September 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New paper on killer whale evolution
by Andy Foote 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the recent publication of the following paper on killer whale evolution. PLoS one is an open access journal and so the paper is available to anyone interested via the following link: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0024980 Foote AD, Morin PA, Durban JW, Willerslev E, Orlando L, Gilbert MTP (2011) Out of the Pacific and Back Again: Insights into the Matrilineal History of Pacific Killer Whale Ecotypes. PLoS ONE 6(9): e24980. Abstract Killer whales (*Orcinus orca*) are the most widely distributed marine mammals and have radiated to occupy a range of ecological niches. Disparate sympatric types are found in the North Atlantic, Antarctic and North Pacific oceans, however, little is known about the underlying mechanisms driving divergence. Previous phylogeographic analysis using complete mitogenomes yielded a bifurcating tree of clades corresponding to described ecotypes. However, there was low support at two nodes at which two Pacific and two Atlantic clades diverged. Here we apply further phylogenetic and coalescent analyses to partitioned mitochondrial genome sequences to better resolve the pattern of past radiations in this species. Our phylogenetic reconstructions indicate that in the North Pacific, sympatry between the maternal lineages that make up each ecotype arises from secondary contact. Both the phylogenetic reconstructions and a clinal decrease in diversity suggest a North Pacific to North Atlantic founding event, and the later return of killer whales to the North Pacific. Therefore, ecological divergence could have occurred during the allopatric phase through drift or selection and/or may have either commenced or have been consolidated upon secondary contact due to resource competition. The estimated timing of bidirectional migration between the North Pacific and North Atlantic coincided with the previous inter-glacial when the leakage of fauna from the Indo-Pacific into the Atlantic via the Agulhas current was particularly vigorous. cheers, Andy Foote (FooteAD(a)gmail.com) -- *Dr Andrew Foote* *Centre for GeoGenetics* The Natural History Museum of Denmark Øster Voldgade 5 - 7 1350 Copenhagen K

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New publication - passive acoustic detection of dolphins at low densities
by Will Rayment 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

The following article concerning passive acoustic detection of Maui's dolphins has recently been published. PDFs are available from will.rayment(a)otago.ac.nz Rayment W, Dawson S, Scali S and Slooten E. 2011. *Listening for a needle in a haystack: passive acoustic detection of dolphins at very low densities*. Endangered Species Research 14: 149-156. ABSTRACT: Passive acoustic surveys have potential for detecting trends in abundance and habitat use by rare cetaceans. We deployed commercially available acoustic data loggers (T-PODs) in 4 harbours on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island between 2005 and 2008 to investigate the distribution of Maui's dolphin /Cephalorhynchus hectori maui/ and assess whether current protection measures are sufficient. A set of decision rules was developed to minimise the potential for false positive detections. Over 3211 'T-POD days' of acoustic monitoring, 39 click trains which satisfied all of our decision rules were detected, indicating the presence of Maui's dolphins in Manukau and Kaipara Harbours. Data from the site with the most detections were fitted to 3 models, showing that the number of detections varied temporally (p < 0.001). The models were also used to show to what degree dolphins could have been present at monitored locations yet remain undetected. The study highlighted the challenges of passive acoustic monitoring of rare species, particularly of small delphinids in an environment which is both physically and acoustically challenging. Nonetheless, we demonstrated that T-PODs are effective in studies of Maui's dolphin distribution, that Maui's dolphins are found in North Island harbours and remain at risk from gillnet bycatch. We make a number of recommendations concerning acoustic monitoring studies of rare cetaceans, principally that a thorough understanding of the target signals and the acoustic environment being monitored is essential for maximising acoustic detection rates. The following articles using T-PODs with Hector's dolphins are also available as PDFs: Rayment W, Dawson S and Slooten E. 2009. *Trialling an automated passive acoustic detector (T-POD) with Hector's dolphins (/Cephalorhynchus hectori/)*. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK 89: 1015-1022. Rayment W, Dawson S and Slooten E. 2010. *Use of T-PODs for acoustic monitoring of /Cephalorhynchus/ dolphins: a case study with Hector's dolphins in a marine protected area*. Endangered Species Research 10: 333-339. -- Will Rayment FRST Post-doctoral Research Fellow Marine Mammal Research Group Marine Science Department University of Otago PO Box 56 Dunedin New Zealand phone: +64 3 4798304 (w) +64 21 488961 (mob.)

