November 2013 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Rare beaked whale behaviour caught on film
by Fabian Ritter, MEER e.V. 07 Nov '13

07 Nov '13

Dear Fellow MARMAMers, with this we would like to let you know about the observation of a rare beaked whale behaviour which was also captured on film: off the Canary Islands, a group of animals was leaping with individual whales performing high jumps and breaches several times in a row – a behavior rarely ever seen - and difficult to explain. We have observed leaping beaked whales off La Gomera on a few occasions, but never with such intensity like can be seen on the video images available through: http://m-e-e-r.de/index.php?id=563&L=2 Even with photographic images taken during the short encounter it was not possibly to identify the animals to the species level. It may have been Blainville’s beaked whales, a species commonly seen in the Canary Islands. But Gervais' or True beaked whales are possible candidates, too. Beaked whales are known to be shy and generally behave in an inconspicuous manner. They usually avoid ships, are sensitive to disturbance and spend most of their time below the surface. The reasons for their aerial behaviour remain unclear. On the one hand you can speculate that the animals were returning to the surface after a long dive at high speed, but this would not explain why some individuals appear to perform repeated leaps. On the other hand, beaked whales are known to be highly sensitive to noise disturbance. The footage was taken from a large fast ferry. The underwater sound of the ship, or from a different yet unknown noise source could have irritated them, too. We are curious to learn from you what you think about this behaviour. Best regards, Fabian -- Fabian Ritter -President- M.E.E.R. e.V. Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin T/F: (0)30-644 97 230 e-Mail: ritter(a)m-e-e-r.de www.m-e-e-r.org --- The dolphins were having a great relaxed time and there were no major answers they wished to know the questions to... (After Douglas Adams) ___ M.E.E.R. ist eingetragen im Vereinsregister Berlin. Steuer-Nr. (German tax ID): 27/672/54225 M.E.E.R. is a registered charity.

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Job Announcement - Curator of Marine Mammals
by Samuel A. McLeod 07 Nov '13

07 Nov '13

MarMam subscribers, Posted on behalf of Lisa Granados ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Curator, Marine Mammals Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) seeks a curator specializing in the study of marine mammals (living or fossil) to conduct collection-based research in evolutionary biology including taxonomy, systematics, biogeography, and biodiversity science. The NHM, the largest natural history museum in the western United States, has recently finished a dramatic transformation including new ground-breaking exhibitions and a 3 ½ acre wildlife garden. The NHM's mission is to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds. The NHM has recently developed a strategic intent-"Be the best at communicating how our planet and life on it changes over time and why this matters"-that will guide the museum's priorities during the next decade. The successful candidate will have a record of outstanding research and publications as well as excellent communication skills and an innate ability to engage and enthuse the public and stakeholders through his or her work. The NHM holds one of the world's best collections of living and fossil marine mammals, with huge potential for a broad array of research and public programs. Through a network of partnerships with local universities, the NHM provides academic mentoring to a diverse community of undergraduate and graduate students. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing a dynamic, productive, and scientifically significant program of research to build a growing scientific and public profile, overseeing the development and curation of important collections, maintaining and strengthening the NHM's presence in key professional and governmental networks, and establishing active internal NHM collaborations, especially with the Education and Exhibits, the Marketing and Communications, and the Advancement Departments. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of published research with strengths in the field of evolutionary biology, and will be expected to develop an active and publically engaging research program, develop working relationships with local universities, mentor students and postdoctoral fellows, and maintain research through obtaining competitive grants and/or funding from other external sources. The successful candidate will have a Ph.D., experience in generating funding to support research, and a demonstrated track-record of peer-reviewed papers; a record of successful public communications in some form would be an advantage. The candidate must have the vision and capability to build a research program that can be integrated within the NHM's ongoing efforts to understand the evolution of marine ecosystems and organismal adaptation to the ocean, and to shape the collections and research in ways that increase both its scientific and public appeal. Experience in collections management is desirable. The ability to effectively communicate and engage with a wide variety of audiences, including the public and the NHM's various stakeholders is paramount. The successful candidate will be expected to oversee and supervise the NHM's marine mammal program including collections and collections managements staff, to participate actively in a broad range of museum activities, including exhibits, education, outreach and training of educators, public communications including, but not limited to, media interactions, and fundraising activities. More specifically, the successful candidate will be expected to play a key role in the development of content for a new permanent exhibition about the ocean. The curator will also be responsible for building productive ties with local universities, professional associations, educators, and other relevant organizations within the scientific and general community. This is a full-time position with a salary and title commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits. The starting date is July 1st, 2014. Applicants should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, salary history, and the full contact information of at least three professional references to lgranado(a)nhm.org - Lisa Granados, Research & Collections, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA. Application deadline is January 31st, 2014. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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New Articles
by David S. Janiger 06 Nov '13

