January 2018 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New Book: Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 3rd Edition
by Sarah Piwetz 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

On behalf of the Editors, I am pleased to announce the publication of the new Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, third edition, ed. by B. Würsig, J.G.M. Thewissen, and K. Kovacs, Elsevier/Academic Press, San Diego, CA. 2018. The book is now available for purchase in both print and eBook. For more information, including purchasing options, please visit: https://www.elsevier.com/books/encyclopedia-of-marine-mammals/wursig/978-0-… The latest edition covers the ecology, behavior, conservation, evolution, form and function of whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, manatees, dugongs, otters and polar bears. It provides new content on anthropogenic concerns, latest information on emerging threats such as ocean noise, and impacts of climate change. With authors and editors who are world experts, this is a critical resource for all who are interested in marine mammals, especially upper level undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, and managers, and is a top reference for those in related fields, from oceanographers to environmental scientists. Enjoy, Sarah Sarah Piwetz Ph.D. Candidate Texas A&M University at Galveston Department of Marine Biology Marine Mammal Behavioral Ecology Group http://www.tamug.edu/mmbeg/

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New publication: Oligocene fossil dolphin from Ecuador Urkudelphis
by Gabriel Aguirre 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

Dear MARMAM suscribers, On behalf of my coauthors, we would like to announce our recent publication in the open-access journal PLoS ONE: Tanaka Y, Abella J, Aguirre-Fernández G, Gregori M, Fordyce RE (2017) A new tropical Oligocene dolphin from Montañita/Olón, Santa Elena, Ecuador. PLoS ONE 12(12): e0188380. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0188380 The article can be downloaded here: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0188380 ABSTRACT A new small probable Oligocene dolphin from Ecuador represents a new genus and species, *Urkudelphis chawpipacha*. The new taxon is known from a single juvenile skull and earbones; it differs from other archaic dolphins in features including widely exposed frontals at the vertex, a dorsally wide open vomer at the mesorostral groove, and a strongly projected and pointed lateral tuberosity of the periotic. Phylogenetic analysis places it toward the base of the largely-extinct clade Platanistoidea. The fossil is one of a few records of tropical fossil dolphins. Best regards, Gabriel Aguirre

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New publication posting
by Rosalind Rolland 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I have recently published the following paper in Endangered Species Research: Fecal glucocorticoids and anthropogenic injury and mortality in North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis Rosalind M. Rolland, William A. McLellan, Michael J. Moore, Craig A. Harms, Elizabeth A. Burgess, Kathleen E. Hunt ABSTRACT: As human impacts on marine ecosystems escalate, there is increasing interest in quantifying sub-lethal physiological and pathological responses of marine mammals. Glucocorticoid hormones are commonly used to assess stress responses to anthropogenic factors in wildlife. While obtaining blood samples to measure circulating hormones is not currently feasible for free-swimming large whales, immunoassay of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCs) has been validated for North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis (NARW). Using a general linear model, we compared fGC concentrations in right whales chronically entangled in fishing gear (n = 6) or live-stranded (n = 1), with right whales quickly killed by vessels (n = 5) and healthy right whales (n = 113) to characterize fGC responses to acute vs. chronic stressors. fGCs in entangled whales (mean ± SE: 1856.4 ± 1644.9 ng g−1) and the stranded whale (5740.7 ng g−1) were significantly higher than in whales killed by vessels (46.2 ± 19.2 ng g−1) and healthy whales (51.7 ± 8.7 ng g−1). Paired feces and serum collected from the live-stranded right whale provided comparison of fGCs in 2 matrices in a chronically stressed whale. Serum cortisol and corticosterone in this whale (50.0 and 29.0 ng ml−1, respectively) were much higher than values reported in other cetaceans, in concordance with extremely elevated fGCs. Meaningful patterns in fGC concentration related to acute vs. chronic impacts persisted despite potential for bacterial degradation of hormone metabolites in dead whales. These results provide biological validation for using fGCs as a biomarker of chronic stress in NARWs. This paper is open access and is available here: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v34/p417-429/ Rosalind M. Rolland D.V.M. Senior Scientist Anderson-Cabot Center for Ocean Life New England Aquarium Central Wharf Boston, MA 02110 617-973-6587 rrolland(a)neaq.org<mailto:rrolland@neaq.org> Research Faculty School for the Environment University of Massachusetts-Boston http://www.andersoncabotcenterforoceanlife.org/catalysts-for-change/marine-… [cid:image002.jpg@01D1BCDD.5D47B5B0]

