April 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New paper on fin whale genetics
by Morten Tange Olsen 22 Apr '14

22 Apr '14

Dear MARMAMers We are pleased to announce the publication of our paper on fin whale genetics Olsen MT, Pampoulie C, Daníelsdóttir AK, Lidh E, Bérubé M, Víkingsson G and Palsbøll PJ (2014) Fin whale *MDH-1* and *MPI* allozyme variation is not reflected in the corresponding DNA sequences. Ecology and Evolution, DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1046 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.1046/abstract The appeal of genetic inference methods to assess population genetic structure and guide management efforts is grounded in the correlation between the genetic similarity and gene flow among populations. Effects of such gene flow are typically genomewide; however, some loci may appear as outliers, displaying above or below average genetic divergence relative to the genomewide level. Above average population, genetic divergence may be due to divergent selection as a result of local adaptation. Consequently, substantial efforts have been directed toward such outlying loci in order to identify traits subject to local adaptation. Here, we report the results of an investigation into the molecular basis of the substantial degree of genetic divergence previously reported at allozyme loci among North Atlantic fin whale (*Balaenoptera physalus*) populations. We sequenced the exons encoding for the two most divergent allozyme loci (*MDH-1* and *MPI*) and failed to detect any nonsynonymous substitutions. Following extensive error checking and analysis of additional bioinformatic and morphological data, we hypothesize that the observed allozyme polymorphisms may reflect phenotypic plasticity at the cellular level, perhaps as a response to nutritional stress. While such plasticity is intriguing in itself, and of fundamental evolutionary interest, our key finding is that the observed allozyme variation does not appear to be a result of genetic drift, migration, or selection on the *MDH-1* and *MPI*exons themselves, stressing the importance of interpreting allozyme data with caution. As for North Atlantic fin whale population structure, our findings support the low levels of differentiation found in previous analyses of DNA nucleotide loci. The paper is open access Best wishes, Morten

1 0

New paper: Inter-island movements of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus among the Canary Islands: online catalogues and implications for conservation and management (Marta Tobeña)
by Marta Tobeña 21 Apr '14

21 Apr '14

New paper: Inter-island movements of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus among the Canary Islands: online catalogues and implications for conservation and management (Marta Tobeña) Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are pleased to announce the publication of our Note in the 2014 March of African Journal of Marine Science: M Tobeña, A Escánez, Y Rodríguez, C López, F Ritter & N Aguilar (2014): Inter-island movements of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus among the Canary Islands: online catalogues and implications for conservation and management, African Journal of Marine Science *Summary:* A total of 313 individual common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus was photo-identified in four Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in the western Canary Islands, Spain (El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera and Tenerife), over a 10-year period (2001–2011). Of these, 36 individuals were resighted subsequently off two or more different islands, determined using online and conventional photo-identification catalogues. This study provides the first evidence of regular, long-distance movements undertaken by common bottlenose dolphins in the Canary Islands. Distances travelled ranged from 30 to 130 km between islands, demonstrating that the species is highly mobile within the archipelago. These results have important implications for the conservation and management of this species in this region and highlight the need to evaluate the efficiency of existing SACs and to further explore residency patterns. For any questions or to request a PDF copy of this paper, please feel free to email me at: marta_mtm(a)hotmail.com Best, Marta Tobeña

1 0

Early Registration Reminder - International Marine Conservation Congress
by A. Mel Cosentino 20 Apr '14

20 Apr '14

Dear Marmamers here is a reminder that the early registration rate for the International Marine Conservation Congress ends on April 22nd – this coming Tuesday There is a substantial amount of specific marine mammal conservation content in the conference including sessions un underwater noise impacts, several sections on whalewatching, marine mammal ethics/welfare plus sessions on marine protected areas, fisheries impacts, pollution, international treaties, marine climate change, presentations on cetaceans, sirenians, pinnipeds, otters and many, many more topics. All presenters must register by that date or risk having their presentation removed from the program. The price increase between early and standard registration rates is an extra $60, which would get you a pretty decent bottle of single malt whisky in Scotland, or all 4 seasons of Downton Abbey on DVD, so for the sake of your career and your taste buds register now ! http://www.conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2014/registration-participation/meeti…<http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.conbio.org%2Fmini-sites%2Fim…> 3rd International Marine Conservation Congress (14-18 August 2014, Glasgow, UK) http://www.conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2014<http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.conbio.org%2Fmini-sites%2Fim…>

