January 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Marine Mammal and Sea Turlte Research Internship
by victoria howard 06 Jan '14

06 Jan '14

*The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies is now accepting applications for the Summer 2014 Internship- deadline March 1, 2014* The IMMS Research Internship Program is designed as a way for students interested in a career in marine science to gain valuable research experience in a real-world setting. Interns will participate with multiple projects involving bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles and diamondback terrapins. As an intern, you will be trained in all aspects of dolphin photo-id research, sea turtle satellite tracking, and 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 science research. Interns must: - Commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks. The internship can be extended depending on work performance. - Be available to work Mon-Fri and must be available for all boat trips. Some field days may fall on the weekends. - 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), boat based field research (21’ and 31’ boats), and learn how to use ArcGIS 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 *Please visit http://imms.org/internship.php <http://imms.org/internship.php> for full Internship information and details on how to apply*

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New publication on spatial variation in maximum dive depth in grey seals in relation to foraging
by Theoni Photopoulou 06 Jan '14

06 Jan '14

We are pleased to announce the publication of our paper in the forthcoming issue of Marine Mammal Science. Photopoulou T, Fedak MA, Thomas L and Matthiopoulos J. Spatial variation in maximum dive depth in gray seals in relation to foraging. doi 10.1111/mms.12092 Abstract Habitat preference maps are a way of representing animals’ space use in two dimensions. For marine animals, the third dimension is an important aspect of spatial ecology. We used dive data from seven gray seals Halichoerus grypus (a primarily benthic forager) collected with GPS phone tags (Sea Mammal Research Unit) to investigate the distribution of the maximum depth visited in each dive. We modelled maximum dive depth as a function of spatiotemporal covariates using a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) with individual as a random effect. Bathymetry, horizontal displacement, latitude and longitude, Julian day, sediment type, and light conditions accounted for 37% of the variability in the data. Persistent patterns of autocorrelation in the raw data suggest that individual intrinsic rhythm might be an important factor, not captured by external covariates. The strength of using this statistical method to generate spatial predictions of the distribution of maximum dive depth is its applicability to other plunge and pursuit divers. Despite being predictions of a point estimate, these maps provide some insight into the third dimension of habitat use in marine animals. The capacity to predict this aspect of vertical habitat use may help avoid conflict between animal habitat and coastal or offshore developments. If you would like a reprint, please email theoni.photopoulou(a)uct.ac.za or paste the doi into your browser to download the article. Kind regards, Theoni -- Theoni Photopoulou, Postdoctoral Fellow Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa skype. theoni_p / email. theoni.photopoulou@u <theoni.photopoulou(a)gmail.com> ct.ac.za " Be silly. Be honest. Be kind " Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Recent publication on "sponging" dolphins in Shark Bay
by Simon Allen 05 Jan '14

05 Jan '14

Hi folks, Happy 2014. The following was recently published (online early view) in Marine Mammal Science: Characterizing the socially transmitted foraging tactic “sponging” by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in the western gulf of Shark Bay, Western Australia. Anna M. Kopps, Michael Kruetzen, Simon J. Allen, Kathrin Bacher and William B. Sherwin Individual foraging tactics are widespread in animals and have ecological and evolutionary implications. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Shark Bay, Western Australia, exhibit a foraging tactic involving tool use, called “sponging.” Sponging is vertically, socially transmitted through the matriline and, to date, has been described in detail in the eastern gulf of Shark Bay (ESB). Here, we characterise sponging in the western gulf of Shark Bay (WSB), in which a different matriline engages in the behavior. We identified 40 individual “spongers” in 9 months of boat based surveys over three field seasons. As is the case in ESB, the majority of WSB spongers was female and engaged in sponging in deep channel habitats. In contrast to ESB, however, there was no difference in the number of associates between spongers and nonspongers in WSB, and activity budgets differed between spongers and deep-water nonspongers; spongers foraged more frequently and rested less than nonspongers. Group sizes in deep channel habitat, where sponging was prevalent, were typically larger than those in shallow habitat, except for foraging, perhaps indicative of higher predator abundance and/or scattered prey distribution in deep-water habitat. This research improves our understanding of within-population foraging variations in bottlenose dolphins. Key words: activity budget, cetacean, social learning, group size, habitat specialisation, tool use, Tursiops sp. The paper is available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1748-7692/earlyview Kind regards, Simon Simon Allen Research Associate and PhD candidate Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University WA 6150 Australia ph: +61(8) 9360 2823 mob: +61(0) 416 083 653 email: S.Allen(a)murdoch.edu.au<mailto:S.Allen@murdoch.edu.au> web: http://mucru.org/group-members/simon-allen/ "The opposite for courage is not cowardice, it is conformity. Even a dead fish can go with the flow" (Jim Hightower)

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Marine Mammal Response and Rehabilitation Internship - California
by JEFF Hall 05 Jan '14

