January 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: Whistle Stability and Variation in Captive Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) Recorded in Isolation and Social Contexts
by Patrícia Rachinas Lopes 13 Jan '17

13 Jan '17

Dear all, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following article: Rachinas-Lopes, P., Luís, A. R., Borges, A. S., Neto, M. & dos Santos, M. E. (2017). Whistle Stability and Variation in Captive Bottlenose Dolphins ( *Tursiops* *truncatus) *Recorded in Isolation and Social Contexts. *Aquatic Mammals* 43(1): 1-13. doi:10.1578/AM.43.1.2017.1 Abstract: Common bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus) *produce a range of underwater vocalizations, both pulsed (echolocation clicks and burst-pulses) and nonpulsed (whistles). Whistles may be emit- ted in stereotyped (signature) or variant patterns, and their production might be affected by sex, age, environmental, and social contexts. This study examined, non-intrusively, the whistle emissions of six captive bottlenose dolphins at Zoomarine in Algarve, Portugal, in two separate time sets and three different contexts: two of the animals in isolation in 2008, and all six in 2012, both segregated from their group and in social context. From a total of 1,681 whistles, 1,249 were analyzed from 32 samples in different contexts: seven samples in isolation in 2008, 18 in segregation in 2012, and seven in social context. Through visual inspection of spectrograms, whistles were classified into 12 different contour categories. Only one category was found in both time sets and could be considered a signature whistle by SIGID criteria (Janik et al., 2013). This contour was associated with the same animal in 2008 and 2012. Whistle emission rates were 7.8 times higher in isolation as compared with social context, and significant differences were also found in the end and maxi- mum frequencies as well as number of inflections and loops. Multiloop whistles were more common in isolation than in social contexts. The variant (nonstereotyped) contours dominated the whistle production in segregated contexts (but not by isolated animals) as well as in social contexts. This study highlights the importance of examining the nonstereotyped portion of the bottlenose dolphin’s whistle repertoire in different contexts as signature whistle production may not be a constant or universal phenomenon. You can access the article here: http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=arti… Or send any requests directly to plopes(a)ispa.pt Best regards, Patrícia Rachinas-Lopes *~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * *Ph.D. Student* MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre ISPA - Instituto Universitário Rua Jardim do Tabaco, 34 1149-041 Lisboa Portugal

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Seeking Grad Student with Interest in Foraging Ecology & GIS
by fsharpe＠alaskawhalefoundation.org 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

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Tenure Track Assistant/Associate Prof. Evolutionary Ecology of Marine Animals (216355) at GELIFES (University of Groningen, The Netherlands)
by Per Palsboll 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

Dear Fellow Marine mammologists, I’d like to draw your attention to the vacant professorship at University of Groningen in the evolutionary ecology of marine animals The link to the advert is here: http://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/job-opportunities/overview?details=… The deadline is January 29th Cheers Per -- Per J. Palsbøll Marine Evolution and Conservation Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen Visiting address: Nijenborgh 7 (room 3.21) 9747 AG Groningen The Netherlands Office phone: +31 50 363 9882 Mobile +31 64 870 3295 Mail address: PO Box 11103 9700 CC Groningen The Netherlands -- "How wonderful that we have met with a paradox. Now we have some hope of making progress.” As quoted in "Niels Bohr : The Man, His Science, & the World They Changed" (1966) by Ruth Moore, p. 196 --

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Blue whale internships in Sri Lanka
by Asha de Vos 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

The Sri Lankan Blue Whale Project is looking for qualified students to fill our upcoming internship positions. Interns will assist with field work on blue whales, education programme development, social media and outreach. See below for the complete details. The Sri Lankan Blue Whale Project is the first long term research project on blue whales of the Northern Indian Ocean. The research and conservation work conducted through this project has been featured on BBC, The New York Times, TED, National Geographic, CNN, GOOD and New Scientist. FIELDWORK: The volunteer position entails assisting during field surveys and analysis of photo-identification (photo-id). The successful applicant will gain valuable experience in conducting marine mammal field research, identifying individuals based on dorsal fin and fluke characteristics, and the use of databases for archiving field data. Field work is physically and at times mentally demanding but it is a great opportunity to gain knowledge in visual cetacean surveying, to get hands-on field experience in relation to survey techniques, photo-id, behavioural observations, and improve practical skills. Assistants need to be available full-time including weekends and be prepared to work long hours with early starts. RESPONSIBILITIES: . Assisting with; boat-based photo-id surveys from a small vessel and collecting video based behavioural data. . Analysis of photo-id and behavioural video data in the lab; including assistance with photo sorting, grading, and matching of photos, maintenance of a long-term photo-id catalogue, identifying behavioural events on video, and data entry. Research assistants should be prepared to work long days in the office analysing of photographs and matching them with the photo-identification catalogue. PREREQUISITES: . Be reliable, adaptable, hardworking and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent . Have a mature and independent attitude towards marine mammal research . Speak fluent English . Be sociable, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude . Strong interest in the marine environment and conservation . Participants must be able to swim and should be comfortable working on small boats QUALIFICATIONS: The internship is open to students who are currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from an accredited college or university. Preference will be given to students or recent graduates working towards biology, environmental studies, zoology, ecology, marine science, conservation, education, or other related fields. Basic computer proficiency in MS Office Strong and innovative science communication skills are an added bonus. Intern should demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. Students that are adaptable, responsible, hardworking, willing to learn, and have attention to detail are encouraged to apply. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. Interns should be available for the entire field season from 1st February -28 February 2017. Preferred qualifications but not required: . Prior experience working on small vessels . Field research including photo-id experience . Previous experience in survey techniques and especially in marine mammal research . First AID/CPR certification As this is a volunteer position, there is unfortunately no monetary compensation (a small donation will be sought from non-Sri Lankan students), interns must cover their own transportation expenses to the field site (including flights and visas) in Weligama, Sri Lanka. Basic housing and food will be provided. To Apply- Send your resume, cover letter, and one letter of reference to Asha de Vos at whalessrilanka(a)gmail.com. Applications must be received by January 23rd for decisions to be made by the 25t in anticipation of the 1st February start date. Thank you, Asha de Vos -- ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> Asha de Vos Ph.D. Senior Advisor <http://oceana.org/press-center/press-releases/renowned-marine-biologist-ash…>, Oceana Pew Fellow <http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/marine-fellows/fellows-directory/2016/…> in Marine Conservation National Geographic <http://nationalgeographic.org/projects/explorers-week/asha-de-vos/> Emerging Explorer TED <https://www.ted.com/speakers/asha_de_vos> Fellow WEF Young Global Leader Founder, The Sri Lankan Blue Whale Project http://ashadevos.com <http://ashadevos.com/>

