May 2015 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New paper on dental anomalies in pinnipeds
by Carolina Loch 17 May '15

17 May '15

Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are pleased to announcethe publication of the following paper in the current issue of Zoomorphology: Dental anomalies in pinnipeds (Carnivora: Otariidae and Phocidae):occurrence and evolutionary implications César Drehmer,Daniela Sanfelice and Carolina Loch Zoomorphology, Volume 134, Issue 2, Pages 325-338 Abstract Dental anomalies comprisevariations in number, shape, size, position and occlusion of teeth, mainlycaused by genetic mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the nature and prevalenceof dental anomalies in a large sample of pinnipeds (Otariidae and Phocidae) andto discuss potential evolutionary and ecological implications. Thirty-fourspecies in twenty genera were sampled. The dentition of the specimens examinedwas compared with the normal dental formula for the species, and supernumeraryand congenitally missing teeth were identified and recorded. Agenesis wasobserved in 0.93 % of the specimens analyzed (n = 10),being more frequent in otariids. The posteriormost upper postcanines were theteeth absent most frequently. Supernumerary teeth were observed in1.8 % of the specimens (n = 19), more commonly inphocids. Supernumerary teeth can be interpreted as either atavisticmanifestations (particularly for the posteriormost postcanines in Otariidae) orcases of disturbances in dental morphogenesis leading to the formation of extrateeth when they occur in other positions of the tooth row. Morphological dentalvariants such as ectopic and geminated teeth were also recorded. Cases ofdental anomalies should have a limited effect on the functional morphology ofthe feeding apparatus in pinnipeds, with little influence on the fitness andperformance of the animals. Nevertheless, understanding patterns of dentalvariation should contribute to future studies aiming to elucidate aspects ofdental evolution and the phylogenetic relationships of pinnipeds. Full text is available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00435-015-0255-x Or alternatively, a pdf canbe 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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Publication of paper on migratory movements and migratory interchange of humpback whales off eastern Australia and across Oceania
by Wally Franklin 16 May '15

16 May '15

Hi MARMAM Colleagues, We are pleased to advise that the following publication is now available online: Franklin, W., T. Franklin, N. Gibbs, S. Childerhouse, C. Garrigue, R. Constantine, L. Brooks, D. Burns, D. Paton, M. M. Poole, N. Hauser, M. Donoghue, K. Russell, D. K. Mattila, J. Robbins, M. Anderson, C. Olavarria, J. Jackson, M. Noad, P. Harrison, P. Baverstock, R. Leaper, S. C. Baker, and P. Clapham. 2014. Photo-identification confirms that humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from eastern Australia migrate past New Zealand but indicates low levels of interchange with breeding grounds of Oceania. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 14 (1):133-140. ABSTRACT Recent photo-identification and genetic studies have identified at least five discrete breeding populations in Australia and Oceania: western Australia (D), eastern Australia (E (i)), New Caledonia (E (ii)), Tonga (E (iii)), French Polynesia and the Cook Islands (F). Also evident are low levels of intermingling among breeding populations consistent with the degree of genetic differentiation. Photo-identification has confirmed linkages between Area V feeding areas and eastern Australia breeding grounds and one genotype match has been reported between Area V feeding areas and Oceania breeding grounds. Recent abundance estimates show strong increases in the eastern Australian population, and some recovery in the New Caledonia and Tonga populations, but with little evidence of recovery at other known Oceania breeding grounds or New Zealand. Studies to date have provided no conclusive evidence of the migratory destination of humpback whales passing through New Zealand waters en route between Antarctic feeding areas and tropical breeding grounds. Photo-identification comparisons were undertaken between humpback whale fluke catalogues from eastern Australia (EA, 1315), Oceania east (OE, 513), Oceania west (OW, 166) and New Zealand (NZ, 13). Five matches were found between OE/OW, four matches between OW/EA and three matches between NZ/EA. The data are used to investigate and discuss the migratory destination and breeding ground migratory interchange of humpback whales travelling through New Zealand waters. The data confirm that humpback whales with site fidelity to eastern Australia migrate past New Zealand including through the Cook Strait and Foveaux Strait. The publication can be downloaded from: https://archive.iwc.int/pages/view.php?ref=3608&search=%21collection15&orde… <https://archive.iwc.int/pages/view.php?ref=3608&search=!collection15&order_…> Regards, Wally Franklin on behalf of Authors ........................................................................ Dr Trish Franklin & Wally Franklin The Oceania Project PO Box 646 Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia ABN 73 052 470 630 ACN 052 470 630 Phone: 0418 797 326 Skype: oceania.org.au Email: trish.wally(a)oceania.org.au <mailto:trish.wally@oceania.org.au>

