February 2018 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Solitary dolphins - request for information
by Laetitia Nunny 16 Feb '18

16 Feb '18

Dear Marmam subscribers, Having published papers previously on solitary dolphins (see references below), we are currently working on an up to date review of welfare issues facing these animals and, therefore, we are trying to identify which solitary dolphins are currently being monitored and/or studied. We have carried out searches using Google, Google Scholar and Web of Science. The dolphins which were recorded most recently (i.e. in 2017/2018) include Fungie (Ireland), Pechocho (Mexico), Jojo (Turks and Caicos), Fiete/Freddy (seen in Germany and France) and Randy/Dony/Georges (seen in France, Ireland and Belgium). Most mentions of solitary dolphins are found on news and NGO websites, but we list recent peer-reviewed papers below. If you have any details of solitary dolphins other than those mentioned above which you are able to share with us, we would appreciate hearing from you! Thank you for your help. Kind regards, Mark Simmonds and Laetitia Nunny laetitia.nunny(a)mac.com <mailto:laetitia.nunny@mac.com> REFERENCES Barbieri, G. and Bearzi, G. 2000. Behaviour of a solitary, “sociable” bottlenose dolphin in southern Italy. European Research on Cetaceans 14:107-109. Eisfeld, Simmonds & Stansfield (2010) Behaviour of a Solitary Sociable Female Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncates) off the Coast of Kent, Southeast England. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 13(1), 31-45. López, B. Et al (2008) Diving activity of a solitary wild free ranging bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 88(6): 1153-1157. Müller, M. And Bossley, M. (2002) Solitary bottlenose dolphins in comparative perspective. Aquatic Mammals, 28.3; 298-307. Nimak-Wood, M., Pleslic, G., Rako, N., Mackelworth, P., Holcer, D. and Fortuna, C.M. (2011) Presence of a solitary striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) in Mali Losinj Harbour, Northern Adriatic Sea, Croatia. Vie et Milieu – Life and Environment. 61(2): 87-93. Rako, N., Holcer, D. and Fortuna, C. M. (2009) Long-term inshore observation of a solitary striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, in the Vinodol Channel, Northern Adriatic Sea (Croatia). Nat. Croat. 18(2): 427–436. Simmonds, M., & Stansfield, L. (2007). Solitary sociable dolphins in the UK. British Wildlife, 19, 96–101.

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Coastal polynyas: Winter oases for subadult southern elephant seals in East Antarctica
by Sara Labrousse 16 Feb '18

16 Feb '18

Dear all, My co-authors and I are pleased to bring to your attention the following publication : Sara Labrousse, Guy Williams, Takeshi Tamura, Sophie Bestley, Jean-Baptiste Sallée, Alexander D. Fraser, Mike Sumner, Fabien Roquet, Karine Heerah, Baptiste Picard, Christophe Guinet, Robert Harcourt, Clive McMahon, Mark A. Hindell & Jean-Benoit Charrassin. *Coastal polynyas: Winter oases for subadult southern elephant seals in East Antarctica*. *Sci. Rep. 8*, 3183; doi:10.1038/s41598-018-21388-9 (2018). Abstract Antarctic coastal polynyas are regions of persistent open water and are thought to be key bio-physical features within the sea-ice zone. However, their use by the upper trophic levels of ecosystems remains unclear. A unique bio-physical dataset recorded by southern elephant seals reveals that East Antarctic polynyas are a key winter foraging habitat for male seals. During their post-moult trips from Isles Kerguelen to the Antarctic continental shelf, a total of 18 out of 23 seals visited 9 different polynyas, spending on average 25 ± 20% (up to 75%) of their total trip time inside polynyas. Changes in seal foraging and diving behaviours are observed inside polynyas as compared to outside polynyas. Two polynya usages by seals are observed for the inactive and active polynya phases, pointing to different seasonal peaks in prey abundance. During the active polynya phase, we link seal foraging behaviour to changes in the physical stability of the water-column, which likely impact the seasonal biological dynamics within polynyas. A PDF may be obtained from http://rdcu.be/G7LM <http://em.rdcu.be/wf/click?upn=KP7O1RED-2BlD0F9LDqGVeSGq10eNFcaloshUP9tmIG7…> Best regards, -- Sara Labrousse, Dr. Postdoctoral Scholar Biology Department Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Office: +1 (508)-289-3579 email: slabrousse(a)whoi.edu

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new paper: Occlusive mycotic tracheobronchitis and systemic Alphaherpesvirus coinfection in a free-living striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba in Italy
by Grattarola Carla 16 Feb '18

