October 2016 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: Hydration affects the physical and mechanical properties of baleen tissue
by Alex Werth 26 Oct '16

26 Oct '16

Dear MARMAM readers, My coauthors and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper on the biomechanics of baleen, published in the online, open-access journal Royal Society Open Science: Werth AJ, Harriss R, Rosario M, George JC, Sformo TL. 2016. Hydration affects the physical and mechanical properties of baleen tissue. Roy Soc Open Sci. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160591 Abstract: Baleen, an anisotropic oral filtering tissue found only in the mouth of mysticete whales and made solely of alpha-keratin, exhibits markedly differing physical and mechanical properties between dried or (as in life) hydrated states. On average baleen is 32.35% water by weight in North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and 34.37% in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus). Baleen's wettability measured by water droplet contact angles shows that dried baleen is hydrophobic whereas hydrated baleen is highly hydrophilic. Three-point flexural bending tests of mechanical strength reveal that baleen is strong yet ductile. Dried baleen is brittle and shatters at about 20–30 N mm−2 but hydrated baleen is less stiff; it bends with little force and absorbed water is squeezed out when force is applied. Maximum recorded stress was 4× higher in dried (mean 14.29 N mm−2) versus hydrated (mean 3.69 N mm−2) baleen, and the flexural stiffness was >10× higher in dried (mean 633N mm−2) versus hydrated (mean 58 N mm−2) baleen. In addition to documenting hydration's powerful effects on baleen, this study indicates that baleen is far more pliant and malleable than commonly supposed, with implications for studies of baleen's structure and function as well as its susceptibility to oil or other hydrophobic pollutants. The paper can be accessed here: http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/3/10/160591 or you can contact me directly. Best regards, Alex Werth _______________________________ Alexander J. Werth, Ph.D. Trinkle Professor of Biology Chair, Department of Biology Hampden-Sydney College Box 162, Hampden-Sydney, VA 23943 434-223-6326, fax 434-223-6374 http://www.hsc.edu/Academics/Academic-Majors/Biology/Professors/Alex-Werth.…

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Instructional videos on underwater acoustics available through Discovery of Sound in the Sea (www.dosits.org)
by Holly Morin 26 Oct '16

26 Oct '16

In a continued effort to provide timely, relevant, peer-reviewed resources on underwater acoustics for international decision makers and other stakeholders, the Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS) Project (www.dosits.org) is excited to announce the availability of short, instructional videos focused on four, key, acoustics topics: Science of Sound <http://www.dosits.org/resources/all/decisionmakers/sciencevideo/> Marine Mammal Hearing <http://www.dosits.org/resources/all/decisionmakers/mammalvideo/> Hearing in Marine Fishes <http://www.dosits.org/resources/all/decisionmakers/fishesvideo/> Determining Mitigation and Monitoring through the Ecological Risk Assessment Process <http://www.dosits.org/resources/all/decisionmakers/riskvideo/> These videos are based on peer-reviewed DOSITS content and have undergone review by the DOSITS Advisory Panel. Video outlines with links to expanded DOSITS content are also available to view and download. To access the full suite of DOSITS videos, as well as other resources, please visit the Resources Section for Decision Makers <http://www.dosits.org/resources/decisionmakersresources/> on the DOSITS website (www.dosits.org/resources/decisionmakersresources/) These videos are sponsored by The Exploration and Production, Sound and Marine Life Joint Industry Programme - www.soundandmarinelife.org. Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS; www.dosits.org) is a comprehensive, educational website on underwater sound, designed to provide accurate scientific information at levels appropriate for all audiences, including decision makers. ******************************* Holly Morin Marine Research Associate III University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography holly_morin(a)uri.edu 401-874-6414

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Winter 2017 marine mammal stranding internships
by Harry, Charles 26 Oct '16

