February 2018 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

ECS 2018
by Rebecca Boys 14 Feb '18

14 Feb '18

Dear MARMAMERS, For those of you attending the ECS conference in Italy in April, please be aware of some upcoming deadlines! For those of you still looking at accommodation for the La Spezia conference, please be aware that the special prices listed on the ECS website http://europeancetaceansociety.eu/con…/travel-accomodation-0<http://europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/travel-accomodation-0> are only valid until 28th February! Also, remember that the timing of the conference is close to Easter holidays, so accommodation will start being booked up soon. Don't forget to submit your videos for the ECS video night in La Spezia! Please send them to video.ecs.la.spezia(a)gmail.com The submission date is 23rd February. More details are here http://europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/video-night-0 Finally, the early bird registration will also be closing next week 23rd February, so register soon! We look forward to seeing you all in La Spezia! Rebecca Boys ECS Student Representative Marine Biologist at IMAR - Dept. Oceanography and Fisheries, University of the Azores Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10

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New paper on effect of pregnancy on diving behavior of northern elephant seals
by Luis Huckstadt 14 Feb '18

14 Feb '18

Dear MARMAM, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our recent publication in Biology Letters: Huckstadt LA, RR Holser, MS Tift and DP Costa. 2018. The extra burden of motherhood: reduced dive duration associated with pregnancy status in a deep-diving mammal, the northern elephant seal. Biology Letters 14: 20170722. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2017.0722 Abstract: The cost of pregnancy is hard to study in marine mammals, particularly in species that undergo pregnancy while diving continuously at sea such as elephant seals (genus *Mirounga*).We analysed the diving behaviour of confirmed pregnant and non-pregnant northern elephant seals (*M. angustirostris*, n = 172) and showed that after an initial continuous increase in dive duration, dives of pregnant females become shorter after week 17. The reasons for this reduction in dive duration remain unknown, but we hypothesize that increased fetal demand for oxygen could be the cause. Our findings reveal an opportunity to explore the use of biologging data to investigate pregnancy status of free-ranging marine mammals and factors that could affect pregnancy success. The full article is available at http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/14/2/20170722 If interested in a PDF copy, please contact me at lahuckst(a)gmail.com ---------------------------------------- Luis A. Huckstadt, Ph.D. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Santa Cruz Coastal Biology Building, Rm 174 130 McAllister Way Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Ph: (831) 502-8675 http://lahuckst.wixsite.com/welcome

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3rd Cetacean Reseach Course/ Internship in Baja, Mexico
by Fernanda Urrutia 13 Feb '18

13 Feb '18

Hola! The Cetacean Observation Program PROCETUS, located in Baja California, Mexico is offering its third course/internship on monitoring cetaceans in Bahia de los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico. This course is directed to students or anyone interested in learning more about whales and/or want to gain valuable research experience on the field. This one-week course includes 6 days of boat surveys. Each survey consisting of 6 to 8 boat hours along the Canal de Ballenas in Bahia de los Angeles. Each day, students/interns will learn photo-id research, sampling techniques, behavioral observations and GIS mapping. Although students cannot obtain academic credit with this course, we encourage students to talk to their teachers in order to take this course as an independent study. Interns will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course, if required. *Dates* June 1st - 8th, 2018 * Fee* 870 USD *The fee includes* · Transportation to/from Bahia de los Angeles from/to San Diego/Tijuana (11-12 hour drive). · Accommodation at local Hotel. · All meals. · Field work: boat surveys. *The fee does not include * · Travel to San Diego or Tijuana · Travel insurance · Expenses incurred before/after the course · Spending money For more information visit: https://www.procetus.org/single-post/2018/02/13/3rd-Cetacean-Reseach-Course… Contact us if you want to save your spot or if you have any questions: urrutia(a)procetus.org Regards, PROCETUS

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PhD opportunity: Humpback whale song ontogeny
by Ellen Garland 13 Feb '18

