October 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Survey: Education and Conservation of marine mammals
by Ligia Meirinhos Pereira 14 Oct '19

14 Oct '19

Survey: Education and Conservation of marine mammals https://forms.gle/AkvpSVdTJFFbLTwq9 The survey is part of a study being conducted by CHOICES (Culture and Historicity in Out-of-school Innovations for Communication and Education in Science), a research group from the University of São Paulo, Brazil. The purpose of this survey is to better understand the ideas about conservation from those who work with marine mammals. We would also like to understand what participants think about biodiversity conservation as a whole and how their educational background contributed to these ideas. Participation is voluntary and anonymous. The survey will be open until 28 October 2019. https://forms.gle/AkvpSVdTJFFbLTwq9 Thank you, CHOICES Department of Biological Sciences 14 Matao street Butantã, São Paulo (Brazil) Phone: (+55) 1130917575 choices(a)ib.usp.br

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New publication: Supernumerary teeth observed in a live True's beaked whale in the Bay of Biscay
by James Robbins 14 Oct '19

14 Oct '19

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I'm pleased to announce that the following article has been published open access in PeerJ. Robbins JR, Park T, Coombs EJ. 2019. Supernumerary teeth observed in a live True’s beaked whale in the Bay of Biscay. PeerJ 7:e7809 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7809 Abstract: Mesoplodont beaked whales are one of the most enigmatic mammalian genera. We document a pod of four beaked whales in the Bay of Biscay breaching and tail slapping alongside a large passenger ferry. Photographs of the animals were independently reviewed by experts, and identified as True’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon mirus). This is the first conclusive live sighting of these animals in the north-east Atlantic, and adds information to previous sightings that are likely to have been M. mirus. Photographs of an adult male appears to show two supernumerary teeth posterior to the apical mandibular tusks. Whilst analysed museum specimens (n = 8) did not show evidence of alveoli in this location, there is evidence of vestigial teeth and variable dentition in many beaked whale species. This is the first such record of supernumerary teeth in True’s beaked whales. The paper can be accessed freely using the following link: https://peerj.com/articles/7809/ Please feel free to contact me on james.robbins(a)orcaweb.org.uk if you have any queries. Best wishes, James Robbins [https://dfzljdn9uc3pi.cloudfront.net/2019/7809/1/fig-5-1x.jpg]<https://peerj.com/articles/7809/> Supernumerary teeth observed in a live True’s beaked whale in the Bay of Biscay - peerj.com<https://peerj.com/articles/7809/> Mesoplodont beaked whales are one of the most enigmatic mammalian genera. We document a pod of four beaked whales in the Bay of Biscay breaching and tail slapping alongside a large passenger ferry. Photographs of the animals were independently reviewed by experts, and identified as True’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon mirus). This is the first conclusive live sighting of these animals in the ... peerj.com

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New publication: New insights into prime Southern Ocean forage grounds for thriving Western Australian humpback whales [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
by Virginia Andrews-Goff 13 Oct '19

13 Oct '19

On behalf of my co-authors, please find below information about our recent Scientific Reports publication: 'New insights into prime Southern Ocean forage grounds for thriving Western Australian humpback whales,' https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-50497-2. Many thanks, Virginia Bestley S, Andrews-Goff V, van Wijk E, Rintoul SR, Double MC and How J 2019. New insights into prime Southern Ocean forage grounds for thriving Western Australian humpback whales. Scientific Reports 9(1): 13988. Humpback whale populations migrate extensively between winter breeding grounds and summer feeding grounds, however known links to remote Antarctic feeding grounds remain limited in many cases. New satellite tracks detail humpback whale migration pathways from Western Australia into the Southern Ocean. These highlight a focal feeding area during austral spring and early summer at the southern Kerguelen plateau, in a western boundary current where a sharp northward turn and retroflection of ocean fronts occurs along the eastern plateau edge. The topographic steering of oceanographic features here likely supports a predictable, productive and persistent forage ground. The spatial distribution of whaling catches and Discovery era mark-recaptures confirms the importance of this region to Western Australian humpback whales since at least historical times. Movement modelling discriminates sex-related behaviours, with females moving faster during both transit and resident periods, which may be a consequence of size or indicate differential energetic requirements. Relatively short and directed migratory pathways overall, together with high-quality, reliable forage resources may provide a partial explanation for the ongoing strong recovery demonstrated by this population. The combination of new oceanographic information and movement data provides enhanced understanding of important biological processes, which are relevant within the context of the current spatial management and conservation efforts in the Southern Ocean. Dr Virginia Andrews-Goff Marine Mammal Research Scientist Science Branch Australian Antarctic Division Department of the Environment and Energy 203 Channel Highway, Kingston Tasmania Australia 7050 T: 03 6232 3122 M: 0404 668 639 Please note: I am in the office on Monday, Tuesday and Friday [cid:image001.jpg@01D5827A.8F5F5BF0]<http://www.antarctica.gov.au/> ___________________________________________________________________________ Australian Antarctic Division - Commonwealth of Australia IMPORTANT: This transmission is intended for the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited by Commonwealth law. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail or by telephoning +61 3 6232 3209 and DELETE the message. Visit our web site at http://www.antarctica.gov.au/ ___________________________________________________________________________

