May 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

River dolphin internships in Brazil
by Tony Martin 25 May '11

25 May '11

RIVER DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS IN BRAZIL STARTING SOON Once again, Projeto Boto is recruiting for 9-month internships in the Mamirauá Reserve, Brazil. We require fit, enthusiastic, hard-working fieldworkers who will carry forward our long-term study of botos (Amazon river dolphins). Due to close involvement with local communities, interns are required to have at least moderate Portuguese language skills, or to speak fluent Spanish, in addition to English. There are no exceptions. Projeto boto was established in 1994. To date it has hosted more than 50 interns of many different nationalities. The Project's objective is to conserve the boto, and the sympatric tucuxi, through research leading to greater understanding of the biology and ecology of these dolphins. In recent years we have also spent considerable time investigating the impacts of fisheries on these species, and especially the relatively new harpoon hunt, in which thousands of botos are killed each year for fish bait. We are seeking 2 people to commence work as soon as possible, ideally in July or Aug 2011. But we would also like to hear from people available later in 2011 or early 2012. Our work is centred on a floating lab/accommodation base, moored in the flooded forest. The research team comprises 3-5 people, who maintain daily observational boat-based research effort year-round. The basis of the work is the piecing together of the lives of over 450 individually recognisable dolphins, to provide publishable information on such diverse topics as growth, reproduction, habitat use, social system, seasonal movements, survival rates, causes of mortality etc. Interns are provided with free accommodation and food, and receive a small monthly stipend. Transportation to the fieldsite (near the town of Tefé, Amazonas) from Manaus is provided, but interns must arrange and pay for their own transportation to Manaus. All necessary training is provided on site. Further information on all aspects of the work is available at www.projetoboto.com Successful applicants will: be aged 21-35 speak at least moderate Portuguese or fluent Spanish, in addition to English be available for 9-12 months have completed a university degree, preferably in zoology or biology preferably have some fieldwork experience Applicants should please provide: Full CV, complete with age, nationality, linguistic skills, educational and fieldwork experience A letter explaining why you are prepared to dedicate 9 months of your life to this study. The names and email addresses of 3 referees who are familiar with you and your work. The date on which you would be available to start work in the Amazon. Send this information by email to both of the Project co-ordinators, Prof. Tony Martin (boto(a)live.co.uk) and Dr Vera da Silva (vmfdasilva(a)gmail.com) Closing date is 6 June 2010. Applications fulfilling the above criteria will be acknowledged within 3 days, but there will be no further communication unless the applicant is short-listed. Short-listed applicants will be notified by 11 June latest.

1 0

New publication in JEB
by Songhai Li 25 May '11

25 May '11

Dear Colleagues: The paper below has just been published in JEB: Songhai Li, Paul E. Nachtigall and Marlee Breese. 2011. Dolphin hearing during echolocation: evoked potential responses in an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). The Journal of Experimental Biology 214, 2027-2035. doi:10.1242/jeb.053397 SUMMARY Auditory evoked potential (AEP) responses were recorded during echolocation in an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) trained to accept suction-cup EEG electrodes and detect targets by echolocation. AEP recording was triggered by the echolocation clicks of the animal. Three targets with target strengths of –34, –28 and –22dB were used at a target distance of 2 to 6.5m for each target. The results demonstrated that the AEP appeared to both outgoing echolocation clicks and echoes during echolocation, with AEP complexes consisting of alternative positive and negative waves. The echo-related AEP amplitudes were obviously lower than the outgoing click-related AEP amplitudes for all the targets at the investigated target distances. However, for targets with target strengths of –22 and –28dB, the peak-to-peak amplitudes of the echo-related AEPs were dependent on the target distances. The echo-related AEP response amplitudes increased at further target distances, demonstrating an overcompensation of echo attenuation with target distance in the echo-perception system of the dolphin biosonar. Measurement and analysis of outgoing click intensities showed that the click levels increased with target distance (R) by a factor of approximately 10 to 17.5logR depending on target strength. The results demonstrated that a dual-component biosonar control system formed by intensity compensation behavior in both the transmission and receiving phases of a biosonar cycle exists synchronously in the dolphin biosonar system. If anybody is interested in getting a pdf copy, please email Dr. Songhai Li at songhai(a)hawaii.edu Aloha Songhai 2011-05-25 ------------------------------------------------------------- Songhai LI, Ph.D http://www2.hawaii.edu/~songhai/

