April 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: Symbiotic microbes and potential pathogens in dead right whale calves
by Cari Marón 12 Apr '19

12 Apr '19

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our recent publication in Anaerobe Science describing the gut microbiota in southern right whale calves. Marón CF, Kohl KD, Chirife A, Di Martino Matí, Fons MariolaPenadé, NavarroMA, Beingesser J, McAloose D, Uzal FA, Dearing MD, Rowntree VJ, Uhart M, Symbiotic microbes andpotential pathogens in the intestine of dead southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) calves, Anaerobe(2019), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anaerobe.2019.04.003. The early version of the manuscript is available here: https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S1075996419300708?token=7BE926C05… Abstract Between 2003 and 2017, at least 706 southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) calves died at the Península Valdés calving ground in Argentina. Pathogenic microbes are often suggested to be the cause of stranding events in cetaceans; however, to date there is no evidence supporting bacterial infections as a leading cause of right whale calf deaths in Argentina. We used high-throughput sequencing and culture methods to characterize the bacterial communities and to detect potential pathogens from the intestine of stranded calves. We analyzed small and large intestinal contents from 44 dead calves that stranded at Península Valdés from 2005-2010 and found 108 bacterial genera, most identified as Firmicutes or Bacteroidetes, and 9 genera that have been previously implicated in diseases of marine mammals. Only one operational taxonomic unit was present in all samples and identified as Clostridium perfringens type A. PCR results showed that all C. perfringens isolates (n=38) were positive for alpha, 50% for beta 2 (n=19) and 47% for enterotoxin (CPE) genes (n=18). The latter is associated with food-poisoning and gastrointestinal diseases in humans and possibly other animals. The prevalence of the cpe gene found in the Valdés’ calves is unusually high compared with other mammals. However, insufficient histologic evidence of gastrointestinal inflammation or necrosis (the latter possibly masked by autolysis) in the gut of stranded calves, and absence of enterotoxin detection precludes conclusions about the role of C. perfringens in calf deaths. Further work is required to determine whether C. perfringens or other pathogens detected in this study are causative agents of calf deaths at Península Valdés. Kind regards, Cari Marón

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New publication: Testosterone Trends In Male Humpback Whales
by Kelly Cates 12 Apr '19

12 Apr '19

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following article in General and Comparative Endocrinology. Cates, K. A., Atkinson, S., Gabriele, C. M., Pack, A. A., Straley, J. M., & Yin, S. 2019. Testosterone Trends Within and Across Seasons in Male Humpback Whales (*Megaptera novaeangliae)* from Hawaii and Alaska. General and Comparative Endocrinology. Abstract: Understanding reproductive profiles and timing of reproductive events is essential in the management and conservation of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Yet compared to other parameters and life history traits, such as abundance, migratory trends, reproductive rates, behavior and communication, relatively little is known about variations in reproductive physiology, especially in males. Here, an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for testosterone was validated for use in biopsy samples from male humpback whales. Analyses were conducted on 277 North Pacific male humpback whale blubber samples, including 268 non-calves and 9 calves that were collected in the Hawaiian breeding grounds and the Southeast Alaskan feeding grounds from 2004 to 2006. Testosterone concentrations (ng/g) were significantly different between non-calves sampled in Hawaii (n = 182) and Alaska (n = 86, p < 0.05) with peak testosterone concentrations occurring in the winter (January–March) and the lowest concentrations occurring in the summer (June–September). Fall and spring showed increasing and decreasing trends in testosterone concentrations, respectively. Blubber testosterone concentrations in non-calves and calves sampled in Alaska were not significantly different. Blubber and skin from the same individual biopsies (n = 37) were also compared, with blubber having significantly higher testosterone concentrations (p < 0.05) than skin samples. We found variability in testosterone concentration with age, suggesting that male humpbacks reach peak lifetime testosterone concentrations in the breeding grounds around age 8–25 years. The testosterone profile of male humpback whales follows a predictable pattern for capital breeders, where testosterone begins to increase prior to the breeding season, stimulating the onset of spermatogenesis. Incorporation of reproductive hormonal profiles into our overall understanding of humpback whale physiology will shed additional light on the timing of reproduction and overall health of the recently delisted Hawaii distinct population segment (DPS). The publication is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.03.013 Or if you would like a copy sent to you, please email Kelly at kacates(a)alaska.edu Cheers, *Kelly Cates, PhD Student* College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences Juneau Fisheries Division, University of Alaska Fairbanks kacates(a)alaska.edu| '