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New Publication: Challenges of collecting blow from small cetaceans
by Vanessa Pirotta (HDR) 13 Oct '19

13 Oct '19

Dear MARMAM readers, My colleagues and I would like to share our new publication: Challenges of collecting blow from small cetaceans Raudino, H. C., J. A. Tyne, A. Smith, K. Ottewell, S. McArthur, A. M. Kopps, D. Chabanne, R. G.Harcourt, V. Pirotta, and K. Waples. 2019. Challenges of collecting blow from small cetaceans. Ecosphere 10(10):e02901. 10.1002/ecs2.2901 Abstract We trialed the collection of blow samples using a waterproof electric multirotor (quadcopter) drone from two free-ranging dolphin species, the abundant and approachable bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) and the less common and boat shy humpback dolphin (Sousa sahulensis). This drone was fast, maneuverable, and quiet compared to other drones commonly used in studies of cetaceans and relative to their hearing thresholds. We were successful in collecting blow samples from four individual dolphins (three bottlenose dolphins and one humpback dolphin) in two groups. The success of obtaining samples was dependent on the individual dolphin’s activity. We were successful in sampling when dolphins were resting and socializing but found that socializing dolphins were not predictable in their surfacing and direction and therefore do not recommend drone sampling socializing dolphins. The suitability and preference of the sampling technique over biopsy sampling is highly dependent on the dolphin activity. We also attempted to extract DNA from the blow samples with the aim of assessing the feasibility of using blow sampling by drone for population genetic studies. We were unsuccessful in extracting DNA and recommend that others attempting to sample dolphin blow with a drone should prioritize collecting a larger volume of blow that may yield adequate concentrations of DNA to be amplified. Blow sample volume could potentially be increased by sampling with more absorbent materials. Available online here: https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ecs2.2901 Vanessa Dr. Vanessa Pirotta Marine Predator Research Group Department of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science and Engineering Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia Twitter: @vanessapirotta Watch my TEDx talk here<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PXgFoTtwi0>

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MSc position opportunity at Western Washington University
by Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez 12 Oct '19

12 Oct '19

The Marine Mammal Ecology Lab at Western Washington University and the Makah Tribe are looking for a MSc student to assist in a project funded by Washington Sea Grant. The student will conduct a study on predation by harbor seals and Steller sea lions on Chinook salmon along the Pacific coast of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. The student will help collect scat in the field, process scat in the laboratory, determine sex-biased predation using molecular techniques, analyze diet data generated by collaborators, determine prey consumption by sex, model predation impact on Chinook salmon, mentor students, and give presentations to scientists and public alike. At least one peer-reviewed publication is expected from this work. The successful applicant will begin Fall quarter of 2020 and will be funded for two years, including summers, entirely through an RAship. The student will work with Adrianne Akmajian (Marine Ecologist of the Makah Tribe), Dr. Dietmar Schwarz (Professor in Biology), and Dr. Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez (Professor in Biology and Science Education). You can learn more about the Makah Tribe at https://makah.com/makah-tribal-info/ and about the Marine Mammal Ecology Lab at http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/aceveda/. We are looking for students who are extremely motivated, responsible, congenial, experienced in the field and top-notch academically, willing to publish their thesis in a scientific journal, and that will ultimately use the skills and knowledge that they acquire at Western in research, education, or conservation. We also are looking for students who know how to write well, are meticulous and organized, have experience working with scat, molecular techniques, and/or models, and have strong statistical skills. This opportunity is open to U.S. citizens or residents. If you are interested in being part of this project, please email me at aceveda(a)wwu.edu<mailto:aceveda@wwu.edu> the following information before Nov 28th of 2019: * -Unofficial copy of undergraduate transcript (a scanned copy or a photocopy is fine) * -Copy of either a curriculum vitae or a resume summarizing your work and academic experience * -A 1-2 page statement of purpose outlining a) your short- and long-term career goals, b) why you want to be part of this project, and c) how your experience and qualifications make you a good fit to work with us. * -Unofficial copy of general GRE results (a write-up of the scores AND percentiles is all we want) and, if you took the exam, biology GRE scores * -Names, addresses, telephone, and email of three references, whom we will contact if needed We are looking forward to your application Alejandro Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez, Professor in Biology and Science Education Western Washington University Bellingham, WA 98225-9160 USA aceveda(a)wwu.edu or Alejandro.Acevedo-Gutierrez(a)wwu.edu

