June 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: song production by North Pacific right whales
by Jessica Crance - NOAA Federal 19 Jun '19

19 Jun '19

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce that the following paper on song production by the critically endangered eastern North Pacific right whale is now available online: Crance, J.L., Berchok, C.L., Wright, D.L., Brewer, A.M., Woodrich, D.F. 2019. Song production by the North Pacific right whale, *Eubalaena japonica*. J. Acoust. Soc. Amer. 145 (6). https://asa.scitation.org/doi/10.1121/1.5111338 Abstract: This paper describes song production by the eastern North Pacific right whale (NPRW, *Eubalaena japonica*) in the southeastern Bering Sea. Songs were localized in real-time to individuals using sonobuoys. Singers whose sex could be determined were all males. Autonomous recorder data from 17 year-long deployments were analyzed to document and characterize song types. Four distinct song types were documented over eight years (2009–2017) at five distinct locations. Each song type consists of a hierarchical structure of 1–3 different repeating phrases comprised predominantly of gunshot sounds; three of the four songs contained additional sound types (downsweep, moan, and low-frequency pulsive call). Songs were detected annually (July–January); all song types remained consistent over eight years. Two different songs often occurred simultaneously, produced by different individuals; the same song was never detected simultaneously at the same location. The same song type was detected on the same day and time at two distant locations, indicating multiple individuals can produce the same song. These findings provide support that males produce song; it remains unknown if females also sing. NPRW is the first right whale species documented to produce song. Based on current knowledge about song in mysticetes, it is hypothesized that these songs are reproductive displays. Pdfs are available upon request. Best, Jessica -- Jessica Crance Marine Mammal Laboratory Alaska Fisheries Science Center 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115 206-526-4063

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royalty free photo of Balaena mysticetus
by Gianni Pavan 19 Jun '19

19 Jun '19

dear all, I'm writing on behalf of my colleagues of the Natural History Museum of the University of Pavia. As the Museum holds some bones of Balaena mysticetus, they are willing to show a good quality photograph of the whale and to publish it in the guide of the museum. I'd appreciate if you can suggest a source or offer a photo. We can't pay but only include thanks to the Author. Any feedback is appreciated, Gianni Pavan -- Centro Interdisciplinare di Bioacustica e Ricerche Ambientali Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente Università degli Studi di Pavia Via Taramelli 24, 27100 Pavia http://www.unipv.it/cibra http://mammiferimarini.unipv.it

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2 winter internships on spatial analyses of anthropogenic pressures over cetaceans in Madeira
by Ruth Esteban 19 Jun '19