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Latest issue of Sirenews available for download
by James Powell 12 Apr '19

12 Apr '19

The editors of Sirenews, the newsletter of the IUCN Sirenia Specialist Group, is pleased to announce that the latest issue (April 2019, Number 69) is available at: http://Sea2shore.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. James Powell and Robert Bonde Editors Sirenews

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Historical Perspectives Year 9 interviews viewable on Aquatic Mammals website
by Kathleen Dudzinski 12 Apr '19

12 Apr '19

Dear MARMAM subscribers, I am please to announce that year 9 in Aquatic Mammals journal’s Historical Perspective series is now available for viewing on the journal’s web site (www.aquaticmammalsjouranl.org <http://www.aquaticmammalsjouranl.org/>). Subscribers to the journal have free access to viewing all the clips for each of the new interviewees. Volume IX (year 9) features interviews with: Kim Terrell, Robert Pitman, Lisa Ballance, James “Buddy” Powell, William Winhall, Steve McCulloch, and Rae Stone. Three summary videos are also included with year 9 of the Historical Perspectives Series: Summary - From the Archives, Early Research; Summary - What students should know about Marine Mammal History; and Summary - Animal Welfare 2018. Year 9 videos are now available. You can order an individual’s video clips from Volume IX or order the complete set for Volume IX. Check out the website, if you are a subscriber to view the interview clips, or to purchase your copy of these video sequences. Aquatic Mammals Journal launched this series in 2008, in which esteemed colleagues are interviewed for a video record and some also provide a written essay of their perspective in a field related to marine mammal studies. The essays appear as articles in Aquatic Mammals, and videos are available for purchase on the Aquatic Mammals website. Enjoy! Cheers Kathleen Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D. Editor, Aquatic Mammals Journal business(a)aquaticmammalsjournal.org <mailto:business@aquaticmammalsjournal.org> aquaticmammals(a)gmail.com <mailto:aquaticmammals@gmail.com> www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org <http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/> to submit a manuscript, visit our: Manuscript Fast track web site at http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php <http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php>

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Marine mammal monitoring Training courses-MMO/PSO/PAM
by Stephanie Barnicoat 12 Apr '19

12 Apr '19

Dear Colleagues, Seiche Training delivers world class training courses which qualifies delegates to work offshore. Over the globe we will be delivering our JNNC accredited MMO, BOEM/BSEE compliant PSO an our PAM course. Please see dates and locations below. Our JNCC accredited MMO course is run over two days to provide comprehensive coverage of the role of the MMO. On the course there is a mixture classroom theory and practical boat sessions, where delegates will get a thorough insight into all aspects of life as an MMO. On the course, we will look at anthropogenic noise, how noise impacts marine mammals, mitigation measures in place, record keeping and reporting requirements and an introduction into marine mammals. This PSO training BOEM (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management) compliant to provide Protected Species Observer certification for seismic surveys and is accepted in various other industries and regions where mitigation for marine mammals is needed. PSO's monitor for marine mammals and sea turtles and advise on the measures required to reduce impacts to the animals worldwide. The PSO course looks at Noise in the ocean, the regulations for minimising risks to marine mammals during industrial activities, Types of dredging, marine mammal identification and documenting animal behaviour, data collection and report writing. The PAM course includes an introduction into sound in water, looking at how sound propagates underwater, marine mammal vocalisations, using PAMGuard, with hands on practical sessions and hardware set up, installing and deploying the equipment on a vessel, as the PAM course will include a boat trip to provide experience in locating and identifying protected species at sea, as well as practice in methods for distance estimation. For prices, or any questions, if you wish to book, please do not hesitate to contact myself or training(a)seiche.com<mailto:training@seiche.com> Course dates and locations MMO * 24-25 June, Okehampton, Devon, UK * 2-3 September, Okehampton, Devon, UK * 9-10 December, Okehampton, Devon, UK PSO * 5-6 August, Downtown, Boston, US * 12-13 August, St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada * 30-31 Oct, New Orleans * 7-8 Nov, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil PAM * 26-28 June, Okehampton, Devon, UK * 7-9 August, Downtown, Boston, US * 14-16 August, St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada * 4-5 September, Okehampton, Devon, UK * 1-3 November, New Orleans * 9-11 November, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil * 11-13 December, Okehampton, Devon, UK Seiche Ltd Stephanie Barnicoat Project Officer Seiche Ltd Bradworthy Industrial Estate, Langdon Road, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7SF, United Kingdom T: +44(0)1837 503386 E: s.barnicoat(a)seiche.com W: www.seiche.com Registered in England & Wales No. 3475558, Registered Office: The Custom House, The Strand, Barnstaple, Devon The information contained in this e-mail transmission, and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages attached to it, is privileged and confidential, and solely intended for the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient you should not read, copy, distribute or otherwise use the information, and you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify sender immediately and delete this e-mail and attached documents.