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New paper on fatal bite injuries on harbour porpoises by grey seals
by IJsseldijk, L.L. (Lonneke) 12 Oct '19

12 Oct '19

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following in Scientific Reports: Title: Forensic microbiology reveals that Neisseria animaloris infections in harbour porpoises follow traumatic injuries by grey seals Authors: Geoffrey Foster, Adrian M. Whatmore, Mark P. Dagleish, Henry Malnick, Maarten J. Gilbert, Lineke Begeman, Shaheed K. Macgregor, Nicholas J. Davison, Hendrik Jan Roest, Paul Jepson, Fiona Howie, Jakub Muchowski, Andrew C. Brownlow, Jaap A. Wagenaar, Marja J. L. Kik, Rob Deaville, Mariel T. I. ten Doeschate, Jason Barley, Laura Hunter & Lonneke L. IJsseldijk Abstract: Neisseria animaloris is considered to be a commensal of the canine and feline oral cavities. It is able to cause systemic infections in animals as well as humans, usually after a biting trauma has occurred. We recovered N. animaloris from chronically inflamed bite wounds on pectoral fins and tailstocks, from lungs and other internal organs of eight harbour porpoises. Gross and histopathological evidence suggest that fatal disseminated N. animaloris infections had occurred due to traumatic injury from grey seals. We therefore conclude that these porpoises survived a grey seal predatory attack, with the bite lesions representing the subsequent portal of entry for bacteria to infect the animals causing abscesses in multiple tissues, and eventually death. We demonstrate that forensic microbiology provides a useful tool for linking a perpetrator to its victim. Moreover, N. animaloris should be added to the list of potential zoonotic bacteria following interactions with seals, as the finding of systemic transfer to the lungs and other tissues of the harbour porpoises may suggest a potential to do likewise in humans. It is open access and can be downloaded from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-50979-3 Best wishes, Geoffrey Foster & Lonneke IJsseldijk Lonneke L. IJsseldijk, MSc Project Manager Cetacean Research Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University Department of Pathobiology T +31 30 253 5312, M +31 6 244 556 98 Website: http://www.uu.nl/strandingsonderzoek<https://solismail.uu.nl/owa/redir.aspx?C=n2EDWjQYt2ej60rVUxXUzGfhW5hfesE-XM…> Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strandingresearch/<https://solismail.uu.nl/owa/redir.aspx?C=bKyzpiSyGURCkfdwOpSNkqgMn66ZEALWlf…>

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JASCO job posting
by David Zeddies 11 Oct '19

11 Oct '19

Dear MARMAM Community, Below is a short description of two job posting that may be of interest: JASCO Applied Sciences, a leader in the science related to anthropogenic noise and its effects on marine life, has openings in our Silver Spring, MD office for an *Environmental Specialist/Project Manager* and an *Acoustic Measurement Specialist. *Under the guidance of senior project managers, the *Environmental Specialist/Project Manager* will work within a team of engineers and acousticians, and with our clients, regulators and stakeholders to plan and coordinate the completion of projects. The projects will include environmental and acoustic impact assessment, scoping and coordinating environmental studies and compliance monitoring, and interpreting data and preparing reports for regulatory submission. The* Acoustic Measurement Specialist *will conduct scientific research programs in the field and at sea; participating in the preparation, deployment, and retrieval of a variety of underwater acoustic instrumentation packages, and process and report on the collected data. This position may require considerable worldwide travel. For more detail and to apply for either position, please visit our postings on Indeed.com: https://www.indeedjobs.com/jasco-applied-sciences-usa-inc/_hl/en_US?cpref=J… Thank you, David ___________________ David Zeddies, Ph.D. Senior Scientist ___________________ JASCO APPLIED SCIENCES 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 218 Silver Spring, MD 20910 David.Zeddies(a)jasco.com

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New paper investigating the porpoise dive response (Siri Elmegaard)
by Siri Lander Elmegaard 10 Oct '19

