April 2012 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Request for info on whalewatching in Central America
by Carole Carlson 09 Apr '12

09 Apr '12

Dear MARMAMERS, I am in the process of preparing a table on whalewatching in Central America for the upcoming meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commisssion in Panama. I would greatly appreciate receiving the information listed below, where available, for the report. INFO REQUEST: - Country - Community/town/area - Patform (type of vessel/land-based) - Number of vessels - Species observed - Research conducted? (Y/N) - Regulation/guidelines/none (R/G/N) - Other (additional comments) Many thanks! Carole Carlson science(a)whalewatch.com

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new book: DOLPHIN CONFIDENTIAL: CONFESSIONS OF A FIELD BIOLOGIST
by Maddalena Bearzi 09 Apr '12

09 Apr '12

Dear colleagues, I am pleased to announce the release of my new book: DOLPHIN CONFIDENTIAL: CONFESSIONS OF A FIELD BIOLOGIST (216 pages | 71 line drawings | Chicago University Press © 2012) Review Quotes <http://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/D/bo10896892.html#tab- quotes> ³Maddalena Bearzi impresses me with her capabilities and passion as a marine mammal scientist and her clear and erudite manner of expressing the interface between science and an emotional sense of the animals she studies. I recommend this beautifully illustrated book to the starry-eyed juvenile would-be marine biologist, to those of us beginning our twilight years who may need a reminder of how we started and what this should mean in a larger sense of helping fragile Earth, and to all those academically and environmentally minded in between.²Bernd Würsig, Texas A&M University at Galveston ³I simply love this book. In Dolphin Confidential, renowned scientist Maddalena Bearzi tells us what it is like to be a field researcher and what it is like to be a dolphin, the ups and downs of daily life, and her excitement about learning just who these fascinating animals are. Bearzi¹s science is impeccable, and her book is an easy read for those who want to share her and the dolphin¹s lives.²Marc Bekoff, author of Wild Justice ³This is a delightful chronicle of a young ocean lover¹s journey to turn her passion into a career in science, and that scientist¹s coming-of-age as she observes an ocean changing around her and the creatures she has come to love and defend. I found it both relaxing and energizing, all at the same time.²Carl Safina, author of Song for the Blue Ocean You can check the Chicago University Press website for more information about this book: http://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/D/bo10896892.html Now available in Amazon (US and Europe): http://www.amazon.com/Dolphin-Confidential-Confessions-Field-Biologist/dp/02 26040151/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321726449&sr=1-1 Sincerely, Maddalena Bearzi, Ph.D. Ocean Conservation Society, President P.O. Box 12860 Marina del Rey, CA 90295 - USA ph.310.8225205 mbearzi(a)earthlink.net http://www.oceanconservation.org <http://www.oceanconservation.org/> <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ocean-Conservation-Society/154982037883141> <http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Minds-Parallel-Lives-Dolphins/dp/067402781 7> <http://www.amazon.com/Dolphin-Confidential-Confessions-Field-Biologist/dp/0 226040151/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321726449&sr=1-1>

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Recent Paper on Comparative Pinniped Whisker Morphology
by Chris Marshall 09 Apr '12

