August 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication on shark bite injuries on Australian dolphins
by Felix Smith 22 Aug '17

22 Aug '17

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our paper: Shark bite injuries on three inshore dolphin species in tropical northwestern Australia. Felix Smith, Simon, J. Allen, Lars Bejder and Alexander M. Brown. 2017. Marine Mammal Science, doi: 10.1111/mms.12435. Abstract: Predation risk has a profound influence on the behavior of marine mammals, affecting grouping patterns and habitat use. Dolphins frequently bear evidence of shark bites, which can provide an indirect measure of predation pressure. Using photo-identification data, we investigated the prevalence of shark bites on three sympatric species of inshore dolphin, the Australian snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni), Australian humpback (Sousa sahulensis), and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), among four study sites in northwestern Australia. Bite prevalence varied markedly between species, with 72% of snubfin, 46% of humpback, and 18% of bottlenose dolphins exhibiting evidence of shark bites. Binomial logistic regression confirmed a high likelihood of bite presence on snubfin dolphins, and at one particular site for snubfin and bottlenose dolphins. The prevalence of tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) bites on snubfin dolphins was high, and bites attributed to other carcharhinid sharks were observed on all species. While acknowledging methodological differences with other studies, the prevalence of shark bites on snubfin dolphins is among the highest reported for any dolphins, suggesting predation risk represents an important but varying influence thereon. This study provides a baseline for future investigations into the affect of predation risk on the behavioral ecology of these sympatric species. The paper may be found here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12435/full <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12435/full> or by emailing felixsmith(a)gmail.com <mailto:felixsmith@gmail.com>. Regards, Felix Smith — Felix Smith MSci Marine Biology felixsmith(a)gmail.com (+44) 7825164498

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New Publication: Sexual dimorphism in long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis)
by Sibusisiwe Tele (Ngqulana) 21 Aug '17

21 Aug '17

Dear All, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the recent publication of the following article in the Journal of Mammalogy: *Sexual dimorphism in long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa* Sibusisiwe G Ngqulana, G. J. Greg Hofmeyr, Stephanie Plön doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyx086 Abstract We examined external morphometric parameters in incidentally caught long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) from the east coast of South Africa for evidence of sexual dimorphism. We evaluated sexual dimorphism and allometric growth in 26 external body measurements from 211 individuals and assessed size and shape dimorphism. Most characteristics analyzed showed a negative allometric relationship to total body length for both males and females. Twenty-one measurements showed significant differences between the sexes. Among these were the 3 girth measurements, the length of the dorsal fin base, the distance between the tip of the upper jaw to the midpoint of the umbilicus, and the distance between the tip of the upper jaw to the center of the anus. Fourteen of the 26 characteristics analyzed showed significant differences in body shape between the sexes. Our results indicated that moderate sexual dimorphism is present in long-beaked common dolphins from this region, with males being both significantly longer and more robust than females. Sexual dimorphism in this species may be related to their mating or foraging strategies. For any questions, please feel free to contact me at ngqulanas(a)gmail.com Kind Regards, Sibusisiwe Tele (Ngqulana) Department of Zoology Nelson Mandela University South Campus PO Box 77000 Port Elizabeth 6031 South Africa Phone +27 41 5042 710 Fax +27 41 5042317 Cell no.: +27 79 8271160

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PhD Opportunity in Humpback Whale Feeding Ecology
by Susan Bengtson Nash 21 Aug '17

21 Aug '17

Dear MARMAM readers, The Southern Ocean Persistent Pollutants Program (SOPOPP) at Griffith University's Environmental Futures Research Institute, is currently seeking a highly motivated PhD student to study the feeding ecology of southern hemisphere humpback whales. The project will make use of long-term data sets and new data to be collected during the project, including bulk stable isotope data, lipid and fatty acid profiles. This project is part of the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS)-endorsed project which employs southern hemisphere humpback whales as sentinels of the Antarctic sea-ice ecosystem, in an effort to improve understanding of biological interactions and the scientific basis for ecosystem management. The successful applicant will need to secure an Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship /Griffith University Postgraduate Scholarship. Scholarship applications close *3rd October, 2017* for an early 2018 start. Scholarships are merit based and applicants will need to demonstrate that they hold a 1st class honours or equivalent, or have been leading author on at least one peer-reviewed journal article. *Application Details:* Interested applicants should send an expression of interest to Associate Professor Susan Bengtson Nash (s.bengtsonnash(a)griffith.edu.au) no later than * 11th September*. -- *Associate Professor Susan Bengtson Nash* Program Director *Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program (SOPOPP)* Environmental Futures Research Institute (EFRI), Griffith University, Nathan Campus. 170 Kessels Road, Nathan QLD 4111 Australia. *Email*: s.bengtsonnash(a)griffith.edu.au *Phone*: +61 (0)7 3735 5062 *Mobile*: +61 (0)437 888 711 *Twitter: *@Antarctica_POPs; *Skype:* s.bengtsonnash; *Website*: http://www.griffith.edu.au/environment-planning-architecture/southern-ocean…