1 0

New paper: Quantitative analysis of response to biopsy sampling using DTAGs
by Dani Crain 18 Apr '14

18 Apr '14

Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are pleased to announce the publication of our Note in the 2014 April issue of Marine Mammal Science: Crain, D. D., A. S. Friedlaender, D. W. Johnston, D. P. Nowacek, B. L. Roberts, K. W. Urian, D. M. Waples and A. J. Read. 2014. A quantitative analysis of the response of short-finned pilot whales, *Globicephala macrorhynchus,* to biopsy sampling. *Marine Mammal Science* *30: *819-826. *Summary:* Remote biopsy sampling is commonly used to obtain tissue samples from wild cetaceans. Analysis of these tissues can provide important information on specific identity, sex, pollutant levels, diet, age, and reproductive status. Biopsy sampling is generally considered to be a relatively benign procedure, but all prior attempts to evaluate its impact have relied on subjective assessments of the behavioral response of individuals at the surface. The goal of the present study was to quantitatively assess the short-term effects of biopsy attempts on the behavior of short-finned pilot whales (*Globicephala macrorhynchus*) equipped with digital acoustic recording tags (DTAGs) off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. We examined five metrics to determine if the behavior of whales was affected by a biopsy attempt, including: foraging behavior (number of dives, depth of dives, and number of prey capture attempts); time spent within 3 m of the surface; fine-scale body orientation; fluke rate and amplitude; and group vocalization rate. This first quantitative assessment of these quantitative metrics suggested that the short-term reactions to biopsy attempts are likely ephemeral and should not compromise the fitness of the animal. Most individuals exhibited a short-term increase in group vocalization rate following a biopsy attempt, which should be further investigated. For any questions or to request a PDF copy of this paper, please feel free to email me at: ddiancrain(a)gmail.com Best, Danielle Crain -- Danielle Crain UC Santa Cruz | B.Sc, 2009 Duke University | MEM, 2012 E-mail: ddiancrain(a)gmail.com

1 0

New paper on habitat use of Galapagos sea lions (Ignasi Montero-Serra)
by Ignasi Montero Serra 18 Apr '14

18 Apr '14

Dear Collegues, The following paper was published last week: Montero-Serra I, Páez-Rosas D, Murillo JC, Vegas-Vilarrúbia T, Fietz K, Denkinger J (2014) Environment-driven changes in terrestrial habitat use and distribution of the Galapagos sea lion. *Endangered Species Research*. 49, 9-18 ABSTRACT: Understanding habitat use patterns of marine apex predators is of paramount importance for the effective design of conservation plans. Due to their amphibious life cycle, pinnipeds are one of the most vulnerable groups to habitat loss and degradation. Reducing knowledge gaps that still exist regarding temporal changes in tropical pinniped habitat use is therefore of particular importance for conservation efforts. We analyzed terrestrial habitat use phenology of a tropical otariid, the Galapagos sea lion *Zalophus wollebaeki.* Regular land-based censuses were carried out in Wreck Bay of San Cristóbal Island, Galapagos, between 2008 and 2012 to explore seasonal changes in sea lion abundance, distribution, and preferences among different habitat types. A daily cycle of haul-out patterns was observed. Animals aggregated on sandy beaches during the coldest periods of the day and were more abundant on rocky and artificial structures when air temperature was warmer. The use of artificial floating platforms as resting places by *Z. wollebaeki* was described for the first time and linked to environmental variability, suggesting that this may be a successful management tool for pinnipeds inhabiting low latitudes. Further, this species demonstrated seasonal distribution changes, aggregating in high densities during warm seasons and maintaining more even distributions during cold seasons. Sea surface temperature, air temperature, and the onset of the breeding season were the variables that most significantly influenced haul-out patterns of *Z. wollebaeki*, indicating that this species can adapt to changing environmental conditions by displaying a high degree of plasticity regarding its distribution and terrestrial microhabitat preferences. Those interested in receiving a PDF copy please contact me at: monteroserra(a)gmail.com Best regards, Ignasi Montero-Serra PhD Student Department d'Ecologia, Universitat de Barcelona

