July 2016 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

video: male grey seal feeding on a juvenile harbor porpoise
by Caroline Höschle 25 Jul '16

25 Jul '16

Dear all, two of our staff members were able to record a video of a male grey seal feeding on a juvenile harbor porpoise. The video can be found at http://bioconsult-sh.de/en/news-archive/ date: July 25, 2016 Please feel free to take look if it is of interest to you. If you have further questions don't hesitate to contact me. Kind regards, Caroline Höschle -- Caroline Höschle BioConsult SH GmbH & Co.KG Schobüller Str. 36 25813 Husum Germany Phone: +49 (0) 48 41-66329-18 Fax: +49 (0) 48 41-66329-19 email: c.hoeschle(a)bioconsult-sh.de www.bioconsult-sh.de BioConsult SH GmbH & Co.KG. Sitz der Gesellschaft: Husum. Amtsgericht Flensburg: HRA 6160 FL. Geschäftsführer: BioConsult SH Verwaltungs-GmbH. Sitz der Gesellschaft: Husum. Amtsgericht Flensburg: HRB 7148 FL. Geschäftsführer: Dr. Georg Nehls.

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New publication on archaic toothed fossil mysticete
by Ewan Fordyce 24 Jul '16

24 Jul '16

This article on a new fossil species, Mammalodon hakataramea, has just been published: Fordyce RE, Marx FG 2016. Mysticetes baring their teeth: a new fossil whale, Mammalodon hakataramea, from the Southwest Pacific. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 74: 107-116. Abstract: A small, toothed fossil cetacean from Hakataramea Valley (South Canterbury, New Zealand) represents a new Late Oligocene species, Mammalodon hakataramea. The new material is from the Kokoamu Greensand (Duntroonian Stage, about 27 Ma, early to middle Chattian) of the Canterbury Basin, and thus about 2 Ma older than the only other species included in this genus, Mammalodon colliveri (Late Oligocene, Victoria, Australia). The anterior pedicle of the tympanic bulla is not fused to the periotic and resembles that of Delphinidae in basic structure. The teeth show extreme attritional and/or abrasive wear, which has obliterated the crowns. Like Mammalodon colliveri, M. hakataramea was probably raptorial or a benthic suction feeder. Keywords: systematics, evolution, stratigraphy, anatomy, New Zealand, Osedax Download here: https://museumvictoria.com.au/pages/381437/107-116_MMV74_Fordyce_4_WEB.pdf<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__museumvictoria.com.au_…> R Ewan Fordyce FRSNZ Professor, Department of Geology University of Otago, Box 56, Dunedin 9054, NZ tel 3-4797510, paleo lab 3-4794575, cell 021-0373964, fax 3-4797527 web: http://www.otago.ac.nz/geology/staff/academic/ewan-fordyce.html Senior Editor, Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand Research Associate in Paleobiology and Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution; Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa; Fukui Dinosaur Museum; Michigan State University Museum.

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Tenure Track Position at The University of Hawaii
by Paul Nachtigall 24 Jul '16

24 Jul '16

The University of Hawaii, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology announces a full time tenure track position in Marine Mammalogy along with two other positions in Marine Ecology. workatUH.hawaii.edu <http://workatuh.hawaii.edu/>: http://workatuh.hawaii.edu/Jobs/NAdvert/23466/3935682/1/postdate/desc. -- Paul Nachtigall, PhD Director, Marine Mammal Research Program Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology 808 247 5297 cell 808 291 6432

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New publication on the first record of True's beaked whale, Mesoplodon mirus, from the Mediterranean
by Arda M. Tonay 23 Jul '16

23 Jul '16

Dear All, Apologies for cross posting. We would like to inform you that the new paper on the first record of True's beaked whale, Mesoplodon mirus, from the Mediterranean coast of Turkey has been published in the Journal of Black Sea/Mediterranean Environment. The paper is available online at the following page. http://www.blackmeditjournal.org/index.php/component/k2/item/556 Alternatively, pdf requests can be sent to <mailto:atonay@istanbul.edu.tr> atonay(a)istanbul.edu.tr Öztürk, A.A., Dede, A., Tonay, A.M., Danyer, E., Danyer, A.I, Özbek, Ö.E., Ercan, D., Öztürk, B. 2016. The first record of True's beaked whale, Mesoplodon mirus, from the Mediterranean coast of Turkey during multiple strandings in June 2016. Journal of Black Sea/Mediterranean Environment. 22(2): 194-199. Abstract Three strandings of beaked whales (Ziphiidae) were observed and reported along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey in June 2016. The first specimen (male, body length: 526 cm) was live stranding in Gökova Gulf on 3 June. The second specimen (male, body length: 510 cm) found stranded on Seferihisar on the Aegean Sea coast on 5 June. The third specimen (male, body length: 472+cm) was found on Yakacık, Gazipaşa on 20 June. They all had two teeth exposed at the tip of the lower jaw. The mouth line and the slender shape of the body are distinct from the Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris, which is a common species in the Mediterranean. The preliminary identification of the species based on the external morphology is True's beaked whale, Mesoplodon mirus True, 1913 which is the new record for the Mediterranean Sea, at least for the first two specimens. The genetic information, however, is strongly needed for the confirmation of this species identification. The reason for these strandings was not prominent but the military activities which took place in the eastern Mediterranean-Aegean region may have some relations. Regards Arda Arda M. TONAY Ph.D Faculty of Fisheries, İstanbul University Marine Biology Dep. Ordu Cad. No:200 Laleli, 34480 İstanbul, Turkey Tel: +90 212 455 5700/16459 Fax: +90 212 514 0379 atonay(a)istanbul.edu.tr http://suurunleri.istanbul.edu.tr/ Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) P.O. Box 10 Beykoz, İstanbul, Turkey Tel: +90 216 424 0772 Fax: +90 216 424 0771