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Vacancy Announcment
by Oakley, Karen 15 May '15

15 May '15

*Supervisory Fish & Wildlife Biologist (GS-14)* *U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska* The U.S. Geological Survey <http://www.usgs.gov/>, Alaska Science Center <http://alaska.usgs.gov/>, is seeking applicants for a Supervisory Fish and Wildlife Biologist to lead its Marine Ecology Research Program as the Chief of the Marine Ecology Office. The incumbent will supervise research grade scientists (including wildlife biologists, ecologists, and statisticians), who lead research programs on polar bears <http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/polar_bears/index.html>, walruses <http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/walrus/index.html>, nearshore ecosystems <http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/nearshore_marine/index.php>, seabirds and forage fish <http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/seabirds_foragefish/index.php>, habitat dynamics <http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/habitat_dynamics/index.php>, biometrics <http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/biometrics/index.php> and quantitative ecology <http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/quantitative_ecology/index.php>. The incumbent also co-leads the USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative <http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/interdisciplinary_science/cae/index.php> and other research within the Ecosystems Mission Area <http://www.usgs.gov/ecosystems/> of USGS. Key duties include review and approval of science products under the USGS Fundamental Science Practices policy <http://www.usgs.gov/fsp/>; management of personnel and budgets; internal and external communications of key findings; and strategic science leadership. Candidates should have a M.Sc. or Ph.D. in biological sciences, preferably with a marine focus. The position requires U.S. citizenship. Prior supervisory experience is desired. For further information, contact Mark Shasby, Center Director, 907-786-7065, mshasby(a)usgs.gov US CITIZENS ONLY -- Karen Oakley Office Chief, Marine & Freshwater Ecology U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center 4210 University Dr. Anchorage, AK 99508 907-786-7076 koakley(a)usgs.gov <https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=koakley@usgs.gov>

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New publications on fossil platanistoid dolphins: Otekaikea and Waipatia
by Ewan Fordyce 15 May '15

15 May '15

Two recent articles on fossil platanistoid dolphins from New Zealand are: Tanaka Y, Fordyce RE 2015. A new Oligo-Miocene dolphin from New Zealand: Otekaikea huata expands diversity of the early Platanistoidea. Palaeontologia electronica 18.2.23A: 1-71. The New Zealand fossil dolphin Otekaikea huata (latest Oligocene to earliest Miocene, in the range 22.28 to 24.61 Ma) is here identified as an early new species in the clade Platanistoidea, which includes the endangered Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica). Otekaikea huata is known only from the holotype, which comprises a partial skeleton from the marine Otekaike Limestone of the Hakataramea Valley, South Island. Otekaikea huata has multiple procumbent tusks passing back to otherwise near-homodont and polydont teeth, and an elevated face for the nasofacial muscles implicated in production of echolocation sounds. The skull vertex is asymmetrical and strongly left-skewed. Phylogenetic analyses based on morphological features place Otekaikea huata in the clade Platanistoidea. The new species adds to the diversity of the superfamily Platanistoidea near the Oligocene-Miocene boundary. The pdf is freely available here: http://palaeo-electronica.org/content/2015/1161-fossil-platanistoid-dolphin Tanaka Y, Fordyce RE 2015. Historically significant late Oligocene dolphin Microcetus hectori Benham 1935: a new species of Waipatia (Platanistoidea). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand: 10.1080/03036758.2015.1016046. The late Oligocene dolphin Microcetus hectori Benham 1935 (Otekaike Limestone, Duntroonian, around 25.2 million years ago) is documented, involving redescription of the teeth, and new description of the formerly undescribed skull. A separate recent phylogenetic analysis that included skull features indicates that M. hectori belongs in the genus Waipatia, rather than with Microcetus ambiguus. Waipatia hectori is readily distinguished from the older Waipatia maerewhenua by features that include: more robust zygomatic process of the squamosal; larger foramen spinosum; long and slender postorbital process; more inflated cheek-teeth. The two species of Waipatia form a basal clade in the Platanistoidea, elucidating the relationships of the hitherto monotypic late Oligocene genus Waipatia. The pdf is available here http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03036758.2015.1016046 (We have asked that the journal post a new version with less pixelated graphics) or from Yoshi Tanaka yoshihiro.tanaka(a)otago.ac.nz or from Ewan Fordyce ewan.fordyce(a)otago.ac.nz

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childcare at the 2015 Biennial +registration suggestion
by Ellen M Hines 15 May '15