1 0

New paper: The influence of reproductive experience on lactation performance in the grey seal
by Shelley Lang 24 May '11

24 May '11

Dear MARMAM subscribers: The paper below has just been published in PLoS ONE: Lang, S. L. C., S. J. Iverson, and W. D. Bowen. 2011. The influence of reproductive experience on milk energy output and lactation performance in the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). PLoS ONE 6:e19487. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0019487 http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0019487 Abstract: Although evidence from domestic and laboratory species suggests that reproductive experience plays a critical role in the development of aspects of lactation performance, whether reproductive experience may have a significant influence on milk energy transfer to neonates in wild populations has not been directly investigated. We compared maternal energy expenditures and pup growth and energy deposition over the course of lactation between primiparous and fully-grown, multiparous grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) females to test whether reproductive experience has a significant influence on lactation performance. Although there was no difference between primiparous females in milk composition and, thus, milk energy content at either early or peak lactation primiparous females had a significantly lower daily milk energy output than multiparous females indicating a reduced physiological capacity for milk secretion. Primiparous females appeared to effectively compensate for lower rates of milk production through an increased nursing effort and, thus, achieved the same relative rate of milk energy transfer to pups as multiparous females. There was no difference between primiparous and multiparous females in the proportion of initial body energy stores mobilized to support the costs of lactation. Although primiparous females allocated a greater proportion of energy stores to maternal maintenance versus milk production than multiparous females, the difference was not sufficient to result in significant differences in the efficiency of energy transfer to pups. Thus, despite a lower physiological capacity for milk production, primiparous females weaned pups of the same relative size and condition as multiparous females without expending proportionally more energy. Although reproductive experience does not significantly affect the overall lactation performance of grey seals, our results suggest that increases in mammary gland capacity with reproductive experience may play a significant role in the age-related increases in neonatal growth rates and weaning masses observed in other free-ranging mammals. Shelley Lang Department of Biology Dalhousie University Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada shelley.lang(a)dal.ca

1 0

New paper Current and future patterns of global marine mammal biodiversity
by Kristin Kaschner 24 May '11

24 May '11

Dear list members The paper below has just been published in PlosOne Kaschner K, Tittensor DP, Ready J, Gerrodette T, Worm B, 2011 Current and Future Patterns of Global Marine Mammal Biodiversity. PLoS ONE 6(5): e19653. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0019653 Abstract Quantifying the spatial distribution of taxa is an important prerequisite for the preservation of biodiversity, and can provide a baseline against which to measure the impacts of climate change. Here we analyse patterns of marine mammal species richness based on predictions of global distributional ranges for 115 species, including all extant pinnipeds and cetaceans. We used an environmental suitability model specifically designed to address the paucity of distributional data for many marine mammal species. We generated richness patterns by overlaying predicted distributions for all species; these were then validated against sightings data from dedicated long-term surveys in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, the Northeast Atlantic and the Southern Ocean. Model outputs correlated well with empirically observed patterns of biodiversity in all three survey regions. Marine mammal richness was predicted to be highest in temperate waters of both hemispheres with distinct hotspots around New Zealand, Japan, Baja California, the Galapagos Islands, the Southeast Pacific, and the Southern Ocean. We then applied our model to explore potential changes in biodiversity under future perturbations of environmental conditions. Forward projections of biodiversity using an intermediate Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) temperature scenario predicted that projected ocean warming and changes in sea ice cover until 2050 may have moderate effects on the spatial patterns of marine mammal richness. Increases in cetacean richness were predicted above 40° latitude in both hemispheres, while decreases in both pinniped and cetacean richness were expected at lower latitudes. Our results show how species distribution models can be applied to explore broad patterns of marine biodiversity worldwide for taxa for which limited distributional data are available. The paper can be downloaded from PlosOne: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0019653 best regards Kristin ************************************* Kristin Kaschner, Ph.D. Evolutionary Biology & Ecology Lab Institute of Biology I (Zoology) Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Germany ph: ++ 49 178 547 7760 email: Kristin.Kaschner(a)biologie.uni-freiburg.de http://www.biologie.uni-freiburg.de/data/bio1/kaschner/index.html