19 Jun '19

This is an offer for 2 winter internships on spatial analyses of anthropogenic pressures over cetaceans in Madeira. *Host*: Madeira Whale Museum *Background*: Madeira Whale Museum’s aim is to generate knowledge on the biology and ecology of cetaceans and the related marine environment, namely the species that live in the sea of Madeira, as well as to study and assess the potential anthropogenic pressures that may be affecting these species. Marine litter data has been collected during distance sampling line-transect shipboard surveys made by the Madeira Whale Museum since 2001 in the Madeira archipelago coastal waters. Besides the presence of litter information related with the type of litter was collected , i.e. plastic bags, plastic bottles, other type of plastics, fishing gear, buoy, wood or glass bottle, to estimate their abundance and model their distribution. Data will be organized and processed for analysis and preliminary analysis of the distribution and temporal evolution of marine litter density will be made. Another potential pressure for marine mammals in the area is the presence of marine traffic. Different sources of data will be available: direct records made during dedicated sighting surveys since 2001, telemetry data relayed by the Automatic Identification System (AIS), GPS data of whale watching boats or vessel monitoring system (VMS) installed on fishing vessels. Traffic intensity will be calculated using statistical models according to boat categories. *Aim*: Internship 1: To organize data and run preliminary analysis on marine litter densities around Madeira. Overlap this pressure with the presence of resident species of cetaceans in Madeira. Internship 2: To organize data and run preliminary analysis on marine traffic intensity around Madeira. Overlap this pressure with the presence of resident species of cetaceans in Madeira. *Tasks*: - Most days of the week will be spent at the Museum to process and analyse the spatial data of the anthropogenic pressures. - The intern will go on whale watching boats to collect cetacean sighting data, photo-identification data and note compliance with local regulations. - The intern will go on our research boat to collect cetacean sighting, photo-identification and sampling data. *Training*: The necessary equipment and training for the field work will be provided (species identification, camera, GPS, binoculars, datasheets, etc), as well as a computer for data organization and processing. By the end of the internship, the trainee will be able to: - Organize and process spatial data of anthropogenic pressures; - Basic spatial analyses with distance sampling/GIS softwares; Identify in the field the cetacean species present in Madeira archipelago; - Collect observational data from sightings, environmental parameters and effort, organize it and process it for analysis; - Collect photo-id data in the field, organize it and process it; *Requirements*: - Know basic data processing (Access/Excel), GIS programs (QGIS/ArcGIS) and experience desirable but not essential with R. - Be patient and organized - Motivated to work - Commit to a minimum of 6 months - Show interest and willingness to learn The work will take place at the Madeira Whale Museum in Caniçal, Madeira, Portugal. The student will be responsible for his travel to and from Madeira, housing and food. The Madeira Whale Museum can sign internship agreements with Universities. *Dates*: January-June 2020 *Deadline for application:* 31st of July 2019 *Supervision*: Ruth Esteban, Philippe Verborgh and Luis Freitas *How to apply*: A CV and a motivation letter should be sent to Ruth Esteban at the following email: ruthesteban(a)museudabaleia.org If you have any questions or doubts you can contact us. Cheers, Ruth Bióloga Marinha - *Marine Biologist* Unidade de Ciência - *Science Unit* [image: logombm] © Museu da Baleia - *Madeira Whale Museum* Rua Garcia Moniz Nº.1, 9200-031 Caniçal, Madeira, Portugal. T: 00 351 291 961 858 <+351%20291%20961%20858> | F: 00 351 291 961 859 <+351%20291%20961%20859> www.museudabaleia.org Siga-nos em: [image: logofacebook] <https://www.facebook.com/museu.baleia.madeira/>[image: logoinstagram] <https://www.instagram.com/museudabaleia/>[image: logoyoutube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUG7Ev5KgQA5EJjbfbdfAPQ>

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Marine Mammal Science Masters Degree - applications due July 15
by University of Miami RSMAS 19 Jun '19

19 Jun '19

Good morning MARMAM! I wanted to chat about our Marine Mammal Science degree program which falls under our Master of Professional Science (take the same courses as Ph.D. and MS students, but instead of a thesis/dissertation, you do an internship/research in the field with organizations such as NOAA, NPS, NGOs, etc. and 94% of students have a job in the field 6 months after graduation) I have listed all 14 tracks below including marine mammal science: *Degree Programs <https://mps.rsmas.miami.edu/degree-tracks/index.html>* - Applied Remote Sensing <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> - Aquaculture <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> - Broadcast Meteorology <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> - Climate and Society <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> - Coastal Zone Management <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> - Exploration Science <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> - Fisheries Management and Conservation <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> - JD/MPS <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.law.m…> - Marine Conservation <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> - Marine Mammal Science <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> - Natural Hazard and Catastrophe Analytics <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> - Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> - Underwater Archaeology <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> - Weather Forecasting <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmps.rsmas…> Applications can be found here: https://www.applyweb.com/miamigrd/index.ftl Course schedule below for marine mammal science: Fall Credit Hours MBE 604 Biology of Marine Mammals 3 RSM 612 Statistics for Environmental Management 3 MES 670 Conservation and Management of Marine Mammals 3 MES 660 & MES 661 Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory 3 Credit Hours 12 Spring Credit Hours MBE 605 Marine Mammal Disease and Medicine 3 MES 645 or 646 Marine Population Assessment Surveys And Analysis or Marine Population Biology Processes And Modeling 3 OCE 651 Applied Ocean Acoustics and Marine Mammals (Applied Marine Mammal Acoustics) 3 Credit Hours 9 Summer Credit Hours MBE 632 Marine Mammal Research Techniques (or ELECTIVE) 3 MBE 805 MPS Internship 6 Credit Hours 9 Total Credit Hours 30 Any questions, please ask! I'm more than willing to facetime, Skype, or just chat on the phone to help you out. Excited to chat with you all about the programs!!! Sincerely, Josh Coco, Ed. D. Executive Director, Advancement and Communication Tel: (305) 421.4002 Fax: (305) 421.4711 Direct: jcoco(a)rsmas.miami.edu <%20jcoco(a)rsmas.miami.edu> University of Miami RSMAS Campus – 105C 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway <https://exchange.rsmas.miami.edu/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx> Miami, FL 33149-1031 <https://exchange.rsmas.miami.edu/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>