26 Oct '16

IFAW Marine Mammal Stranding Internship The International Fund for Animal Welfare's (IFAW) Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Program is currently accepting applications for Marine Mammal Stranding Internship for our winter session 2017 (January 2017 - May 2017). Please see below for future internship sessions. Background IFAW is an international non-profit organization with headquarters in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, USA. IFAW's Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Program is a federally authorized response program dedicated to marine mammal stranding response on Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts. Our mission is to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat by improving the rescue and humane care of stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and increasing public awareness through education. Cape Cod is a marine mammal stranding "hot spot" with over 240 strandings occurring each year. These strandings include live and dead seals, large whales, porpoises, and dolphins. The Cape Cod region also experiences an unusually high frequency of live, mass stranded dolphins. Specific Internship Duties - Manage stranding hotline and dispatch volunteers for stranding calls received during office hours - Assist staff with all aspects of marine mammal stranding response, including live animal health assessment and triage, opportunistic public outreach, biological data collection, and sampling from dead stranded marine mammals - Assist in stranding preparedness, including cleaning, organizing and maintaining stranding response gear and equipment - Assist in data entry of stranding reports, case files, sample collection, and lab results - Assist in organizing, cataloging and archiving stranded marine mammal documentation, including photos, video and datasheets - General office duties, including training and outreach material preparation and organization - Assist the Necropsy Coordinator in performing post-mortem examinations in both field and laboratory settings - Assist in maintaining, cleaning, and organizing necropsy equipment and supplies - Assist in the archiving, shipping, and tracking of biological samples - Assist in the preparation of necropsy reports Specific Focus Areas Interns will be cross-trained in all areas of stranding response and every effort will be made for interns to gain a wide-range of experiences. However, each intern will have specific "focus areas" of either: field response or necropsy. Interns will be paired with staff based on these particular focus areas and individual tasks and projects will be related to one of these areas. Each intern's "focus" will be determined by staff once they have been selected for the program. Please indicate in your cover letter your primary preferred focus and any other areas of interest if your primary choice is not available. The final determination will be made by staff but we will make an effort to assign interns based on their preferences. Requirements - Must be at least 18 years old - Must possess a valid driver's license - Must be of good physical fitness, be able to lift/carry 40lbs, walk long distances in difficult terrain, be comfortable on small boats in nearshore waters, able to swim, and work in harsh weather conditions at times - Able to follow written and oral staff directions and protocols effectively - Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or have graduated within 2 years - Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint Preferred candidate will also have: - Undergraduate and/or graduate study of biology, zoology, ecology, marine/environmental/animal science - Previous marine mammal stranding response/research experience - Experience handling animals - Experience driving large trucks Learning outcomes While hands-on experience is opportunistic and the number and type of responses will vary, most interns have the opportunity to: - Develop skills in identifying species commonly stranded on Cape Cod and gain knowledge of their biology and ecology - Acquire basic stranded cetacean and pinniped assessment and triage skills - Gain knowledge of response logistics and management, including the use of the Incident Command System - Gain knowledge of the stranding network structure and operation, as well as marine mammal policy as it relates to strandings - Gain basic necropsy skills and knowledge of marine mammal anatomy and physiology - Participate in active research projects, as appropriate Additional Information This internship is unpaid. Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the intern. International applicants will be considered, but it is the responsibility of the applicant to acquire necessary visas and documentation, including an international driver's license. The internship position requires the commitment for the full session (minimum of 12 weeks, January 2017 - May 2017). Interns are required to attend three days per week, which may include weekends and holidays. Since strandings are unpredictable, applicants with flexible daily schedules are preferred. If the intern intends to receive academic credit, he/she will be responsible for making all arrangements with his/her educational institution. Interns should be prepared to perform in a variety of settings on any given day, including beach, on-water and laboratory. Specialized gear such as dry suits, boots and life jackets will be provided. Please keep in mind that stranding work is unpredictable and changes seasonally. We cannot guarantee the type and number of strandings and experiences you will receive during your internship. We will do our best when possible to give interns a varied experience. To apply: Please use the link below to access the online application and to upload the required documents: 1. Cover Letter (please indicate which focus area(s) you prefer) 2. Resume 3. One Letter of Recommendation from college professor or employer (can be uploaded or directly emailed to RecruitMMRR(a)ifaw.org<mailto:RecruitMMRR@ifaw.org> by the recommender. (It is your responsibility to ensure your letter of recommendation has been submitted on time, or you will not be considered for the internship.) http://www.ifaw.org/united-states/about-ifaw/employment All application materials must be received by Monday, November 21st by 5:00pm EST Internship notification of acceptance will be sent by Friday, December 16th Required intern orientation will be January 23-25 2017 Future Internship Session Dates: The IFAW Marine Mammal Stranding Internships are offered 3 times a year; you must re-apply for each session. Summer Session Dates: June 2017 - August 2017 Application due date: March 17th 2017 Fall Session Dates: September 2017 - January 2018 Application due date: July 28th 2017 For more information about IFAW's global animal welfare and conservation work, please visit www.ifaw.org<http://www.ifaw.org>. CT Harry | Asst. Stranding Coordinator, Marine Mammal Rescue & Research ___________________________________________________________ IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare World Headquarters 290 Summer Street - Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 tel. 1.508.744.2272 email. charry(a)ifaw.org<mailto:charry@ifaw.org> www.ifaw.org<http://www.ifaw.org> Rescuing and protecting animals around the world www.ifaw.org<http://www.ifaw.org/> Watch videos of our work at... http://g.ifaw.org/watch