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National Whale & Dolphin Watch starts tomorrow & we need your help!
by Kathy James 22 Jul '16

22 Jul '16

Hello folks, Our flagship event, the National Whale & Dolphin Watch starts tomorrow and goes right through until the end of July. We'd be really grateful to have as many eyes on the seas of the UK as possible! Take part from the land or at sea. You can help by reporting your sightings here: http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/sightingsform/. Or even better, you can put on a dedicated watch of an hour or more and collect some simple data along the way. Here's more info on how to take part http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2016/ or please write back to me and I'll be happy to explain. Thanks for your help, Kathy James Sightings Officer Take part in the National Whale & Dolphin Watch 2016, 23rd-31st July. <http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2016/> Click here to find out how! Sea Watch Foundation Paragon House Wellington Place New Quay Ceredigion SA45 9NR Tel: 01545 561227 (Tues, Weds, Thurs) 01970 623906 (Mon & Fri only) <http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/> www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk <https://www.facebook.com/seawatchfoundation/C:/Users/Sea%20Watch%20Foundati on/Documents/ADMIN%20MISC> facebook <https://twitter.com/SeaWatchersUK> twitter

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New publication: Assessing auditory evoked potentials of wild harbor porpoises
by van Neer, Abbo 22 Jul '16

22 Jul '16

Dear all, we’re pleased to announce our new paper: Ruser, A., Dähne, M., van Neer, A., Lucke, K., Sundermeyer, J., Siebert, U., Houser, D. S., Finneran, J. J., Everaarts, E., Meerbeek, J., Dietz, R., Sveegaard, S., & Teilmann, J. (2016). Assessing auditory evoked potentials of wild harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 140 (1), 442–452. doi:10.1121/1.4955306 Abstract: Testing the hearing abilities of marine mammals under water is a challenging task. Sample sizes are usually low, thus limiting the ability to generalize findings of susceptibility towards noise influences. A method to measure harbor porpoise hearing thresholds in situ in outdoor conditions using auditory steady state responses of the brainstem was developed and tested. The method was used on 15 live-stranded animals from the North Sea during rehabilitation, shortly before release into the wild, and on 12 wild animals incidentally caught in pound nets in Denmark (inner Danish waters). Results indicated that although the variability between individuals is wide, the shape of the hearing curve is generally similar to previously published results from behavioral trials. Using 10-kHz frequency intervals between 10 and 160 kHz, best hearing was found between 120 and 130 kHz. Additional testing using one-third octave frequency intervals (from 16 to 160 kHz) allowed for a much faster hearing assessment, but eliminated the fine scale threshold characteristics. For further investigations, the method will be used to better understand the factors influencing sensitivity differences across individuals and to establish population-level parameters describing hearing abilities of harbor porpoises. The PDF can be downloaded under the following link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1121/1.4955306 If you have any questions regarding the publication or if you are unable to download the article, please send an email to: andreas.ruser(a)tiho-hannover.de<mailto:andreas.ruser@tiho-hannover.de> Best Abbo van Neer ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Abbo van Neer University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) Werftstr. 6 25761 Büsum Germany ☏ +49 5 11 - 8 56 - 81 62 Fax: +49 5 11 - 8 56 - 81 81 abbo.van.neer(a)tiho-hannover.de<mailto:abbo.van.neer@tiho-hannover.de> http://www.tiho-hannover.de/kliniken-institute/institute/institut-fuer-terr… SAVE FORESTS - Please do not print this e-mail unless absolutely necessary

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(correction) New publication: Tracking the kinematics of caudal-oscillatory swimming: a comparison of two on-animal sensing methods (Lucía Martín López)
by luciamartina 21 Jul '16