15 May '15

Greetings all, we've had numerous inquiries about childcare at the upcoming Biennial in San Francisco. We're getting some quotes for childcare that will depend upon numbers, so we'd like to get an estimate on who might be interested. Please email gullandf(a)tmmc.org<mailto:gullandf@tmmc.org> and let us know how many children and how many days you'd be interested in putting in childcare for a reasonable fee. As for registration: please FIRST login through the Society website, and then create a login for registration. That way the registration software will give you member and student rates. Of course if you are not a member and don't intend to be (WHY?), just go to registration. Here's a step by step document to help: https://www.marinemammalscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SMM-2015-ste… We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco, its going to be great! Ellen & Frances Ellen Hines, PhD Associate Director & Professor of Geography Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies San Francisco State University 3150 Paradise Drive Tiburon, CA 94920 USA 1 415 338 3512 Fax: 1 415 338 6243 ehines(a)sfsu.edu<mailto:ehines@sfsu.edu> http://rtc.sfsu.edu/research/in_hines.html

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squid documentary
by Yasmin White 15 May '15

15 May '15

To whom it may concern, I hope this email finds you well. My name is Yasmin White and I'm a researcher for Icon Films, a well-established, award winning documentary company in Bristol in the UK. We specialise in making natural history and science documentaries for broadcasters in the USA and UK, such as the BBC, Channel 4, Animal Planet and National Geographic. Here's a link to our website if you would like to see our work: http://www.iconfilms.co.uk/ I'm currently working on a programme called River Monsters and we are making a documentary about squid and would like to look at the conflicting relationship between sperm whale and squid in the deep blue. Would you happen to have any evidence (photographic or samples) of squid sucking marks on sperm whale skin, squid beaks found in sperm whale stomach, or any samples of ambergris that we could film? Or do you know of any museums that have a huge collection of the above? Any help would be much appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes, YASMIN WHITE Production Researcher - River Monsters ICON FILMS 3rd FLOOR | COLLEGE HOUSE | 32-36 COLLEGE GREEN | BRISTOL | BS1 5SP T: +44 (0) 117 910 2030 DD: +44 (0) 117 910 2063 F: +44 (0) 117 910 2031 WWW.ICONFILMS.CO.UK<http://www.iconfilms.co.uk/> www.twitter.com/iconbristol<http://www.twitter.com/iconbristol> www.twitter.com/RiverMonstersUK<https://twitter.com/#!/RiverMonstersUK> www.facebook.com/RiverMonstersGlobal<http://www.facebook.com/RiverMonstersGlobal> [cid:image001.png@01D08F38.D7F0D6D0]<http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/river-monsters/> P please consider the environment - think before you print.

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postdoctoral position advert
by Kimberley Bennett 15 May '15

15 May '15

Hello, Please can you advertise the following: The School of Marine Science and Engineering invites you to apply for a full time postdoctoral research fellowship in molecular physiology of fat metabolism in seals. The candidate will join the growing Marine Vertebrate Research Group in the Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre (MBERC) http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/research/mberc/Pages/default.aspx within the Faculty of Science and Environment at Plymouth University, and will conduct cutting edge research to contribute significantly to knowledge and understanding in the field of molecular physiology of environmental obesogens. You will be responsible for the provision of specialist research knowledge and expertise that supports a recently funded NERC grant, entitled ‘Obesogens in an obese animal: an experimental approach to assess the impact of marine pollutants on fat tissue function in seals’. The purpose of the role is to develop and use molecular methodologies, including qPCR and immuno-detection methods, to better understand the local regulation of fat deposition and mobilisation by blubber in response to key fat regulating hormones and potentially obesogenic marine pollutants. Working in the new molecular biology facilities at Plymouth University, you will be responsible for development and application of suitable laboratory protocols, and the analysis and dissemination of the data through publications, public outreach and attendance at meetings and conferences in the UK, Europe and overseas. You will co-ordinate their research activities with collaborators at the Sea Mammal Research Unit at St Andrews University in Scotland, and Université de Liège and Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium and will be expected to maintain and strengthen links with these institutions. You should have experience of laboratory tools in molecular physiology, including quantitative PCR and/ or immunoblotting methods, and be familiar with safe handling of the chemicals involved in molecular work, such as RNA extraction. You will also be proficient in statistical analysis of gene and/ or protein expression data. You should be a highly self-motivated and independent worker, with good problem solving skills and a keen interest in the regulation of mammalian fat metabolism and/ or endocrine disruption. Candidates should demonstrate good interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. You should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject, such as zoology, biology, biomedical science or molecular biology, and preferably a relevant MSc or MRes qualification. You should also have completed your PhD in a relevant field, including viva, by the start date of 1st August 2015. For informal enquiries about this post please contact Dr Kimberley Bennett, lecturer in marine biology, on email kimberley.bennett(a)plymouth.ac.uk<mailto:kimberley.bennett@plymouth.ac.uk> or tel 0044 (0)1752 586184. This is a full-time post working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis for 36 months. Closing date: 12 midnight, Monday 25 May 2015 The link to our vacancies website is here https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/your-university/jobs/search-vacancies and the job reference is A4242. Alternatively it is here on jobs.ac.uk: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AKZ736/post-doctoral-research-fellow/ Dr. Kimberley Bennett Lecturer in Marine Biology Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre School of Marine Science and Engineering Plymouth University Plymouth UK PL4 8AA 0044 (0)1752 586184 ________________________________ [http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/images/email_footer.gif]<http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/worldclass> This email and any files with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the recipient to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient then copying, distribution or other use of the information contained is strictly prohibited and you should not rely on it. If you have received this email in error please let the sender know immediately and delete it from your system(s). Internet emails are not necessarily secure. While we take every care, Plymouth University accepts no responsibility for viruses and it is your responsibility to scan emails and their attachments. Plymouth University does not accept responsibility for any changes made after it was sent. Nothing in this email or its attachments constitutes an order for goods or services unless accompanied by an official order form.