13 Feb '18

We are seeking to recruit a PhD student for the following project: Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) song ontogeny, evolution and vocal learning Male humpback whales sing a long and elaborate vocal display. Thousands of males can rapidly and synchronously change their population-specific song to a new version in as little as two months, a feat which is unparalleled in any other animal except humans. Despite our advances in understanding the cultural aspects of song, we have little understanding of song development at an individual level and how factors such as age may affect the cultural transmission of the song. Recent advances have enabled the age of humpback whales to be determined from skin samples that have been collected for genetic analyses (the Humpback Epigenetic Age Assay). Using acoustic and epigenetic data, this PhD project seeks to study how the age of males may govern changes in the song. The student will be based at the University of St Andrews under the supervision of Dr Ellen Garland, and co-supervised by Dr Luke Rendell (St Andrews), in collaboration with Dr Claire Garrigue (IRD UMR ENTROPIE), Dr Emma Carroll (St Andrews & University of Auckland) and Dr Simon Jarmon (Curtin University/CSIRO). Candidates should have a strong background in behavioural ecology or evolutionary biology. Knowledge or experience in bioacoustics or laboratory genetic analysis is essential, and experience of both desirable. Candidates with a genetic background are encouraged to apply but should note the strong focus on acoustics, which will require substantial acoustic analysis to be undertaken. However, training in molecular or acoustic techniques will be tailored to the candidate’s experience. The student will be expected to participate in annual fieldwork lasting two to three months in semi-remote locations, along with visits to the epigenetic ageing facility. Previous field experience involving small boats, marine mammals, and remote locations would be advantageous. The candidate should have strong communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills given the collaborative nature of the project and extended fieldwork. The ability to speak French would also be desirable (but not essential). General requirements include a background in evolutionary and behavioural biology, and a BSc (Hons) or MSc degree (first class) in a relevant discipline. Students must attain a 2:1 or higher in order to be eligible for the studentship as this project is funded by the Royal Society. The funding includes a four-year studentship (fees and stipend) funded at Home (UK/EU) fee level. International students may apply but will be responsible for the difference in fees; a fee waiver scholarship may be available for outstanding candidates For more information see: https://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/research/phd-study/phd-study-projects/phd-… Applications close on 18 March 2018 and will need to be submitted online through the St Andrews system. Please include a cover letter, CV, 1-page project proposal, academic transcripts, writing sample and English language test (if required). Please send any enquiries to Dr Ellen Garland at ecg5(a)st-andrews.ac.uk<mailto:ecg5@st-andrews.ac.uk> with the subject line: PhD studentship - ageing. Kind regards, Ellen ----------------------------------------------------- Ellen C. Garland, Ph.D. Royal Society University Research Fellow Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) Centre for Social Learning & Cognitive Evolution (SLaCE) Centre for Biological Diversity (CBD) Postal Address: Sir Harold Mitchell Building School of Biology University of St. Andrews St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TH, UK Ph: +44 (0)7478-649964 Email: ecg5(a)st-andrews.ac.uk<mailto:ecg5@st-andrews.ac.uk> Website: http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/contact/staffProfile.aspx?sunid=ecg5 SLaCE: https://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/solace/ Twitter: @_SMRU_ ----------------------------------------------------- The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland: No SC013532

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Does underwater footage of Shepherd’s beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi) exist?
by Christopher Thompson 13 Feb '18