1 0

New paper on Dental pathology in dolphins
by Carolina Loch 23 May '11

23 May '11

Dear MARMAM subscribers: We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in Diseases of Aquatic Organisms: Dental pathology in dolphins (Cetacea: Delphinidae) from the southern coast of Brazil Carolina Loch, Liliane J. Grando, Jules A. Kieser, Paulo C. Simões-Lopes doi:10.3354/dao02339 ABSTRACT: Pathological processes observed in the stomatognathic systems of mammalian species are a useful source of information about the habits, evolution and general health of such animals. Studies of pathological conditions on teeth are common in humans and other primates, but rare in wild animals in general and marine mammals in particular. For cetaceans, previous studies provided scanty records of dental anomalies in a few species. This is the first broad and systematic inventory of dental pathology in dolphins. Specimens stored at scientific collections from the southern coast of Brazil were visually inspected under a stereoscopic microscope using a dental explorer. Diagnosis of lesions and anomalies followed literature descriptions. Abnormalities such as caries-like lesions, mineralized calculus deposits, dental erosion, enamel anomalies (hypoplasia and exogenous pigmentation), root resorption, germination and other shape anomalies, were diagnosed in the delphinids Sotalia guianensis, Delphinus capensis, Stenella frontalis, Stenella coeruleoalba, Lagenodelphis hosei, Pseudorca crassidens, Orcinus orca, Steno bredanensis and Tursiops truncatus. Endogenous causes may be related to the occurrence of certain conditions, but the aetiology of caries-like lesions and calculus accumulation is still unknown for cetaceans. The diagnosis of alveolar anomalies and other bone lesions in specimens with dental pathology lead us to believe these lesions modify the integrity of the periodontal ligament and bony tissues, adding to the burden of morbidity of affected animals. KEY WORDS: Caries-like lesions · Dental calculus · Erosion · Geminated teeth · Marine mammals For subscribers to Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, it can be downloaded from: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/dao/v94/n3/p225-234/ Or if you are interested in a pdf, please email request to: carolinaloch(a)yahoo.com.br Best regards, MSc. Carolina Loch Silva PhD Candidate Geology Department, University of Otago Dunedin 9054, New Zealand http://www.otago.ac.nz/geology/people/students/loch/index.html & Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos UFSCFlorianópolis, SC - Brasil

1 0

seeking Xenobalanus dolphin barnacle samples
by John Zardus 23 May '11

23 May '11

Dear Marmam members, I am seeking a worldwide sampling of the barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitis that lives attached to dolphins and occasionally other cetaceans. The samples are for genetic studies so need to be preserved in a way suitable to preserve DNA. Fresh samples are best but archived material is also desirable if suitably prepared. Formaldehyde-preserved samples and samples preserved in rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) unfortunately are not usable. Ideally, samples would be preserved in ethanol (ethyl alcohol) at a concentration of 70-100% but could also be frozen or dehydrated (either air dried or cured in salt). Samples are not needed in large numbers and specimens do not need to be large. Two or three specimens each from many localities would be ideal. Please contact me directly about preserving and shipping or with any other related questions. Many thanks and best wishes, John Zardus john.zardus(a)citadel.edu _________________________ John D. Zardus, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Biology The Citadel 171 Moultrie Street Charelston, SC 29407 U.S.A. off. 219 Duckett Hall tel. (843) 953-7511 fax (843) 953-7264 email john.zardus(a)citadel.edu

1 0

PICES 2011 Theme Session on the Physics and Biology of Top Predator Hotspots
by Elliott Hazen 20 May '11