16 Feb '18

Dear all, We are delighted to announce the publication of our paper in Diseases of Aquatic Organisms (DAO): Grattarola C, Giorda F, Iulini B, Pautasso A, Ballardini M, Zoppi S, Marsili L, Peletto S, Masoero L, Varello K, Garibaldi F, Scaglione FE, Di Guardo G, Dondo A, Goria M, Serracca L, Mignone W, Casalone C. Occlusive mycotic tracheobronchitis and systemic Alphaherpesvirus coinfection in a free-living striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba in Italy. Dis Aquat Organ. 2018 Jan 31;127(2):137-144. doi: 10.3354/dao03190. Abstract: A juvenile female striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba live stranded on 4 March 2016 at Alassio, western Ligurian Sea coast, Italy. The dolphin died shortly after stranding, and a complete postmortem examination was performed. Necropsy revealed severe tracheal occlusion and unilateral bronchial stenosis with luminal accumulation of abundant green-yellow mucous-gelatinous material. Histological features suggestive of tracheobronchial aspergillosis were observed. Cultures of lung tissue and tracheo-bronchial exudate isolated Aspergillus fumigatus, identified by a Microseq D2 LSUrDNA fungal sequencing kit. A pan-Herpesvirus nested-PCR assay on frozen samples obtained from multiple organs was positive. Phylogenetic analysis on the partial DNA polymerase gene revealed that the striped dolphin isolate was closely related to known cetacean Alphaherpesvirus sequences from the same host species. Attempted virus isolation was unsuccessful. The tissue levels of different persistent organic pollutants and the toxicological stress, evaluated using a theoretical model, showed a severely impaired immune response. This study reports the first case of occlusive mycotic tracheobronchitis in a free-living cetacean and the first molecular identification of an Alphaherpesvirus in a free-ranging striped dolphin stranded on the coast of Italy. You can find the article here: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/dao/v127/n2/p137-144/ Or send any enquires directly to me at: carla.grattarola(a)izsto.it<mailto:carla.grattarola@izsto.it> Best wishes, Carla Grattarola Carla Grattarola DVM S.C. Neuroscienze-Lab Neuropatologia CEA-Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le TSE C.Re.Di.Ma.- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le indagini diagnostiche sui Mammiferi Marini spiaggiati Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta Via Bologna 148 10154 TORINO tel +39 011 2686 296 carla.grattarola(a)izsto.it<mailto:carla.grattarola@izsto.it> www.izsto.it<http://www.izsto.it/>

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IFAW summer intern applications due tomorrow
by Patchett, Kristen 15 Feb '18

15 Feb '18

Reminder: Applications for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Marine Mammal Stranding Internships are due tomorrow Feb 16 at 1159 PM EST. A description of the internship and submission of applications can be found at www.ifaw.org/united-states/about-ifaw/employment<http://www.ifaw.org/united-states/about-ifaw/employment> To go directly to the Marine Mammal Stranding Internship page, please click HERE<https://recruiting.ultipro.com/INT1059IFFA/JobBoard/17b588a3-808b-4bc9-aea8…>. Thank you Kristen Patchett Kristen Patchett CVT | Stranding Coordinator Marine Mammal Rescue and Research ___________________________________________________________ IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare International Operations Center 290 Summer Street - Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 tel. 1.508.744.2171 email. kpatchett(a)ifaw.org<mailto:kpatchett@ifaw.org> Saving Animals in Crisis Around the World www.ifaw.org<http://www.ifaw.org/> The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named addressee and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary, and/or legally privileged. Please notify the sender if you received this email in error.

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New publications on Alaskan humpback whale calling behavior
by AWF's Rapunzel Project 15 Feb '18