13 Feb '18

Hi all, I am trying to determine whether any underwater footage/photographs of Shepherd's beaked whale *(**Tasmacetus shepherdi**) *exist? I have searched the relevant scientific literature (see reference list below), news and other websites documenting strandings and sightings (e.g. http://www.antarctica.gov.au/science/cool-science/2012/ whale-trackers-make-rare-sighting) and the Cetal Fauna facebook page. All of which returned imagery limited to stranded animals and photos and videos shot topside from vessels/the air. Any information on sub-surface imagery would be much appreciated. Kind Regards, Chris Thompson PhD Candidate Centre for Marine Futures University of Western Australia 20493091(a)student.uwa.edu.au *References* Aguilar de Soto, N. *et al.* (2017) ‘True’s beaked whale ( *Mesoplodon mirus* ) in Macaronesia’, *PeerJ*, 5(iii), p. e3059. doi: 10.7717/peerj.3059. Best, P. B. *et al.* (2014) ‘Identification of stomach contents from a Shepherd’s beaked whale Tasmacetus shepherdi stranded on Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic’, *Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom*, 94(6), pp. 1093–1097. doi: 10.1017/S0025315412001658. Dalebout, M. L. *et al.* (2004) ‘A comprehensive and validated molecular taxonomy of beaked whales, family Ziphiidae’, *Journal of Heredity*, 95(6), pp. 459–473. doi: 10.1093/jhered/esh054. Grandi, M. F. *et al.* (2005) ‘Record of a specimen of Shepherd’s beaked whale (<i>Tasmacetus shepherdi</i>) from the coast of Santa Cruz, Argentina, with notes on age determination’, *Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals*, 4(2), pp. 97–100. doi: 10.5597/lajam00081. Hevia, M. *et al.* (2011) ‘Strandings of six beaked whales in Santa Cruz province, southern Argentina (1998-2011)’, *Journal of Cetacean Research and Management*, (March 2015), pp. 1–8. Holyoake, C. *et al.* (2013) ‘Northernmost record of Shepherd’s beaked whale (*Tasmacetus shepherdi*) - a morphological and genetic description from a stranding from Shark Bay, Western Australia’, *Pacific Conservation Biology*, 19, pp. 169–174. doi: 10.1071/PC130169. Laughlin, C. (1996) ‘Scientific correspondence probable sighting of Tasmacetus shepherdi in the South Atlantic’, *Marine Mammal Science*, 12(3), pp. 496–497. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.1996.tb00605.x. Lichter, A. A. (1986) ‘Records of beaked whales (Ziphiidae) from the Western South Atlantic’, *The Scientific Reports of The Whales Research Institute*, 37, pp. 109–127. MacLeod, C. *et al.* (2006) ‘Known and inferred distributions of beaked whale species ( Cetacea : Ziphiidae )’, *Journal of Cetacean Research and Management*, 7(3), pp. 271–286. Available at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/noise/docs/macleod_distribution.pdf. Mead, J. G. and Payne, R. S. (1975) ‘American Society of Mammalogists A Specimen of the Tasman Beaked Whale , Tasmacetus shepherdi , from Argentina Published by : American Society of Mammalogists Stable URL : http://www.jstor.org/stable/1379619’, 56(1), pp. 213–218. Miller, B. S. *et al.* (2012) ‘Cruise report on SORP 2012 blue whale voyages: Development of acoustic methods’, *Report submitted to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission*, 64/SH11, p. 16. Available at: https://publications.csiro.au/rpr/pub?list=BRO&pid=csiro:EP125659&sb=RECENT… . Moller, A. P., Press, A. and Lions, S. (2007) ‘Shepherd’s Beaked Whale 1011’, pp. 1011–1014. Oliver, W. R. B. (1937) ‘Tasmacetus shepherdi: a new Genus and Species of Beaked Whale from New Zealand.’, *Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London*, 107 B(3), pp. 371–382. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1937.tb00015.x. Pitman, R. L. *et al.* (2006) ‘Shepherd’s beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi): Information on appearance and biology based on strandings and at-sea observations’, *Marine Mammal Science*, 22(3), pp. 744–755. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2006.00066.x. >�&� � �=o�= t� �8�n

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New papers on cognitive bias, anticipatory behaviour and Human-Animal Interactions in captive dolphins
by Isabella 12 Feb '18