20 May '11

Dear All, Please find a link below to a flyer for the interdisciplinary PICES 2011 Theme Session: 'Mechanisms of physical-biological coupling forcing biological “hotspots.”,' scheduled for October 18, 2011 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM in Khabarovsk, Russia. This session will examine the physical and oceanographic factors that correspond to ecological or economic “hotspots” in the North Pacific and North Atlantic and their marginal seas. For the Pacific, this session will focus on the Kuroshio/Oyashio extensions and ecotone, the intersection of the Sea of Okhotsk and the western North Pacific (Kuril Islands region), and the Western Bering Sea. For the Atlantic, this session will focus on the North Sea, the intersection of the Gulf Stream and Labrador Current, in addition to tidally driven systems such as the Gulf of Maine and Gulf of St. Lawrence. “Hotspots” can broadly be defined as areas encompassing high species diversity, high abundance of individuals, especially of important indicator species, or areas of high economic value. Interdisciplinary contributions on physical-biological coupling and resulting seasonal or year-round “hotspots” in primary to tertiary productivity are invited. This includes data on physics, phyto- and zooplankton, forage fish, and upper trophic level predators (e.g., fish, seabirds, mammals, humans). We are particularly interested in simultaneous multi-species multi-use hotspots (i.e., sites of ecological importance that overlap highly with sites of economic value) and potential changes in hotspots under future climate change scenarios building upon the 2004 PICES theme session on hotspots. Modeling and empirical studies are encouraged. We will solicit a special publication in the primary literature pending subscription to the session. The PICES annual meeting will take place on October 14-23rd, 2011 in Khabarovsk, Russia (http://www. pices.int/meetings/annual/PICES-2011/2011-background.aspx) If you would like to submit a presentation for this theme session, please submit an abstract (limit 250 words) via the link above that summarizes the work you are planning to present. Travel support for early career scientists (35 years of age or younger), and scientists from countries with ‘economies in transition’ is available from the PICES Trust Fund (for detail see http://www.pices.int/meetings/annual/PICES-2011/2011-fin-sup.aspx) Additional funding from NSF is available for researchers from U.S. academic institutions, who may ultimately become involved in PICES activities (for details, questions and applications please contact Dr. George Boehlert at george.boehlert(a)oregonstate.edu) The deadline for all abstracts is 20 June, 2011. Thank you for your interest and consideration. Sincerely, Elliott Hazen, Jürgen Alheit, Oleg Katugin, Robert Suryan, Yutaka Watanuki, and Ichiro Yasuda http://www.duke.edu/~eh23/PICES2011_TS.pdf

1 0

Final Call for Abstracts --19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (Tampa, Florida)
by Cheryl Bonnes 20 May '11

20 May '11

**19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals FINAL Call for Abstracts* ** **Abstract submission deadline for the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals is MAY 31, 2011; midnight EDT (GMT -4:00). The meeting will be held in Tampa, FL from 26 November to 2 December 2011. Please visit http://www.marinemammalscience.org/abstracts to learn more and submit your abstract. ** **Please note that if you are having trouble accessing the SMM website, you need to remove the cookies from your browser. This has been an issue especially for those using Mozilla Firefox. ** **Early bird registration IS NOW OPEN. You can register at http://www.marinemammalscience.org/registration For questions, please e-mail conference(a)marinemammalscience.org <mailto:conference@marinemammalscience.org> OR for questions specific to abstract submission abstracts(a)marinemammalscience.org <mailto:abstracts@marinemammalscience.org>* Posted by Cheryl Bonnes (cheryl.bonnes(a)noaa.gov <mailto:cheryl.bonnes@noaa.gov>)

1 0

Duke University Marine Lab 2011 Summer Course: Marine Mammals
by Helen Nearing 20 May '11