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Marine Mammal Research Internship
by Jamie Klaus 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

Marine Mammal Research Internship at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) Program Description The IMMS Research Internship Program is designed as a way for students interested in a career in marine mammal science to gain valuable research experience in a real-world setting. Interns will be trained in all aspects of dolphin photo-id research and will participate in other current research projects at IMMS. Interns will also participate in other operations at IMMS including stranding response, education, and animal care. Our goal is to give Interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and experience in marine mammal research. Principle Duties and Requirements Interns must: * Commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks. * Be available to work Mon-Fri from 8:30 AM to 4 PM and must be available for all boat trips. * Have strong sense of responsibility, work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to admit mistakes. * Produce high quality research efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal skills. * Principle Duties include: data entry, searching and cataloging journal articles, learning all research protocols, cropping and sorting photo-id fin images, learning to use photo-id programs such as Darwin (fin matching software), and FinBase (Microsoft Access), and boat based field research. * Secondary Duties involve: Working with animal care staff, attending marine mammal and sea turtle necropsies, responding to strandings, assisting with educational tours. * Field days: Interns must be able to spend many hours on the water in sometimes extreme seasonal conditions. Seasonal temperatures range from over 100 ˚F in summer to 30 ˚F in winter. Field days typically exceed eight hours and occur once or twice a week. May include overnight trips. Eligibility Requirements Applicants must be 18 or older and must have a genuine interest in marine research. Applicants should be actively pursuing a college degree or be a recent graduate in oceanography, marine science/biology, biology, or a related field. Previous research experience in any capacity is a plus. Applicants must be able and willing to fulfill all duties outlined for this Internship Program. This is an unpaid position and Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Once accepted, IMMS staff will be able to assist Interns in suggesting suitable housing options and locations. To Apply Please visit our website at http://imms.org/internship.php Jamie Klaus Research Assistant Institute for Marine Mammal Studies P.O. Box 207 Gulfport, MS 39502 Phone: (228) 701-1761 Fax: (228) 896-9183 Email: jamie(a)imms.org http://www.imms.org

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Introductory distance sampling workshop 3-6 December in Tampa Florida following Marine Mammal Conference
by Eric Rexstad 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

Places are still available for an introductory distance sampling workshop to be held at the Tampa Marriott Westshore 3-6 December 2011. The workshop will immediately follow the conclusion of the Marine Mammal Conference being held in Tampa and will be presented by Dr. Len Thomas along with others from the Univ. of St. Andrews. Please consult the website (http://www.ruwpa.st-and.ac.uk/distance.workshops/floridaoverview.html) for a description of the workshop content and the registration process. Registration is a five step process: 1) visit http://www.ruwpa.st-and.ac.uk/distance.workshops/floridaoverview.html and click on the 'Registration' menu option, there you will find a link to the 'registration form.' 2) complete the registration form and email or fax it back to Rhona (as described on the form), 3) follow the link on the Word registration form (page 2) to go to the St. Andrews on-line shop to make payment, 4) return to the Registration page in your browser and complete the questionnaire at the bottom of the page to provide us with additional information about you so we can organise our materials to suit, and finally 5) optionally return to the "Florida overview" web page and near the bottom of that page you will find a link to the hotel hosting the workshop where you can make room reservations. -- Eric Rexstad Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St. Andrews St. Andrews Scotland KY16 9LZ +44 (0)1334 461833 The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532 -- Eric Rexstad Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St. Andrews St. Andrews Scotland KY16 9LZ +44 (0)1334 461833 The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532

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New paper on diet of Sowerby's beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens)
by Mónica Cordeiro de Almeida e Sil va 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