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New Article: Shining new light on mammalian diving physiology using wearable near-infrared spectroscopy
by Chris McKnight 18 Jun '19

18 Jun '19

New Article: Shining new light on mammalian diving physiology using wearable near-infrared spectroscopy Dear MARMAM, We are pleased to announce the publication of our new paper in PLoS Biology: McKnight JC, Bennett KA, Bronkhorst M, Russell DJF, Balfour S, Milne R, Bivins M, Moss SEW, Colier W, Hall AJ and Thompson D (2019) Shining new light on mammalian diving physiology using wearable near-infrared spectroscopy. PLoS Biol 17(6): e3000306. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000306 Abstract: Investigation of marine mammal dive-by-dive blood distribution and oxygenation has been limited by a lack of noninvasive technology for use in freely diving animals. Here, we developed a noninvasive near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device to measure relative changes in blood volume and haemoglobin oxygenation continuously in the blubber and brain of voluntarily diving harbour seals. Our results show that seals routinely exhibit preparatory peripheral vasoconstriction accompanied by increased cerebral blood volume approximately 15 s before submersion. These anticipatory adjustments confirm that blood redistribution in seals is under some degree of cognitive control that precedes the mammalian dive response. Seals also routinely increase cerebral oxygenation at a consistent time during each dive, despite a lack of access to ambient air. We suggest that this frequent and reproducible reoxygenation pattern, without access to ambient air, is underpinned by previously unrecognised changes in cerebral drainage. The ability to track blood volume and oxygenation in different tissues using NIRS will facilitate a more accurate understanding of physiological plasticity in diving animals in an increasingly disturbed and exploited environment. Please feel free to e-mail me at jcm20(a)st-andrews.ac.uk if you have any questions. Best wishes, Chris McKnight & co-authors

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Marine Animal Rehabilitation and Environmental Education Internship
by Gabbie Nicoletta 18 Jun '19

18 Jun '19

MARINE ANIMAL REHABILITATION & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION INTERNSHIP Animal Care Responsibilities: Depending on need and case load, interns will assist with the care of the NMLC rehabilitation patients including seals, sea turtles, and freshwater turtles. Animal Care duties will include animal restraint; cleaning; disinfecting tanks, equipment, and environmental enrichment devices; diet preparation; administering feeds (including tube feeding); record keeping; facility maintenance; and water quality testing. Interns will also assist animal care staff with medical procedures, admission exams, animal necropsies, and release events. Education Responsibilities: Interns will assist with environmental education programs, including on-site programs, off-site programs, fairs, and festivals. Interns will assist in giving public presentations to guests of NMLC and educate them on marine animals and conservation. Interns will assist in the gift shop, assist with various office projects, create displays for the Discovery Center, and help create lesson plans and activities that are aligned with the Massachusetts State Frameworks. Other Responsibilities: At the end of the internship, the intern will present feedback regarding their internship to the staff, volunteers, and members of the public. Each intern will also be assigned a weekly chore to assist with the upkeep of the facility and equipment, and will be required to attend regularly scheduled intern meetings. Positions are unpaid. Interns must have their own transportation. Housing is not provided, but NMLC will offer suggestions. Qualifications * The internship is open to students who are currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from an accredited college or university. * Preference will be given to students or recent graduates working towards biology, environmental studies, marine science, education, or other related fields. * Interns should demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. * Students that are adaptable, responsible, hard working, willing to learn, and have attention to detail are encouraged to apply. * Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. * Interns should expect to work 40 hours per week which will include early morning and/or late night seal feedings. * If an intern plans to receive school credit for an internship they must notify staff prior to the internship start date, and it will be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required paperwork is completed and submitted. To Apply: Send your resume, cover letter, and one letter of reference to <mailto:internship@nmlc.org> internship(a)nmlc.org or P.O. Box 269, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 02532. Applications must be received by July 1st for the fall semester, November 1st for the spring semester, or March 1st for the summer semester. Due to the high number of applications, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