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New Publication: Effects of a scientific echo sounder on the behavior of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus)
by Nicola Quick, Ph.D. 25 Oct '16

25 Oct '16

Dear all, We are pleased to announce the online publication of our article in Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Quick, N., Scott-Hayward, L., Sadykova, D, Nowacek, D. and Read, A. 2016. Effects of a scientific echo sounder on the behavior of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus). 10.1139/cjfas-2016-0293 Abstract: Active echo sounding devices are often employed for commercial or scientific purposes in the foraging habitats of marine mammals. We conducted an experiment off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, USA to assess whether the behavior of short-finned pilot whales changed when exposed to an EK60 scientific echo sounder. We attached digital acoustic recording tags (DTAGs) to nine individuals, five of which were exposed. A hidden Markov model (HMM) to characterize diving states with and without exposure provided no evidence for a change in foraging behavior. However, Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE's), to model changes in heading variance over the entire tag record, under all experimental conditions, showed a consistent increase in heading variance during exposure, over all values of depth and pitch. This suggests that, regardless of behavioral state, the whales changed their heading more frequently when the echo sounder was active. This response could represent increased vigilance in which whales maintained awareness of echo sounder location by increasing their heading variance, and provides the first quantitative analysis on reactions of cetaceans to a scientific echo sounder. You can access the article here http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/cjfas-2016-0293#.V_P7r_krL0M Or send any enquires directly to me at njq(a)duke.edu<mailto:njq@duke.edu> Thank you Nicola Dr Nicola J. Quick Research Scientist Nicholas School of the Environment Duke Marine Lab 135 Duke Marine Lab Road Beaufort NC 28516 USA njq(a)duke.edu<mailto:njq@duke.edu> https://scholars.duke.edu/person/nicola.quick http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/contact/staffProfile.aspx?sunid=njq

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Marine mammal internship 2017
by James Stewart 25 Oct '16

25 Oct '16

Marine Mammal Photo ID Intership Aquarium of the Pacific www.aquariumofpacific.org<http://www.aquariumofpacific.org> Long Beach, CA 90802 This intern will be responsible for assisting the Boats Coordinator on photo IDing blue whales, fin whales, and humpback whales during our daily whale watching cruises, as well as interpreting data to guests at the Aquarium. Commitment: 15-20 hours/week for 15 weeks Responsibilities include, but are not limited to Taking dorsal and caudal fin photos of animals encountered during daily cruises Maintain detailed data logs of sightings and enter them into ACESS databases Answer questions and interpreting for guests on board. Photo processing and IDi'ng individual whales seen during daily trips Create a project to display to Aquarium guests using whale data QUALIFICATIONS Must be 18 or over Major/ed in biology, marine biology, or conservation a plus Lift a maximum of 50 lbs KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS Each applicant must have a broad knowledge of ecological and biological principles, especially those relating to marine habitats, Ability to spend many hours standing especially on a boat Experience working with digital SLR camera's a plus but not required Experience in data entry, preferably with Microsoft Access Comfortable speaking in front of large groups Have excellent oral and written communication skills Be able to demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities and work with a diverse group of people. Follow the following link to apply to our internships. Application window closes November 13, 2016 for the spring internship session. Internship runs January - April 2017 (http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/volunteer/college_internships/) James Stewart Education Coordinator Aquarium of the Pacific jstewart(a)lbaop.org<mailto:jstewart@lbaop.org> 562-951-1651

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Doctoral student position available - Duke University Marine Lab
by Douglas Nowacek, Ph.D. 25 Oct '16

25 Oct '16

The Marine Bioacoustics and Marine Conservation Technology Lab (http://superpod.ml.duke.edu/nowacek/) at Duke University seeks a doctoral student to work on one of several ocean acoustics projects from effects of anthropogenic noise on marine life to measuring densities of Antarctic krill. Demonstration of strong quantitative and analytical skills and familiarity with signal processing methods is preferred. Candidates with demonstrated skills in scientific programming in Python, R and/or MATLAB are particularly sought. Occasional work on oceanographic vessels will be required. The student would join the dynamic and diverse Marine Conservation Ecology group (http://superpod.ml.duke.edu/) at the at the Duke University Marine Lab (http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab) a coastal campus in Beaufort, NC with a distinguished record of research and education in marine science, conservation and governance, and a strong international reputation with research interests spanning diverse taxa and include both human and natural systems. The mission of the Duke Marine Lab is to be at the forefront of understanding marine environmental systems, their conservation, and governance through leadership in research, training, communication, inclusion, and diversity. Douglas P. Nowacek, Ph.D. Repass-Rodgers Chair of Marine Conservation Technology Nicholas School of the Environment & Pratt School of Engineering Duke University Marine Laboratory 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd. Beaufort, NC 28516 http://superpod.ml.duke.edu http://oceanography.ml.duke.edu