09 Apr '12

Dear Colleagues, I'd like to draw your attention to a recent paper published by Ginter, DeWitt, Fish, and Marshall in PLoS ONE on the comparative morphology of pinniped whiskers. This work fuses traditional morphometrics with geometric morphometrics to provide new comparative data that demonstrates species specific differences in the morphology of pinniped hair shafts of their vibrissae (whiskers). Ginter CC, DeWitt TJ, Fish FE, Marshall CD (2012) Fused Traditional and Geometric Morphometrics Demonstrate Pinniped Whisker Diversity. PLoS ONE 7(4): e34481. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0034481 Abstract Vibrissae (whiskers) are important components of the mammalian tactile sensory system, and primarily function as detectors of vibrotactile information from the environment. Pinnipeds possess the largest vibrissae among mammals and their vibrissal hair shafts demonstrate a diversity of shapes. The vibrissae of most phocid seals exhibit a beaded morphology with repeating sequences of crests and troughs along their length. However, there are few detailed analyses of pinniped vibrissal morphology, and these are limited to a few species. Therefore, we comparatively characterized differences in vibrissal hair shaft morphologies among phocid species with a beaded profile, phocid species with a smooth profile, and otariids with a smooth profile using traditional and geometric morphometric methods. Traditional morphometric measurements (peak-to- peak distance, crest width, trough width and total length) were collected using digital photographs. Elliptic Fourier analysis (geometric morphometrics) was used to quantify the outlines of whole vibrissae. The traditional and geometric morphometric datasets were subsequently combined by mathematically scaling each to true rank, followed by a single eigendecomposition. Quadratic discriminant function analysis demonstrated that 79.3, 97.8 and 100% of individuals could be correctly classified to their species based on vibrissal shape variables in the traditional, geometric and combined morphometric analyses, respectively. Phocids with beaded vibrissae, phocids with smooth vibrissae, and otariids each occupied distinct morphospace in the geometric morphometric and combined data analyses. Otariids split into two groups in the geometric morphometric analysis and gray seals appeared intermediate between beaded- and smooth-whiskered species in the traditional and combined analyses. Vibrissal hair shafts modulate the transduction of environmental stimuli to the mechanoreceptors in the follicle-sinus complex (F-SC), which results in vibrotactile reception, but it is currently unclear how the diversity of shapes affects environmental signal modulation. Since PLoS ONE is an open access journal, PDF's of the paper should be easily obtained through their website. Thanks, Christopher Marshall ------------------------------ Christopher D. Marshall, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Marine Biology, and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences 200 Seawolf Parkway Building 3029, Room 253 Texas A&M University Galveston, Texas 77553 Phone: (409) 740-4884 Fax: (409) 740-5001 Email: marshalc(a)tamug.edu<mailto:marshalc@tamug.edu> (please note the difference in the spelling of my last name) Website: www.marinebiology.edu/Marshall -- Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together. - Vincent van Gogh

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More research assistants are needed on a behavioral study of dolphins in the Istanbul Striat
by aylin akkaya 06 Apr '12

06 Apr '12

Dear Marmam readers, I am seeking more research assistants to help a PhD thesis on a behavioural study of dolphins in the Istanbul Strait. This is a project under the Istanbul University-Turkey under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Bayram Öztürk and Dr. Ayaka Amaha Öztürk. 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. Now, the highest season for the dolphins are coming so we need more research assistants in the field. The field work will take 3-4 days in a week and office work will take a day or two. 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. 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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Conservation Manager (job opportunity) - Maui, Hawai'i
by Robert Rankin 06 Apr '12

06 Apr '12

Conservation Manager – Maui, Hawaii, USA Pacific Whale Foundation is seeking an individual with proven experience in planning, implementing and supporting conservation campaigns, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills, to serve as our Conservation Manager and lead our conservation programs. The ideal candidate must have at least an undergraduate degree and 5 years experience in an ocean or marine related field. Experience with budgeting. planning and departmental management, as well as an understanding of the legislative process and managing multiple priorities, will be viewed favorably. To apply, write to applications(a)pacificwhale.org. No phone calls please. Full Time, Salaried Position. Salary DOE. Pacific Whale Foundation checks references, conducts background and drug screens and is an equal opportunity employer. PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED APPLICATIONS OR APPLICATIONS WITH PHOTOS, PERSONAL INFORMATION (SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO: MEDICAL HISTORY, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, PARENTAL STATUS, ETC.), OR APPLICATIONS WHICH ARE INCOMPLETE OR ILLEGIBLE. Come join our team! TO APPLY: Please email a cover letter and resume to applications(a)pacificwhale.org detailing your relevant work experience. You may also send a hard copy to: Pacific Whale Foundation Attn: Human Resources 300 Ma’alaea Rd, Suite 211 Wailuku, HI 96793 Please, no phone calls! MAHALO FOR YOUR INTEREST IN PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AND REVIEWING YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS. ALOHA!