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Job Posting for Science Officer
by Emily Condley 18 Jun '19

18 Jun '19

ORCA is now recruiting for a Science Officer, to be based in Portsmouth, UK About ORCA ORCA is a whale and dolphin conservation charity dedicated to the long term protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans) and their habitats in UK, European and waters around the world. ORCA is committed to the study of cetaceans and promoting their conservation through enthusing, inspiring and educating others. As well as having Wildlife Officers on board ferries and cruise ships, we run regular scientific surveys, recording the species seen, their location and activity. These data help to identify areas of importance for cetaceans, and drivers of their occurrence. Our data have been collected for 18 years, and are utilised by other conservation charities, governments, researchers and students. About the Role The incumbent will be responsible for ORCA's data and its use. This includes managing large datasets and the addition of high quality data to these each year, with data being error checked and mapped in GIS. Data will be shared with external users, and analysed by the role holder to meet ORCA's strategic objectives for cetacean conservation. This includes the delivery of an annual report 'The State of European Cetaceans', and leading on peer-reviewed publications. Through these publications and existing links with other organisations and academic institutions, collaborative work will be continued. Student supervision at partner institutions will be undertaken. Additional work liaising with developers of data portals and mobile applications will be continued, and the role holder will support other work areas where required. Job Description and Person Specification Required * High level proficiency in ArcGIS * High level proficiency in R or similar programming language * Experience of peer-reviewed publication, ideally as first or last author * High level proficiency in utilising complex databases - particularly Excel and Access * High level of attention to detail * Experience of distance sampling analysis & other ecological modelling techniques * Postgraduate qualification in a related field, or 3+ years postgraduate work experience * Have an interest and enthusiasm for cetacean conservation Desirable * Field experience in marine wildlife surveys, ideally cetacean surveys * Experience with citizen science datasets Roles and Responsibilities * Organising data collection and collation from over a hundred surveys each year * Maintaining and checking of datasets for logical and spatial errors * Data extraction to meet research requests * Setup of digital data collection systems - knowledge of Microsoft Access required * Leading ORCA's peer-reviewed publications and developing collaborations * In house analyses and scientific writing for our annual report 'The State of European Cetaceans' * Creation of maps from survey data * Overseeing app and data portal development and maintenance * Provide support to the organisation of ORCA's at sea work areas when required * Oversee data volunteers, and supervise students throughout the season * Provide support to other work areas of ORCA when required The closing date for applications is midnight 7th July. Interviews will be held in Portsmouth on the 16th and 17th of July. The role will start Monday 19th August in the Portsmouth office, with a hand-over period with the current Science Officer. Application Process: Please submit a CV and a covering letter to info(a)orcaweb.org.uk<mailto:info@orcaweb.org.uk> outlining a) Why are you the best person for the job? b) What is the one thing you do really well and why is it relevant to this role? c) Why do you want to work for ORCA? If you have not heard from us within 7 days of the closing date, your application has not been successful. We are unable to offer feedback at this stage. For further information about ORCA please visit our website www.orcaweb.org.uk<http://www.orcaweb.org.uk/> or contact info(a)orcaweb.org.uk<mailto:info@orcaweb.org.uk>. We look forward to receiving your applications. The ORCA Team

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High qualified MMO training ACCOBAMS.
by Moidjio CRCAD 18 Jun '19