20 May '11

Duke University Marine Lab 2011 Summer Course: Marine Mammals Dates: Summer Term II: 11 July - 12 August 2011 Course limit: 15 students (undergraduates, graduate students, professionals) Application deadline: applications will be accepted as long as there is space. Contact Helen Nearing (hnearing(a)duke.edu<mailto:hnearing@duke.edu>) in the Admissions Office. The Duke University Marine Laboratory invites applications to its summer field course on the biology of marine mammals. Topics covered include the ecology, behavior, management and conservation of marine mammals, with emphasis on field study of the local population of bottlenose dolphins. This is a field and laboratory-intensive course designed to provide first-hand experience with research techniques such as photo-identification and mark-recapture analysis, line transect surveys and distance sampling, sampling prey distribution and abundance, behavioral sampling techniques, acoustic recording and analysis, and necropsy techniques. The course is taught by Dr. David Johnston. As part of Summer Term II Integrated Marine Conservation Program, a core course Biology/ Environment 109/Environ 209 (Conservation Biology and Policy) may be taken with Marine Mammals. Students are encouraged (but not required) to take both courses. Experience the beautiful North Carolina coast! Join students from all over the world in participating in this unique summer session experience. Enrollment is limited, apply early! For more information: ml_admissions(a)nicholas.duke.edu<mailto:ml_admissions@nicholas.duke.edu> (Tel:252.504.7502). http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/enrollment_forms/index.html http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/summeraid http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/courses/summer2011-2 If you don't receive an answer in a timely manner please feel free to phone. Helen Nearing Duke Marine Lab Admissions Office 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd Beaufort NC 28516 Ph 252 504 7502 Fax 252 504 7848 ml_admissions(a)nicholas.duke.edu

1 0

article on sperm whale mass stranding in Italy
by Sandro Mazzariol 18 May '11

18 May '11

Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the recent online publication of the following paper: Mazzariol S, Di Guardo G, Petrella A, Marsili L, Fossi CM, et al. (2011) Sometimes Sperm Whales (/Physeter macrocephalus/) Cannot Find Their Way Back to the High Seas: A Multidisciplinary Study on a Mass Stranding. PLoS ONE 6(5): e19417. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0019417 Background Mass strandings of sperm whales (/Physeter macrocephalus/) remain peculiar and rather unexplained events, which rarely occur in the Mediterranean Sea. Solar cycles and related changes in the geomagnetic field, variations in water temperature and weather conditions, coast geographical features and human activities have been proposed as possible causes. In December 2009, a pod of seven male sperm whales stranded along the Adriatic coast of Southern Italy. This is the sixth instance from 1555 in this basin. Methodology/Principal Findings Complete necropsies were performed on three whales whose bodies were in good condition, carrying out on sampled tissues histopathology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, and screening of veins looking for gas emboli. Furthermore, samples for age determination, genetic studies, gastric content evaluation, stable isotopes and toxicology were taken from all the seven specimens. The animals were part of the same group and determined by genetic and photo-identification to be part of the Mediterranean population. Causes of death did not include biological agents, or the "gas and fat embolic syndrome", associated with direct sonar exposure. Environmental pollutant tissue concentrations were relatively high, in particular organochlorinated xenobiotics. Gastric content and morphologic tissue examinations showed a prolonged starvation, which likely caused, at its turn, the mobilization of lipophilic contaminants from the adipose tissue. Chemical compounds subsequently entered the blood circulation and may have impaired immune and nervous functions. Conclusions/Significance A multi-factorial cause underlying this sperm whales' mass stranding is proposed herein based upon the results of/postmortem/investigations as well as of the detailed analyses of the geographical and historical background. The seven sperm whales took the same "wrong way" into the Adriatic Sea, a potentially dangerous trap for Mediterranean sperm whales. Seismic surveys should be also regarded as potential co-factors, even if no evidence of direct impact has been detected. Please feel free to contact me directly for any question (sandro.mazzariol(a)unipd.it Best regards, Sandro -- Dr. Sandro Mazzariol, DVM, PhD Coordinator of the Italian Emergency Task Force for Cetacean Unusual Strandings Dept. of Public Health, Comparative Pathology and Veterinary Hygiene Universiy of Padova AGRIPOLIS Viale dell'Università, 16 35020 -- Legnaro (PD) ITALY tel.: +39 049 827 2963 fax: +39 049 827 2973

1 0