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Cetacean Research Field Intensive Course Sessions in the Dominican Republic
by Cathy Bacon 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

Do you want to be part of our research team in the Caribbean?! We are on our way to the Dominican Republic for research this winter! MCERC <http://www.education.marine-eco.org/> has 4 spots each week for people to join us in February and March 2018. We will be collecting data in Samaná Bay on: humpback whales, sperm whales, pilot whales, beaked whales, several dolphin species, and manatee This program <http://www.marine-eco.org/mcerc-moodle/course/index.php?categoryid=24> is an excellent internship for people wanting to build their resume/cv with field experience. No experience is necessary and you must be at least 18 years old. This is the 8th winter MCERC <http://www.marine-eco.org/> has invited people to join us for a well constructed curriculum and field experience studying behavioral ecology of humpback whales. This winter we are starting the Dominican Republic Marine Mammal Project, expanding our studies in the Caribbean. Details and registration can be found at www.Education.marine-Eco.org. <https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.Education.marine-Eco.org%2F…>Create a (free) profile in the MCERC Education Hub <http://www.eduation.marine-eco.org/>, then select the session you would like to join us. If spaces are still available, you can submit the program fee and secure your spot instantly. If you have any questions, please contact Nicole at Nicole(a)Marine-Eco.org -- Cathy Bacon Marine Mammal Biologist https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cathy_Bacon https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathymcclainbacon/

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Marine Mammals Research Expedition in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, March 2018
by aylin akkaya 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

Marine Mammals Research Association (www.dmad.org.tr) is offering you the unique opportunity to join its Marine Wildlife Research Expedition within the north Levantine Sea. The expedition aims to explore areas where there is little known with heavy human foot prints from to the coast to its deep waters. Due to a lack of scientific research, there are little to no conservation measures in action to protect Mediterranean waters and their inhabitants. All of the target species are categorized by the IUCN Red List as Threatened or Data Deficient. It is therefore vital to research and monitor these populations in order to work towards necessary conservation measures. Species to Encounter On this trip we are likely to encounter a variety of marine mammals, including the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), sperm whale (Physeter microcephalus), Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), in addition to the Mediterranean’s only pinniped species, the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). Moreover, as our study areas are largely unexplored, there is the potential to discover other cetacean species which are rarely found in the Mediterranean basin such as Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)! The Skills You Will Learn; · Conducting visual and acoustic surveys · Collecting behavioural data for sighted species · Carrying out the first live genetic sampling of beaked whales in the Eastern Mediterranean waters. · Mapping the hotspots of marine mammals · Developing the first photo Identification catalogues of the sperm whales and beaked whales in the Eastern Mediterranean One of the objectives of our expedition is to help create and inspire independent researchers, equipped with experience in up-to-date research techniques. The Training You Will Receive; There will be a day of training before the survey route starts. Additionally, each night we will organise a training on the below topics; · General biology and ecology of marine megafauna of the Mediterranean Sea · Species identification · Photo identification techniques · Mapping techniques · Behavioural sampling Additionally, we will be equipped with a hydrophone (underwater microphone) and a genetic sampling dart gun. We will use this equipment when possible during our cetacean sightings, and you will have the opportunity to learn more about them and hopefully a chance to use them yourself! The Expedition Calendar This scientific expedition is a part of a year round study and will be conducted on the last two weeks of March 2018. Note: The exact routes can be subject to change to take into account weather and other safety factors. As such, flights should not be booked until these dates have been confirmed, unless they are fully flexible tickets. The cost As we are a non-profit organisation with limited financial resources, there is a monitory fee attached to this journey. The cost of the expedition is EUR 900 per person. This cost includes: · Full survey and equipment training · Use of research equipment · All food and accommodation on board for the duration of your stay · All safety equipment · All cruising and sailing vignettes (cruising permits) for Turkey and Greece. · Insurance including public liability coverage What is not included? · Flights to and from start and end location · Travel insurance (Mandatory, please provide proof) · Food off board · Accommodations onshore What you should bring: · Passport with any necessary visas for the countries you will be visiting · Sleeping bag · Towel · Binoculars · Seasonal appropriate clothing, including waterproofs · SOFT BAG as luggage, hard cases are not permitted on board · Camera · Sailing shoes are preferable. · Sea sickness medication Who are we looking for? We are looking for enthusiastic and passionate 2 team members with the willingness to learn, as well as motivated students and researchers who wish to collect data for their university projects. To apply send us your CV and cover letter to: info(a)dmad.org.tr or akkayaaylinn(a)gmail.com before January 30th 2018. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ON BOARD SOON

