeast Alaska in the summer of 2012. Interns are asked to make a 4 week commitment with internships starting mid-June, mid-July, and mid-August. We are looking for a total of 9 interns to span the three month field season. Interns are expected to participate in daily data collection, including monitoring whales from the lighthouse tower, manning acoustic equipment from a small skiff, and entering data into spreadsheets. Additionally, interns are expected to participate in daily chores including cooking, cleaning, etc. The lighthouse is equipped with a full bathroom, full kitchen, beds, and laundry facilities. The cost of the internship is $2,500 and includes: •4 weeks lodging at a historic lighthouse •3 meals a day •Vessel transportation between the Five Finger Lighthouse and Petersburg, Alaska- with a planned stop for whale watching •Pre and Post flight hotel lodging in Petersburg, AK On site training will include: - Using a theodolite to monitor humpback whales - Using passive acoustics (hydrophones) to sample whale vocalizations - Basics of small skiff handling - Managing marine mammal data sets Interns are responsible for their own transportation to and from Petersburg, AK, which is serviced twice daily from Seattle on Alaska Airlines. Interns should be in good physical condition and be comfortable working in close quarters with others. Internships are open to anyone 18 and older. Previous background with marine mammals is not a requirement, although it is an asset. Graduate students, undergraduate students, and recent graduates are encouraged to apply. To apply please send a resume and cover letter with references to Michelle Fournet at: TheRapunzelProject(a)gmail.com For additional information visit: www.TheRapunzelProject.wordpress.com <http://www.therapunzelproject.wordpress.com/> <http://www.therapunzelproject.wordpress.com/> -- M.S. Candidate Marine Resource Management College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences Oregon State University Alaska Whale Foundation Graduate Researcher TheRapunzelProject(a)gmail.com 907-723-2752

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Chukchi Sea Acoustics Workshop: Final Report Available
by Small, Robert J (DFG) 13 Dec '11

13 Dec '11

The Chukchi Sea Acoustics Workshop (CSAW) was held February 9-10, 2009, with the following purpose: Briefly review acoustic monitoring studies in the Alaskan Arctic and determine priority research objectives for acoustic monitoring of natural and anthropogenic underwater noise in the Chukchi Sea from a marine ecosystem and marine mammal perspective. A final report is now available that represents the proceedings of CSAW and includes a compendium of recommendations from CSAW and a workshop entitled Acoustic Ecology of Arctic Marine Mammals, held in advance of the 18th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine mammals in October 2009. Participants of CSAW included representatives from the oil and gas industry, Alaska Native marine mammal organizations, the North Slope Borough, the State of Alaska, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, the academic and private research communities, and Minerals Management Service (MMS). The report is available at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/about/management/wildlifemanageme nt/marinemammals/pdfs/csaw_2011.pdf <http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/about/management/wildlifemanagem ent/marinemammals/pdfs/csaw_2011.pdf> http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/about/management/wildlifemanageme nt/marinemammals/pdfs/csaw_2011.pdf <http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/about/management/wildlifemanagem ent/marinemammals/pdfs/csaw_2011.pdf> A grant awarded to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), Division of Wildlife Conservation, through the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) provided funds for CSAW.

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New publication - West Indian manatee off Bimini, Bahamas
by Kel Melillo Sweeting 13 Dec '11

13 Dec '11

MARMAM community, The following short note was recently published in Aquatic Mammals. For those with journal subscriptions, or who are interested in purchasing this issue or individual article, please visit http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/. Alternatively, please contact me for the PDF (kelly(a)dcpmail.org) Cheers, Kel Melillo-Sweeting, K., Reid, J., Gittens, L., Adimey, N., Dillet, J. 2011. Observations and relocation of a West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) off Bimini, The Bahamas. Aquatic Mammals 37(4): 502-505. DOI 10.1578/AM.37.4.2011.502 Abstract: West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) are uncommon in the Bahamas, including in Bimini where only three sightings have been reported in the last century. The close proximity of the Bahamas to the United States necessitates cooperation on many issues, including the management of protected or listed marine mammals. An adult male manatee was observed and monitored from 28 November 2008 to 24 January 2009, enabling us to present details on this rare occurrence and the subsequent bi-national management of this errant individual. TBH-02 "Harold" (aka "Kodi") was radio tagged with an Argos-linked GPS tag and monitored for 41 days. Observations and photo documentation revealed the animal to be in good body condition. Despite five distinctive scar patterns, no match to previously photo-cataloged Florida or Bahamian manatees was possible. Frequent daily GPS tag location fixes were associated with local resources including foraging and resting areas within the North Bimini harbor, and periodic trips to seagrass beds and canals of South Bimini. Despite his frequent visits to specific sites, adequate freshwater sources for drinking could not be identified. His tolerance for human presence, multiple propeller markings, close proximity to peninsular Florida, and preliminary genetic analyses strongly suggested an association with the Florida subspecies Trichechus manatus latirostris. Based on evidence of a Florida origin, the rare occurrence of manatees in Bimini and an apparent absence of conspecifics and reliable natural fresh water, the Bahamas Department of Marine Resources and US Fish and Wildlife Service arranged capture and transport to Florida. The US Coast Guard, Miami Seaquarium and local volunteers conducted the capture and transport. Assessed to be in good health, after a brief rehabilitation, he was radio tagged and released in Crystal River, Florida. This process marks successful marine mammal stranding cooperation between individuals, private businesses and government agencies in two countries. _______________________________ Kelly Melillo Sweeting Bimini Research Manager Dolphin Communication Project www.dolphincommunicationproject.org