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Last call for applicants - Education & Awareness Assistant + Research Interns for bottlenose dolphin monitoring project in Cardigan Bay, UK with Sea Watch Foundation
by Kathy James 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

We're looking for an Education & Outreach Assistant to help us inspire people about cetacean conservation in summer 2017. We're also looking for a team of Research Interns to help run our Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project and to assist with the national cetacean sightings network. The deadline for both applications is midnight on 15th January 2017. For more details, please visit http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/internships/. We look forward to hearing from you! Kathy James Sightings Officer For correspondence between November and April: Aberystwyth Business Hub 21 Bridge Street Aberystwyth Ceredigion SY23 1PZ Tel: 01970 623906 (please bear in mind I will be working in an office shared with other organisations and that you should ask for me by name) www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk <https://www.facebook.com/seawatchfoundation/C:/Users/Sea%20Watch%20Foundati on/Documents/ADMIN%20MISC> facebook <https://twitter.com/SeaWatchersUK> twitter Ever shop online? Sign up for <https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/seawatch/> Easy Fundraising and raise money for the Sea Watch Foundation while you shop at no cost to you! All your donations directly support our research!

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New paper on ambient sound and marine mammals in the Southern Ocean
by Menze Sebastian 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and me are pleased to announce that our paper on ambient sound in the Southern Ocean has been published online (open access): The influence of sea ice, wind speed and marine mammals on Southern Ocean ambient sound Sebastian Menze, Daniel P. Zitterbart, Ilse van Opzeeland, Olaf Boebel R. Soc. open sci. 2017 4 160370; DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160370. Published 11 January 2017 Abstract: This paper describes the natural variability of ambient sound in the Southern Ocean, an acoustically pristine marine mammal habitat. Over a 3-year period, two autonomous recorders were moored along the Greenwich meridian to collect underwater passive acoustic data. Ambient sound levels were strongly affected by the annual variation of the sea-ice cover, which decouples local wind speed and sound levels during austral winter. With increasing sea-ice concentration, area and thickness, sound levels decreased while the contribution of distant sources increased. Marine mammal sounds formed a substantial part of the overall acoustic environment, comprising calls produced by Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) and leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx). The combined sound energy of a group or population vocalizing during extended periods contributed species-specific peaks to the ambient sound spectra. The temporal and spatial variation in the contribution of marine mammals to ambient sound suggests annual patterns in migration and behaviour. The Antarctic blue and fin whale contributions were loudest in austral autumn, whereas the Antarctic minke whale contribution was loudest during austral winter and repeatedly showed a diel pattern that coincided with the diel vertical migration of zooplankton. Available online at: http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/4/1/160370 Feel free to contact me for questions at: sebastian.menze(a)imr.no This study has been conducted by the ocean acoustic group of the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz centre for polar and marine research. Find more information about us at: http://www.awi.de/en/science/climate-sciences/physical-oceanography/main-re… Best regards, Sebastian Menze Stipendiat / PhD fellow Havforskningsinstituttet / Insituite of Marine Research Nordnesgaten 33, Bergen, Norway Phone: +47 45 61 7070

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New publication on a Weddell seal killing a Gentoo penguin at the Antarctic Peninsula
by Annette Bombosch 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