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New Publication - Soundwatch: Eighteen years of monitoring whale watch vessel activities in the Salish Sea
by Elizabeth Seely 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

Dear MARMAM: We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in PLOS One: Soundwatch: Eighteen years of monitoring whale watch vessel activities in the Salish Sea Abstract: The Soundwatch Boater Education Program is a vessel monitoring and public education outreach program. Soundwatch has been run by The Whale Museum (TWM) during the whale watch season (May through September) in the Haro Strait Region of the Central Salish Sea since 1993. Data collection has been in a consistent manner since 1998 and is presented here. The program compiles data on vessel types and vessel interactions with marine mammals with a focus on the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW), Orcinas orca, which was listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2005. The primary goal of the Soundwatch program is to reduce vessel disturbance to SRKWs and other marine wildlife through the education of boaters on regional, local and federal guidelines and regulations and the systematic monitoring of vessel activities around cetaceans. Since 1998, the number of active commercial whale watching vessels has increased over time; ranging from a low of 63 in 1999, to a high of 96 in 2015. In addition, the number of vessel incidents or violation of regulations and guidelines has also increased; ranging from a low of 398 in 1998 to a high of 2621 in 2012. Soundwatch collected data on 23 incident types, some remaining the same over the 18-year data set and some changing over time. The most common incidents over the 18 years were “Within 880 m of Lime Kiln” and “Crossing the path of whales”. The numbers of people kayaking near whales also significantly increased since 2004 with the incident “kayaks spread out” with a significantly increasing trend making it difficult for whales to avoid vessels. These results suggest a need for further outreach for effective education and enforcement of whale watching guidelines and regulations in the Central Salish Sea. Link: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189764 Soundwatch Boater Education Program The Whale Museum PO Box 945 Friday Harbor, Wa 98250 www.whalemuseum.org

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Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Internship/Research Assistant Position for Summer 2018
by Jessica Taylor 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