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Marine Mammal Rehabilitation and Response Internship
by Jeff Hall 24 Oct '16

24 Oct '16

Program Description - The California Wildlife Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured, orphaned and sick native wildlife. CWC fulfills this mission through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, and treatment of avian and terrestrial wildlife in our rehabilitation hospital. This internship will provide an exciting and challenging educational experience in the marine mammal field, while also allowing for additional hands-on experience with other native California wildlife. The interns will be working closely with the Marine Mammal program staff in all aspects of stranding response and rehabilitation, including logistics, assessment, capture/restraint, transportation, husbandry, and public relations. In addition, interns will provide support to CWC Hospital staff in animal husbandry tasks for avian and terrestrial wildlife. Internship Session Information - There are four internship sessions available each year. Each session is eight weeks long and has two positions available. Session I runs from the beginning of January to the end of February. Session II runs from mid-February to mid-April. Session III runs from the beginning of April to the end of May. Session IV runs from mid-May to mid-July. Time commitment 40-hours per week. Intern Qualifications - 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. Application Process - Please email Marine Program Manager Jeff Hall at jeff(a)cawildlife.org with a cover letter (stating desired session), resume, and two letters of recommendation. Application Deadlines - Session I & II applications must be received on or before December 1st, 2016. Session III & IV applications must be received on or before February 1st, 2017. -- JEFF Hall Marine Program Manager California Wildlife Center P.O. Box 2022 Malibu CA 90265 (310)458-9453 www.cawildlife.org [1454955848633_facebook.gif]<https://www.facebook.com/californiawildlifecenter>[1454955852743_instagram.png]<https://www.instagram.com/cawildlife/>[1454955856559_twitter.gif]<https://twitter.com/cawildlife> [1454955866497_cwclogo.jpg]<http://www.cawildlife.org/>

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New publication: phylogeography of Pacific short-finned pilot whales
by Amy Van Cise 24 Oct '16

24 Oct '16

Dear MARMAM colleagues, On behalf of my coauthors I am pleased to share our recent publication on the phylogeography of short-finned pilot whales in the Pacific Ocean, published in the October 2016 edition of Marine Mammal Science: Van Cise, AM, PA Morin, RW Baird, AR Lang, KM Robertson, SJ Chivers, RL Brownell, KK Martien. 2016.* Redrawing the map: mtDNA provides new insight into the distribution and diversity of short-finned pilot whales in the Pacific Ocean.* Marine Mammal Science, 32(October), pp.1177–1199. Abstract: Correlations between morphological and genetic data provide evidence to delineate species or evolutionarily significant units, which then become the units to conserve in management plans. Here, we examine the distribution and genetic differentiation of two morphotypes of short-finned pilot whale (*Globicephala macrorhynchus*) in the Pacific Ocean. Mitochondrial control region sequences from 333 samples were combined with 152 previously published sequences to describe genetic variability globally and population structure in the Pacific. Although genetic variability is low, we found strong differentiation at both broad and local levels across the Pacific. Based on genetics, two types are distributed throughout the Pacific, one predominantly in the eastern Pacific and the other in the western and central Pacific. In the eastern Pacific Ocean, no correlation was found between distribution and sea surface temperature. The two types have broad latitudinal ranges, suggesting their distributions are likely driven by more complex factors, such as prey distribution, rather than sea surface temperature. Full text and pdf can be downloaded here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12315/abstract Or to request a pdf directly, email me at avancise(a)gmail.com Best, Amy Van Cise <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< Amy Van Cise PhD Candidate NSF Graduate Research Fellow https://amyvancise.wordpress.com Scripps Institution of Oceanography Ritter Hall 117 781-686-6753 avancise(a)ucsd.edu NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive 858-546-5648 avancise(a)gmail.com

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American Cetacean Society Conference Nov 11-13th, 2016: Last Call for Late-Breaking Research, Call for Abstracts!
by American Cetacean Society 24 Oct '16