06 Nov '13

Hi, All Here's the latest posting of new PDF's that are available. File sizes have been included. Abstracts also available on request. Please let me know of any mistakes. Hope to see many of you in New Zealand. Make all requests to: janiger(a)cox.net Cheers! David Janiger - Curatorial Assistant (Mammals) Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 763-3369 janiger(a)cox.net djaniger(a)nhm.org Janiger Journals AERTS, LISANNE A. M.; ALEXANDRA E. MCFARLAND; BRIDGET H. WATTS; KATE S. LOMAC-MACNAIR; PAMELA E. SEISER; SHEYNA S. WISDOM; ALEX V. KIRK and CARISSA A. SCHUDEL. CONTINENTAL SHELF RESEARCH 67:116-126. 2013. Marine mammal distribution and abundance in an offshore sub-region of the northeastern Chukchi Sea during the open-water season. 0.829 MB ALVES, FILIPE; SOPHIE QUEROUIL; ANA DINIS; CATIA NICOLAU; CLAUDIA RIBEIRO; LUIS FREITAS; MANFRED KAUFMANN and CATERINA FORTUNA. AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 23(5):758-776. 2013. Population structure of short-finned pilot whales in the oceanic archipelago of Madeira based on photo-identification and genetic analyses: Implications for conservation. 1.332 MB AMARAL, RODRIGO S.; FERNANDO C. W. ROSAS; VERA M. F. DA SILVA; MARCILIO NICHI and CLAUDIO A. OLIVEIRA. ANIMAL REPRODUCTION SCIENCE 142(1-2):84-88. 2013. Endocrine monitoring of the ovarian cycle in captive female Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis). 0.469 MB ANDERWALD, PIA; ANJA BRANDECKER; MARY COLEMAN; CLODAGH COLLINS; HANNAH DENNISTON; MICHAEL DAMIEN HABERLIN; MAIREAD O'DONOVAN; ROISIN PINFIELD; FLEUR VISSER and LAURA WALSHE. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 21(3):231-240. 2013. Displacement responses of a mysticete, an odontocete, and a phocid seal to construction-related vessel traffic. 0.463 MB ARZI, B.; J. N. WINER; P. H. KASS and F. J. M. VERSTRAETE. JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY 149(4):486-494. 2013. Osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis). 2.034 MB ASHE, ERIN; JANIE WRAY; CHRISTOPHER R. PICARD and ROB WILLIAMS. PLOS ONE 8(9) e75228. 7pp. 2013. Abundance and survival of Pacific humpback whales in a proposed critical habitat area. 1.071 MB AUBAIL, A.; P. MENDEZ-FERNANDEZ; P. BUSTAMANTE; C. CHURLAUD; M. FERREIRA; J. V. VINGADA and F. CAURANT. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 76(1):158-169. 2013. Use of skin and blubber tissues of small cetaceans to assess the trace element content of internal organs. 1.575 MB BAILY, J. L.; L. R. MORRISON; I. A. PATTERSON; C. UNDERWOOD and M. P. DAGLEISH. JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY 149(4):514-519. 2013. Primitive neuroectodermal tumour in a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) with features of ependymoma and neural tube differentiation (medulloepithelioma). 1.516 MB BAIRD, ROBIN W.; ERIN M. OLESON; JAY BARLOW; ALLAN D. LIGON; ANTOINETTE M. GORGONE and SABRE D. MAHAFFY. PACIFIC SCIENCE 67(4):513-521. 2013. Evidence of an island-associated population of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. 1.024 MB BAISRE, JULIO A. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 27(5):927-935. 2013. Shifting baselines and the extinction of the Caribbean monk seal. 0.388 MB BASBERG, BJORN L. and ROBERT K. HEADLAND. POLAR RECORD 49(4):381-391. 2013. The economic significance of the 19th century Antarctic sealing industry. 0.512 MB BECHSHOFT, THEA O.; CHRISTIAN SONNE; FRANK F. RIGET; ROBERT J. LETCHER; MELINDA A. NOVAK; ELIZABETH HENCHEY; JERROLD S. MEYER; IGOR EULAERS; VEERLE L. B. JASPERS; ADRIAN COVACI and RUNE DIETZ. POLAR BIOLOGY 36(10):1525-1529. 2013. Polar bear stress hormone cortisol fluctuates with the North Atlantic Oscillation climate index. 0.190 MB BOMBARDI, CRISTIANO; ANNAMARIA GRANDIS; ANNA GARDINI and BRUNO COZZI. ANATOMICAL RECORD: ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 296(10):1603-1614. 2013. Nitrergic neurons in the spinal cord of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). 1.207 MB BONIN, CAROLINA A.; MICHAEL E. GOEBEL; JAUME FORCADA; RONALD S. BURTON and JOSEPH I. HOFFMAN. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION 3(11):3701-3712. 2013. Unexpected genetic differentiation between recently recolonized populations of a long-lived and highly vagile marine mammal. 0.887 MB BORNEMANN, HORST; P. J. NICO DE BRUYN; RYAN R. REISINGER; SABINE KASTNER; MARIA E. I. MARQUEZ; TREVOR MCINTYRE; MARTHAN N. BESTER and JOACHIM PLOTZ. POLAR BIOLOGY 36(11):1687-1692. 2013. Tiletamine/zolazepam immobilization of adult post-moult southern elephant seal males. 0.183 MB BREED, GREG A.; W. DON BOWEN and MARTY L. LEONARD. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION 3(11):3838-3854. 2013. Behavioral signature of intraspecific competition and density dependence in colony-breeding marine predators. 1.063 MB BROWN, SUSIE L.; DAVID REID and EMER ROGAN. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 168:78-87. 2013. A risk-based approach to rapidly screen vulnerability of cetaceans to impacts from fisheries bycatch. 0.388 MB BUCKLEY, M.; S. FRASER; J. HERMAN; N. D. MELTON; J. MULVILLE and A. H. PALSDOTTIR. JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE 41:631-641. 2013. Species identification of archaeological marine mammals using collagen fingerprinting. 1.273 MB CAGNAZZI, DANIELE; MARIA CRISTINA FOSSI; GUIDO J. PARRA; PETER L. HARRISON; SILVIA MALTESE; DANIELE COPPOLA; ALICE SOCCODATO; MICHAEL BENT and LETIZIA MARSILI. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 182:490-494. 2013. Anthropogenic contaminants in Indo-Pacific humpback and Australian snubfin dolphins from the central and southern Great Barrier Reef. 1.169 MB CAMPAGNA, LEONARDO; PETER J. VAN COEVERDEN DE GROOT; BRENDA L. SAUNDERS; STEPHEN N. ATKINSON; DIANA S. WEBER; MARKUS G. DYCK; PETER T. BOAG and STEPHEN C. LOUGHEED. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION 3(9):3152-3165. 2013. Extensive sampling of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Northwest Passage (Canadian Arctic Archipelago) reveals population differentiation across multiple spatial and temporal scales. 1.328 MB CHARRIER, ISABELLE; NICOLAS MATHEVON and THIERRY AUBIN. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY 67(10):1679-1689. 2013. Bearded seal males perceive geographic variation in their trills. 0.491 MB CORREA, LUCERO; J. MARGARET CASTELLINI; RANDALL S. WELLS and TODD O'HARA. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 32(11):2441-2448. 2013 Distribution of mercury and selenium in blood compartments of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota Bay, Florida. 0.231 MB DAOUST, PIERRE-YVES; MIKE HAMMILL; GARRY STENSON and CHARLES CARAGUEL. MARINE POLICY 43:367-371. 2014. A review of animal welfare implications of the Canadian commercial seal hunt: A critique. 0.266 MB DE SWARTE, MARIE; JILL BRYAN; MICAELA ZARELLI; VIHELMIINA HUUSKONEN; WILFRIED SCHNEEWEISS and HESTER MCALLISTER. VETERINARY RADIOLOGY & ULTRASOUND 54(5):555-559. 2013. Imaging diagnosis-ultrasonographic and CT findings in a gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) with hepatic cirrhosis, pyelonephritis, and nephrolithiasis. 0.372 MB DE VOS, ASHA; FREDRIK CHRISTIANSEN; ROBERT G. HARCOURT and CHARITHA B. PATTIARATCHI. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY 449:149-153. 2013. Surfacing characteristics and diving behaviour of blue whales in Sri Lankan waters. 