Bottlenose DolphinPhoto-ID Internship/Research Assistant Position for Summer 2018 The Outer Banks Centerfor Dolphin Research (OBXCDR)/Nags Head Dolphin Watch are currently acceptingapplications for the 2018 summer season. One internship position is available.The research season is May 1 – October 5. Successful applicants must be able tocommit for the entire season. The Outer Banks Centerfor Dolphin Research is a 501 c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to theconservation of bottlenose dolphins in the Outer Banks, NC. Our program’s goalis to gain an understanding of the population dynamics, movement patterns, andbehavioral ecology of coastal bottlenose dolphins in the sounds and coastalwaters near the Outer Banks. The OBXCDR conducts a photo-identificationmonitoring study of bottlenose dolphins in Roanoke, Croatan, Albemarle, Pamlicoand Currituck Sounds. Data is collected via dedicated small boat surveys aswell as opportunistically from a local dolphin watch. This study is acontinuation of the long-term study initiated by the Nags Head Dolphin Watch in1997. Information from the long-term monitoring study will provide a basis forstudies involving population trends, habitat utilization, social associations,and ecology of the dolphins as well as aid in efforts to examine bottlenosedolphin stock structure and movement patterns along the U.S. Atlantic coast.Interns will gain experience in field data collection, photo-identification ofdolphins, and environmental education. For more information about the OBXCDR,please visit: obxdolphins.org. The internshipposition will consist of bottlenose dolphin photo-identification,opportunistic/dedicated field research, and environmental education. Responsibilitiesinclude: § Mate/naturalistduties aboard the Nags Head Dolphin Watch: This involves the implementation of educational programs,including public speaking aboard the eco-tours (using a microphone andone-on-one) to educate others about local dolphin biology and marineconservation, as well as additional mate duties. The mate/naturalist will alsocollect opportunistic photo-identification data aboard the eco-tours(photographing dorsal fins, measuring environmental parameters, and recordingsighting data), organize opportunistic data for inclusion in thephoto-identification catalog, and assist in general maintenance of fieldequipment. For additional information about the Nags Head Dolphin Watch,please see www.nagsheaddolphinwatch.com (50% of time) § Photo-identificationof dolphins in the lab:This includes photo sorting, grading, and matching, sighting data entry, andassisting in maintenance of the long-term OBX photo-id catalog using the MSAccess database FinBase. Additional timewill also be spent completing an independent project in which the intern willmatch the OBX catalog to the Mid-Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Catalog (MABDC) toexamine seasonal movement patterns. The MABDC is a long-term collaborativeeffort to gain a greater understanding of the stock structure and movementpatterns of bottlenose dolphins along the U.S. Atlantic coast. This independentproject should be completed within the span of the internship. The final productof this project will be a final project report (40% of time) § Boat-basedphoto-identification: The intern willassist with boat-based photo-identification surveys to examine abundances, sitefidelity, and prevalence of skin lesions of bottlenose dolphins in RoanokeSound. Responsibilities include operating a small vessel during transectsurveys and sightings, assisting with photo-identification, collectingenvironmental, location, and behavioral data for dolphin groups, and general maintenanceof field equipment. (10% of time) This internshiprequires a minimum commitment of 36 hours per week, consisting of eco-tours,lab photo-identification, and dedicated surveys. The intern will carry outmate/naturalist duties and opportunistic photo-identification aboard the NagsHead Dolphin Watch for 3-4 days per week throughout the field season while 1-2days per week will be spent conducting photo-identification in the lab.Abundance surveys will be conducted 1-2 times per month from April throughOctober. Salary: Thisinternship is a paid position. Applicants will receive an hourly salary for thenaturalist position on the dolphin watch. Tips aboard the dolphin tours areexpected, but not guaranteed. Housing: Although housing is not provided, we will assist you in finding housingaccommodations in the Outer Banks. Interns are responsible for their owntransportation to and from the Outer Banks as well as to and from the fieldsites and lab. The successfulapplicant would ideally have the following qualifications: § Minimum of 18 years of age and recentlygraduated with an undergraduate degree in marine biology, biology, zoology, orrelated field § Strong interest in the marine environment andconservation § Ability to swim § Basic proficiency in MS Access, Word, Excel,and Picture Manager § Enthusiasm, attention to detail, responsible, independent,focused, and dedicated § Works well in a team environment as well asindividually § Experience in boating and marine field datacollection § Experience in environmental outreach preferredbut not required § Experience in photo-identification preferredbut not required § First AID/CPR certification preferred but notrequired § Due to employment aboard the dolphin eco-tours,all candidates must be U.S. citizens NOTE: The UnitedStates Coast Guard requires all passenger vessels to be drug free workenvironments. In order to work aboard the dolphin eco-tours, the intern will berequired to pass a pre-employment drug test and to participate in random drugtesting during the period of the research season. Application Process: Please submit coverletter, resume, and contact information for 3 references via email to:obxcdr@hotmail.com Use “Dolphin photo-id internship” in thesubject line of the email. Applicants must apply by February 16th tobe considered for this position. Applications will be reviewed in the orderreceived, and those received by January 19th will be given toppriority. Jessica Taylor Principal Investigator,Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research P.O. Box 7721 Kill Devil Hills, NC27948 Obxdolphins.org

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Published paper -- Projecting Marine Mammal Distribution in a Changing Climate
by Greg Silber 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