1 0

Summer field course in Maine: Intro to Marine Mammal Biology
by Robin Hadlock Seeley 18 Apr '14

18 Apr '14

Introduction to Marine Mammal Biology (BioSM 1650 - Cornell University) Undergraduate students should join us for this course at the Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island, Maine. Course details: http://www.sml.cornell.edu/sml_cc_immb.html? June 30 to July 14, 2014 Location: Appledore Island, Shoals Marine Laboratory, Isles of Shoals, Maine <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appledore_Island>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appledore_Island Financial aid available. Faculty: Dr. Nadine Lysiak, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute/Marine Studies Consortium Shoals Marine Lab is a residential island campus (jointly operated by the University of New Hampshire and Cornell University since 1966) where students are immersed in the study of marine science. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Robin Hadlock Seeley, Ph.D. Assistant Director for Academic Programs & Senior Research Associate Cornell University/ Shoals Marine Laboratory/ Appledore Island, ME TogetherGreen Audubon/Toyota Conservation Leadership Fellow winter mail: 106A Kennedy Hall Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853 Shoals Marine Lab website: www.sml.cornell.edu phone: 607-255-3717 email: rhs4(a)cornell.edu

1 0

Vocal learning in juvenile male killer whales
by Ann E. Bowles 17 Apr '14

17 Apr '14

We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article: Crance, J.L., A.E. Bowles and A. Garver. 2014. Evidence for vocal learning in juvenile male killer whales, Orcinus orca, from an adventitious cross-socializing experiment. The Journal of Experimental Biology 217:1229-1237 (doi:10.1242/jeb.094300). <http://jeb.biologists.org/content/current>http://jeb.biologists.org/content/current Summary Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are thought to learn their vocal dialect. Dispersal in the species is rare, but effects of shifts in social association on the dialect can be studied under controlled conditions. Individual call repertoires and social association were measured in three adult female killer whales and three males (two juveniles and an adult) during two periods, 20012003 and 20052006. Three distinct dialect repertoires were represented among the subjects. An adventitious experiment in social change resulted from the birth of a calf and the transfer of two non-focal subjects in 2004. Across the two periods, 1691 calls were collected, categorized and attributed to individuals. Repertoire overlap for each subject dyad was compared with an index of association. During 20052006, the two juvenile males increased association with the unrelated adult male. By the end of the period, both had begun producing novel calls and call features characteristic of his repertoire. However, there was little or no reciprocal change and the adult females did not acquire his calls. Repertoire overlap and association were significantly correlated in the first period. In the second, median association time and repertoire similarity increased, but the relationship was only marginally significant. The results provided evidence that juvenile male killer whales are capable of learning new call types, possibly stimulated by a change in social association. The pattern of learning was consistent with a selective convergence of male repertoires. Ann E. Bowles, PhD Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute <mailto:abowles@hswri.org>abowles(a)hswri.org 50th_Logo.PNG Ann E. Bowles, PhD | Program Leader, Bioacoustics Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute 2595 Ingraham Street | San Diego | CA 92109 Phone: (619) 226-3870 | Fax: (619) 226-3944 <mailto:abowles@hswri.org>abowles(a)hswri.org | www.hswri.org The information transmitted (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521, is intended only for the person(s) or entity/entities to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient(s) is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.