0.302 MB DESFORGES, JEAN-PIERRE, PETER S. ROSS; NEIL DANGERFIELD; VINCE P. PALACE and LISA L. LOSETO. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM) 142-143:317-328. 2013. Vitamin A and E profiles as biomarkers of PCB exposure in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the western Canadian Arctic. 1.279 MB DIAZ, M. A.; E. M. BIK; K. P. CARLIN; S. K. VENN-WATSON; E. D. JENSEN; S. E. JONES; E. P. GASTON; D. A. RELMAN and J. VERSALOVIC. JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 115(4):1037-1051. 2013. Identification of Lactobacillus strains with probiotic features from the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). 4.050 MB DUPONT, AURELIE; URSULA SIEBERT; ADRIAN COVACI; LIESBETH WEIJS; GAUTHIER EPPE CATHY DEBIER; MARIE-CLAIRE DE PAUW-GILLET and KRISHNA DAS. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM) 142-143:210-220. 2013. Relationships between in vitro lymphoproliferative responses and levels of contaminants in blood of free-ranging adult harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from the North Sea. 1.620 MB EDWARDS, ROBERT ALAN; JOHN MATTHEW HAGGERTY; NORIKO CASSMAN; JULIA CHRISTINE BUSCH; KRISTEN AGUINALDO; SOWMYA CHINTA; MEREDITH HOULE VAUGHN; ROBERT MOREY; TIMOTHY T. HARKINS; CLOTILDE TEILING; KARIN FREDRIKSON and ELIZABETH ANN DINSDALE. BMC GENOMICS 14(600). 12pp. 2013. Microbes, metagenomes and marine mammals: Enabling the next generation of scientist to enter the genomic era. 1.615 MB ERDSACK, NICOLA; GUIDO DEHNHARDT and WOLF HANKE. PLOS ONE 8(8) e72081. 9pp. 2013. Coping with heat: Function of the natal coat of Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) pups in maintaining core body temperature. 0.780 MB ESFAHANIAN, MAHDI; HANQI ZHUANG and NURGUN ERDOL. APPLIED ACOUSTICS 76:274-279. 2014. On contour-based classification of dolphin whistles by type. 0.425 MB FAY, GAVIN and ANDRE E. PUNT. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 23(6):1455-1474. 2013. Methods for estimating spatial trends in Steller sea lion pup production using the Kalman filter. 0.913 MB FIETZ, KATHARINA; JEFF A. GRAVES and MORTEN TANGE OLSEN. PLOS ONE 8(8) e72853. 7pp. 2013. Control control control: A reassessment and comparison of GenBank and chromatogram mtDNA sequence variation in Baltic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). 1.172 MB FOOTE, ANDREW D.; PHILLIP A. MORIN; ROBERT L. PITMAN; MARIA C. AVILA-ARCOS; JOHN W. DURBAN; ANTON VAN HELDEN; MIKKEL-HOLGER S. SINDING and M. THOMAS P. GILBERT. POLAR BIOLOGY 36(10):1519-1523. 2013. Mitogenomic insights into a recently described and rarely observed killer whale morphotype. 0.404 MB FRANZINI, ANDRE M.; D. NATALY CASTELBLANCO-MARTINEZ; FERNANDO C. W. ROSAS and VERA M. F. DA SILVA. NATUREZA & CONSERVACAO 11(1):75-80. 2013. What do local people know about Amazonian manatees? Traditional ecological knowledge of Trichechus inunguis in the Oil Province of Urucu, AM, Brazil. 1.192 MB FRASIER, T. R.; R. M. GILLETT; P. K. HAMILTON; M. W. BROWN; S. D. KRAUS and B. N. WHITE. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION 3(10):3483-3494. 2013. Postcopulatory selection for dissimilar gametes maintains heterozygosity in the endangered North Atlantic right whale. 0.333 MB FRIDAY, NANCY A.; ALEXANDRE N. ZERBINI; JANICE M. WAITE; SUE E. MOORE and PHILLIP J. CLAPHAM. DEEP SEA RESEARCH PART II: TOPICAL STUDIES IN OCEANOGRAPHY 94:244-256. 2013. Cetacean distribution and abundance in relation to oceanographic domains on the eastern Bering Sea shelf, June and July of 2002, 2008, and 2010. 0.838 MB GEIGER, GRETCHEN; SHANNON ATKINSON; JASON N. WAITE; GAIL M. BLUNDELL; JAMES R. CARPENTER and KATE WYNNE. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY 449:118-128. 2013. A new method to evaluate the nutritional composition of marine mammal diets from scats applied to harbor seals in the Gulf of Alaska. 2.768 MB GORMEZANO, LINDA J. and ROBERT F. ROCKWELL. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION 3(10):3509-3523. 2013. What to eat now? Shifts in polar bear diet during the ice-free season in western Hudson Bay. 1.358 MB GUI, DUAN; KUNTONG JIA; JIA XIA; LILI YANG; JIALIN CHEN; YUPING WU and MEISHENG YI. PLOS ONE 8(8) e72417. 9pp. 2013. De novo assembly of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin leucocyte transcriptome to identify putative genes involved in the aquatic adaptation and immune response. 0.486 MB GULDBORG HANSEN, RIKKE and MADS PETER HEIDE-JORGENSEN. MARINE BIOLOGY (BERLIN) 160(11):2929-2941. 2013. Spatial trends in abundance of long-finned pilot whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises in West Greenland. 0.652 MB HANNAY, DAVID E.; JULIEN DELARUE; XAVIER D. MOUY; BRUCE S. MARTIN; DEL LEARY; JULIE N. OSWALD and JONATHAN VALLARTA. CONTINENTAL SHELF RESEARCH 67:127-146. 2013. Marine mammal acoustic detections in the northeastern Chukchi Sea, September 2007-July 2011 1.848 MB HARWOOD, L. A. and M. C. S. KINGSLEY. ARCTIC 66(3):247-256. 2013. Trends in the offshore distribution and relative abundance of Beaufort Sea belugas, 1982-85 vs 2007-09. 1.875 MB HERMAN, LOUIS M.; ADAM A. PACK; SCOTT S. SPITZ; ELIA Y. K. HERMAN; KATHRYN ROSE; SIRI HAKALA and MARK H. DEAKOS. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY 67(10):1653-1663. 2013. Humpback whale song: Who sings? 0.270 MB HIJAZIN, MUAZ; OSAMA SAMMRA; HIVDA UELBEGI-MOHYLA; SAMY NAGIB; JOERG ALBER; CHRISTOPH LAEMMLER; PETER KAEMPFER; STEFANIE P. GLAESER; HANS-JUERGEN BUSSE; JOHANNES KASSMANNHUBER; ELLEN PRENGER-BERNINGHOFF; REINHARD WEISS; URSULA SIEBERT; ABDULWAHED AHMED HASSAN; AMIR ABDULMAWJOOD and MICHAEL ZSCHOECK. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY 63:2019-2024. 2013. Arcanobacterium phocisimile sp nov., isolated from harbour seals. 0.328 MB HILL, HEATHER M.; CAROLYN CAMPBELL; LES DALTON and STEVEN OSBORN. ZOO BIOLOGY 32(5):565-570. 2013. The first year of behavioral development and maternal care of beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) calves in human care. 0.206 MB HOLYOAKE, CARLY; DAVID HOLLEY; PETER B. S. SPENCER; CHANDRA SALGADO-KENT; DOUGLAS COUGHRAN and EARS BEJDER. PACIFIC CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 19(2):169-174. 2013. Northernmost record of Shepherd's beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi) - a morphological and genetic description from a stranding from Shark Bay, Western Australia. 1.100 MB HUNTINGTON, HENRY P.; GEORGE NOONGWOOK; NICHOLAS A. BOND; BRADLEY BENTER; JONATHAN A. SNYDER and JINLUN ZHANG. DEEP SEA RESEARCH PART II: TOPICAL STUDIES IN OCEANOGRAPHY 94:312-322. 2013. The influence of wind and ice on spring walrus hunting success on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. 1.145 MB JABER, J. R.; J. PEREZ; D. ROTSTEIN; R. ZAFRA; P. HERRAEZ; C. CARRASCOSA and A. FERNANDEZ. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 106(1):79-84. 2013. Biliary cirrhosis caused by Campula spp. in a dolphin and four porpoises. 1.755 (Author's copy) JEMISON, LAURI A.; GREY W. PENDLETON; LOWELL W. FRITZ; KELLY K. HASTINGS; JOHN M. MANISCALCO; ANDREW W. TRITES and TOM S. GELATT. PLOS ONE 8(8) e70167. 14pp. 2013. Inter-population movements of Steller sea lions in Alaska with implications for population separation. 0.639 MB JOIRIS, CLAUDE R. and OLIVIER DOCHY. POLAR BIOLOGY 36(11):1649-1669. 2013. A major autumn feeding ground for fin whales, southern fulmars and grey-headed albatrosses around the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. 