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New publication on the mixing of humpback whale breeding populations in the Southern Ocean
by Natalie Schmitt 14 May '15

14 May '15

?Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to finally announce the publication of a paper which describes the mixing of Australian and South Pacific humpback whale breeding populations on their feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean. The analysis uses both nuclear and mtDNA markers and includes detailed simulations to assess the statistical power of current genetic datasets for mixed-stock analyses. Schmitt, N.T., Double, M.C., Baker, C.S., Gales, N., Childerhouse, S., Polanowski, A.M., Steel, D., Albertson, R., Olavarria, C., Garrigue, C., Poole, M., Hauser, N., Constantine, R., Paton, D., Jenner, C.S., Jarman, S.N. and Peakall, R. 2014. Mixed-stock analysis of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on Antarctic feeding grounds. J. Cetacean Res. Manage.14(1): 141-157 ABSTRACT In understanding the impact of commercial whaling, it is important to estimate the mixing of low latitude breeding populations on Antarctic feeding grounds, particularly the endangered humpback whale populations of Oceania. This paper estimates the degree of genetic differentiation among the putative populations of Oceania (New Caledonia, Tonga, the Cook Islands and French Polynesia) and Australia (western Australia and eastern Australia) using ten microsatellite loci and mtDNA, assesses the power of the data for a mixed-stock analysis, determines ways to improve statistical power for future studies and estimates the population composition of Antarctic samples collected in 2010 south of New Zealand and eastern Australia. A large proportion of individuals could not be assigned to a population of origin (> 52%) using a posterior probability threshold of > 0.90. The mixed-stock analysis simulations however, produced accurate results with humpback whales reapportioned to their population of origin above the 90% threshold for western Australia, New Caledonia and Oceania grouped using a combined mtDNA and microsatellite dataset. Removing the Cook Islands, considered a transient region for humpback whales, from the simulation analysis increased the ability to reapportion Tonga from 86% to 89% and French Polynesia from 89% to 92%. Breeding ground sample size was found to be a factor influencing the accuracy of population reapportionment whereas increasing the mixture or feeding ground sample size improved the precision of results. The mixed-stock analysis of our Antarctic samples revealed substantial contributions from both eastern Australia (53.2%, 6.8% SE) and New Caledonia (43.7%, 5.5% SE) [with Oceania contributing 46.8% (5.9% SE)] but not western Australia. Despite the need for more samples to improve estimates of population allocation, our study strengthens the emerging genetic and non-genetic evidence that Antarctic waters south of New Zealand and eastern Australia are used by humpback whales from both eastern Australia and the more vulnerable breeding population of New Caledonia, representing Oceania. The article can be found at: https://archive.iwc.int/pages/view.php?ref=3608&search=%21collection15&offs… Kind regards, Dr. Natalie T. Schmitt natalie.schmitt(a)alumni.anu.edu.au<mailto:natalie.schmitt@alumni.anu.edu.au> ph. +61419032277

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New paper on minke whale surfacing patterns
by Fredrik 14 May '15