10 Oct '19

Dear colleagues, We are happy to announce the publication of a study investigating the physical stimulators of diving bradycardia and surfacing tachycardia in trained harbour porpoises, providing insight into the drivers of the cetacean diving physiology. We found that blowhole submergence is an important driver of bradycardia, while apnoea will lead to delayed bradycardia; however, anticipatory/volitional modulation can overrule such responses to sensory inputs. Drivers of the dive response in trained harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) Siri L. Elmegaard, Birgitte I. McDonald and Peter T. Madsen Abstract: Pronounced dive responses through peripheral vasoconstriction and bradycardia enable prolonged apnoea in marine mammals. For most vertebrates, the dive response is initiated upon face immersion, but little is known about the physical drivers of diving and surfacing heart rate in cetaceans whose faces are always mostly submerged. Using two trained harbour porpoises instrumented with an ECG-measuring sound-and-movement tag (DTAG-3), we investigated the initiation and progression of bradycardia and tachycardia during apnoea and eupnoea for varying levels of immersion. We show that paranasal wetting drives bradycardia initiation and progression, whereas apnoea leads to dive-level bradycardia eventually, but not instantly. At the end of dives, heart rate accelerates independently of lung expansion, perhaps in anticipation of surfacing; however, full tachycardia is only engaged upon inhalation. We conclude that breathing drives surface tachycardia, whereas blowhole wetting is an important driver of bradycardia; however, anticipatory/volitional modulation can overrule such responses to sensory inputs. Find the paper via Journal of Experimental Biology: http://jeb.biologists.org/lookup/doi/10.1242/jeb.208637 Or I will be happy to share a copy upon request. Best wishes, Siri Siri Lander Elmegaard PhD fellow, Dept. Bioscience Section for Zoophysiology & Section for Marine Mammal Research Aarhus University, Denmark (+45) 26858014 siri(a)bios.au.dk<mailto:siri@bios.au.dk> [AU-logo-mail-150]

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Latest issue of Sirenews available for download
by James Powell 10 Oct '19

10 Oct '19

The editors of Sirenews, the newsletter of the IUCN Sirenia Specialist Group, are pleased to announce that the latest issue (October 2019, Number 70) is available at: http://cmaresearchinstitute.org/sirenews/ You can also find archived issues of Sirenews there as well. To join our distribution list to receive Sirenews directly, please email sirenews(a)sea2shore.org to be added to the list. Robert Bonde and James Powell Editors Sirenews

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New Paper on Best Practice Recommendations for External Telemetry Devices on Pinnipeds
by Sheanna M Steingass 10 Oct '19

10 Oct '19

Dear Colleagues, We are excited to announce a new collaborative paper with updated best practice recommendations for the use and application of external telemetry devices on pinnipeds. You may find and download our open-access publication at: https://animalbiotelemetry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40317-019-01… Citation Horning M, Andrews RD, Bishop AM, Boveng PL, Costa DP, Crocker DE, Haulena M, Hindell M, Hindle AG, Holser RR, Hooker SK, Hückstädt LA, Johnson S, Lea MA, McDonald BI, McMahon CR, Robinson PW, Sattler RL, Shuert CR, Steingass SM, Thompson D, Tuomi PA, Williams CL & Womble JN. Best practice recommendations for the use of external telemetry devices on pinnipeds. Animal Biotelemetry. 2019 Dec;7(1):1-7. Abstract Pinnipeds spend large portions of their lives at sea, submerged, or hauled-out on land, often on remote off-shore islands. This fundamentally limits access by researchers to critical parts of pinniped life history and has spurred the development and implementation of a variety of externally attached telemetry devices (ETDs) to collect information about movement patterns, physiology and ecology of marine animals when they cannot be directly observed. ETDs are less invasive and easier to apply than implanted internal devices, making them more widely used. However, ETDs have limited retention times and their use may result in negative short- and long-term consequences including capture myopathy, impacts to energetics, behavior, and entanglement risk. We identify 15 best practice recommendations for the use of ETDs with pinnipeds that address experimental justification, animal capture, tag design, tag attachment, effects assessments, preparation, and reporting. Continued improvement of best practices is critical within the framework of the Three Rs (Reduction, Refinement, Replacement); these best practice recommendations provide current guidance to mitigate known potential negative outcomes for individuals and local populations. These recommendations were developed specifically for pinnipeds; however, they may also be applicable to studies of other marine taxa. We conclude with four desired future directions for the use of ETDs in technology development, validation studies, experimental designs and data sharing. Paper inquiries may be directed towards the primary and corresponding author, Markus Horning at markush(a)alaskasealife.org<mailto:markush@alaskasealife.org>. Best regards, Sheanna Steingass, PhD | Marine Mammal Program Leader Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife O: 541.757.5245 sheanna.m.steingass(a)state.or.us<https://mallard.dfw.state.or.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=WWX4I5WM1of6I5BGqwE3kHLHwX…>

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