Dear All, we are pleased to announce the publication of the following short note in Polar Biology: Bombosch, A. & Solovyev, B. 2017. “Weddell seal (/Leptonychotes weddellii)/ killing Gentoo Penguin (/Pygoscelis papua/) at Neko Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula”. Polar Biology. Doi:10.1007/s00300-016-2070-3 _Abstract: _ Weddell seals (/Leptonychotes weddellii/) typically prey on fish, cephalopods, and invertebrates. While other seal species also include penguins as part of their regular diet, such as leopard seals, this behavior seems unusual for Weddell seals. Here, we describe an opportunistic observation of a Weddell seal attacking and killing a Gentoo Penguin (/Pygoscelis papua/) at Neko Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula. This behavior has rarely been observed and published. Yet, we collected several additional anecdotal observations from various regions around Antarctica, indicating that this behavior might be more common than previously assumed, challenging our current understanding of Weddell seal foraging ecology. The note is available online here: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00300-016-2070-3 Kind Regards Annette Bombosch --------- Dr. Annette Bombosch annette.bombosch(a)gmail.com

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SMM Workshop Proponents Reminder
by Lawson, Jack 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

I would like to post the following announcement for those wishing to organize workshops for the upcoming SMM Biennial Marine Mammal Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in October 2017: SMM 2017 Workshop Application Information The Society will be hosting two days of workshops immediately following the biennial conference, on Saturday and Sunday 28-29 October, 2017. Around 28 workshops will be held at the Scotia Bank Centre, the official conference venue, unless otherwise stated. The number of rooms available is limited (with sizes to accommodate 35-150 participants - there are fewer larger rooms). If you wish to propose/host a workshop see the FAQ and fill out the proposal form at https://www.xcdsystem.com/smm/abstract/index.cfm?ID=MtO03hP This form will ask you to provide a title, a summary of the workshop theme and relevance, estimated number of attendees, contact information for the proponent etc. Except in cases where unusual audiovisual equipment is requested, the full costs of these workshops will be covered by the registration fees paid by workshop attendees. Please complete the online submission form by 29 March 2017! Immediately after that date members of the SMM Committee will review and rank the submissions; proponents of the top-ranked 28 submissions will be notified of acceptance and given further instructions. If you have questions, send a message with the subject line “Workshop submission SMM 2017 question”to: Dr. Jack Lawson, Lead, Scientific Workshop Committee Marine Mammals Section, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, 80 E. White Hills Rd St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada A1C 5X1 jack(a)marinemammalscience.org<mailto:jack@marinemammalscience.org> I hope to see many of you in Halifax in 2017!

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New publication on swim encounters with Norwegian killer whales (Orcinus orca)
by Chantal Denise Pagel 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

Dear MARMAM community, my co-authors and I are pleased to announce that the following paper has been published online: *Swim encounters with killer whales (Orcinus orca) off Northern Norway: interactive behaviours directed towards human divers and snorkellers obtained from opportunistic underwater video recordings* Chantal D. Pagel, Michael Scheer and Michael Lück Journal of Ecotourism 2016; DOI: 10.1080 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14724049.2016.1273939 *Abstract* Encounters of humans with wild animals should be investigated before commercial operations will be established. This study describes interactive behaviours of wild and unhabituated Norwegian killer whales (*Orcinus orca*) during close encounters with video-filming human divers and snorkellers. Swimmers followed a code-of-conduct to minimise disturbance. Interactive behaviours initiated by cetaceans and shown in close proximity to human swimmers can be described using an ethogram. Such a behavioural catalogue provides baseline data for managing in-water encounters. This study uses opportunistic underwater video recordings. Videos were scanned for interactive behaviours and their relative occurrence was measured. In total, eight interactive behaviours were found that are considered to be exclusively affiliative in nature. The most frequent behaviours were ‘calling’ [*M* = 0.74] and ‘eye contact’ [*M* = 0.67]. No aggressive behaviours were found. The present results facilitate the first description of interspecific killer whale behaviours occurring during in-water encounters with snorkellers and divers which is essential to manage interactions properly in the future. If you have further questions or would like to receive a copy of the PDF, please do not hesitate to get in touch: chantaldenisepagel(a)gmail.com Kind regards, Chantal D. Pagel -- *Chantal Denise Pagel* Conservation Biologist(M.Sc./M.I.N.C.) Georg-August-University, Goettingen, Germany Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand

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Tenure Track Assistant/Associate Prof. Evolutionary Ecology of Marine Animals (216355) at GELIFES (University of Groningen, The Netherlands)
by Per Palsbøll : Marine Evolution and Conservation : GELIFES - University of Groningen : 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

Dear Fellow Marine mammologists, I’d like to draw your attention to the vacant professorship at University of Groningen in the evolutionary ecology of marine animals The link to the advert is here: http://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/job-opportunities/overview?details=… The deadline is January 29th Cheers Per -- Per J. Palsbøll Marine Evolution and Conservation Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen Visiting address: Nijenborgh 7 (room 3.21) 9747 AG Groningen The Netherlands Office phone: +31 50 363 9882 Mobile +31 64 870 3295 Mail address: PO Box 11103 9700 CC Groningen The Netherlands -- "How wonderful that we have met with a paradox. Now we have some hope of making progress.” As quoted in "Niels Bohr : The Man, His Science, & the World They Changed" (1966) by Ruth Moore, p. 196 --

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