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New PhD posititions on marine mammals at University of Padova - Italy
by Sandro Mazzariol 11 Apr '19

11 Apr '19

Dear all this email is just to inform you all that the call for 2 PhD positions on marine mammal medicine have been opened and it will close on May 14th. The two candidates will be involved in developing new technologies as machine learning and virtual/augmented reality to represent and study cetaceans' anatomy, physiology and pathology to some specific tissues and organs, in particular to the brain and the understanding acoustic pathways under the supervision of myself (Sandro Mazzariol) and Prof. Bruno Cozzi from Padua University. Selected candidates will be in touch with also with all the researches ongoing in our Department as well as with necropsies on marine mammals and sea turtles perforemd in our Department. You can find the call in English at https://www.unipd.it/en/research/doctoral-degrees-phd-programmes/phd-progra… Select the PhD Course in Veterinary Sciences (n. 41, the last one) and look for scholarships funded by the Project ECCE AQUA - Dept of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Sciences (Research Topic in "New technologies and augmented reality in the study of marine vertebrates medicine" and " Tissues images analyses by using big data management and evaluation"). If you need further information please don't exitate to contact me. Best wishes Sandro Mazzariol -- Prof. Sandro Mazzariol, DVM, PhD Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione (BCA) - Università degli Studi di Padova Cetaceans strandings Emergency Response Team (CERT) Centro Interuniversitario per la Ricerca sui CEtacei (CIRCE) AGRIPOLIS - Ed. Museo Viale dell'Università 16 35020 - Legnaro (PD) tel.: +39 049 827 2963 fax: +39 049 827 2973 skype: smazzariol

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Whale sounds required
by Bryony Manley 11 Apr '19

11 Apr '19

Hi all, We work for a small cetacean research charity on the Isle of Man called Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch. We have recently opened a little visitor centre and received some funding to install a tablet and headphones as a 'listening station' where visitors can hear sounds of some of our local species. We don't yet have our own recordings (we will hopefully collect these over the next year or so) so we are hoping some groups would be willing to let us use some small clips of sounds for this purpose. The species we have displayed info about are: Harbour porpoise (*Phocoena phocoena*) Common dolphin *(Delphinus delphis*) Bottlenose dolphin *(Tursiops truncatus*) Risso's dolphin *(Grampus griseus*) Minke whale (*Balaenoptera acutorostrata*) Killer whale (*Orcinus orca*) Humpback whale (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) Fin whale (*Balaenoptera physalus*) We would of course credit your recording. If anyone has anything suitable they would be willing to share just for this educational purpose please get in touch with info(a)mwdw.net Thank you very much for your help, Bryony and Jen

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Reminder to Register for NW Student Chapter Marine Mammal Conference!
by UW MarMam 10 Apr '19

10 Apr '19

Dear MARMAM community, This is a reminder to register and submit your abstracts for the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Northwest Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (NWSSMM) at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle on 18-19 May 2019! *The abstract submission deadline is April 19 at 11:59 PM PST.* We encourage students (undergrad, grad, and post-docs) to submit an abstract to present their research. Abstracts for research at all stages, including proposed research and preliminary results, will be accepted. Depending on the number of registrants, oral presentations may be reserved for projects with results. Registration cost is TBD (max of $15 USD) and will include breakfast, snacks, and lunch. Registration for the meeting will be accepted up until the day of the meeting (on-site registration available). The purpose of the annual meeting is to cultivate community among students studying marine mammals by creating a relaxed atmosphere to share research ideas, tribulations, and triumphs. Though the meeting is geared towards students, everyone and anyone interested in marine mammals are encouraged to attend! Saturday, May 18th, will involve a full day of oral and poster presentations, followed by a group dinner at Big Time Brewery. On Sunday, May 19th, we are offering an optional outing to the Seattle Aquarium (behind the scenes!, max price of $10 for admission) and Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. *Register and/or submit your abstract at: * https://goo.gl/forms/TrnsKGoMw4MXt2cS2 *Follow along on the Facebook event page: * https://www.facebook.com/events/651319458635126/ Hope to see you in Seattle! The NWSSMM 23rd Annual Meeting Student Organizers