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Online PSO / MMO Training - Get certified any time from anywhere!
by PSO Training 21 Aug '17

21 Aug '17

Become a Protected Species Observer/Marine Mammal Observer through PSOeTraining, the first U.S. regulatory-compliant online PSO/MMO training course. The course is offered for $395 and consists of 12 graded lessons, a practical species identification quiz designed to simulate real in-field detection events, and a comprehensive final exam. The training program is entirely student-driven, so there are no set course dates that you must be available to attend-it can be completed anywhere you have internet access, at any time, at your own pace! The course was created by instructors whom are accepted trainers by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), in collaboration with experienced PSOs, degreed biologists, educators, and industry professionals. Successful completion of the program results in a professional certification that distinguishes you as a PSO. Whether you are looking to work in the field as a PSO, to expand your knowledge of protected species regulations, marine environmental issues, and/or geological and geophysical regulations, or enhance your skillset, this course has something to offer you! Register today at PSOeTraining.com<http://psoetraining.com/register.aspx>! RPS Group has been the leading provider for PSO services in the Gulf of Mexico for over a decade and we are proud to present this high-quality, convenient, and effective online certification program. Doctors, engineers, pilots, and other professionals complete certification and/or degree programs that are available online, and now PSOs join the ranks of those benefiting from online learning! Our intensive e-training program will engage and instruct you with informative videos, interactive quizzes, and stimulating content. The combination of a fun, interesting program and self-paced learning has been proven to facilitate learning and increase retention of the material-leading to better, more qualified PSOs! Learn more at PSOeTraining.com<http://psoetraining.com/coursedetail.aspx>! This e-mail message and any attached file is the property of the sender and is sent in confidence to the addressee only. Internet communications are not secure and RPS is not responsible for their abuse by third parties, any alteration or corruption in transmission or for any loss or damage caused by a virus or by other means. Any advice contained in this e-mail is for information purposes only. RPS Group Plc, company number: 208 7786 (England). Registered office: 20 Western Avenue Milton Park Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 4SH. RPS Group Plc web link: <http://www.rpsgroup.com>

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New article: Juvenile southern elephant seals from Marion Island consume krill: a stable isotope investigation using whisker regrowths
by Nico Lubcker 21 Aug '17