24 Oct '16

Dear MARMAM Subscribers, *Reminder: AMERICAN CETACEAN SOCIETY’s 15th International Conference, to be held November 11-13, 2016 in Monterey, CA. Register today! We are announcing a LAST CALL FOR LATE-BREAKING RESEARCH **CALL FOR ABSTRACTS** Our Conference Abstract deadline has come and gone, but we understand that scientific results don’t always follow a schedule. Because of this we are re-opening a small time window for submitting abstracts presenting late-breaking research for the ACS Poster Session. Details: Late-Breaking Research Abstracts for the ACS Conference Poster Session and the Student Research Poster Contest will be accepted until end of day Pacific Time, October 26th . Authors will be notified of their acceptance by 1-November. ** Poster Session: This session will showcase a variety of programs and projects based out of educational institutions, agencies, and non-profit organizations and is intended to encourage discussion and facilitate the exchange of current information pertaining to marine mammal research, conservation, policy, and education. ** Student Research Poster Contest: We invite current graduate and undergraduate students to present their work in the Student Poster Contest. First, second, and third-place winners will be recognized at the conference banquet, with a $250.00 first-place prize for the top presenter. Winners will also be featured in an upcoming issue of the ACS Spyhopper newsletter. The student contest provides an opportunity for students at universities and institutions to gain presentation experience in a professional environment and provides a forum in which existing professionals may meet their rising peers. To be considered for the Student Poster Contest, student authors must be from an accredited institution of higher education, and must be current undergraduate or graduate students, student interns, or recently graduated (within the last year), and have conducted their research prior to graduation. Submission guidelines and details are available at the ACS Conference Website: http://acsconference.weebly.com <http://acsconference.weebly.com/> Please submit all abstracts in proper format to acsresearch1(a)gmail.com <mailto:acsresearch1@gmail.com> by the October 26th deadline. Abstracts must be submitted in the exact format outlined on the website http://acsconference.weebly.com <http://acsconference.weebly.com/> to be considered for the Poster Session. For more information and to register for the ACS Conference, please visit: http://acsconference.weebly.com <http://acsconference.weebly.com/> Conference inquiries can be sent to acsconf1(a)gmail.com <mailto:acsconf1@gmail.com>. We look forward to seeing you at the conference! ———————————————— ACS Poster Session Committee Christina Tombach Wright - Chair Joy Primrose Sabena Siddiqui acsresearch1(a)gmail.com <mailto:acsresearch1@gmail.com>

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New publication: Cultural turnover among Galápagos sperm whales
by Luke Rendell 24 Oct '16

24 Oct '16

Dear colleagues, This open access publication on sperm whale vocal clans in the eastern Tropical Pacific has been published online: Cultural turnover among Galápagos sperm whales Mauricio Cantor, Hal Whitehead, Shane Gero and Luke Rendell Abstract While populations may wax and wane, it is rare for an entire population to be replaced by a completely different set of individuals. We document the large-scale relocation of cultural groups of sperm whale off the Galápagos Islands, in which two sympatric vocal clans were entirely replaced by two different ones. Between 1985 and 1999, whales from two clans (called Regular and Plus-One) defined by cultural dialects in coda vocalizations were repeatedly photo-identified off Galápagos. Their occurrence in the area declined through the 1990s; by 2000, none remained. We reassessed Galápagos sperm whales in 2013–2014, identifying 463 new females. However, re-sighting rates were low, with no matches with the Galápagos 1985–1999 population, suggesting an eastward shift to coastal areas. Their vocal repertoires matched those of two other clans (called Short and Four-Plus) found across the Pacific but previously rare or absent around Galápagos. The mechanisms behind this cultural turnover may include large-scale environmental regime shifts favouring clan-specific foraging strategies, and a response to heavy whaling in the region involving redistribution of surviving whales into high- quality habitats. The fall and rise of sperm whale cultures off Galápagos reflect the structuring of the Pacific population into large, enduring clans with dynamic ranges. Long-lasting clan membership illustrates how culture can be bound up in the structure and dynamics of animal populations and so how tracking cultural traits can reveal large-scale population shifts. The full paper is available for download at: http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/3/10/160615 Electronic supplementary material can be found at: https://figshare.com/collections/Supplementary_material_from_Cultural_turno… Best wishes, Luke -- Dr. Luke Rendell MASTS (masts.ac.uk) Reader in Biology Tel: (44)(0)1334 463499 E-mail: ler4(a)st-andrews.ac.uk WWW: http://bio.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/ler4.htm School of Biology, University of St. Andrews Sir Harold Mitchell Building, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9TH U.K. The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland (SC013532)

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