Dear MARMAM members, We are pleased to announce that the following paper has been published in Deep-Sea Research Part I Oceanographic Research Papers: J.N. Pereira, V.C. Neves, R. Prieto, M.A. Silva, I. Cascão, C. Oliveira, M.J. Cruz, J.V. Medeiros, J.P. Barreiros, F.M. Porteiro, D. Clarke (2011) Diet of mid-Atlantic Sowerby's beaked whales Mesoplondon bidens. Deep Sea Research Part I, Volume 58, Issue 11, November 2011, Pages 1084-1090 Abstract: The first mid-Atlantic diet of Mesoplodon beaked whales is presented, from ten Sowerby's Mesoplodon bidens stranded in the Azores region between 2002 and 2009. This doubles the worldwide number of stomachs sampled, and reveals new feeding habits for this species. The mean number of prey items per stomach was 85±89 (range: 12–238), with fish accounting for 99.3% and cephalopods contributing less than 1% of total prey. Fish otoliths from 15 families and cephalopod lower mandibles from three families were identified, representing 22 taxa. The diet consisted mainly of small mid-water fish, the most numerous being Diaphus sp., Lampanyctus sp. and Melamphaidae species. Myctophids were present in all stranded individuals, followed by Diretmidae, Melamphaidae and Opisthoproctus soleatus, while the remaining fish species were scarce or single occurrences. Consistency of diet in four different years reveals a divergence from all previous records in continental areas, where mainly neritic and shelf-break benthopelagic fish species have been reported. Mid-Atlantic Sowerby's beaked whales' showed dietary plasticity, feeding on the most abundant mid-water groups occurring between 0 and750 m. Trophic level from prey numerical frequency was estimated at 4.4±0.46. Highlights: ► First insight on the diet of Mesoplodon beaked whales' from the mid-North Atlantic area. ► Ten M. bidens stranded in the Azores, doubles the number of records worldwide. ► The beaked whales M. bidens are piscivorous marine mammals, in accordance to all previous studies. ► Diet consisted on the most abundant mid-water groups between 0 and 750 m, no larger than 15 cm. ► A shift from benthopelagic fish on continental slopes and lower shelf areas, reveals dietary plasticity. Keywords: Azores; Sowerby's beaked whales; Strandings; Diet; Mesopelagic fish Links to the full text versions are available here: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967063711001403 Questions and requests for PDF copies can be addressed the first author: josenunopereira(a)uac.pt Best regards, Mónica Mónica Almeida e Silva Post Doctoral Fellow ------------------------------------------------------------------- Centro do IMAR da Universidade dos Açores Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas 9901-862 Horta, Portugal Tel: (351) 292207800 Fax: (351) 292207811 E-mail: monica(a)uac.pt http://www.horta.uac.pt/projectos/cetamarh/ <http://www.horta.uac.pt/projectos/cetamarh/> http://www.portulano.org/wkit/index.html <http://www.portulano.org/wkit/index.html> ---------------------------------------------------------------- Biology Department, MS#33 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA E-mail: msilva(a)whoi.edu http://www.whoi.edu/ <http://www.whoi.edu/>

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Multi-decadal climate change and cetaceans
by christian salvadeo 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

Hello to all… The following book chapterjust being published Salvadeo C., Lluch-Belda D., Lluch-Cota S. and M. Mercuri (2011). Review of Long Term Macro-Fauna Movement by Multi-Decadal Warming Trends in the Northeastern Pacific. Climate Change - Geophysical Foundations and Ecological Effects, Juan Blanco and Houshang Kheradmand (Ed.), ISBN: 978-953-307-419-1, Abstract: Worldwide marine ecosystems are continuously responding to changes in the physical environment at diverse spatial and temporal scales. In addition to the seasonal cycle, other natural patterns occur at the interannual scale, such as El Niño-La Niña Southern Oscillation (ENSO) with a period of about three to seven years. When ocean conditions stay above or below the long-term average for periods of 10 to 20 years we recognize decadal fluctuations, and those with periods longer than 50 years are known as regime. In this work we review published reports on long term macro-fauna (nekton) movements as related to multi-decadal temperature trends in the Northeastern Pacific. Two well defined long term climate warming trends were observed in the sea surface temperature anomalies, these appear to be part of cyclical changes that include cooling trends over the California Current System. Changes in the sea surface temperature are indicators of more complex ocean processes related to alterations in oceanic and atmospheric circulations, which ultimately affect the enrichment of superficial waters. The biological responses to those ocean processes are complex and not well understood. There are evidences which indicate that distribution shifts related to long term ocean warming had occurred for some species, including poleward shifts (gray whale and Pacific white-sided dolphin), range expansions (California sardine and jumbo squid) and redistribution (sperm whale). Make all requests to: chsalvadeo(a)yahoo.com.mx If you want to download the entire book: http://www.intechopen.com/books/show/title/climate-change-geophysical-found… Greetings Christian Salvadeo CICIMAR-IPN La Paz, B.C.S. México