21 Aug '17

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I would like to share with you our work recently published in Marine Ecology Progress Series: Lübcker N, Reisinger RR, Oosthuizen WC, de Bruyn PJN, van Tonder A, Pistorius PA, Bester MN. 2017. Low trophic level diet of juvenile southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina from Marion Island: a stable isotope investigation using vibrissal regrowths. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 577: 237250. Article available at https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12240. ABSTRACT: Insight into the trophic ecology of marine predators is vital for understanding their ecosystem role and predicting their responses to environmental change. Juvenile southern elephant seals (SES) Mirounga leonina are considered generalist predators within the Southern Ocean. Although mesopelagic fish and squid dominate their stomach lavage samples, the stable isotope profile captured along the length of sampled vibrissae of young SES at Macquarie Island, southwest Pacific Ocean (54.5° S, 158.9° E) recently emphasized the contribution of crustaceans to their diet (likely Euphausia superba). Herein, we used the stable isotope values of sampled vibrissal regrowths with known growth histories to assess the diet of juvenile SES at Marion Island, southern Indian Ocean (46.8° S, 37.8° E) on a temporally integrated basis. We specifically aimed to quantify the possible contribution of crustaceans to the diet of juvenile SES. Sequentially (chronologically) sampled vibrissal regrowths of 14 juvenile SES produced fine-scale dietary information spanning up to 9 mo. The depleted stable isotope signatures of nitrogen (d15N) (8.5 ± 0.6) and carbon (d13C) (-20.3 ± 0.1) measured during the period of independent foraging suggested the use of a lower trophic level diet within the Polar Frontal Zone. A mixing model predicted that up to 76% of juvenile SES diet comprised crustaceans, consisting of 2 crustacean groups, each contributing 26% (credible interval, CI: 13 - 39%) and 50% (CI: 35 - 64%) to their diets, presumably representing subantarctic krill species. This first utilisation of the isotopic signature captured along the length of vibrissal regrowths confirms the inclusion and importance of crustaceans in the diet of juvenile SES. See (https://www.researchgate.net/project/Low-trophic-level-diet-of-juvenile-sou…) for more information regarding this project, or (http://www.marionseals.com/) for more information regarding our research group. Sincerely, Nico Lubcker PhD. Zoology Candidate Mammal Research Institute Old Botany Building Room 1.16.5 Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Pretoria Hatfield South Africa 0028 Cell: + 27 72 0370130 ---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: New article: Vibrissal growth parameters of southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina From: "Nico Lubcker" <nlubcker(a)zoology.up.ac.za> Date: Thu, January 5, 2017 09:35 To: "marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca" <marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca> -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I would like to share with you our work recently published in Marine Ecology Progress Series: Lübcker N, Condit R, Beltran RS, de Bruyn PJN, Bester MN. 2016. Vibrissal growth parameters of southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina: obtaining fine-scale, time-based stable isotope data. Marine Ecology Progress Series 559: 243-255. doi: 10.3354/meps11899. Article available at http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v559/p243-255/ ABSTRACT: Stable isotopes provide a powerful, indirect approach to assess the trophic ecology of individuals on a spatial and temporally integrated basis (especially when combined with telemetry). However, using stable isotopes requires accurate, species-specific quantification of the period of biomolecule deposition in the sampled tissue. Sequentially sampled vibrissae (whiskers) provide a chronology of biogeochemical data, although knowledge of vibrissal growth is required for temporal interpretations. We sampled vibrissae from southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina (hereafter SES) at Marion Island, southern Indian Ocean, to address the following aims: (1) define the prevalence and timing of their vibrissal replacement, (2) determine the vibrissal regrowth rate and temporal resolution of isotopic data captured along the length of sequentially sampled vibrissae, and (3) explore assumptions regarding their vibrissal growth. Contrary to the previously described asynchronous vibrissal shedding pattern of SES, 71.1% of individuals displayed vibrissal shedding during the annual pelage moult. Furthermore, vibrissal growth ceased once the asymptotic length was reached, and the vibrissae were retained before being replaced. Vibrissae with known growth histories were resampled at multiple known intervals to control for unknown growth starting dates. Vibrissae followed a von Bertalanffy growth function as the growth rate decreased near the asymptotic length. The resolution of the isotopic data obtainable per 2 mm section ranged from 3.5 d at the vibrissal tip to >40 d at the base. Using these defined growth rates and shedding patterns, researchers can prudently apply timestamps to stable isotope values along vibrissae. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310330776_Vibrissal_growth_paramet… Sincerely, Nico Lubcker nlubcker(a)zoology.up.ac.za PhD Zoology Candidate Mammal Research Institute Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Pretoria South Africa --------------------------------------------------------------------- This message and attachments are subject to a disclaimer. Please refer to http://www.it.up.ac.za/documentation/governance/disclaimer/ for full details. / Hierdie boodskap en aanhangsels is aan 'n vrywaringsklousule onderhewig. Volledige besonderhede is by http://www.it.up.ac.za/documentation/governance/disclaimer/ beskikbaar. --------------------------------------------------------------------- This message and attachments are subject to a disclaimer. Please refer to http://www.it.up.ac.za/documentation/governance/disclaimer/ for full details. / Hierdie boodskap en aanhangsels is aan 'n vrywaringsklousule onderhewig. Volledige besonderhede is by http://www.it.up.ac.za/documentation/governance/disclaimer/ beskikbaar.