21 Jul '16

Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce a new publication that describes and compares in detail two on-animal sensing methods sensors that can track biomechanical swimming parameters including changes in gait during cetacean diving, enabling studies of swimming energetics in wild animals. Martı́n López, L. M., Aguilar de Soto, N., Miller, P. and Johnson, M. (2016). Tracking the kinematics of caudal-oscillatory swimming: a comparison of two on-animal sensing methods. J. Exp. Biol. 219, 12103-2109. *Abstract* Studies of locomotion kinematics require high-resolution information about body movements and the specific acceleration (SA) that these generate. On-animal accelerometers measure both orientation and SA but an additional orientation sensor is needed to accurately separate these. Although gyroscopes can perform this function, their power consumption, drift and complex data processing make them unattractive for biologging. Lower power magnetometers can also be used with some limitations. Here, we present an integrated and simplified method for estimating body rotations and SA applicable to both gyroscopes and magnetometers, enabling a direct comparison of these two sensors.We use a tag with both sensors to demonstrate how caudal-oscillation rate and SA are adjusted by a diving whale in response to rapidly changing buoyancy forces as the lungs compress while descending. The two sensors gave similar estimates of the dynamic forces, demonstrating that magnetometers may offer a simpler low-power alternative for miniature tags in some applications. The article can be found at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.136242 If you do not have access to the journal, please contact me for a PDF at: lmml2(a)st-andrews.ac.uk Kind regards, Lucía Martina Martín López and co-authors. -- Lucía Martina Martín López, PhD student Sea Mammal Research Unit Scottish Oceans Institute University of St Andrews KY16 8LB, Fife Scotland, UK lmml2(a)st-andrews.ac.uk http://soundtags.st-andrews.ac.uk/people/lucia-martin-lopez/

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New paper reviewing conservation of large whales (2017 Revelle Lecture publication)
by Phillip Clapham - NOAA Federal 21 Jul '16

21 Jul '16

The following was just published online and is available for free download: Clapham, P. 2016. Managing Leviathan: Conservation challenges for the great whales in a post-whaling world. National Academy of Sciences Revelle Lecture Series. Oceanography http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/ oceanog.2016.70. http://tos.org/oceanography/article/managing-leviathan-conservation-challen… ABSTRACT Perhaps no group of animals has come to better symbolize human misuse of the global environment than the great whales. Almost three million whales were killed by whaling in the 20th century alone, with some populations estimated to have been reduced by 99% of their pristine abundance. Attempts to promote regulated, sustainable whaling by international agreement, notably through the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (1946), were almost immediately derailed by over-capitalization and profit-based self-interest. The major whaling nations used uncertainties in abundance estimates to ignore increasing evidence of population declines, and consistently exploited procedural flaws in the Convention to obstruct either the passage of rules designed to enact conservation measures, or proposals for independent inspection of the industry. This major failure of regulatory efforts was exacerbated by secret, large-scale illegal whaling by the former USSR and Japan that remained undisclosed for decades. Today, the status of the great whales varies widely: some species or populations are recovering strongly from exploitation, while a few others remain critically endangered. Although some whaling continues, the scale is greatly reduced from that of the 20th century, and in this largely post-whaling world other threats to whales are more significant. These include well-documented problems such as ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, as well as issues for which population-level impacts are unclear (ocean noise) or largely unknown. The removal by whaling of so many whales likely had significant impacts on the ecosystems in which they played a major role as consumers and, through their transport and recycling of nutrients, in the enhancement of primary productivity. As populations recover, the effect of their reintegration into the marine environment represents a fascinating issue in ecosystem dynamics. Overall (and with some notable exceptions) whale populations will likely continue to recover; however, this generally optimistic outlook is clouded by the potential for large-scale oceanic ecosystem changes precipitated by global warming. -- Phillip J. Clapham, Ph.D. Leader, Cetacean Assessment and Ecology Program National Marine Mammal Laboratory Alaska Fisheries Science Center 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115, USA Associate Editor, *Royal Society Open Science* http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/ tel 206 526 4037 fax 206 526 6615 email phillip.clapham(a)noaa.gov

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Employment announcement (Rescue Program Director)
by Kim Durham 21 Jul '16