1 0

International Marine Conservation Congress early registration ends Tuesday
by Chris Parsons 17 Apr '14

17 Apr '14

Dear all - here is a reminder that the early registration rate for the International Marine Conservation Congress ends on April 22nd - this coming Tuesday There is a substantial amount of specific marine mammal conservation content in the conference including sessions un underwater noise impacts, several sections on whalewatching, marine mammal ethics/welfare plus sessions on marine protected areas, fisheries impacts, pollution, international treaties, marine climate change, presentations on cetaceans, sirenians, pinnipeds, otters and many, many more topics. All presenters must register by that date or risk having their presentation removed from the program. The price increase between early and standard registration rates is an extra $60, which would get you a pretty decent bottle of single malt whisky in Scotland, or all 4 seasons of Downton Abbey on DVD, so for the sake of your career and your taste buds register now ! http://www.conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2014/registration-participation/meetin g-registration 3rd International Marine Conservation Congress (14-18 August 2014, Glasgow, UK) http://www.conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2014

1 0

Resource partitioning among South African delphinids
by Graham Worthy 17 Apr '14

17 Apr '14

We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article: Nicole E. Browning,V.G. Cockcroft, and G.A.J. Worthy (2014) Resource partitioning among South African delphinids Journal of Experiment Marine Biology and Ecology 457:15-21/ doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2014.03.016 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Graham_Worthy/contributions?ev=prf_act Summary: In order to better understand trophic relationships among four species of coastal delphinids, we compared isotopic composition of skin to attempt to assess potential inter- and intra-specific resource partitioning. Skin samples were collected from Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) (n = 132), long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) (n = 78), humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) (n = 27), and striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) (n = 3) along the coastline of South Africa. While the latter species tends to be found offshore, the other species have overlapping distributions and feed on similar prey, carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope analyses revealed resource partitioning with differences in diet and habitat use. Striped dolphin δ13C values (− 16.97 ± 0.25‰, SD) were consistent with evidence that they typically forage offshore, while δ13C values of humpback dolphins reflected their use of inshore habitats (− 15.16 ± 0.65‰). Common and bottlenose dolphins had δ13C (− 15.48 ± 0.66‰ and − 15.76 ± 0.71‰ respectively) values that fell between these two extremes. Mean values for δ15N ranged from 11.92 ± 0.20‰ for striped dolphins to 15.19 ± 0.73‰ for humpback dolphins, suggesting either that these species were feeding at different trophic levels or that they were feeding in different trophic systems. Common and bottlenose dolphins had δ15N values of 13.49 ± 0.50‰ and 14.40 ± 0.74‰ respectively. Male bottlenose dolphins were significantly more enriched in δ15N compared to females suggesting dietary differences. No sex related differences were found in other species. Isotopic niche width determinations using corrected standard elliptical area (SEAc) were calculated. Humpback and bottlenose dolphins had the largest SEAc reflecting a broader trophic niche, while striped dolphins had the smallest SEAc reflecting a more specialized niche. Overall, these sympatric species appear to reduce potential competitive pressure through a combination of differing prey selection and habitat utilization. -- ______________________________________________________ Graham A.J. Worthy, Ph.D. Provost's Distinguished Research Professor of Biology, Hubbs-Sea World Endowed Professor of Marine Mammalogy, and Director, Physiological Ecology and Bioenergetics Lab Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, 4110 Libra Dr, Room BIO402A Orlando FL 32816-2368 Graham.Worthy(a)ucf.edu<mailto:Graham.Worthy@ucf.edu> http://worthy.cos.ucf.edu/PEBL/ 407-823-4701 office 407-823-5769 FAX skype: graham.worthy "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something" Plato ______________________________________________________

1 0

Killer Whale Expert Erich Hoyt Speaking in San Francisco
by MaryJane Schramm - NOAA Federal 16 Apr '14

16 Apr '14

NOAA's *Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary*, based in San Francisco, is co-hosting a presentation by Erich Hoyt, who will discuss his years of research among killer whales and some of the conservation issues facing them today, and the challenges faced by those wishing to protect them. Enjoy this opportunity to meet one of the scientists at the forefront of killer whale conservation. Space is limited! Reserve today! *"Orca: The Whale Called Killer"* *Tuesday May 13, 2013* Reception: 5:30 pm Program: 6:30 pm Bay Theater, Pier 39, San Francisco Admission: $ 10 (includes light hors d'oeuvres and one drink) Tickets: https://orca.eventbrite.com Erich Hoyt, noted marine conservationist, whale researcher and author of more than 20 books, will share compelling orca stories from his early work in Johnstone Strait to current research in Far East Russia. -- Mary Jane Schramm Media & Public Outreach Specialist Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary 415/ 561-6622 x205

1 0