0.718 MB KATZ, HELENA and OLLE JOHANSSON. ANATOMICAL RECORD: ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 296(10):1658-1663. 2013. Ovarian follicular morphometry of South American fur seal pups (Arctophoca australis). 0.399 MB KIYOTA, MASASHI; HIROSHI OKAMURA; HIROYA ITOU; NORIYASU SUZUKI and KAORU KOHYAMA. MAMMAL STUDY 38(3):199-210. 2013. Measurement of diet preference and its variability in captive northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus). 0.564 MB LA MANNA, G.; M. MANGHI; G. PAVAN; F. LO MASCOLO and G. SARA. AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 23(5):745-757. 2013. Behavioural strategy of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in response to different kinds of boats in the waters of Lampedusa Island (Italy). 0.735 MB LARSEN, ANETT K.; INGEBJORG H. NYMO; PREBEN BOYSEN; MORTEN TRYLAND and JACQUES GODFROID. PLOS ONE 8(7) e70186. 13pp. 2013. Entry and elimination of marine mammal Brucella spp. by hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) alveolar macrophages in vitro. 0.589 MB LARSON, SEAN D.; ZACHARY N. HOYT; GINNY L. ECKERT and VERENA A. GILL. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES 70(10):1498-1507. 2013. Impacts of sea otter (Enhydra lutris) predation on commercially important sea cucumbers (Parastichopus californicus) in southeast Alaska. 1.197 MB LAW, ROBIN J.; SARA LOSADA; JONATHAN L. BARBER; PHILIPPE BERSUDER; ROB DEAVILLE; ANDREW BROWNLOW; ROD PENROSE and PAUL D. JEPSON. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 60:81-88. 2013 Alternative flame retardants, Dechlorane Plus and BDEs in the blubber of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded or bycaught in the UK during 2008. 1.315 MB LEMOS, LEILA SOLEDADE; JAILSON FULGENCIO DE MOURA; RACHEL ANN HAUSER-DAVIS; REINALDO CALIXTO DE CAMPOS and SALVATORE SICILIANO. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 97:166-175. 2013. Small cetaceans found stranded or accidentally captured in southeastern Brazil: Bioindicators of essential and non-essential trace elements in the environment. 0.567 MB LI, ZHEN; JILL D. PASTERIS and DEBORAH NOVACK. CONNECTIVE TISSUE RESEARCH 54(3):167-175. 2013. Hypermineralized whale rostrum as the exemplar for bone mineral. 1.199 MB LOWTHER, ANDREW D.; ROBERT G. HARCOURT; BRADLEY PAGE and SIMON D. GOLDSWORTHY. PLOS ONE 8(9) e74348. 13pp. 2013. Steady as he goes: At-sea movement of adult male Australian sea lions in a dynamic marine environment. 0.561 MB MADSEN, PETER T.; MARC LAMMERS; DANUTA WISNIEWSKA and KRISTIAN BEEDHOLM. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 216(21):4091-4102. 2013. Nasal sound production in echolocating delphinids (Tursiops truncatus and Pseudorca crassidens) is dynamic, but unilateral: Clicking on the right side and whistling on the left side. 1.194 MB MADSEN, P. T. and A. SURLYKKE. PHYSIOLOGY 28(5):276-283. 2013. Functional convergence in bat and toothed whale biosonars. 0.682 MB MAKHADO, A. B.; M. N. BESTER; S. SOMHLABA and R. J. M. CRAWFORD. POLAR BIOLOGY 36(11):1609-1617. 2013. The diet of the subantarctic fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis at Marion Island. 0.535 MB MANGEL, JEFFREY C.; JOANNA ALFARO-SHIGUETO; MATTHEW J. WITT; DAVID J. HODGSON and BRENDAN J. GODLEY. ORYX 47(4):595-606. 2013. Using pingers to reduce bycatch of small cetaceans in Peru's small-scale driftnet fishery. 1.125 MB MANGER, P. R. NEUROSCIENCE 250:664-696. 2013. Questioning the interpretations of behavioral observations of cetaceans: Is there really support for a special intellectual status for this mammalian order? 1.411 MB MATHEWSON, PAUL D. and WARREN P. PORTER. PLOS ONE 8(9) e72863. 15pp. 2013. Simulating polar bear energetics during a seasonal fast using a mechanistic model. 0.705 MB MAY-COLLADO, LAURA J. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 134(4):EL359-EL365. 2013. Guyana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) from Costa Rica emit whistles that vary with surface behaviors. 0.104 MB MCINTYRE, T.; L. J. STANSFIELD; H. BORNEMANN; J. PLOTZ and M. N. BESTER. POLAR BIOLOGY 36(11):1693-1799. 2013. Hydrographic influences on the summer dive behaviour of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in Atka Bay, Antarctica. 0.415 MB MCKINSTRY, CAITLIN A. E.; ANDREW J. WESTGATE and HEATHER N. KOOPMAN. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 20(3):195-204. 2013. Annual variation in the nutritional value of Stage V Calanus finmarchicus: Implications for right whales and other copepod predators. 0.879 MB (Author's copy) MENDEZ-FERNANDEZ, PAULA; GRAHAM J. PIERCE; PACO BUSTAMANTE; TIPHAINE CHOUVELON; MARISA FERREIRA; ANGEL F. GONZALEZ; ALFREDO LOPEZ; FIONA L. READ; M. BEGONA SANTOS; JEROME SPITZ; JOSE V. VINGADA and FLORENCE CAURANT. MARINE BIOLOGY (BERLIN) 160(11):2825-2840. 2013. Ecological niche segregation among five toothed whale species off the NW Iberian Peninsula using ecological tracers as multi-approach. 0.692 MB MILLER, BRIAN; STEPHEN DAWSON and ROSS VENNELL. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 134(4):2690-2700. 2013. Underwater behavior of sperm whales off Kaikoura, New Zealand, as revealed by a three-dimensional hydrophone array. 0.470 MB MORISAKA, TADAMICHI; MAI SAKAI; KAZUNOBU KOGI; AKANE NAKASUJI; KASUMI SAKAKIBARA; YURIA KASANUKI and MOTOI YOSHIOKA. PLOS ONE 8(8) e72879. 4pp. 2013. Spontaneous ejaculation in a wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus). 0.194 MB MORITA, YUKA; NAOSHI HIRAMATSU; TOSHIAKI FUJITA; HARUNA AMANO; ETSUKO KATSUMATA; KAZUTOSHI ARAI; TOSHIHIDE IWASAKI; TAKASHI TODO and AKIHIKO HARA. JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT 59(4):368-377. 2013. Characterization of alpha-fetoprotein levels in three dolphin species: Development of sensitive immunoassays for analysis of the pregnancy-associated variations. 4.096 MB NILSSON, DAN-E.; ERIC J. WARRANT; SONKE JOHNSEN; ROGER T. HANLON and NADAV SHASHAR. BMC EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 13(187). 3pp. 2013. The giant eyes of giant squid are indeed unexpectedly large, but not if used for spotting sperm whales. 0.125 MB NORDSTROM, CHAD A.; KELLY J. BENOIT-BIRD; BRIAN C. BATTAILE and ANDREW W. TRITES. DEEP SEA RESEARCH PART II: TOPICAL STUDIES IN OCEANOGRAPHY 94:257-273. 2013. Northern fur seals augment ship-derived ocean temperatures with higher temporal and spatial resolution data in the eastern Bering Sea. 4.114 MB PANEBIANCO, MARIA V.; MARIA F. NEGRI; SANDRA E. BOTTE; JORGE E. MARCOVECCHIO and HUMBERTO L. CAPPOZZO. CHEMISTRY AND ECOLOGY 29(6):511-518. 2013. Essential and non-essential heavy metals in skin and muscle tissues of franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) from the southern Argentina coast. 0.178 MB PARES-CASANOVA, P. M. and L. FABRE. ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA 42(5):379-383. 2013. Size and shape variability in the skull of the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821). 0.197 MB PETILLON, JEAN-MARC. JOURNAL OF HUMAN EVOLUTION 65(5):525-543. 2013. Circulation of whale-bone artifacts in the northern Pyrenees during the late Upper Paleolithic. 1.389 MB PIROTTA, ENRICO; BARBARA EVA LAESSER; ANDREA HARDAKER; NICHOLAS RIDDOCH; MARIANNE MARCOUX and DAVID LUSSEAU. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 74(1):396-402. 2013. Dredging displaces bottlenose dolphins from an urbanised foraging patch. 