12 Feb '18

Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are very pleased to be able to share with you two new publications: one showing that dolphins positively anticipated non-food interactions with their caretakers, and the other reporting a link found between dolphins' cognitive bias and anticipatory behaviour, in a first for any species. Both have implications for the way that dolphin species are managed in captivity. Clegg, I. L., Rödel, H. G., Boivin, X., & Delfour, F. (2018). Looking forward to interacting with their caretakers: dolphins’ anticipatory behaviour indicates motivation to participate in specific events. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2018.01.015 Clegg, I. L., & Delfour, F. (2018). Cognitive judgement bias is associated with frequency of anticipatory behavior in bottlenose dolphins. Zoo Biology. DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21400 The details and abstracts of the papers can be found below. Please feel free to request copies directly by emailing: izziclegg(a)hotmail.co.uk Best wishes, Isabella Clegg Dr. Isabella Clegg Animal Welfare Consulting www.animalwelfareconsulting.com Twitter: @izziclegg +44 7971 101 244 Clegg, I. L., Rödel, H. G., Boivin, X., & Delfour, F. (2018). Looking forward to interacting with their caretakers: dolphins’ anticipatory behaviour indicates motivation to participate in specific events. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. http://www.appliedanimalbehaviour.com/article/S0168-1591(18)30035-2/fulltext Abstract Anticipatory behaviour describes the actions taken to prepare for an upcoming event. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in captivity are known to display anticipatory behaviours before feeding sessions, but it is unknown whether they would anticipate non-alimentary events. Furthermore, there is no published information available for any species on whether the level of anticipatory behaviour is predictive of an animal’s actual participation in the following event or reward: answering this question would bring us closer to understanding this behaviour and its related affective states. In this study, we used sound cues to condition dolphins to the arrival of toys in their pool or a positive Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) with a familiar trainer, and measured their anticipatory behaviour before each event. The protocol was validated since the dolphins performed significantly more anticipatory behaviour before the toys and HAI contexts than a control situation, by means of increased frequencies of surface looking and spy hopping. Furthermore, we found that dolphins showed more anticipatory behaviour before the HAI than the toys context (Linear Mixed Model with 1000 permutations, all P < 0.001). In the second part of the investigation, higher anticipatory behaviour before toy provision, HAIs, and feeding sessions was significantly correlated to higher levels of participation in the event itself (measured by time spent with humans/toys, and number of times dolphins left during feeding sessions; LMM with 1000 permutations, respectively: β = 0.216 ± 0.100 SE, P = 0.039; β = 0.274 ± 0.097 SE, P = 0.008; β = −0.169 ± 0.080 SE, P = 0.045). Our results suggest that toys and HAIs were perceived as rewarding events, and we propose that non-food human interactions play an important role in these animals’ lives. We also provide some of the first empirical evidence that anticipatory behaviour is correlated to the level of participation in the following event, supporting anticipatory behaviour as a measure of motivation, and hope that this stimulates further work regarding the use of this behaviour to assess and improve animal welfare. Clegg, I. L. K., & Delfour, F. (2018). Cognitive judgement bias is associated with frequency of anticipatory behavior in bottlenose dolphins. Zoo biology. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/zoo.21400/full Abstract Many animals display a suite of increased vigilance and/or activity responses in relation to upcoming events, termed “anticipatory behavior.” Anticipatory behavior toward positive events has been suggested as a cross-species measure of affective state as it likely reflects the balance of the reward-sensitivity system: various studies suggest that animals in poorer welfare situations show higher or excessive levels of anticipation for positive events. Another tool for evaluating animals' affective state is cognitive bias testing, and although it has been attempted, a link has not yet been made between cognitive bias and anticipatory behavior levels. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in captivity increase the performance of behaviors such as surface-looking and spy-hopping in anticipation of training sessions during which food is provided. In this study we measured anticipatory behavior frequency in bottlenose dolphins prior to positive reinforcement training sessions, and assessed whether frequency of anticipatory behavior correlated with their performance on cognitive bias tasks. We found that higher frequencies of anticipatory behavior for training sessions was significantly associated with more pessimistic judgements in cognitive bias tests, supporting previous findings linking higher reward sensitivity with negative affective states. Anticipatory behavior is an easily measured activity and could represent a welfare indicator in dolphins as well as other animals in captive environments.