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Data Technician (job opportunity) - Maui, Hawai'i, USA
by Robert Rankin 06 Apr '12

06 Apr '12

DATA TECHNICIAN Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) has an immediate opening for Data Technician. Description: - This position will assist the PWF Research Department to digitize and organize its large catalogue of cetacean data. The goal of the position will be to integrate disparate data (photographs, attribute data, and geospatial information) into a relational database (e.g., Discovery, SQL). The position is mostly computer/office based, although some fieldwork may be available. The position may include training in advanced statistical modeling and the chance to contribute to scientific publications, should the candidate have an acceptable background in science-based analyses, or be a fast learner in this area. Attitude: “detail oriented; organized; quantitative.” Duties: - Digitize photos/slides for a large, multi-decade catalogue of cetaceans - Ensure data quality and consistency between electronic files and original copies - Follow data protocols to transfer existing electronic files into a relational database - Identify and match individual whales from a large fluke-ID catalogue - Assist in writing science publications - Assist in the management of a Remote Sensing database Skills / Background: - B.Sc. in Science, preferably in biology/ecology/environmental science, or especially marine sciences - Familiar with ecological and marine research, with some experience following rigorous field protocols - Experience manipulating, summarizing, and querying large datasets. - Superior grasp of excel functions (VB Macro writing a plus) - GIS experience a plus (e.g., ESRI products) - Some basic familiarity with programming, or at least the desire to learn. Experience writing code in Python, SQL, or R for efficient workflows will be highly prized. Pacific Whale Foundation checks references, conducts background and drug screens and is an equal opportunity employer. PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED APPLICATIONS OR APPLICATIONS WITH PHOTOS, PERSONAL INFORMATION (SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO: MEDICAL HISTORY, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, PARENTAL STATUS, ETC.), OR APPLICATIONS WHICH ARE INCOMPLETE OR ILLEGIBLE. TO APPLY: Please email a cover letter and resume to applications(a)pacificwhale.org detailing your relevant work experience. Please include the position title in the subject line of the email. You may also send a hard copy to Pacific Whale Foundation, Attn: Human Resources, 300 Ma’alaea Rd, Suite 211, Wailuku, HI 96793 Please, no phone calls! MAHALO FOR YOUR INTEREST IN PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AND REVIEWING YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS. ALOHA!

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ACS accepting nominations for John Heyning Award for Lifetime Achievement in Marine Mammal Science
by Cheryl M. McCormick 05 Apr '12

05 Apr '12

The American Cetacean Society is accepting nominations for the John Heyning Award for Lifetime Achievement in Marine Mammal Science. 2012 Guidelines ACS established the John Heyning Award for Lifetime Achievement in Marine Mammal Science in 2010 to recognize those who have advanced our knowledge and understanding of cetaceans and their habitats, and to honor those who have made significant contributions to the field of marine mammalogy and/or in the development of novel concepts or methodologies that have advanced marine mammalogy research, conservation, or education. The John Heyning Award for Lifetime Achievement in Marine Mammalogy will be presented at the biennial ACS conference and consists of an inscribed plaque, a piece of marine mammal artwork, and all expenses paid to the meeting. The primary award criteria shall be as follows: * Significant contribution to the development and/or understanding of marine mammalogy that historically has and will continue to distinguish their professional contributions. * A demonstrated ability to synthesize and apply their work to the conservation of marine mammals and their environments. * A willingness, enthusiasm, and proven track record of applying their professional contributions in novel ways that advances marine mammal education within a variety of audiences, including the lay public, students in the field, peer-to-peer development, or any combination thereof. * A history of involvement with the American Cetacean Society (ACS), either at the chapter (board member, regular presenter, etc.) or National (Board member, Scientific Advisory Panel, speaker) level, or who has had formative and influential contact with ACS at the beginning of his/her career. A Call For Nominations to the marine mammal scientific and conservation community will be submitted for a period of 60 days, beginning at least seven months prior to the conference date. The ACS Nominations Committee will make their recommendations to the National Board, and a recipient will be announced within 60 days of the close of the nomination period. Nominating letters should address the nominee's qualifications for this award and contributions to the profession of marine mammalogy. Nominating letter must include at least two supporting letters from members of the marine mammal scientific and conservation community who qualify the importance of the nominees contribution. Please contact ACS Headquarters with suggested nominations and requests for information at: acsoffice(a)acsonline.org. Nomination Process begins: Friday, April 6th, 2012 Nomination Process ends: Monday, June 4th, 2012 Award Recipient Announcement: On or before Monday, July 30th, 2012 American Cetacean Society P.O. Box 1391, San Pedro, CA 90733-1391 310-548-6279 (Office) 310-548-6950 (fax) acsoffice(a)acsonline.org