1.027 MB QUIAZON, KARL MARX A.; MUDJEKEEWIS D. SANTOS and TOMOYOSHI YOSHINAGA. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY 197(1-2):221-230. 2013. Anisakis species (Nematoda: Anisakidae) of dwarf sperm whale Kogia sima (Owen, 1866) stranded off the Pacific coast of southern Philippine Archipelago. 2.060 MB RIGET, FRANK; ROSSANA BOSSI; CHRISTIAN SONNE; KATRIN VORKAMP and RUNE DIETZ. CHEMOSPHERE 93(8):1607-1614. 2013. Trends of perfluorochemicals in Greenland ringed seals and polar bears: Indications of shifts to decreasing trends. 0.446 MB ROBECK, TODD R. and HENDRIK H. NOLLENS. ZOO BIOLOGY 32(5):497-509. 2013. Hematological and serum biochemical analytes reflect physiological challenges during gestation and lactation in killer whales (Orcinus orca). 0.362 MB SASAKI, HIROKO; HIROTO MURASE; HIROSHI KIWADA; KOJI MATSUOKA; YOKO MITANI and SEI-ICHI SAITOH. FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY 22(6):496-508. 2013. Habitat differentiation between sei (Balaenoptera borealis) and Bryde's whales (B. brydei) in the western North Pacific. 0.767 MB SCHAKNER, ZACHARY A. and DANIEL T. BLUMSTEIN. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 167:380-389. 2013. Behavioral biology of marine mammal deterrents: A review and prospectus. 0.571 MB SCHEER, MICHAEL. AQUATIC MAMMALS 39(3):306-313. 2013. Short note. Call vocalizations recorded among short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off Tenerife, Canary Islands. 1.049 MB SCHMITZ, LARS; RYOSUKE MOTANI; CHRISTOPHER E. OUFIERO; CHRISTOPHER H. MARTIN; MATTHEW D. MCGEE and PETER C. WAINWRIGHT. BMC EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 13(226). 3pp. 2013. Potential enhanced ability of giant squid to detect sperm whales is an exaptation tied to their large body size. 0.121 MB SCHOLTYSSEK, CHRISTINE; ALMUT KELBER; FREDERIKE D. HANKE and GUIDO DEHNHARDT. ANIMAL COGNITION 16(6):915-925. 2013. A harbor seal can transfer the same/different concept to new stimulus dimensions. 0.417 MB SEARS, RICHARD; CHRISTIAN RAMP; ANNIE B. DOUGLAS and JOHN CALAMBOKIDIS. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 22(1):23-31. 2014. Reproductive parameters of eastern North Pacific blue whales Balaenoptera musculus. 1.149 MB SHADIAN, JESSICA M. POLAR RECORD 49(4):392-405. 2013. Of whales and oil: Inuit resource governance and the Arctic Council. 0.131 MB SHIMIZU, YUI; KAZUE OHISHI; RINTARO SUZUKI; YUKO TAJIMA; TADASU YAMADA; YUKA KAKIZOE; TAKEHARU BANDO; YOSHIHIRO FUJISE; HAJIME TARU; TSUKASA MURAYAMA and TADASHI MARUYAMA. MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY 57(9):624-632. 2013. Amino acid sequence variations of signaling lymphocyte activation molecule and mortality caused by morbillivirus infection in cetaceans. 0.815 MB SILVA, MONICA A.; RUI PRIETO; IRMA CASCAO; MARIA INES SEABRA; MIGUEL MACHETE; MARK F. BAUMGARTNER and RICARDO S. SANTOS. MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH 10(2):123-137. 2014. Spatial and temporal distribution of cetaceans in the mid-Atlantic waters around the Azores. 1.000 MB SIMON, ESZTER; MARTIN VAN VELZEN; SICCO H. BRANDSMA; ELISABETH LIE; KATHARINA LOKEN; JACOB DE BOER; JENNY BYTINGSVIK; BJORN M. JENSSEN; JON AARS; TIMO HAMERS and MARJA H. LAMOREE. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 47(15):8902-8912. 2013. Effect-directed analysis to explore the polar bear exposome: Identification of thyroid hormone disrupting compounds in plasma. 1.412 MB SIROVIC, ANA; SEAN M. WIGGINS and ERIN M. OLESON. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 134(4):2681-2689. 2013. Ocean noise in the tropical and subtropical Pacific Ocean. 1.987 MB TARDIN, RODRIGO; CARINE GALVAO; MARIANA ESPECIE and SHEILA SIMAO. LATIN AMERICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC RESEARCH 41(2):313-322. 2013. Proceedings of the 3rd Brazilian Congress of Marine Biology. Group structure of Guiana dolphins, Sotalia guianensis (Cetacea, Delphinidae) in Ilha Grande Bay, Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. 0.586 MB TIFT, MICHAEL S.; ELIZABETH C. RANALLI; DORIAN S. HOUSER; RUDY M. ORTIZ and DANIEL E. CROCKER. FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY 27(5):1155-1165. 2013. Development enhances hypometabolism in northern elephant seal pups (Mirounga angustirostris). 0.466 MB TREGO, MARISA L.; NICHOLAS M. KELLAR and KERRI DANIL. PLOS ONE 8(7) e69709. 9pp. 2013. Validation of blubber progesterone concentrations for pregnancy determination in three dolphin species and a porpoise. 0.544 MB TRUKHANOVA, IRINA S. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF THERIOLOGY 12(1):41-48.2013. The Ladoga ringed seal (Pusa hispida ladogensis) under changing climatic conditions. 0.637 MB TRUKHIN, A. M. and M. D. BOYAROVA. CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS OF ECOLOGY 6(3):336-342. 2013. Original Russian text published in Sibirskii Ekologicheskii Zhurnal, No. 3, pp. 439-446. 2013. Chlorinated pesticides in tissues and organs of spotted seals (Phoca largha Pallas, 1811) from the Sea of Japan. 0.255 MB VAN OPZEELAND, ILSE; SOFIE VAN PARIJS; LARS KINDERMANN; ELKE BURKHARDT and OLAF BOEBEL. PLOS ONE 8(9) e73007. 7pp. 2013. Calling in the cold: Pervasive acoustic presence of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Antarctic coastal waters. 0.613 MB VIKINGSSON, GISLI A.; BJARKI POR ELVARSSON; DROPLAUG OLAFSDOTTIR; JOHANN SIGURJONSSON; VALERIE CHOSSON and ANTON GALAN. MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH 10(2):138-152. 2014. Recent changes in the diet composition of common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Icelandic waters. A consequence of climate change? 0.478 MB VOLLMER, NICOLE L. and PATRICIA E. ROSEL. SOUTHEASTERN NATURALIST 12(Monograph 6):1-43. 2013. A review of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico: Population biology, potential threats, and management. 0.405 MB WALUDA, CLAIRE M. and IAIN J. STANILAND. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 74(1):244-252. 2013. Entanglement of Antarctic fur seals at Bird Island, South Georgia. 0.727 MB WESTDAL, KRISTIN H.; JEFF W. HIGDON and STEVEN H. FERGUSON. ARCTIC 66(3):279-290. 2013. Attitudes of Nunavut Inuit toward killer whales (Orcinus orca). 1.009 MB WHITEHEAD, HAL and IAN D. JONSEN. PLOS ONE 8(4) e60901. 5pp. 2013. Inferring animal densities from tracking data using Markov chains. 0.421 MB WILSON, R. M.; J. A. NELSON; B. C. BALMER; D. P. NOWACEK and J. P. CHANTON. MARINE BIOLOGY (BERLIN) 160(11):2967-2980. 2013. Stable isotope variation in the northern Gulf of Mexico constrains bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) foraging ranges. 0.451 MB XU, HUIHUI; YANG LIU; GUIMEI HE; STEPHEN J. ROSSITER and SHUYI ZHANG. GENE (AMSTERDAM) 530(2):208-214. 2013. Adaptive evolution of tight junction protein claudin-14 in echolocating whales. 0.490 MB XU, SHIXIA; YUNXIA YANG; XUMING ZHOU; JUNXIAO XU; KAIYA ZHOU and GUANG YANG. BMC EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 13(189). 9pp. 2013. Adaptive evolution of the osmoregulation-related genes in cetaceans during secondary aquatic adaptation. 0.360 MB ZENTENO, L.; E. CRESPO; N. GOODALL; A. AGUILAR; L. DE OLIVEIRA; M. DRAGO; E. R. SECCHI; N. GARCIA and L. CARDONA. JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY (LONDON) 291(2):119-126. 2013. Stable isotopes of oxygen reveal dispersal patterns of the South American sea lion in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. 0.518 MB

