July 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: Thermoregulation in leatherback turtles
by James Casey 03 Jul '14

03 Jul '14

Dear Marman list members, Please find attached to this e-mail a recent publication in *The Journal of Experimental Biology* on thermoregulation in leatherback turtles (*Dermochelys coriacea*). The study presents the first body temperature recordings of freely swimming adult leatherbacks at high latitude foraging grounds off Nova Scotia, Canada. The results provide additional support for endothermy in leatherbacks by highlighting the role of heat produced via visceral organs (i.e. specific dynamic action) for maintenance of a large (>10C) thermal gradient in cold water. The study also found that behavior (i.e. use of warm surface waters) had a significant effect on their body temperatures, while exploiting a seasonally high abundance of prey at high latitudes. *Behavioral and metabolic contributions to thermoregulation in freely swimming leatherback turtles at high latitudes* By James P. Casey, Michael C. James, and Amanda S. Williard Leatherback turtles in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean have a broad geographic range that extends from nesting beaches near the equator to seasonal foraging grounds as far north as Canada. The ability of leatherbacks to maintain core body temperature (Tb) higher than that of the surrounding water is thought to be a key element of their biology that permits them to exploit productive waters at high latitudes. We provide the first recordings of Tb from freely swimming leatherbacks at a northern foraging ground, and use these data to assess the importance of behavioral adjustments and metabolic sources of heat for maintenance of the thermal gradient (Tg). The mean Tb for individual leatherbacks ranged from 25.4±1.7 to 27.3±0.3°C, and Tg ranged from 10.7±2.4 to 12.1±1.7°C. Variation in mean Tb was best explained by the amount of time that turtles spent in the relatively warm surface waters. A diel trend in Tb was apparent, with daytime cooling suggestive of prey ingestion and night-time warming attributable to endogenous heat production. We estimate that metabolic rates necessary to support the observed Tg are ~3 times higher than resting metabolic rate, and that specific dynamic action is an important source of heat for foraging leatherbacks. *The Journal of Experimental Biology* (2014) 217, 2331-2337 doi:10.1242/jeb.100347 Sincerely, James Casey

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New publication on Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins
by Alexander Brown 02 Jul '14

02 Jul '14

Dear colleagues, On behalf of all co-authors, I am pleased to announce publication of the following open access article: Brown AM, Kopps AM, Allen SJ, Bejder L, Littleford-Colquhoun B, Parra, GJ, Cagnazzi, D, Thiele, D, Palmer, C & Frère, C. (2014) Population Differentiation and Hybridisation of Australian Snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni) and Indo-Pacific Humpback (Sousa chinensis) Dolphins in North-Western Australia. PLoS ONE 9(7): e101427. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0101427 This collaborative study examines population genetic structure among the two species, and also describes the first reported hybridisation between snubfin and humpback dolphins. The full text is available here: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0101427#… A short video of the snubfin x humpback hybrid dolphin can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/99607986 Many thanks, Alex Brown & Anna Kopps (co-first authors) Abstract Little is known about the Australian snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni) and Indo-Pacific humpback (Sousa chinensis) dolphins ('snubfin' and 'humpback dolphins', hereafter) of north-western Australia. While both species are listed as 'near threatened' by the IUCN, data deficiencies are impeding rigorous assessment of their conservation status across Australia. Understanding the genetic structure of populations, including levels of gene flow among populations, is important for the assessment of conservation status and the effective management of a species. Using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers, we assessed population genetic diversity and differentiation between snubfin dolphins from Cygnet (n = 32) and Roebuck Bays (n = 25), and humpback dolphins from the Dampier Archipelago (n = 19) and the North West Cape (n = 18). All sampling locations were separated by geographic distances > 200 km. For each species, we found significant genetic differentiation between sampling locations based on 12 (for snubfin dolphins) and 13 (for humpback dolphins) microsatellite loci (FST = 0.05-0.09; P < 0.001) and a 422 bp sequence of the mitochondrial control region (FST = 0.50-0.70; P < 0.001). The estimated proportion of migrants in a population ranged from 0.01 (95% CI 0.00-0.06) to 0.13 (0.03-0.24). These are the first estimates of genetic diversity and differentiation for snubfin and humpback dolphins in Western Australia, providing valuable information towards the assessment of their conservation status in this rapidly developing region. Our results suggest that north-western Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins may exist as metapopulations of small, largely isolated population fragments, and should be managed accordingly. Management plans should seek to maintain effective population size and gene flow. Additionally, while interactions of a socio-sexual nature between these two species have been observed previously, here we provide strong evidence for the first documented case of hybridisation between a female snubfin dolphin and a male humpback dolphin. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alex Brown Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU) School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia * Tel +61 (0)89360 6520 |* Mob +61 (0)487399861| * alex.brown(a)murdoch.edu.au<mailto:L.bejder@murdoch.edu.au> www.mucru.org<http://www.mucru.org>