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New publication: New diagnostic descriptions and distribution information for Shepherd's beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi) off Southern Australia and New Zealand
by David Donnelly 12 Feb '18

12 Feb '18

Dear list, My co-authors and I are very pleased to announce the publication of our recent article in Marine Mammal Science, Early View: David M. Donnelly, Paul Ensor, Peter Gill, Rohan H. Clarke, Karen Evans, Michael C. Double, Trudi Webster, Will Rayment and Natalie T. SchmittNew diagnostic descriptions and distribution information for Shepherd's beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi) off Southern Australia and New ZealandVersion of Record online : 10 FEB 2018, DOI: 10.1111/mms.12478 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12478/full Abstract:Shepherd’s beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi), is amongst the most poorly understood of all mammals and is one of the least known cetaceans globally. Prior to 2006, there had been no validated vessel-based at-sea sightings of this species and subsequently there has been a paucity of detailed descriptive data on the external morphology of live specimens. Offshore vessel-based surveys between May 2008 and February 2017, in the region of southern Australia and New Zealand, presented rare opportunistic sightings of free-swimming Shepherd’s beaked whale. Here we present relevant data pertaining to the first detailed morphological description of live Shepherd’s beaked whale using first-hand accounts gathered from eighteen validated field observations of the species. Queries regarding this publication may be directed to killerwhalesaustralia(a)gmail.com Regards,David David Donnelly Marine Wildlife ConsultantManager: Killer Whales Australia Victoria, Australia. Mobile +61 401 011 022 Email ddonnelly6(a)yahoo.com.au Facebook www.facebook.com/killerwhalesaustralia

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REMINDER: Alaska Whale Foundation is accepting volunteer applications for the 2018 field season (DEADLINE: This Friday @ 5pm PST)
by Andy Szabo 12 Feb '18

12 Feb '18

Alaska Whale Foundation (AWF) is seeking volunteers to participate in a series of research, monitoring and data analysis projects at its remote field station on Baranof Island, Southeast Alaska (latitude 57.0877 N, longitude 134.8342 W). Volunteers will assist primarily in collecting and/or analyzing data for: • Research on humpback whale social structure, abundance patterns and health trends • Long-term landbird acoustic monitoring • Terrestrial habitat mapping The CCC is a cooperative living environment so, in addition to assisting in field sampling and data analyses, volunteers will be responsible for cooking, cleaning and basic equipment maintenance. Volunteers are expected to cover their own costs of getting to/from Petersburg AK and to supply their own foul-weather gear (rain gear, boots, etc.) appropriate for work in the Southeast Alaskan temperate rainforest. In return for participation, AWF will provide: • Transportation between the field station and Petersburg • Room and board • Mustang-style survival suits and additional safety gear Volunteers are expected to arrive in Petersburg by noon on June 23 and will be returned on the morning of August 17. Because of travel logistics within Southeast Alaska these dates are not flexible. All applicants will be considered; however, preference will be given to individuals that are/have: • Pursuing or recently awarded a BA/BS degree in biology, environmental science or similar field • Boating experience • Experience working in remote field settings • Experience with terrestrial and/or marine sampling • An ability to work well with colleagues in both research and cooperative living situations Interested individuals should apply online at http://www.alaskawhalefoundation.org/volunteer. Applications must be submitted no later than February 16 @ 5:00pm Pacific Standard Time. For more information on Alaska Whale Foundation and the Center for Coastal Conservation, please visit: www.alaskawhalefoundation.org<http://www.alaskawhalefoundation.org>

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New paper: decrease in sea ice and an increase in harbour seal abundance in the Churchill River
by Katie Florko 12 Feb '18