05 Jan '14

California Wildlife Center in Malibu California is currently accepting applications for Marine Mammal Response and Rehabilitation Internships. Three positions are available during each session. The Spring Session begins March 12. The Summer Session begins May 14. During each session applicants are required to commit to a minimum of four days per week, 32 hours per week for eight weeks. There is flexibility in start and end dates. Intern responsibilities include: assisting Marine Mammal Response Team staff and volunteers in the assessment, rescue and transportation of sick and injured marine mammals; assisting Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Team staff and volunteers in the care, rehabilitation and release of Northern Elephant Seal pups during the stranding season. The internship is open to all applicants at least 18 years of age or older. Undergraduate students and non-students alike are encouraged to apply. If the intern intends to receive academic credit, the intern will be responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institutions. Due to the unpredictable nature of marine mammal stranding response, interns may sometimes be required to work beyond their normal scheduled hours. Interns must be able and willing to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays. Interns will be required to have good physical strength and the ability to lift/carry 50 lbs. Interns need to have the ability to multitask and work in a fast paced environment. Animal care and/or marine mammal experience is a plus but not required. Applicant must demonstrate proof of negative TB test within the past year and a current tetanus vaccination. Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the intern. Must have own transportation and current drivers license. Very limited on-site housing is available at no cost (i.e., up to 2 individuals at a time). All individuals selected for on-site housing, regardless of Session, will be required to complete 40 hours/week. To apply please submit: -Letter of Intent stating desired Session and if housing accommodations are requested (very limited availability) -Resume -Two letters of reference -Proof of tetanus vaccination Application Deadlines: Spring Session - January 31 Summer Session - March 28 Please submit all items via regular mail or email (preferred) to: Jeff Hall California Wildlife Center P.O. Box 2022 Malibu, CA 90265 jeff(a)cawildlife.org -- JEFF Hall Marine Mammal Coordinator California Wildlife Center

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New publication on elemental and chemical composition of dolphin enamel and dentine
by Carolina Loch 04 Jan '14

04 Jan '14

Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in the current issue of the Journal of Structural Biology: Elemental and chemical characterization of dolphin enamel and dentine using X-ray and Raman microanalyzes (Cetacea: Delphinoidea and Inioidea) Carolina Loch, Michael V. Swain, Sara Fraser, Keith C. Gordon, Jules A. Kieser and R. Ewan Fordyce doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2013.11.006 Volume 185, Issue 1, January 2014, Pages 58–68 Abstract Dolphins show increased tooth number and simplified tooth shape compared to most mammals, together with a simpler ultrastructural organization and less demanding biomechanical function. However, it is unknown if these factors are also reflected in the chemical composition of their teeth. Here, the bulk chemical composition and elemental distribution in enamel and dentine of extant dolphins were characterized and interpreted using X-ray and spectroscopy techniques. Teeth of 10 species of Delphinida were analyzed by WDX, EDX and Raman spectroscopy. For most of the species sampled, the mineral content was higher in enamel than in dentine, increasing from inner towards outer enamel. The transition from dentine to enamel was marked by an increase in concentration of the major components Ca and P, but also in Na and Cl. Mg decreased from dentine to enamel. Concentrations of Sr and F were often low and below detection limits, but F peaked at the outer enamel region for some species. Raman spectroscopy analyzes showed characteristics similar to carbonated hydroxyapatite, with the strongest peak for the phosphate stretching mode at 960–961 cm−1. Dentine samples revealed a higher diversity of peaks representative of organic components and proteins than enamel. The similar distribution pattern and small variation in average concentration of major and minor elements in dentine and enamel of dolphins suggest that they are subject to strong physiological control. A clear trend of the elemental variations for all dolphin species sampled suggests that the general pattern of tooth chemistry is conserved among the Mammalia. Full text is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1047847713003122 Or alternatively, a pdf can be requested at: carolina.loch(a)otago.ac.nz Best regards, ________________________________________ Carolina Loch Silva, PhD Postdoctoral Research Fellow Sir John Walsh Research Institute Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago Dunedin 9054, New Zealand Phone: +(64) 03 479-5667 & Research Collaborator Geology Department, University of Otago and Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos UFSC Florianópolis, SC - Brasil http://www.otago.ac.nz/geology/people/students/loch/index.html

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HUMPBACK WHALE RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
by PIERRE GALLEGO 02 Jan '14

02 Jan '14

HUMPBACK WHALE RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC The Marine Biology Association Odyssea (www.odyssea.lu) together with the local organisation CEBSE (www.samana.org.do) is offering humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) research internships in the Bay of Samaná, in the North of the Dominican Republic. Part of the National Marine Mammal Sanctuary, this is the largest bay in the Caribbean, and where the North Atlantic humpback whales congregate to give birth to their calves, and mate. CEBSE has been carrying out research on humpback whales for 10 years in this bay, and we now have a catalogue with over 900 identified whales. Interns will actively contribute to this research effort, and will also collect data from land on interactions between vessels and whales. These internships are available for durations ranging from 2 to 10 weeks, from the 27th of January until the 30th of March. Volunteers will be introduced to and participate in the research techniques involving boat-based photo identification, land-based surveys, behavioural studies and acoustics. No previous experience is required. There are approximately 15 whale-watching boats which will be used by the volunteers to go out at sea and study the whales every day. Cost of the internship: 300$ per week This fee includes: - Transfers from and to the airport of Santo Domingo by public transports (very comfortable AC buses) - Basic accommodation in the small town of Santa Barbara de Samaná on a shared apartment basis - 3 meals a day prepared by a local Dominican lady - Boat-based humpback whale photo-identification and behavioural data collection trips - Training sessions in cetacean research techniques and softwares - Lectures on biology and conservation of cetaceans - Extra curricular activities: snorkelling trips, dance classes (salsa, bachata and merengue) and Spanish lessons This fee does not include flights to and from the Dominican Republic, the visa on arrival (10$), compulsory health and travel insurance, and personal expenses. There will be one day off per week to explore the island on own costs. At the end of the internship a certificate will be issued summing up all the skills acquired by the participants. If you are interested in joining this internship, please contact us at info(a)odyssea.lu and we will send you a detailed document to assist you with your travel arrangements. Dr Pierre Gallego President of Odyssea www.odyssea.lu

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