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Unprecedented dolphin UME in Peru
by William Rossiter 05 Apr '12

05 Apr '12

This 4 April report concerning the ongoing mass stranding of hundreds of long beaked common dolphins and Burmeister’s porpoises is being forwarded on behalf of Dr. Carlos Yaipen-LLanos, President - Science Director, ORCA Peru . He is working with Hardy Jones, who has posted a video and blogs athttp://bluevoice.org/webfilms_catastropheperu.php. Dr. Yaipen-LLanos reports ...Situation is worse than imaginable. The whole situation is a UME effectively, and needs to be address in detail. You probably read Hardy’s blog, so here some more field information: 1. On March 25th, we received a communication from an ORCA sentinel volunteer located on site indicating the presence of hundreds of stranded dolphins. ORCA and Bluevoice decided to execute this survey of 135 Km from San Jose in Lambayeque state to the southern border of Illescas National Park, in Piura state, to collect visual and sample evidence. Our survey was in coordination with the Police of the Environment Protection (Ecological Police). 2. As previously reported, two species have been affected: Long beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) and Burmeister’s porpoise (Phocoena spinipinnis). We counted 615 common dolphins. All age classes were affected: Adult males, females, lactating females, juveniles, calves and newborns. We counted 19 porpoises, only females and calves. 3. There are carcasses in different degrees of decomposition and every 10 to 30 meters, none of them older than 5 weeks. This matches with the fact that these strandings happened right after our previous survey. We found animals recently dead (no more than 12 hours) and several carcasses of juveniles and calves showed “rigor mortis” as being dead on land, then stranded alive (stiff arc position, beak open, belly down, transversal to tide line, no more than 3 days dead). 4. Necropsies were performed on site. Macroscopic findings include: hemorrhagic lesions in the middle including the acoustic chamber, fractures in the periotic bones, bubbles in blood filling liver and kidneys (animals were diving, so the main organs were congested), lesions in the lungs compatible with pulmonary emphysema, sponge-like liver. So far we have 12 periotic samples from different animals, all with different degree of fractures and 80% of them with fracture in the right periotic bones, compatible with acoustic impact and decompression syndrome. 5. Histopathology analysis in under process at this point from 30 tissues collected. We hope to have results by Monday. We will assess septic evidence, viral inclusion bodies, and microscopic confirmation of decompression syndrome. These samples will be compared with samples collected from previous surveys in the area. After these results are acquired, we will continue testing collected tissues. 6. At this point, the evidence points towards acoustic impact and decompression syndrome. However, the large aggregation of dolphins is leading towards a potential epidemic outbreak of morbillivirus, brucella or both. We have recorded morbillivirus in South American sea-lions and the Peruvian population of common dolphins is a migratory part of that at Costa Rica, so chances are high. Also, evidence of previous mass stranding of this magnitude was associated to morbillivirus outbreak in Europe during the 90’s also in common dolphins and porpoises. 7. That lead us to believe the event started close to shore are: a) Carcasses found fresh or with little decomposition, and those in moderate decomposition retain skin. Normally is lost when carcasses drift off shore for some time, so the animals died not too far from shore. b) Lactating females, calves and newborns were found. This indicated breeding season and matches with the fact that many cetacean species use coastal waters to protect the off-spring from predators and provide more secure shallows. c) Dolphins search for high-productivity areas to feed large pods and this is more important during breeding season. The coastal northern Peru has been a hot spot for fishermen this season. 8. Fishermen leader in San Jose requested my advice towards the issue of the acoustic impact upon fisheries a year ago, when an oil company invited him on board a vessel for him to witness that seismic surveys with compressed air do not produce effects upon marine life. Of course, little he knew that the effects are not visible immediately, and that species are affected depending on the intensity of the high frequency used. It is for the Attorney for Environmental Affairs of Piura to determine the source of the acoustic impact. 9. We are aware that dolphins continue stranding. For that reason, we are to return to the stranding site for another survey with the Ecological Police and to run test on site and to collect more samples for lab analysis. We know that the Institution for the Sea of Peru has collected samples for analysis, but we don’t know the sort of samples nor the results so far. 10. Also, we had testimonial on the San Jose beaches that stranded dolphins were “harvested” for human consumption, burying the carcasses. We did find one of them not too far from the fishermen boats. We also interviewed the Manager for the Medical Post, and confirmed to us that the rate of diabetes in humans, mainly fishermen, have tripled over the past 6 years. We are in coordination with her to develop an education campaign on information and research on the potential relationship of diabetes and dolphin meat consumption. 11. Under the current circumstances and after a long assessment of our Stranding Network, all the dolphins and porpoises stranded respond to one sole UME that started in middle January, and continues today. With all available count in an area of 350 Km of coastline with reported strandings from northern Piura to northern Lambayeque, we estimate around 3,000 dead dolphins so far. This is the largest mass stranding ever recorded in the coast of Peru and with no precedent in the South American region. Situation has is overwhealming. Even children have been involved in collecting dolphin meat at the southern end of the stranding site (Lambayeque), and have been trying to rescue agonic dolphins at the northern range (Piura). We need financial support to be available for trip, sampling, testing, equipment and educational campaign. additional images: http://peru.com/actualidad/fotos-varamiento-delfines-mas-grande-registrado-… ************************** Dr. Carlos Yaipen-LLanos President - Science Director ORCA Organization for Research and Conservation of Aquatic Animals Tel. (511) 99938-9430 E-mail:orcarlos@orca.org.pe /orca.peru(a)gmail.com Web site:www.orca.org.pe Youtube:www.youtube.com/ORCAPERU Facebook: Orca Peru "Rescue, Education, Science and Conservation Saving Marine Life in the South Pacific" ORCA is a non-profit organization based in Lima, Peru, dedicated to do research, rescue and rehabilitation of sea-lions, dolphins, whales and marine otters to be release in the wild, promoting long term education programs and the development of strategies for the conservation of the ocean.

