August 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Review article about brucellosis in marine mammals
by Nymo Ingebjørg Helena 17 Aug '11

17 Aug '11

A review of Brucella infection in marine mammals, with special emphasis on Brucella pinnipedialis in the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) Ingebjorg H. Nymo, Morten Tryland and Jacques Godfroid Veterinary Research 2011, 42:93 doi:10.1186/1297-9716-42-93 http://www.veterinaryresearch.org/content/42/1/93/abstract Brucella spp. were isolated from marine mammals for the first time in 1994. Two novel species were later included in the genus; Brucella ceti and Brucella pinnipedialis, with cetaceans and seals as their preferred hosts, respectively. Brucella spp. have since been isolated from a variety of marine mammals. Pathological changes, including lesions of the reproductive organs and associated abortions, have only been registered in cetaceans. The zoonotic potential differs among the marine mammal Brucella strains. Many techniques, both classical typing and molecular microbiology, have been utilised for characterisation of the marine mammal Brucella spp. and the change from the band-based approaches to the sequence-based approaches has greatly increased our knowledge about these strains. Several clusters have been identified within the B. ceti and B. pinnipedialis species, and multiple studies have shown that the hooded seal isolates differ from other pinniped isolates. We describe how different molecular methods have contributed to species identification and differentiation of B. ceti and B. pinnipedialis, with special emphasis on the hooded seal isolates. We further discuss the potential role of B. pinnipedialis for the declining Northwest Atlantic hooded seal population. The new e-mail domain name for The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science is @nvh.no. The former domain address @veths.no will still be in use, but it will be discontinued within 1-2 years. Please update your e-mail records. This message verifies that the e-mail has been scanned for virus, and deemed virus-free according to our scanengines.

1 0

Brucella ceti infection and PCBs in bottlenose dolphins
by James Barnett 16 Aug '11

16 Aug '11

I would like to draw readers’ attention to the following paper recently published on line by the Veterinary Record N. J. Davison, L. L. Perrett, R. J. Law, C. E. Dawson, E. J. Stubberfield, R. J. Monies, R. Deaville, P. D. Jepson Infection with Brucella ceti and high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in south-west England Abstract: Eight bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that stranded in Cornwall, south-west England, between June 2004 and December 2007 were examined using standardised postmortem examination and bacteriological methods. Evidence of Brucella species infection was found in four of these dolphins on culture. In addition, of the eight dolphins, four were positive and two were weakly positive for antibodies to Brucella species on serological analyses of pericardial and other fluids using a competitive ELISA and two indirect ELISAs. High or very high levels of the sum of 25 individual chlorobiphenyl congeners (∑25CBs) were also determined in blubber samples from two of the dolphins (45.5 and 446.6 mg/kg lipid weight). Veterinary Record 2011;169:14 Published Online First: 15 June 2011 doi:10.1136/vr.d2714 James Barnett, British Divers Marine Life Rescue, james(a)bdmlr.org.uk

1 0

papers on DDT in Galapagos sea lions
by Juan Alava 16 Aug '11

16 Aug '11

Dear colleagues, I hope everybody is doing well. Two new contributions on DDT in Galapagos sea lions were recently published. Please, see below DDT in endangered Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 62, Issue 4, April 2011, Pages 660-671 ABSTRACT We characterize for the first time the presence of DDT and its metabolites in tropical Galapagos sea lions ( from 16 to 3070 lg/kg lipid. Concentrations of ∑DDT in pups in 2008 averaged 525 lg/kg lipid and were 1.9 times higher than that (281 lg/kg lipid) detected in pups in 2005. These concentrations are lowerp,p'-DDE toxic effect concentration associated with anti-androgenic effects reported in than those reported in many pinnipeds elsewhere, comparable to those in Hawaiian monk seals, and higher than those in southern elephant seals. The health risk characterization showed that 1% of the male pups exceeded the rats. The findings provide preliminary guidance on the relationship between DDT use and ecological impacts, serving as a reference point against which possible future impact of tropical DDT use can be assessed. DDT Strikes Back: Galapagos Sea Lions Face Increasing Health RisksAMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, 40(4):425-430. 2011. Published By: Royal Swedish Academy of SciencesAMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, 40(4):425-430. 2011. If you would like an electronic pdf copy, please feel free to contact me (jalavasa(a)sfu.ca) The articles are also available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1100052X http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1007/s13280-011-0136-6 Cheers Juan Jose AlavaZalophus wolleabeki).PDDT concentrations in Galapagos sea lion pups sampled in 2005 and 2008 ranged