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Research assistants are needed on a behavioural study of dolphins in the Istanbul Striat
by aylin akkaya 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

Dear Marmam readers, I am seeking enthusiastic research assistants to help a PhD thesis on a behavioural study of dolphins in the Istanbul Strait. The project aims to determine the critical habitats and investigate the interactions between cetaceans and marine traffic. In the Istanbul Strait, there are three different species of dolphins which are common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin and harbour porpoise. The strait is one of the narrowest straits in the world and has a vital importance on the international marine transportation (around 50.000 transit ships uses this passage annually). During the project, theodolite will be used for the purpose of determining the travel speed and diving interval as well as the distance between the dolphins and vessels. Moreover we will collect various behavioural data. Computer based photo-id studies will also be carried out. The research assistants will have the opportunity to take part in data collection during the land and boat based fieldwork in the Istanbul Strait. Research assistants should be prepared to long working days in the field under the hot and cold weathers. The field work will take 2-3 days in a week and office work will take a day. So you will have heaps of time for seeing around in Turkey as well. Successful applicants will be responsible for their own transportation to and from Istanbul-Turkey. I know most of the students are short of money but applicants should contribute 400$ to the project. I will provide free accommodation but food will be at your own expenses. Commitment is required for a period of 2 months. Successful applicants will: - be able to live and work with others in a team - be available for at least 2 months -and most important should have a strong desire to work with marine mammals under the difficult conditions. This project provides an excellent opportunity for students and individuals interested in getting more experience in the field of marine mammal research. Applicants should send a short email introducing themselves to akkayaaylin(a)yahoo.com. The email should include an outline of why you would like to work on this project. Please also attach a brief CV. There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Start and end dates are flexible. All the best, Aylin AKKAYA

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Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Spring Internship
by Shauna Mcbride 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

The Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Lab<http://www.usm.edu/psy-kuczaj/>at the University of Southern Mississippi offers an internship to college juniors, seniors and recent graduates. There are three available internship periods each year: Spring, Summer, and Fall. Interns work on research projects being conducted by faculty members and graduate students, and will gain experience in both behavioral and acoustic data collection and analyses. Specific experiences depend on the research projects that are ongoing at the time of the internship. Spring 2012 Internship: The primary research being conducted at this time involves field surveys and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins in Mississippi Sound. Applications are due November 1st. Anticipated start date is in early January and will last until mid to late May. This internship is an unpaid voluntary position, and interns are responsible for arranging their own transportation and housing. Interns are also required to receive college credit for the internship; enrollment may be with The University of Southern Mississippi or an academic institution of their choice. Students interested in applying for the internship are required to send: - Completed application<http://www.usm.edu/psy-kuczaj/MMCBL%20Website/Internship%20Application%20Fo…> - CV - Personal statement describing your career goals, reason(s) for wanting the internship, and what you expect to contribute to and gain from the internship - Unofficial or official copy of your transcripts - At least two letters of recommendation (preferably from those who can attest to your academic and scientific abilities) *International applicants have a more intensive application process and are required to obtain a visa if selected. Please contact the intern coordinator for more information. All materials should be sent to the internship coordinator: Shauna McBride Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Internship Department of Psychology The University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Drive, # 5025 Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5025 Materials may arrive separately or together, all materials must be postmarked by the pertinent deadline: Fall - June 1st; Spring - November 1st; Summer - March 1st Please direct all information requests and related materials to Shauna McBride at shauna.mcbride(a)eagles.usm.edu . -- Shauna McBride MA/PhD Student,Internship Coordinator Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Laboratory Department of Psychology The University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Drive, # 5025 Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5025