21 Jul '16

Attn: Marmam Community, The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation (RFMRP) is announcing a job opening for an experienced Rescue Program Director. The RFMRP is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to protect our marine environment through education, rehabilitation, and research. The RFMRP is a member of the Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network and is located within the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead, New York. Duties: * Provide liaison between veterinarian staff and animal care/husbandry staff * Provide clinical management as prescribed by RFMRP veterinary staff * Oversee all aspects of health assessments and medical procedures as directed by veterinary staff including, but not limited to, performing physical examination and conducting blood draws, and administering IV fluids and medication to pinnipeds, sea turtles, and cetaceans * Respond to calls reporting stranded marine mammals and sea turtles and provide education to the public via "Hotline" coverage. * Prepare, organize, manage and provide training programs for volunteer staff * Manage all maintenance of data records and databases * Oversee maintenance programs for all medical and water quality equipment * Provide liaison with the Regional and National Stranding Networks, interact with state (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation) and local municipalities in all matters relating to the operation of the Stranding Investigations Program * Provide liaison to Riverhead Foundation's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). * Provide support to educational outreach programs and assist with the instruction of local university marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation class. * Assist with and/or perform post mortem examinations inclusive of field necropsies of marine mammals and sea turtles. * Manage and provide response, husbandry and medical care for pinniped, cetacean and sea turtle species recovered by the RFMRP's Rescue and Rehabilitation Program * Provide assistance with grant writing, final and departmental report publications. * Assist with production and publication of data originating from the Stranding Investigations Program via professional meetings. Qualifications: * Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in Biology, Marine Science or related field. * Advanced degree preferred. * Demonstrated management experience. * Minimum of 10 years experience in marine mammal and sea turtle stranding, species identification or other related marine mammal and sea turtle activities. * Minimum of 10 years of animal triage and husbandry of marine mammal and sea turtle species. * Certification in Veterinary Technology required * A valid driver's license with a clean driving record. * Experience driving large trucks * Strong written and verbal communication skills. * Strong leadership skills in routine and emergency situations. * Strong organizational and time management skills. * Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, GIS and Access software. * Working knowledge of life support systems and equipment used within aquariums (pumps, filtration units, ozone generators) Typical Physical Demands: Candidate will engage in moderate to a high level of physical activity daily (i.e., performing husbandry duties). Position will require work within extreme weather conditions for long hours, sometimes overnight. Candidates should be able to lift 50 pounds and otherwise be is good physical condition. About the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation (RFMRP) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to protect our marine environment through education, rehabilitation, and research. The RFMRP is a member of the Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network and is located within the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead, New York. The RFMRP is dedicated to the response, rehabilitation and release of pinnipeds, sea turtles and cetacean species. The rehabilitation facility is the largest pinniped rehabilitation facility and the only long-term cetacean rehabilitation facility within Northeastern United States. The RFMRP's Rescue and Rehabilitation Program responds to approximately 250 stranded marine mammals and sea turtles annually. The RFMRP's Aquatic Animal Health and Conservation Program is dedicated to providing educational outreach programs to the public to further conservation and promote environmental stewardship of the coastal and marine environment. To Apply: Please send your cover letter and resume to careers(a)riverheadfoundation.org<mailto:careers@riverheadfoundation.org> Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Kimberly Durham Rescue Program Director Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation 467 East Main Street Riverhead, New York 11901 Phone: (631)369-9840 Fax: (631)369-9826 www.riverheadfoundation.org<http://www.riverheadfoundation.org> [Blue Green Logo 300 DPI]

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Re: [MARMAM] New publication: Tracking the kinematics of caudal-oscillatory swimming: a comparison of two on-animal sensing methods (Lucía Martín López)
by luciamartina 21 Jul '16

21 Jul '16

Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce a new publication in describe and compare in detail two on-animal sensing methods sensors that can track biomechanical swimming parameters including changes in gait during cetacean diving, enabling studies of swimming energetics in wild animals. Martı́n López, L. M., Aguilar de Soto, N., Miller, P. and Johnson, M. (2016). Tracking the kinematics of caudal-oscillatory swimming: a comparison of two on-animal sensing methods. J. Exp. Biol. 219, 12103-2109. *Abstract* Studies of locomotion kinematics require high-resolution information about body movements and the specific acceleration (SA) that these generate. On-animal accelerometers measure both orientation and SA but an additional orientation sensor is needed to accurately separate these. Although gyroscopes can perform this function, their power consumption, drift and complex data processing make them unattractive for biologging. Lower power magnetometers can also be used with some limitations. Here, we present an integrated and simplified method for estimating body rotations and SA applicable to both gyroscopes and magnetometers, enabling a direct comparison of these two sensors.We use a tag with both sensors to demonstrate how caudal-oscillation rate and SA are adjusted by a diving whale in response to rapidly changing buoyancy forces as the lungs compress while descending. The two sensors gave similar estimates of the dynamic forces, demonstrating that magnetometers may offer a simpler low-power alternative for miniature tags in some applications. The article can be found at: http://jeb.biologists.org/content/219/14/2103 If you do not have access to the journal, please contact me for a PDF at: lmml2(a)st-andrews.ac.uk Kind regards, Lucía Martina Martín López and co-authors. -- Lucía Martina Martín López, PhD student Sea Mammal Research Unit Scottish Oceans Institute University of St Andrews KY16 8LB, Fife Scotland, UK lmml2(a)st-andrews.ac.uk http://soundtags.st-andrews.ac.uk/people/lucia-martin-lopez/

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