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Special Issues Planned for 2018 in Aquatic Mammals journal
by Kathleen M. Dudzinski 21 Aug '17

21 Aug '17

Aquatic Mammals Journal is pleased to announce that we will be publishing two special issues on Animal Welfare in 2018. Welfare is a term routinely used in the media, whether print, televised or social. It can be applied to humans or animals or both. It can be misconstrued or deconstructed. The term is neutral and can refer to a positive or negative situation for one or more individuals. Part A, the first special issue, will present articles that establish what is meant by “Animal Welfare” and where animal welfare can be assessed. Invited articles will discuss and present the science and ethics of animal welfare, focusing on human impacts on animals in the wild as well as animals residing in managed care. Assessing animal welfare is becoming a common concern for several communities, including zoos and aquariums, regulatory agencies, tourism and travel agencies, research scientists, independent agencies and assessors, and more. A discussion of assessment tools and approaches will be included. These special issues are not intended as a forum to discuss whether one setting is better than another. The intent is to focus on animal welfare and to offer perspectives on that topic from all angles, as much as is possible. Part A is scheduled for publication on April 15, 2018. The second special issue on Animal Welfare, Part B, is open for submissions from colleagues to submit a manuscript for consideration. These submitted papers should focus on animal welfare as related to aquatic mammals specifically. While research papers presenting data on the topic would be preferred, discussion topics on the same will also be welcome. Authors are reminded that this issue (like the previous one) is not intended to be a forum for pontificating that one location/setting is better or worse than any other for welfare. The tentatively scheduled publication date for Part B of this special issue set is August 15, 2018. The following timeline is a suggestion for contributing authors to follow. 20 January 2018: Deadline for receipt of all articles to Aquatic Mammals Journal’s Fast Track system (see signature below for link) 31 May 2018: Receipt of revisions of accepted manuscripts 15 August 2018: Tentative ONLINE publication Please note that all articles in both special issues will be published online only and will be available as open access PDFs. These special issues of Aquatic Mammals will be published between the regular issues of the journal. Typical page fees will apply to submitted articles, unless financial sponsorship is secured. This special issue is Guest Edited by: Dr. Heather Hill, Psychology, St. Mary’s University; Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, Research, Dolphin Research Center; and Dr. Rachel Walker, Psychology, University of the Incarnate Word. We look forward to receiving articles from you for Part B of this special issue on Animal Welfare. Let us know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Kathleen, Kelly, Heather, & Rachel Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D. Editor, Aquatic Mammals Journal aquaticmammals(a)gmail.com www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org to submit a manuscript, visit our: Manuscript Fast track web site at http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php Mailing: P.O. Box 7485, Port St. Lucie, FL 34985

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Second Call: Training Course - An Introduction To Using GIS In Biological Research, 25-26 September 2017
by Colin D. MacLeod 21 Aug '17