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Antarctica Research Opportunity 2019-2020 Season
by Laura K.O. Smith 10 Apr '19

10 Apr '19

Antarctica Research Opportunity 2019-2020 Season Quixote Expeditions, a sailing company in Antarctica, has up to 3 bunk spaces during the 2019-2020 Antarctic Season for Guest Scientists to join us in Antarctica. The season is 1 Dec 2019 - 29 Feb 2020. Scientists can come for 15 or 19 day trips during this time period. In the past our research positions have been filled by members of the MARMAM community helping phd with projects! We hope to continue to be able to support this community. Details are below. Any questions please contact info@quixote -expeditions.com. Applications Due April 30, 2019 *Antarctica Guest Scientist Program* Quixote Expeditions is excited to announce its 2019-2020 Guest Scientist program for our 2019-2020 season on trips to the Antarctic Peninsula. More information is on our website (http://www.quixote-expeditions.com/guest -scientist/) and below: Quixote Expeditions has a Guest Scientist Program where scientists can join any of our regularly scheduled trips in order to help them carry out their active research. This can be anyone working on a master's or PhD thesis, post-docs, professors and researchers at universities, and scientists associated with non-profits. We offer a free space onboard any of our scheduled trips for scientists to perform their research. We sail in remote places that are often hard for scientists to get to and for those with limited funding, impossible due to the expensive nature of working in remote areas. We hope that by offering these spaces, one per trip, that amazing and interesting science can be continued here at the end of the world. In exchange we ask that the scientists to contribute the following: - To involve the other guests onboard with the research and data collecting if possible (Its not always possible!). - To present some of their current or past research while onboard. - At the end of the trip to prepare a short write up about the trip and the science that will then be posted on the QuixoteExpeditions Website. - To help operate the vessel (standing watch, helping in the galley, etc). Ocean Tramp, while a large sailboat, is still small compared to a larger research vessel. We ask that all scientists chip in, along with our guests. We can offer free room and board to one scientists per trip. All other related costs are at the expense of the scientists. Please go to our website for the application and full details http://www.quixote-expedition s.com/guest-scientist/ Please feel to contact me with any questions Laura Smith info(a)quixote-expeditions.com

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Photo ID research assistant positions at SMRU
by Monica Arso Civil 10 Apr '19

10 Apr '19

Please see below details for TWO Photo-ID research assistant positions at the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU), University of St Andrews, Scotland. Application closing date: 2nd May 2019 The project is funded by the Scottish Government as part of a Marine Mammal Scientific Support grant to SMRU to investigate the decline of harbour seal numbers in areas of Scotland. One of the project's objectives is to gain a better understanding of harbour seal population dynamics in different areas. The project, led by Prof Ailsa Hall at SMRU, aims to address this data gap by collecting sighting and pupping history data of harbour seals at different study sites using photo-identification methods. Mark-recapture models will then be fitted to these data in order to estimate birth and survival rates. The appointed research assistants will play a key role in the project and will be responsible for processing photo-identification data collected at the study sites (Isle of Skye, Kintyre Peninsula, and Orkney) in 2019, and contribute to generating the associated databases and photo-ID catalogues. Details on these posts can be found at: Photo-ID Research Assistant - post AR2206HM https://www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/4178/0/226601/889/photo-… Photo-ID Research Assistant - post AR2205HM https://www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/3662/0/226611/889/photo-… Kind regards, Dr Mònica Arso-Civil Research Fellow Sea Mammal Research Unit Scottish Oceans Institute University of St Andrews KY16 8LB Tel: +44 (0) 1334 462629 SMRU twitter: @_SMRU_ Personal twitter: @monicaarso Project's blog: http://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/harbourseals/ *********************************************** The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532

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