MarMam Community: We wish to note that the paper "Projecting Marine Mammal Distribution in a Changing Climate" recently published. Gregory K. Silber, Matthew D. Lettrich, Peter O. Thomas, Jason D. Baker, Mark Baumgartner, Elizabeth A. Becker, Peter Boveng, Dorothy M. Dick, Jerome Fiechter, Jaume Forcada, Karin A. Forney, Roger B. Griffis, Jonathan A. Hare, Alistair J. Hobday, Daniel Howell, Kristin L. Laidre, Nate Mantua, Lori Quakenbush, Jarrod A. Santora, Kathleen M. Stafford, Paul Spencer, Charles Stock, William Sydeman, Kyle Van Houtan, and Robin S. Waples. 2017. *Frontiers in Marine Science* 20 December 2017 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2017.00413 Projecting Marine Mammal Distribution in a Changing Climate. Climate-related shifts in marine mammal range and distribution have been observed in some populations; however, the nature and magnitude of future responses are uncertain in novel environments projected under climate change. This poses a challenge for agencies charged with management and conservation of these species. Specialized diets, restricted ranges, or reliance on specific substrates or sites (e.g., for pupping) make many marine mammal populations particularly vulnerable to climate change. High-latitude, predominantly ice-obligate, species have experienced some of the largest changes in habitat and distribution and these are expected to continue. Efforts to predict and project marine mammal distributions to date have emphasized data-driven statistical habitat models. These have proven successful for short time-scale (e.g., seasonal) management activities, but confidence that such relationships will hold for multi-decade projections and novel environments is limited. Recent advances in mechanistic modeling of marine mammals (i.e., models that rely on robust physiological and ecological principles expected to hold under climate change) may address this limitation. The success of such approaches rests on continued advances in marine mammal ecology, behavior, and physiology together with improved regional climate projections. The broad scope of this challenge suggests initial priorities be placed on vulnerable species or populations (those already experiencing declines or projected to undergo ecological shifts resulting from climate changes that are consistent across climate projections) and species or populations for which ample data already exist (with the hope that these may inform climate change sensitivities in less well observed species or populations elsewhere). The sustained monitoring networks, novel observations, and modeling advances required to more confidently project marine mammal distributions in a changing climate will ultimately benefit management decisions across time-scales, further promoting the resilience of marine mammal populations. available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2017.00413/full?utm_sour… Greg Silber

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FINAL REMINDER: UK & Ireland SMM Postgraduate Student Conference (UKIRSC), January 2018
by UK Regional Student Chapter for the Society of Marine Mammals 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

Dear all, The UK and Ireland Regional Student Chapter (UKIRSC) of the Society for Marine Mammalogy will be holding its 12th annual postgraduate conference on the 17th–19th January 2018 at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. This is a free conference which aims to bring together postgraduate (Masters and PhD) students from all across the United Kingdom and Ireland who are interested in and study marine mammals. Students are encouraged to present and discuss their work with peers, and have the opportunity to attend workshops and talks given by experienced scientists and specialists. Deadline for registration and submission of presentation abstracts is 5th January 2018. For more information and to register for the conference, please visit our website: https://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/ukrsc/ Best wishes, Katherine, Heather, Alesha, Leah & Will *---------------------------------------------------------------* *Committee Members* *UK and Ireland Regional Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy* *Website*: http://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/ukrsc/ *Facebook*: https://www.facebook.com/UKIRSC/ *Twitter*: https://twitter.com/UKIRSC_SMM

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New publication: A New Species of the Genus Eschrichtius (Cetacea: Mysticeti) from the Early Pleistocene of Japan
by Toshiyuki Kimura 01 Jan '18

01 Jan '18

We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in the current issue of Paleontological Research: A New Species of the Genus Eschrichtius (Cetacea: Mysticeti) from the Early Pleistocene of Japan Toshiyuki Kimura, Yoshikazu Hasegawa and Naoki Kohno doi:10.2517/2017PR007 Abstract. The family Eschrichtiidae is presently only represented by Eschrichtius robustus, a relict species from the North Pacific. Because of the scarcity of fossil records of the Eschrichtiidae, their evolutionary history is not well understood. A finely preserved mysticete skeleton was recovered from the Lower Pleistocene (1.77–1.95 Ma) of Tokyo, Japan, in 1961. The fossil consists of a cranium, mandibles, cervical, thoracic, lumbar and caudal vertebrae, chevrons, ribs, and forelimb bones, including scapula, humerus, radius, ulna and digit bones. Here, we describe and diagnose this fossil as a new species of the Eschrichtiidae, Eschrichtius akishimaensis sp. nov. This is the first fossil species of the genus Eschrichtius and suggests that at least two lineages represented by the modern species of Eschrichtius and the new species described here survived as late as the Early Pleistocene. This expands our knowledge of the paleodiversity of the eschrichtiids. Key words: Early Pleistocene, Eschrichtiidae, Eschrichtius akishimaensis, western North Pacific Full text is available at: http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2517/2017PR007 or upon e-mail request to kimura(a)gmnh.pref.gunma.jp -- :>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Toshiyuki KIMURA, Ph.D. Assistant Curator Gunma Museum of Natural History 1674-1 Kamikuroiwa, Tomioka Gunma 370-2345, Japan tel: +81-274-60-1200 fax: +81-274-60-1250 e-mail: kimura(a)gmnh.pref.gunma.jp :<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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