21 Aug '17

GIS In Ecology will be holding an introductory training course for those who wish to learn how to use GIS in biological research, and it will provide an introduction to using GIS in a wide variety of biological research situations, including marine mammal research, and the course includes two marine-mammal-specific practical exercises (one based around calculating the observed abundance per unit survey effort of dolphins using a grid-based approach, and one based around mapping species richness for North Atlantic beaked whales). It is primmarily based around a GIS software package called QGIS, which is free to use. As a result, it is one of the best options for doing GIS for self-employed MMOs, small environmental consultancies, NGOs, those working on small marine mammal research projects with limited budgets for purchasing software licences and students working at universities who do not have access to commercial GIS software packages. The course will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, on the 25th and 26th of September 2017, and it will be taught by Dr Colin D. MacLeod, who has more than 15 years experience in using GIS for a wide variety of biological purposes. For those who cannot attend this course in person, a shorter online course based on the same materials is available from our sister site www.GISforBiologists.com. The course will primarily be based around QGIS (also known as Quantum GIS), which provides a user-friendly, open-source, free alternative to commercial GIS software packages, and it is becoming increasingly widely used in both academic and commercial organisations As a result, it is aimed at both those with no GIS experience, but wish to learn how to do GIS with QGIS, and also those who are familiar with using commercial GIS software, such as ArcGIS, but who wish to learn how to use QGIS as an alternative. However, this course is taught using software-independent approach, and it is also open to those who wish to learn how to use ArcGIS to do biological GIS. The practical exercises on this course will be based on those in the recently published GIS For Biologists: A Practical Introduction For Undergraduates by Dr MacLeod, and a free copy of this book will be provided to all participants. Attendance will be limited to a maximum of 15 people, and the course will cost £295 per person (£200 for students, the unwaged and those working for registered charities). To book a place, or for more information, email info(a)GISinEcology.com. Glasgow has great transport links and is within half a days travel by car or by fast train links from most cities in the UK. For example, it can be reached in as little as 4h 30mins from London by train. It can also be reached by direct flights from many European cities and the flight time is generally under four hours. The course will be held in central Glasgow at the IET Glasgow Teacher Building (14 St Enoch Square, Glasgow, G1 4DB, UK). Attendees will be responsible for their own accommodation. However, Glasgow provides a wide range of accommodation options to fit most budgets. ================================================================================== GIS IN ECOLOGY - Providing Training, Advice And Consultancy On The Use Of GIS In Ecology Web: www.GISinEcology.com Email: info(a)GISinEcology.com Need to ask a question about using GIS? Try the GIS In Ecology Forum: www.GISinEcology.com/GIS_in_Ecology_forum.htm Books From GIS In Ecology Staff: GIS For Biologists: A Practical Introduction For Undergraduates; RRP: £24.99 An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology; RRP: £44.99 An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology: Supplementary Workbook One - Creating Maps Of Species Distribution; RRP: £19:99 If you wish to purchase these books, visit: http://www.gisinecology.com/Book_Shop.htm To help the environment, please do not print out this email unless it is unavoidable. ================================================================================== --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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New article: Isotopic homogeneity throughout the skin in small cetaceans
by ARREGUI GIL 21 Aug '17

21 Aug '17

Dear MARMAMers, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry: Isotopic homogeneity throughout the skin in small cetaceans 1. Marina Arregui, 2. Marta Josa, 3. Alex Aguilar and 4. Asunción Borrell DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7936 ABSTRACT Isotope ratios from skin samples have been widely used to study cetacean trophic ecology. Usually, isotopic skin uniformity has been assumed, despite the heterogeneity of this tissue. This study aims to investigate (1) regional isotopic variation within the skin in cetaceans, and (2) isotopic variation among internal tissues. Stable carbon (δ13C values) and nitrogen (δ15N values) isotope ratios were measured in 11 skin positions in 10 common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and 9 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). In addition, the isotope ratios in the muscle, liver and kidney of both species were determined and compared with those from the skin and from all tissues combined. The signatures were determined by means of elemental analyser/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS). In both species, no differences between isotope ratios of the skin positions were found. Moreover, the isotope ratios of skin were similar to those of muscle. In contrast, liver and kidney showed higher isotope ratios than muscle and skin. Isotopic homogeneity within the skin suggests that the isotope ratios of a sample from a specific skin position can be considered representative of the ratios from the entire skin tissue in dolphins. This conclusion validates the results of previous stable isotope analyses in dolphins that used skin samples as representative of the whole skin tissue. Isotopic similarities or dissimilarities among tissues should be considered when analysing different tissues and comparing results from the same or different species. The paper is available online at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/rcm.7936/full or you can contact me for a pdf version or any questions at marina.arregui(a)ulpgc.es Best wishes, Marina Arregui Gil PhD Student

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New Publication: "Genomic and proteomic identification of Late Holocene remains: Setting baselines for Black Sea odontocetes"
by vincent biard 21 Aug '17