15 Feb '18

Hello MARMAM Community, We are pleased to announce the publication of two short papers on humpback whale calling behavior in Southeast Alaska: Fournet, MEH, Matthews, LM, Gabriele , CM, Mellinger, DK, and H Klinck. (2018) Source Levels of foraging humpback whale calls. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Express Letters. 143(3) EL105-EL111. DOI: .org/10.1121/1.5023599 <https://doi.org/10.1121/1.5023599> Abstract: Humpback whales produce a wide range of low- to mid frequency vocalizations throughout their migratory range. Non-song “calls” dominate this species’ vocal repertoire while on high-latitude foraging grounds. The source levels of 426 humpback whale calls in four vocal classes were estimated using a four-element planar array deployed in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Southeast Alaska. There was no significant difference in source levels between humpback whale vocal classes. The mean call source level was 137 dBRMS re 1 uPa @ 1m in the bandwidth of the call (range 113–157 dBRMS re 1 lPa @ 1m), where bandwidth is defined as the frequency range from the lowest to the highest frequency component of the call. These values represent a robust estimate of humpback whale source levels on foraging grounds and should append earlier estimates. Fournet, MEH, Gabriele, CM, Sharpe, F, Straley, J, and AS Szabo. (2018). Feeding calls produced by solitary humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Marine Mammal Science. DOI: <goog_780586054> 10.1111/mms.12485 <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12485/abstract> Summary: The humpback whale ‘feeding call’ is a highly stereotyped tonal call with a peak frequency of approximately 500 Hz that to-date has only been documented among groups (>2 individuals) of Alaskan humpback whales engaged in synchronized foraging events while feeding on Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii). In this paper we document feeding call use by solitary humpback whales throughout Southeast Alaska over a twenty year time period, and suggest that a primary function of this call is prey manipulation. Our observations demonstrate that the use of feeding calls is not exclusively linked to group coordination, and may not be exclusively linked to recruitment. While this study cannot speak to the question of how often solitary whales exhibit this behavior, we assert that the phenomenon is geographically and temporally widespread on Southeast Alaskan foraging grounds. PDFs of these publications can be found at: https://mfournet.wordpress.com/publications-and-presentations/ -- Michelle Fournet, M.S. PhD Candidate, Wildlife Science Oregon State University/NOAA Cooperative Institute for Marine Resource Studies Alaska Whale Foundation Research Associate michelle.fournet(a)gmail.com mfournet.wordpress.com <http://www.mfournet.wordpress.com/>

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New paper: Gap analysis of cetacean surveys in environmental space
by Laura Mannocci, Ph.D. 15 Feb '18

15 Feb '18

Dear MARMAM community, We are delighted to announce the publication of our paper in Scientific Reports: Mannocci L, Roberts JJ, Halpin PN, Authier M, Boisseau O, Bradai MN, Cañadas A, Chicote C, David L, Di-Méglio N, Frantzis A, Gazo M, Genov T, Hammond P, Holcer D, Kaschner K, Kerem D, Lauriano G, Lewis T, Notarbartolo di Sciara G, Panigada S, Raga JA, Scheinin A, Ridoux V, Vella A, Vella J. Assessing cetacean surveys throughout the Mediterranean Sea: a gap analysis in environmental space. Scientific Reports (2018) 8:3126 DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-19842-9 Abstract Heterogeneous data collection in the marine environment has led to large gaps in our knowledge of marine species distributions. To fill these gaps, models calibrated on existing data may be used to predict species distributions in unsampled areas, given that available data are sufficiently representative. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility of mapping cetacean densities across the entire Mediterranean Sea using models calibrated on available survey data and various environmental covariates. We aggregated 302,481 km of line transect survey effort conducted in the Mediterranean Sea within the past 20 years by many organisations. Survey coverage was highly heterogeneous geographically and seasonally: large data gaps were present in the eastern and southern Mediterranean and in non-summer months. We mapped the extent of interpolation versus extrapolation and the proportion of data nearby in environmental space when models calibrated on existing survey data were used for prediction across the entire Mediterranean Sea. Using model predictions to map cetacean densities in the eastern and southern Mediterranean, characterised by warmer, less productive waters, and more intense eddy activity, would lead to potentially unreliable extrapolations. We stress the need for systematic surveys of cetaceans in these environmentally unique Mediterranean waters, particularly in non-summer months. The paper is open access and freely available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-19842-9 Laura Mannocci Postdoctoral Associate Marine Geospatial Ecology Laboratory Duke University U.S.A.

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Short piece on the Gulf of Mexico whale
by Peter Corkeron - NOAA Federal 15 Feb '18

15 Feb '18

Greetings Marmamers I am pleased to announce the publication of a very brief article on the status of the Gulf of Mexico whale. The article's citation is: Corkeron, P and Kraus, S.K. 2018. Baleen whale species at risk of extinction. Nature 554, 169. doi: 10.1038/d41586-018-01672-4 The web link is: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-01672-4 It's a 150-word Correspondence piece, so there is no abstract. In it, we point to the recent Red Listing of the Gulf of Mexico whales as Critically Endangered, and note that this whale's plight has received little attention. The web-based version of the article, accessible via the link I've provided, has a slightly different title from the version in the print copy of Nature. What I've given here is the print version. I hope that this is of some interest. sincerely Peter Corkeron -- Leader, Large Whale Team Protected Species Branch NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center 166 Water St Woods Hole MA 02543 phone: 508-495-2191 webpage: https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/psbStaff_PeterCorkeron.html ResearchGate: researchgate.net/profile/Peter_Corkeron Orcid: orcid.org/0000-0003-1553-125 One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Aldo Leopold