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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: Research Program Officer with the US Marine Mammal Commission
by Samantha Simmons 01 Jul '14

01 Jul '14

A brief summary of the position is provided below. For further details and to apply please click here: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/373003500 THIS IS A RE-ADVERTISEMENT OF A PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT #WA993771-AS. Previously submitted materials will not be considered. Interested applicants must apply/re-apply using the link above Job Title: Research Program Officer Agency: Marine Mammal Commission Job Announcement Number:WA1146310-JN SALARY RANGE: $51,630.00 to $67,114.00 / Per Year OPEN PERIOD: Tuesday, July 1, 2014 to Friday, July 18, 2014 SERIES & GRADE: GS-0301-09 POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time - Permanent PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 11 DUTY LOCATIONS: 1 vacancy in the following location: Bethesda, MD View Map<https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/373003500> WHO MAY APPLY: US Citizens and Status Candidates SECURITY CLEARANCE: Not Applicable SUPERVISORY STATUS: No JOB SUMMARY: Do you want to make an impact on marine mammal conservation? This position with the Marine Mammal Commission will perform a variety of scientific support and administrative duties for the Scientific Program. Including compiling and analyzing scientific information on marine mammal research and conservation activities, maintaining correspondence files, data bases and administering the Commission's research program. _______________________________________________________________ Samantha Simmons, PhD. Assistant Scientific Program Director & Acting Research Program Officer Marine Mammal Commission.

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"Marine Mammals of Holarctic"
by VIII International Conference 01 Jul '14

01 Jul '14

** Dear Colleagues! ------------------------------------------------------------ We would like to inform you that early registration for the conference VIII International Conference «Marine Mammals of Holarctic» is open until July 10 for the The VIII International Conference «Marine Mammals of Holarctic» will be held on September 22–27, 2014 in St. Petersburg. Key topics of the event: • Population Biology • Assessment and monitoring of populations • Environment (distribution, habitat and migration, etc.) • Behavior and Acoustics • Physiology, health, toxicology • New technologies and research methods • Conservation, resource exploitation, management and legislation • Rehabilitation, husbandry As a part of the forthcoming Conference, the Organizing Committee is planning to hold the following special events: • the All-Russian Children’s Painting Competition on marine mammals • Exhibition of photographs presented by conference participants ABOUT THE CONFERENCE (http://ctocongress.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7665ee82d7cf2775669df1…) Starting July 10, the registration fee for the conference will increase. Registration fee for participants of the Conference For members of the MMC For other participants REGISTER NOW (http://ctocongress.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7665ee82d7cf2775669df1…) ============================================================ Project Manager Dmitry Shupinsky Tel.: +7 (495) 960-21-90 ext. 164 Fax: +7 (495) 960-21-90 E-mail: ** info(a)mmc2014spb.com (mailto:info@mmc2014spb.com) , ** dshupinskij(a)ctogroup.ru (mailto:dshupinskij@ctogroup.ru) website: ** www.mmc2014spb.com/en (http://ctocongress.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7665ee82d7cf2775669df1…) Hurry up to register at “early registration” rate! To book a hotel room and submit an abstract, please, visit the relevant page of the conference website We will be glad to see you in Saint Petersburg at the VIII International Conference «Marine Mammals of Holarctic» in September. Location: St. Petersburg, Shpalernaya street, 56 Organizing committee contacts: «The Council on Marine Mammals» E-mail: ** info(a)mmc2014spb.com (mailto:info@mmc2014spb.com) This email was sent to MARMAM(a)lists.uvic.ca why did I get this? (http://ctocongress.us8.list-manage.com/about?u=7665ee82d7cf2775669df1fd4&id…) unsubscribe from this list (http://ctocongress.us8.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=7665ee82d7cf2775669df1…) update subscription preferences (http://ctocongress.us8.list-manage.com/profile?u=7665ee82d7cf2775669df1fd4&…) CTO Congress · Moscow, Izmailovskoe shosse 71, build. 8 · Moscow 101000 · Russia Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…

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