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New paper - hematopoietic cells of bottlenose dolphin
by jean-Luc Jung 13 Dec '11

13 Dec '11

Dear colleagues, I am pleased to announce the publication of the following note in marine mammal science Isolation of CD34+ cells from peripheral blood and bone marrow of Tursiops truncatus Hymery, N., Alfonsi, E., Jamin, C., Dumas, C., Chambon, T., Hassani, S. and Jung, J.-L. (2011) Marine Mammal Science. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00540.x It can be downloaded at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00540.x/abstract For pdf reprints, please just email me : jung(a)univ-brest.fr Regards Jean-Luc Jung Université de Bretagne Occidentale Brest - France

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SEEKING RESEARCH ASSISTANTS FOR BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN RESEARCH, AUSTRALIA
by Kate Sprogis 12 Dec '11

12 Dec '11

SEEKING RESEARCH ASSISTANTS FOR THE CETACEAN RESEARCH UNIT, WESTERN AUSTRALIA Program: The South West Marine Research Program is a long-term, multi-faceted project on the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins of South West Australia. This program is based in Bunbury (south of Perth) and is a collaboration between Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit and numerous industry and non-profit partners. The research, of PhD and masters students, focuses on dolphin population dynamics, abundance, social structure and behaviour, habitat use, conservation genetics and foraging ecology. http://mucru.org/research-projects/south-west-marine-research-program/ Outline: Here, I am seeking research volunteers to assist on a PhD project focussing on population dynamics and predictive habitat modelling of coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Bunbury. Long term data will be used to investigate population dynamics and habitat use, in order to aid in future conservation and management efforts. Field work is conducted from Busselton to Binningyup within a 520km2 area consisting of coastal beaches, inshore bays, estuarine inlets and a river. Using a rigid sampling design, this research is conducted year round via standardised line transect surveys (up to 5nm offshore) from a small research vessel. This experience will be most useful to students or anyone hoping to pursue a career in behavioural ecology, population biology or marine science. http://mucru.org/group-members/kate-sprogis/ Supervisors: Dr Lars Bejder (Murdoch University), Prof. Ken Pollock (Murdoch University), Dr Halina Kobryn (Murdoch University), Dr Dave Johnston (Duke University, North Carolina) and Dr Randall Wells (Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, Florida). Office: Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit, South West Marine Research Program Office based at the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury. http://www.dolphindiscovery.com.au/ Duties: Field: spotting wildlife, data collection, boat driving, photo identification Office: Data entry, fin matching, project organisation Computer programs used for data are: FinBase, ACDSee, Logger, Microsoft Access, Excel and Word. Time Period: Seeking skilled research assistants in the period of January 2012- March 2013. Because of the training required, applicants must be willing to commit to the project fulltime (five days a week) for a minimum of two months. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide monetary compensation or living provisions and research assistants will be responsible for their own travel to Western Australia and living expenses. Please note, the Bunbury backpackers provide good discounts for assistants of the Dolphin Discovery Centre. Assistants should: Be adaptable and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent. Fieldwork will vary between weekdays and weekends. When the weather permits fieldwork could be long and on consecutive days. Preferred skills/traits:PRE 1. Enrolled in or completed a degree in biology, marine science, animal behaviour or a related field. 2. Previous field experience with wildlife (field data collection, photo-identification, boat handling skills). 3. Be enthusiastic, team oriented and have a positive attitude as well as a genuine interest in wildlife science. If you are interested in volunteering or interning, please provide a short CV and a cover letter to the attention of Kate Sprogis (k.sprogis(a)murdoch.edu.au) Kate Sprogis, BMarSt Hons PhD Candidate Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit Centre for Fish and Aquatic Ecosystems Research School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Faculty of Science and Engineering Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia

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Updated information about the Living Whales Symposium, Chile 27-29 March 2012
by Simon Childerhouse 12 Dec '11

12 Dec '11

Hello MARMAM colleagues, Please find some updated information about the symposium and workshops *Living whales in the Southern Ocean in 2012*. This is a major initiative of the Southern Ocean Research Partnership (SORP) to review the strengths and weaknesses of current methods for studying living whales in the Southern Ocean. Specifically, the objectives are to advance the synergies of non-lethal methods for investigations addressing three broad themes: 1. Population dynamics, health status and life history parameters of recovering whales. 2. Ecological linkages, functional roles and relationships of whales in their ecosystem(s). 3. The response of whales to climate change and anthropogenic impacts. For further information and to register, please visit http://www.simposioballenas.cl/?lang=en. The website is in English and Spanish. *Dates*: Symposium – 27 March 2012; Workshops – 28-29 March 2012 *Location*: Hotel Los Alerces (http://www.hotellosalerces.cl ); Av. Vicente Pérez Rosales 1281, Puerto Varas, Chile. Jefe.eventos(a)cabanaslosalerces.cl. Puerto Varas is 15km from the Puerto Montt airport in southern Chile. *Key audience*: The target audience for the workshop is scientists and managers interested in the application of new and developing non-lethal methods for understanding whales in the Southern Hemisphere and elsewhere. *Students*: Students are welcome to register for the Symposium and to submit a title and abstract for the poster session (evening of 27 March). Admission of students to workshops is on a case by case basis and numbers will be limited. PLACES ARE LIMITED, SO PLEASE REGISTER NOW! Look forward to seeing you there. Simon Simon Childerhouse Research Partnerships Coordinator Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Australian Antarctic Division Dept. of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, AUSTRALIA Email. simon.childerhouse(a)aad.gov.au Phone. +61-3-6232-3146 Mob. +61-439-317-605 Web. www.antarctica.gov.au and www.marinemammals.gov.au

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