12 Feb '18

Dear MARMAM, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our paper in Polar Biology: Florko, K.R.N., Bernhardt, W., Breiter, C.C., Ferguson, S.H., Hainstock, M., Young, B.G., Petersen, S.D. Decreasing sea ice conditions in western Hudson Bay and an increase in abundance of harbour seals (*Phoca* *vitulina*) in the Churchill River. Polar Biology, doi: 10.1007/s00300-018-2277-6 http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-018-2277-6 Abstract: Harbour seals (*Phoca vitulina*) occur in the Arctic but little is known of their population abundance and natural history. In western Hudson Bay, they occur at lower numbers relative to ringed seals (*Pusa hispida*) and their distribution is largely unknown. However, a reduction in the duration of periods of ice cover in Hudson Bay may be shifting the habitat suitability of the region towards one that favours harbour seals. Harbour seal counts from a known haul-out site at the upstream extent of the Churchill River estuary, located in northern Manitoba, were examined in relation to sea ice conditions in western Hudson Bay. The Churchill River estuary haul-out site was observed directly or remotely (via GigaPan™ photos) during the open-water seasons in 1996, 1999, 2000, and 2005, and from 2014 to 2016. We documented an increase in abundance over the study period; the maximum number of harbour seals observed hauled out at one time was 142 in 2016, compared to a maximum of 32 observed during monitoring activities conducted between 1996 and 2005. In addition, newly born harbour seal pups were observed at the haul-out site during the latter study years, an occurrence not observed from 1996 to 2005. We suggest that an increase in the abundance of harbour seals in Hudson Bay and potentially the entire Arctic may be observed if climate change related reductions in the duration of ice cover continue. The full paper is available via this link: http://rdcu.be/GzEg Best wishes, Katie Florko -- Katie Florko, MSc Candidate Department of Biology York University Toronto, ON Twitter: @kflorko Email: katieflorko(a)gmail.com

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*Final Reminder - Submissions of candidate IMMA areas of interest for the North East Indian Ocean and South East Asian Seas*
by MMPATF IMMA 12 Feb '18

12 Feb '18

**Final Reminder - Submissions of candidate IMMA areas of interest for the North East Indian Ocean and South East Asian Seas** Dear Subscribers, This is a final reminder for submissions of Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA)areas of interest in the North East Indian Ocean and South East Asian Seas. The deadline for all submissions is by midnight **Sunday February 25th 2018** The IMMA is a global initiative developed by the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (IUCN-MMPATF). The aim of IMMA classification is to identify discrete areas of habitat throughout the world's seas and oceans, important for one or more species of marine mammal, that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation. This will require the application of a standardized process for the collation and categorization of evidence, using a consistent protocol and agreed methodology. The Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Islands regions were assessed in 2016 and 2017. The results of these workshops can now be accessed via the dedicated IMMA e-Atlas facility www.marinemammalhabitat.org/imma-eatlas The next region to be assessed by invited experts will be held in Kota Kinabalu - Malaysia - during March 2018, at a specially convened Regional IMMA Workshop for the North East Indian Ocean and South East Asian Seas. To assist those participating experts to investigated where IMMAs may be located the IUCN-MMPATF would like to invite interested parties to submit proposals using the IMMA standard web platform, which can be accessed through the following link - https://goo.gl/XydMzo - please be advised that you can only submit one proposal per survey taken. However, should you wish to submit more than one proposal, please complete this survey multiple times using the same link provided. All submissions will be collated and presented to participating experts at the North East Indian Ocean and South East Asian Seas Regional IMMA Workshop in March 2018. The IUCN-MMPATF would like to thank you for your interest in the IMMA initiative. Further information about IMMAs can be found at the Task Force homepage (www.marinemammalhabitat.org/) and on the Task Force IMMA Facebook page (tinyurl.com/zr9rvf4) For any further questions or assistance please contact the IUCN-MMPATF at immacoordinator<at>gmail.com* Dr Michael J. Tetley - IMMA Coordinator* IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force

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