21 Aug '17

Dear MARMAM readers, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the recent publication of the following article in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports “Genomic and proteomic identification of Late Holocene remains: Setting baselines for Black Sea odontocetes”. By: Vincent Biard, Pavel Gol’din, Elena Gladilina, Karina Vishnyakova, Krista McGrath, Filipe G. Vieira, Nathan Wales, Michael C. Fontaine, Camilla Speller and Morten Tange Olsen. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 15C (2017) pp. 262-271 ; DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.07.008 Open Access: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1Vajq,rVDBJ-p4 <https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1Vajq,rVDBJ-p4> Abstract: A critical challenge of the 21st century is to understand and minimise the effects of human activities on bio- diversity. Cetaceans are a prime concern in biodiversity research, as many species still suffer from human im- pacts despite decades of management and conservation efforts. Zooarchaeology constitutes a valuable approach for informing conservation and management decisions by providing baseline information on the past distribution and human uses of species. However, traditional morphological species identification of mixed assemblage bones can be challenging, particularly in the case of cetaceans. To address this issue, we applied and evaluated the performance of three biomolecular approaches – Sanger sequencing, shotgun sequencing and collagen peptide fingerprinting (ZooMS) – for species identification in a mixed assemblage of 800 to 1600 years old odontocete (toothed whale) samples from the site of Chersonesus in Crimea, Ukraine. We found that ZooMS allowed for identification to the taxonomic level for 28 of our 30 samples (> 90%), identifying them as either “porpoise” or “dolphin”, and approximately half of those samples could be further identified to species level with the shotgun sequencing approach. In addition, shotgun sequencing produced several complete ancient odontocete mito- genomes and auxiliary nuclear genomic data for further exploration in a population genetic context. In contrast, both morphological identification and Sanger sequencing lacked taxonomic resolution and/or resulted in mis- classification of samples. We found that the combination of ZooMS and shotgun sequencing provides a powerful tool in zooarchaeology, and here allowed for a deeper understanding of past marine resource use and its im- plication for current management and conservation of Black Sea odontocetes. For any questions, please feel free to contact me : vincentbiard33(a)gmail.com <mailto:vincentbiard33@gmail.com> Cheers Vincent Biard, MSc Natural History Museum of Denmark

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New Publication: Modelling year-round habitat suitability and drivers of residency for fin whales in the California Current (Kylie L. Scales / Greg S. Schorr)
by Kylie Scales 20 Aug '17

20 Aug '17

Dear MARMAM collegues, We are pleased to share our recent publication, which uses a large, multi-year satellite telemetry dataset collected by MarEcoTel of Washington State to identify year-round habitats of fin whales in the California Current System. Scales KL, Schorr GS, Hazen EL, Bograd SJ, Miller PI, Andrews RD, Zerbini AN & Falcone EA (2017) Should I stay or should I go? Modelling year-round habitat suitability and drivers of residency for fin whales in the California Current. Diversity & Distributions, In Press. The article is now online as Early View, which can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12611 Alternatively, please email Greg Schorr at gschorr(a)marecotel.org for a full-text PDF offprint. ABSTRACT Aim: Understanding the spatial ecology of endangered species is crucial to predicting habitat use at scales relevant to conservation and management. Here, we aim to model the influence of biophysical conditions on habitat suitability for fin whales Balaenoptera physalus, with a view to informing management in a heavily impacted ocean region. Location: We satellite-tracked the movements of 67 fin whales through the California Current System (CCS), a dynamic eastern boundary upwelling ecosystem in the Northeast Pacific. Methods: We use a multi-scale modelling framework to elucidate biophysical influences on habitat suitability for fin whales in the CCS. Using generalized additive mixed models, we quantify the influence of a suite of remotely-sensed variables on broad-scale patterns of occupancy and present the first year-round, high-resolution predictions of seasonal habitat suitability. Further, we model the influence of contemporaneous biophysical conditions on individual-level residence times in high-use habitat. Results: We present evidence of year-round habitat suitability in the southern California Current System, robust to interannual variability, establishing that North Pacific fin whales do not follow the canonical baleen whale migration model. Within the high-use habitat in the Southern California Bight (SCB), individual-level residency in localized areas (n = 16 for >30 days; n = 4 for >6 months) was associated with warm, shallow, nearshore waters (>18°C, <500 m), with cool waters (14–15°C) occurring over complex seafloor topographies and with convergent (sub)mesoscale structures at the surface. Main Conclusions: Biophysical conditions in the southern CCS generate productive foraging habitats that can support the fin whale population year-round and allow for extended periods of residency in localized areas. High-use habitats for fin whales are co-located with areas of intense human use, including international shipping routes and a major naval training range. Seasonal habitat suitability maps presented here could inform the management of anthropogenic threats to endangered baleen whales in this globally significant biodiversity hotspot. Best regards, Dr. Kylie L. Scales kscales(a)usc.edu.au Lecturer in Animal Ecology, University of Sunshine Coast, Queensland Formerly Project Scientist, NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center & University of California, Santa Cruz USC, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558 Australia. CRICOS Provider No: 01595D Please consider the environment before printing this email. This email is confidential. If received in error, please delete it from your system.

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