14 May '15

Dear MARMAM colleagues, My co-authors and I are happy to announce the publication of the following paper in PLoS ONE: Christiansen F, Lynas NM, Lusseau D, Tscherter U (2015) Structure and Dynamics of Minke Whale Surfacing Patterns in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. PLoS ONE 10(5): e0126396. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0126396 Abstract: Animal behavioral patterns can help us understand physiological and ecological constraints on animals and its influence on fitness. The surfacing patterns of aquatic air-breathing mammals constitute a behavioral pattern that has evolved as a trade-off between the need to replenish oxygen stores at the surface and the need to conduct other activities underwater. This study aims to better understand the surfacing pattern of a marine top predator, the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), by investigating how their dive duration and surfacing pattern changes across their activity range. Activities were classified into resting, traveling, surface feeding and foraging at depth. For each activity, we classified dives into short and long dives and then estimated the temporal dependence between dive types. We found that minke whales modified their surfacing pattern in an activity-specific manner, both by changing the expression of their dives (i.e. density distribution) and the temporal dependence (transition probability) between dive types. As the depth of the prey layer increased between activities, the surfacing pattern of foraging whales became increasingly structured, going from a pattern dominated by long dives, when feeding at the surface, to a pattern where isolated long dives were followed by an increasing number of breaths (i.e. short dives), when the whale was foraging at depth. A similar shift in surfacing pattern occurred when prey handling time (inferred from surface corralling maneuvers) increased for surface feeding whales. The surfacing pattern also differed between feeding and non-feeding whales. Resting whales did not structure their surfacing pattern, while traveling whales did, possibly as a way to minimize cost of transport. Our results also suggest that minke whales might balance their oxygen level over multiple, rather than single, dive cycles. A copy of the paper can be downloaded from: http://www.plosone.org/article/related/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0126396 If you are unable to download the article, please contact me by email and I will be happy to send you a copy: f.christiansen(a)live.se. The paper is dedicated to the late Ned M. Lynas, founder of ORES. Best regards, Fredrik Christiansen Postdoctoral Research Fellow Cetacean Research Unit, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia +61 417 502 098, f.christiansen(a)murdoch.edu.au http://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=vkA5Y3EAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fredrik_Christiansen3/?ev=hdr_xprf

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New paper on habitat-based extrapolations of cetacean densities
by Laura Mannocci, Ph.D. 14 May '15

14 May '15

Dear all, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper: Mannocci, L., Monestiez, P., Spitz, J., Ridoux, V. (2015). Extrapolating cetacean densities beyond surveyed regions: habitat-based predictions in the circumtropical belt. Journal of Biogeography. DOI:10.1111/jbi.12530 ABSTRACT Aim Our knowledge of cetacean distributions is impeded by large data-gaps worldwide, particularly at tropical latitudes. This study aims to (1) find generic relationships between cetaceans and their habitats in a range of tropical waters, and (2) extrapolate cetacean densities in a circumtropical belt extending far beyond surveyed regions. Location Pelagic, circumtropical. Methods Aerial surveys were conducted over three regions in the tropical Atlantic (132,000 km2), Indian (1.4 million km2) and Pacific (1.4 million km2) oceans. Three cetacean guilds were studied (Delphininae, Globicephalinae and sperm and beaked whales). For each guild, a generalized additive model was fitted using sightings recorded in all three regions and 14 candidate environmental predictors. Cetacean densities were tentatively extrapolated over a circumtropical belt, excluding waters where environmental characteristics departed from those encountered in the surveyed regions. Results Each cetacean guild exhibited a relationship with the primary production and depth of the minimum dissolved oxygen concentration. Delphininae also showed a relationship with the dominant phytoplankton group. The prediction envelopes were primarily constrained by water temperature. Circumtropical extrapolations of Delphininae and Globicephalinae were contrasted between ocean basins, with high densities predicted in the equatorial waters of the three ocean basins. The predicted densities of sperm and beaked whales were lower and more uniform across the circumtropical belt than for the other two guilds. Main conclusions Our modelling approach represents a good analytical solution to predicting cetacean population densities in poorly documented tropical waters. Future data collection should concentrate on areas where environmental characteristics were not encountered in our survey regions and where the predicted densities were the most uncertain. By highlighting cetacean hotspots far beyond waters under national jurisdiction, this study can provide guidance for the delimitation of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Marine Areas. The article is now available online at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jbi.12530/full Please contact me at laura.mannocci(a)duke.edu<mailto:laura.mannocci@duke.edu> if you would like a PDF copy or have any questions! Best regards, Laura Mannocci Postdoctoral Associate Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University

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