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Volunteers needed for field research at Northern Chilean Patagonia
by Mauricio Seguel 06 Nov '13

06 Nov '13

Volunteers for field work on fur seals at Guafo Island, northern Chilean Patagonia. The Guafo Island research team is seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to assist with field work and data collection of wild South American fur seal pups and invasive rats at Guafo Island, in the northern Chilean Patagonia. The field working season this year is between December 15th and March 10th. Project responsibilities include capture and restrain of South American fur seal pups and depending on volunteer skills and experience blood, swabs and feces sample collection. Volunteers will also assist veterinary staff during Necropsies on fur seal pups following a standard protocol of sample collection. The work also includes helping with domestic tasks, keeping of the campsite and assist on the work of the field laboratory (mainly help with CBCs, blood smears and osteological samples processing). Requirements: At least 20 years of age. Health compatible with physically demanding field work. Desired Skills * Strong Interest in and awareness of animal and ecosystem health * Willingness to get wet and dirty * Attention to detail * Able to live in isolated place without regular communication and basic services * Ability to multi-task * Desired previous experience handling blood and tissue samples Desired previous experience in restrain of wild animals. Able to resist bad weather navigation. Basic Spanish desired but not completely necessary. The project will cover costs of transportation and meals in Chile. People interested in apply write an email to Mauricio Seguel DVM Anatomic Pathology Resident/PhD Student Department of Pathology College of Veterinary Medicine University of Georgia, Athens, GA mseguel(a)uga.edu<mailto:mseguel@uga.edu> Office: 1-706-583-0476 http://lecmaa.blogspot.com/

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Publication: Sowerby's beaked whales
by Danielle Cholewiak 06 Nov '13