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New publication of a New dolphin species, Tursiops australis, endemic to southern Australian coastal waters
by Kate Charlton-Robb 14 Sep '11

14 Sep '11

Dear colleagues, We are very pleased to announcethe publication of the following paper in PLoS ONE "A New Dolphin Species, the Burrunan Dolphin /Tursiops australis/ sp. nov., Endemic to Southern Australian Coastal Waters" Kate Charlton-Robb*, Lisa-ann Gershwin, Ross Thompson, Jeremy Austin, Kylie Owen & Stephen McKechnie The paper can be downloaded directly from the PLoS ONE (http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0024047) otherwise you can email me at katecr(a)bigpond.com or kate.charlton(a)monash.edu All the best, Kate Charlton-Robb Abstract Small coastal dolphins endemic to south-eastern Australia have variously been assigned to described species /Tursiops truncatus/, /T. aduncus /or/T. maugeanus/; however the specific affinities of these animals is controversial and have recently been questioned. Historically 'the southern Australian /Tursiops/' was identified as unique and was formally named /Tursiops maugeanus/ but was later synonymised with /T. truncatus/.**Morphologically, these coastal dolphins share some characters with both//aforementioned recognised /Tursiops /species/,/ but they also possess unique characters not found in either.Recent mtDNA and microsatellite genetic evidence indicates deep evolutionary divergence between this dolphin and the two currently recognised /Tursiops /species. However, in accordance with the recommendations of the Workshop on Cetacean Systematics, and the Unified Species Concept the use of molecular evidence alone is inadequate for describing new species. Here we describe the macro-morphological, colouration and cranial characters of these animals, assess the available and new genetic data, and conclude that multiple lines of evidence clearly indicate a new species of dolphin. We demonstrate that the syntype material of /T. maugeanus/ comprises two different species, one of which is the historical 'southern form of /Tursiops/' most similar to /T. truncatus/, and the other is representative of the new species and requires formal classification. These dolphins are here described as/Tursiops australis/ sp. nov., with the common name of 'Burrunan Dolphin' following Australian aboriginal narrative. The recognition of /T. australis/ sp. nov. is particularly significant given the endemism of this new species to a small geographic region of southern and south-eastern Australia, where only two small resident populations incloseproximity to a major urban and agricultural centre are known, giving them a high conservation value and making them susceptible to numerous anthropogenic threats.

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Job Announcement: NMFS MMPA Incidental Take Program, Silver Spring MD
by Jolie.Harrison 13 Sep '11

13 Sep '11

The following job announcement is listed on _www.usajobs.gov_ */for 14 days/* (through Sept 27th) under the following announcement #s: NMFS-PIR-2011-0059 (federal status) NMFS-PIR-2011-0060 (public) This position is located in the Office of Protected Resources, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at Silver Spring, MD. The incumbent will perform review, research, analyses, and writing required to process applications for Incidental Take Authorizations (ITAs) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and to assess the environmental impacts of ITA issuance under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). ITAs authorize the incidental take of marine mammals by non-fishing activities including, but not limited to, activities related to military readiness (e.g., U.S. Navy training) and the national energy mandate (oil/gas activities including seismic surveys, exploration and production.) The individual selected for this position will: * Process incidental take authorization requests pursuant to Marine Mammal Protection Act mandate and NMFS' policies, including: reviewing applications; coordinating with applicants; responding to public comments; and drafting all necessary documents. * Evaluate, conduct, and draft National Environmental Policy Act analyses. * Critically analyze scientific literature, agency documents, and other applicable information to assess impacts of activities on marine mammals and develop/evaluate mitigation and monitoring to support agency findings under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. * Support program planning, monitoring, improvement, and policy development. * Communicate program policies, requirements, and issues to the public and other Federal Agencies, as well as to other NOAA programs and leadership.

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