1 0

Volunteers needed for seal rehabilitation centre Pieterburen, the Netherlands
by Nynke Osinga 16 Aug '11

16 Aug '11

The Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre (SRRC) in Pieterburen, the Netherlands, is looking for: *Enthusiastic volunteers who are experienced in animal husbandry.* The seals in the rehabilitation centre need intensive care treatment due to their health problems (mostly lungworm infections). We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who will work together with the SRRC staff in the seals care department. The SRRC is expecting many seals to be admitted during this coming winter season. If you have experience with animal husbandry, and you are available in this coming winter, please send a letter to the SRRC (info(a)zeehondencreche.nl) We require a minimum period of six weeks, but prefer a longer period. We offer food and accommodation at the centre and the chance to work with seals in a motivated group of international colleagues. Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre Hoofdstraat 94a 9968 AG PIETERBUREN The Netherlands Phone: (31) 595 - 526 526 Fax: (31) 595 - 528 389 Email: info(a)zeehondencreche.nl Website: www.zeehondencreche.nl <http://www.zeehondencreche.nl/> English website: www.srrc.nl <http://www.srrc.nl/>

1 0

workshop announcement and call for posters
by Mark Baumgartner 16 Aug '11

16 Aug '11

Workshop Announcement: "Ecological Modeling For Marine Mammalogists" November 26, 2011 (Saturday) Tampa Bay Convention Center Tampa, Florida Registration Fee: $30 US (register here) The "Ecological Modeling for Marine Mammalogists" workshop will follow on the successful 2009 workshop of the same name, and will represent the sixth Biennial workshop devoted to spatial modeling. There is tremendous interest in applying statistical modeling techniques to the quantitative assessment of marine mammal distribution and habitat use, and our workshop seeks to explore both traditional and the latest methodologies. Our goal is to bring together practitioners that can share their experience with various approaches to ecological modeling by addressing topics ranging from collecting data, selecting the appropriate model, evaluating the model's results, and applying those results in a research or management context. The workshop format will consist of formal presentations followed by discussions during which particular methodologies can be meaningfully explored by all participants. We will also include a Project Forum wherein students and researchers new to modeling can present their projects in poster format and discuss the statistical challenges they are facing with other workshop participants. For information about the 2011 workshop as well as past workshops, please visit http://www.whoi.edu/sites/marinemammalmodeling . Participants can register for this workshop here. CALL FOR PROJECT FORUM POSTERS We are accepting abstracts (max 300 words) for posters outlining research that addresses applications of statistical tools and modeling approaches for marine mammals. We are particularly interested in poster presentations by students seeking input and discussion on statistical methodology, but presentations from non-students are certainly most welcome. These posters will be used in a session, as described above, where other researchers, including the workshop organizers, can discuss and supply feedback and advice. We also welcome posters that discuss innovative tool and/or model development. Posters that will be later presented at the Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals are welcome. Presenters will be expected to give a brief 2-minute oral presentation summarizing their project, after which they will stand by their poster. Please send abstracts by September 30 to Kristin Laidre at klaidre(a)apl.washington.edu . Workshop organizing committee: Kathy Vigness Raposa Daniel Palacios Kristin Laidre Ellen Hines Elliot Hazen Dori Dick Mark Baumgartner

1 0

natural history library
by Jay R. Cordeiro 15 Aug '11

15 Aug '11

Greetings all. I am about to post my latest installment of new, used, and antiquarian natural history books, manuscripts, and monographs for sale via email. If you wish to be added to the list of recipients, please contact me off-site with your name and email contact information. Thanks in advance. Jay Cordeiro Middleboro, MA USA jay.cordeiro(a)umb.edu