06 Nov '13

Dear list members, My colleagues and I are happy to announce our recent publication: Cholewiak, D., Baumann-Pickering, S., and S. Van Parijs. 2013. Description of sounds associated with Sowerby's beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens) in the western North Atlantic Ocean. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 134, 3905-3912. Abstract: Several groups of Sowerby's beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens) were encountered on July 4, 2011, during a shipboard cetacean survey conducted off the eastern seaboard of the United States. Acoustic recordings were collected using a three-element towed hydrophone array. Many echolocation clicks were recorded during the encounter, but no tonal sounds were detected. A total of 2969 echolocation clicks were included in analyses of frequency and temporal characteristics. A Gaussian mixture model with four mixtures was fitted to the histogram of peak frequencies; four subsets of clicks were designated. The majority of clicks (n = 2048) contained a median peak frequency of 33 kHz, while the others contained a median peak frequency of 25 kHz (n = 324), 51 kHz (n = 304), or 67 kHz (n = 293). Most clicks did not contain a clear frequency-modulated upsweep, though some clicks exhibited a slight sweep from 30–36 kHz. Seven burst pulses were detected in the encounter, two of which were of high enough quality for detailed analysis. The acoustic characteristics of Sowerby's beaked whales have not previously been described; the current study will facilitate incorporation of these data into passive acoustic monitoring programs in the North Atlantic Ocean. A PDF may be obtained from JASA: http://link.aip.org/link/?JAS/134/3905/ Or requests for reprints can be sent to: danielle.cholewiak(a)noaa.gov Cheers, Danielle ________________________________________ Danielle Cholewiak, Ph.D. Protected Species Branch NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center 166 Water Street Woods Hole, MA 02543

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International Conference on the Red Sea 2014 - November 10th -12th 2014
by Dr. Jerald Wilson 06 Nov '13

06 Nov '13

Dear list member, I would like to give an advanced notice to interested list members of an international conference on the 'MARINE ENVIRONMENT OF THE RED SEA', to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during 10th - 12th November, 2014 (i.e. next year). Further details will be announced shortly on the web page of the Faculty of Marine Science, King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah. Meanwhile list members interested in the Red Sea region may wish to note the dates in their diary. Further information can also be obtained from the Chair of the Scientific Committee, Prof. Adnan J S Salama (mar.vd.pgr(a)kau.edu.sa) or from The Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Ali M M Al-Aidaroos (mar.dean(a)kau.edu.sa) and from the Conference Secretary Dr. Jerald Wilson James jjames(a)kau.edu.sa. Sincerely, Jerald Wilson --------------------------------------------------- *Dr. Jerald Wilson James, Ph.D.* *Assistant Professor* *Department of Marine Biology* *Faculty of Marine Sciences* *King Abdul Aziz University* *P.O. Box: 80207 Jeddah 21589* *Kingdom of Saudi Arabia* *www.kau.edu.sa <http://www.kau.edu.sa/home_ENGLISH.aspx> *

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Common dolphin Photo-ID Volunteer Position in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
by Rankmore, Krista 05 Nov '13

05 Nov '13

Common dolphin Photo-ID Volunteer Position in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand A volunteer is required to assist with a PhD study investigating the abundance, social structure and site fidelity of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. This PhD project is part of the ongoing research of the New Zealand Common Dolphin Project (NZCDP) and the Coastal-Marine Research Group (C-MRG) at Massey University Albany, Auckland. (http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz) PROJECT BACKGROUND: The Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, is an important habitat for common dolphins that occur in the Gulf year round and use the region extensively for foraging and nursing. Common dolphins in this region consistently utilise inhabit coastal waters, making them vulnerable to the effect of tourism, pollution, and inshore recreational bycatch. DATES: While the field season runs year round, currently volunteers are needed from December 2013 to April 2014. A minimum commitment of two months is required and priority will be given to those who can commit for longer periods. LOCATION: Auckland, New Zealand FIELDWORK: The volunteer position entails assisting during field surveys and analysis of common dolphin fin photo identification. The successful applicant will gain valuable experience in conducting marine mammal field research, identifying individuals based on dorsal fin characteristics, and the use of MS Access databases for archiving field data. Field work is physically and at times mentally demanding but it is a great opportunity to gain knowledge in visual cetacean surveying, to get hands-on field experience in relation to survey techniques, photo-identification, behavioural observations, and improve practical skills (data analysis, photo-ID). Fieldwork is weather dependent and can vary between weekdays and weekends. Assistants need to be available full-time including weekends and be prepared to work long hours with early starts. Surveys will be conducted from both a 20m whale watch vessel as well as a small independent 5.3m research vessel. As such, applicants should be comfortable from working from a small platform in isolated areas. RESPONSIBILITIES: . Assisting with boat-based photo-identification surveys from a local dolphin watching vessel, and small (<6m) independent research vessel, collecting environmental, location, and behavioural data for dolphin groups (25% of the time). . Subsequent analysis of photo-identification data in the lab, including assistance with photo sorting, grading, and matching, sighting data entry, maintenance of long-term photo-id catalogue using a MS Access database and Finscan. Research assistants should be prepared to work long days in the office analysing of photographs and matching them with the photo-identification catalogue (75% of the time). As this is a volunteer position, there is unfortunately no monetary compensation or living provisions. The successful candidate should arrange their own accommodation in Auckland, living expenses, travel costs and visa. PREREQUISITES: . Be reliable, adaptable, hardworking and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent. This means office based work during bad weather and long consecutive days in the field when weather permits. . Have a mature and independent attitude towards marine mammal research . Speak fluent English . Be sociable, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude . Strong interest in the marine environment and conservation . Participants must be able to swim and should be comfortable working on boats including tour platforms and on small open vessels QUALIFICATIONS: . The project is well suited to upper level undergrads, recent grads and graduate students who have some background in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology or related fields . Basic computer proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel and Access) Preferred qualifications but not required: . Field research including photo-identification experience . Previous experience in survey techniques and especially in marine mammal research . Prior experience working on small research vessels . Experience with Endnote . First AID/CPR certification APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants should send a short email to k.rankmore(a)massey.ac.nz, using “photo-id position” as the subject line. The email should include an outline of why you would like to work on this project, the dates when you are available to assist on the project, your qualifications and relevant experience. Please also attach a brief CV including at least one reference acknowledging your relevant experience. Early application is recommended as applications will be examined in order of reception. All the best, Krista ---------------------------------- Krista Rankmore PhD Candidate Coastal-Marine Research Group Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences Massey University Private Bag 102 904 Auckland, New Zealand Tel: +64 (0)9 414 0800 Ext: 41520 (office) Cell: +64 (0)220 256 290 Email: k.rankmore(a)massey.ac.nz<mailto:k.rankmore@massey.ac.nz> Web: http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz/ Krista Rankmore PhD Candidate Coastal-Marine Research Group Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences Massey University Private Bag 102 904 Auckland, New Zealand Tel: +64 (0)9 414 0800 Ext: 41520 (office) Cell: +64 (0)220 256 290 Email: k.rankmore(a)massey.ac.nz Web: http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz/ Courier: Massey University, Bld 5, Gate 4, Old Albany Highway, Albany, Auckland

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New NOAA Fisheries Tech Memo on recommended Protected Species Observers standards
by Jonathan Shannon - NOAA Federal 05 Nov '13