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Postdoctoral Research Fellowship - Manatee Biology & Conservation
by Nicola Erdsack 15 Feb '18

15 Feb '18

Mote Marine Laboratory is accepting applications for a new Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to support an independent investigator in the field of manatee biology and conservation.The fellowship is expected to begin between October 2018 and January 2019 and lastfor two years. *Manatee Biology and Conservation * The successful candidate will have the opportunity to study wild manatees in their natural habitat as well as to do research with captive manatees. Projects including both aspects are welcome. Mote’s Manatee Research Program has a long history of conducting research on manatees in the wild. Situated on Sarasota Bay, Mote’s location is in close proximity to abundant manatee habitat during the non-winter months, as well as a 1-2 hour drive to several important winter refugia. The experimentally trained and experienced resident manatees at Mote, Hugh and Buffett, offer the unique opportunity to perform not only non-invasive measurements under controlled conditions, but also behavioral studies on manatee sensory biology, cognition and behavior. In this field the successful candidate will work in close cooperation with the manatee care staff, which is responsible for the training and experimental testing. The position requires the ability to work as part of a team, as well as introducing innovative, independent research ideas. A command of statistical analysis is highly desirable. For further information on the Manatee Research program and current projects please visit /https://mote.org/research/program/manatee-research./ The deadline for applications is August 31, 2018 and finalists will be announced in October. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other protected category. Mote is an E-Verify employer. For a description of the fellowship program and complete application instructions see /https://mote.org/about-us/employment-opportunities#PostdoctoralResearchFellowship/

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Scientist 7 position open for applicants, working on marine mammal conservation in Anchorage AK
by Tracy Collier 14 Feb '18

14 Feb '18

Hello MARMAM, Ocean Associates is seeking a person knowledgable about marine mammal conservation issues to support both formal and informal consultations conducted by the Alaska Regional Office of NOAA/NMFS, in Anchorage AK. To see the details of the job listing, and to apply, please go here <https://workforcenow.adp.com/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=9a93435d-…>. This is a great opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts in Alaska, working with an experienced team of federal managers and scientists. Please feel free to distribute this to others who you think might be interested. Best, Tracy Tracy Collier Senior Associate and Project Manager, Ocean Associates (206)780-1931 tracycollier(a)oceanassoc.com

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New paper on effects of vessel noise on wild harbor porpoises
by Danuta Maria Wisniewska 14 Feb '18

14 Feb '18

Dear All, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: High rates of vessel noise disrupt foraging in wild harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Wisniewska DM, Johnson M, Teilmann J, Siebert U, Galatius A, Dietz R, Madsen PT. 2018 Proc. R. Soc. B 285:20172314. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.2314 Highlights: - We quantified the vessel noise budget of seven porpoises in their natural environment. - In their busy coastal habitat, the porpoises were exposed to vessel noise 17-89% of the time, primarily at low levels. - Observed reactions to occasional high-level exposures involved vigorous fluking, interrupted foraging and even cessation of echolocation. - This led to a general pattern of reduced foraging effort in the presence of high-level noise. - Our results raise concerns about the effects of vessel noise on other lower-frequency toothed whale species. Abstract: Shipping is the dominant marine anthropogenic noise source in the world's oceans, yet we know little about vessel encounter rates, exposure levels and behavioural reactions for cetaceans in the wild, many of which rely on sound for foraging, communication and social interactions. Here, we used animal-borne acoustic tags to measure vessel noise exposure and foraging efforts in seven harbour porpoises in highly-trafficked coastal waters. Tagged porpoises encountered vessel noise 17-89% of the time and occasional high noise levels coincided with vigorous fluking, bottom diving, interrupted foraging, and even cessation of echolocation, leading to significantly fewer prey capture attempts at received levels >96 dB re 1µPa (16-kHz third-octave). If such exposures occur frequently, porpoises, which have high metabolic requirements, may be unable to compensate energetically with negative long-term fitness consequences. That shipping noise disrupts foraging in the high-frequency-hearing porpoise raises concerns that other toothed whale species may also be affected. You can find the article here: http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/285/1872/20172314 Or send any enquires directly to me at danuta(a)stanford.edu<mailto:danuta@stanford.edu> Best regards, Danuta Maria Wisniewska

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