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16th Northwest Student Chapter Meeting - fixed link
by Robertson, Frances 04 Apr '12

04 Apr '12

Hello, There appears to be a problem with the registration link for the 16th NW Student Chapter Meeting. This link has been tested and should work, please do contact me at f.robertson(a)fisheries.ubc.ca if you experience any further problems with the registration process. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L8NTW83 Apologies for the inconvenience, Best regards Frances Frances C. Robertson PhD Candidate Marine Mammal Research Unit Fisheries Centre University of British Columbia Canada: 604 339 4967 US: 360 420 4403 www.distantfin.net

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New publication on speciation patterns in killer whales
by Rüdiger Riesch 04 Apr '12

04 Apr '12

Dear colleagues, We would like to draw your attention to the following review on speciation patterns in killer whales (*Orcinus orca*), published in the May issue of the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society: Riesch R, Barrett-Lennard LG, Ellis GM, Ford JKB and Deecke VB (2012) Cultural traditions and the evolution of reproductive isolation: ecological speciation in killer whales? *Biol J Linn Soc **106(1)*:1–17, DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2012.01872.x ABSTRACT Human evolution has clearly been shaped by gene-culture interactions, and there is growing evidence that similar processes also act on populations of non-human animals. Recent theoretical studies have shown that culture can be an important evolutionary mechanism because of the ability of cultural traits to spread rapidly vertically, obliquely, and horizontally, resulting in decreased within-group variance and increased between-group variance. Here, we collate the extensive literature on population divergence in killer whales (*Orcinus orca*), and argue that they are undergoing ecological speciation as a result of dietary specializations. Although we cannot exclude the possibility that cultural divergence pre-dates ecological divergence, we propose that cultural differences in the form of learned behaviours between ecologically divergent killer whale populations have resulted in sufficient reproductive isolation even in sympatry to lead to incipient speciation. KEYWORDS: Cetacea, culture, cultural evolution, gene-culture coevolution, vocal dialects Please feel free to contact me with any questions about this review ( rwriesch.evolutionarybiology(a)gmail.com) Best regards Rüdiger ----------------------------- Rüdiger Riesch, PhD Postdoctoral Researcher North Carolina State University Department of Biology & W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology Raleigh, NC 27695-7617 USA Phone: 919-513-7552 Email: rwriesch.evolutionarybiology(a)gmail.com homepage: http://gambusia.zo.ncsu.edu/riesch/Home.html "The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the most discoveries, is not "Eureka" but "That's funny..." ––Isaac Asimov

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