05 Nov '13

Greetings, The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources, is pleased to announce the availability of the technical memorandum (tech memo) titled "National Standards for a Protected Species Observer and Data Management Program: A Model Using Geological and Geophysical Surveys." The tech memo is now available online at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/publications/techmemos.htm. The tech memo recommends the establishment of national standards for data collection and Protected Species Observer (PSO) qualifications for geological and geophysical (i.e., seismic) surveys. Solutions to existing issues in PSO programs are recommended, when possible. Actions requiring further consideration are noted in the last section of the tech memo. The PSO standards and recommendations were developed by a working group of federal partners including NMFS, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). PSOs are required for energy-related activities on the Outer Continental Shelf during seismic surveys and other specified activities that may adversely affect, or “take”, species listed under the Endangered Species Act or marine mammals protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The core standards outlined in the tech memo are critical for the development of national standards and establish the foundation necessary for the successful management of a PSO monitoring and data collection program. National standards will provide consistency in the training, performance, and qualifications of PSOs required for seismic surveys operating in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, and international waters. A standardized approach will also yield more useful data to better inform decision makers on the effectiveness of monitoring and mitigation measures for protected species. Improvements to PSO programs for seismic surveys would also benefit stakeholders (NMFS, BOEM, BSEE, Industry, and PSOs). The tech memo outlines distinct responsibilities of NMFS, BOEM, and BSEE, and non-Federal stakeholders in implementing PSO requirements. It provides a framework for developing a program that can function in an effective way to meet the needs of all affected stakeholders. The contents of the tech memo are recommendations and are subject to the future decisions, implementation, and policies of NMFS. Thank you for your interest in the tech memo. Best regards, Jonathan Shannon *Outreach Specialist* NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources U.S. Department of Commerce Office: 301-427-8431 jonathan.shannon(a)noaa.gov *Webwww.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr <http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr>Facebookwww.facebook.com/usnoaafisheriesgov <http://www.facebook.com/usnoaafisheriesgov>Twitterwww.twitter.com/noaafisherie <http://www.twitter.com/noaafisheries>sYouTubewww.youtube.com/usnoaafisheriesgov <http://www.youtube.com/usnoaafisheriesgov> *

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Job Announcement - Curator of Marine Mammals
by Samuel A. McLeod 05 Nov '13

05 Nov '13

MarMam subscribers, Posted on behalf of Lisa Granados ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Curator, Marine Mammals Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) seeks a curator specializing in the study of marine mammals (living or fossil) to conduct collection-based research in evolutionary biology including taxonomy, systematics, biogeography, and biodiversity science. The NHM, the largest natural history museum in the western United States, has recently finished a dramatic transformation including new ground-breaking exhibitions and a 3 ½ acre wildlife garden. The NHM's mission is to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds. The NHM has recently developed a strategic intent-"Be the best at communicating how our planet and life on it changes over time and why this matters"-that will guide the museum's priorities during the next decade. The successful candidate will have a record of outstanding research and publications as well as excellent communication skills and an innate ability to engage and enthuse the public and stakeholders through his or her work. The NHM holds one of the world's best collections of living and fossil marine mammals, with huge potential for a broad array of research and public programs. Through a network of partnerships with local universities, the NHM provides academic mentoring to a diverse community of undergraduate and graduate students. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing a dynamic, productive, and scientifically significant program of research to build a growing scientific and public profile, overseeing the development and curation of important collections, maintaining and strengthening the NHM's presence in key professional and governmental networks, and establishing active internal NHM collaborations, especially with the Education and Exhibits, the Marketing and Communications, and the Advancement Departments. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of published research with strengths in the field of evolutionary biology, and will be expected to develop an active and publically engaging research program, develop working relationships with local universities, mentor students and postdoctoral fellows, and maintain research through obtaining competitive grants and/or funding from other external sources. The successful candidate will have a Ph.D., experience in generating funding to support research, and a demonstrated track-record of peer-reviewed papers; a record of successful public communications in some form would be an advantage. The candidate must have the vision and capability to build a research program that can be integrated within the NHM's ongoing efforts to understand the evolution of marine ecosystems and organismal adaptation to the ocean, and to shape the collections and research in ways that increase both its scientific and public appeal. Experience in collections management is desirable. The ability to effectively communicate and engage with a wide variety of audiences, including the public and the NHM's various stakeholders is paramount. The successful candidate will be expected to oversee and supervise the NHM's marine mammal program including collections and collections managements staff, to participate actively in a broad range of museum activities, including exhibits, education, outreach and training of educators, public communications including, but not limited to, media interactions, and fundraising activities. More specifically, the successful candidate will be expected to play a key role in the development of content for a new permanent exhibition about the ocean. The curator will also be responsible for building productive ties with local universities, professional associations, educators, and other relevant organizations within the scientific and general community. This is a full-time position with a salary and title commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits. The starting date is July 1st, 2014. Applicants should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, salary history, and the full contact information of at least three professional references to lgranado(a)nhm.org - Lisa Granados, Research & Collections, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA. Application deadline is January 31st, 2014. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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SMM WORKSHOP: Marine Mammal Tourism
by Anna Meissner 04 Nov '13

04 Nov '13

Dear colleagues, A reminder about the upcoming workshop “Marine Mammal Tourism” at the SMM conference in Dunedin, New Zealand. This full day workshop will be held on Saturday 7th December 2013. A complete description is available on the conference workshop website ( http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl…<https://owa.massey.ac.nz/owa/redir.aspx?C=fet8NidBy0yyAJKEXBv7WCDtDNJmrdAIH…> ). Marine mammal tourism has experienced rapid and widespread international growth over the past three decades with an estimated 13 million tourists in 2008 generating around US$ 2.1 billion in total revenue. As a sub-component of this wider non-captive marine mammal tourism industry is dolphin- based tourism (including watching and swimming-with-dolphins). A wide range of research into the effects of tourism on marine mammals has identified that such activities are not benign and recent research has linked its cumulative and potentially synergetic short-term effects with long-term biological consequences for the viability and fitness of targeted populations. Considering it is a human use of a marine mammal resource, the International Whaling Commission has considered marine mammal tourism activities and set up a Whale Watching Sub-Committee in 1998. The workshop will consist of talks and discussion forum in order to review the scientific basis for management of marine mammal tourism, discuss actions for management agencies and examine their efficiency, and consider future management development and implementation frameworks. To register, please go directly to http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl…<https://owa.massey.ac.nz/owa/redir.aspx?C=fet8NidBy0yyAJKEXBv7WCDtDNJmrdAIH…> Any parties interested in contributing to the workshop via a 30min presentation should contact Anna Meissner on a.m.meissner(a)massey.ac.nz<https://owa.massey.ac.nz/owa/redir.aspx?C=fet8NidBy0yyAJKEXBv7WCDtDNJmrdAIH…>with a proposed title in the first instance. On behalf of the organizing committee members Anna Meissner (Massey University), Karen Stockin (Massey University), Emmanuelle Martinez (Pacific Whale Foundation) & Mark Orams (AUT University)

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