1 0

Call for submissions for Marine Mammal Conference Video Night - Deadline Sept. 15
by SMM Video Night 15 Aug '11

15 Aug '11

Greetings Marine Mammal Colleagues- Following with tradition, the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals will be hosting a video night for you to share some of the experiences you have had or discoveries you have made in your research with marine mammals. If you would like to submit a video for consideration please send an email to the SMMconferencevideo(a)gmail.com with the following information: 1. Subject line of email should be Your Last Name – Subject Species 2. Your name 3. Your Affiliation and contact info 4. A brief description of what the video will contain 5. Approximate duration 6. File Format and Size 7. Are you willing to have your video be viewable, but not downloadable, on the Society’s webpage before and after the conference? - We would like to allow as many videos as possible so please try to keep your video as brief as possible. We will not accept videos longer than 5 minutes without prior approval. - This is a venue to share videos covering a variety of species and topics: natural history, research discoveries, extraordinary interactions, etc. We do not want videos that are political/polarizing/controversial in nature. Once we receive your email we will let you know how to submit your footage. Video submissions will close on September 15, 2011. If you are participating in the Heroes in Marine Mammal Science video project, we will be working with you separately. Looking forward to seeing all the great footage. Cheers, The Conference Video Team

1 0

ADDENDUM: Request - Hydrophone recordings of Bottlenose Dolphins
by Philip Loos 15 Aug '11

15 Aug '11

Dear administrator of the MarMamList, I forgot to include in the mail, that we are specifically interested in hydrophone recordings of wild dolphins. I included this information in the Mail below, and would be grateful if this amended message could be posted to the mailing list. Many thanks and kind regards, Philip Von: Philip Loos [mailto:loos.philip@web.de] Gesendet: Montag, 15. August 2011 13:14 An: 'marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca' Betreff: Request - Hydrophone recordings of Bottlenose Dolphins Dear list members, For an upcoming data acquisition in the field we are seeking hydrophone recordings of wild Bottlenose Dolphins. Specifically, we are looking for recordings of different behaviors (foraging, socializing etc.) in order to be familiarized with the sounds that are most likely to be heard and recorded when encountering dolphins at sea. Any data is much appreciated and will only be used for training purposes. Many thanks for your consideration. Best regards, Philip ---------------------------------------------------------- Philip Loos Msc. student Department: Animal Ecology and Conservation University of Hamburg, Germany Email: loos.philip(a)web.de

1 0

FW: MARMAM : Biometrics data (length, mass, frontal area) of blainville beaked whales needed for Master thesis.
by lucia martin lopez 15 Aug '11

15 Aug '11

Biometrics data (length, mass, frontal area) of blainville beaked whales needed for Master thesis. I am a master student focus on the diving behaviour and stoking patterns of Mesoplodon densirostris Blainville beaked whales with Dtags. In order to calculate the body density of the animals I need to know what is the frontal area of the animals to include it in a formula. The only information I have from the animals is if they are adult males , adult females or indeterminates. from there I need to estimate the lenght and mass of this animals. I would appreciate if there is some information from strandings I can use from adult males, adult females and indeterminates for the length, mass and frontal area (maximum girth). If no, I was suggested to look at underwater pictures of blainvilles in order to obtain a ratio of lenght and height (girth) in order to estimate the girth of the animals from the estimated length obtained from databases. Any other suggestions are wellcome. or even if someone has developed an equation to calculate the frontal area from length. Hope someone can provide me with biometrics data or with submarine pictures of blainvilles (lateral pictures in order to measure the length accurately). Please contact. lmml2(a)st-andrews.ac.uk. Thanks Lucia

1 0

[Fwd: 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals- Early Bird Registration Ends August 17]
by Cheryl Bonnes 12 Aug '11

12 Aug '11

-- Cheryl S.Bonnes, M.S. Marine Mammal Outreach Specialist NOAA Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727-824-5335 727-824-5309 FAX

1 0