18 Jun '19

High Qualified ACCOBAMS MMO (Marine Mammals Observer) training with certification, 22-28 July 2019, Pelagos sanctuary, Savona, Italy. Menkab el respire del mare and Moidjio CRCAD are offering a 7 days Marine Mammal Observer course with “High qualified MMO” certification for the ACCOBAMS region. The course is accredited by ACCOBAMS and will allow you to become part of a growing professional activity in need of high-qualified experts. More and more industrial and military activities are identified as creating disturbance to marine life and mitigation procedures are put together in order to limit the impact of such activities on marine life. In order to implement mitigation procedures, ACCOBAMS has created guidelines specific to it region. To implement these guidelines on impacting activities such as Seismic surveys, Bathymetry survey, pile driving, sonar activities, pipe-line laying, explosive use, dredging, sub-water buildings, a team of Observer are placed onboard to advise, observe and report on compliance with ACCOBAMS guidelines. Our course is accredited by the ACCOBAMS permanent secretariat and will provide the professional with a full insight of the MMO career and responsibilities with a 7 days intensive course, including 4 days at sea to take the chance to encounter and learn about all the species of the Pelagos sanctuary and 3 days intensive Courses. To integrate a training to become an ACCOBAMS highly qualified MMO, the candidate should, at least, be graduated in biology or ecology, or demonstrate a commitment to environment and its conservation. Personal path should demonstrate a minimum of 30 days at-sea as observer (real spent in favourable condition at sea at work), and the candidate should be able to recognize the different species and understand the behaviour of animals at sea. Period could be continuous or cumulative. Be able to communicate in English language. To become “Highly qualified MMO”, the candidate should be able to demonstrate 90 days experience in the relevant role as MMO or/and PAM operator. ACCOBAMS trainers will provide certificate of the training and candidate should be able to provide records of relevant experience to employers or regulators if necessary (eg. : seaman’s book or letters of reference). The candidate should provide all necessary information to the trainer organism (dates, places, species encountered, type of work done at sea). The course fee is of 400 Euros per person and there is possibility to lodge at nearby B&B at special Menkab friend rate of 30 Euros per night. Course content: 1- Presentation of the High Quality MMO/PAM certificate of ACCOBAMS 1.1 ACCOBAMS: a tool for the conservation of biodiversity in the Mediterranean and Black Sea 1.2 Process and Objective of the ACCOBAMS Certification for Highly Qualified MMO/PAM 2- Introduction to under water acoustics 2.1 What is sound? 2.2 Seismic waves 2.3 The sonar equation 2.4 Octaves and one third octave 3- Introduction to marine mammals and acoustics 3.1 Marine mammal in the ACCOBAMS area 3.2 Cetacean biology and distribution in the ACCOBAMS area 3.3 Marine mammal distribution and critical habitats 3.4 Cetacean vocalizations and hearing 4- Introduction to human activities generating impulsive noise 4.1 Overview of oil and gas industry use of sound-active exploration 4.2 Other activities generating impulsive noise of major concern for marine wildlife conservation 4.3 Further anthropogenic noise sources 4.4 Spatial extent of noise producing human activities in the Mediterranean Sea 4.5 Impact of noise on marine mammals 5- Introduction to existing regulations and ACCOBAMS Guidelines 5.1 Introduction to international and European environmental law 5.2 International Treaties dealing with marine mammal conservation and/or noise mitigation 5.3 European regulations dealing with marine mammal conservation and/or noise mitigation 5.4 Regional TREATIES dealing with marine mammal conservation and/or noise mitigation 5.5 National legislations 5.6 ACCOBAMS Guidelines 5.7 Presentation of existing guidelines in the world 5.8 Operational points of the different guidelines 6- Introduction to the role of MMO/PAM 6.1 Pre-survey phase 6.2 Survey phase 6.3 Practical aspects about the equipment for cetacean detection 6.4 Detection of cetaceans/other species 6.5 Communication with crew 6.6 Data entry 6.7 Practical aspects of PAM on fixed stations and seismic vessels 6.8 Post- survey phase 7- Introduction to the “life style” onboard 7.1 Offshore survival and safety 7.2 MMO medical condition requirements 7.3 Life style and organisation onboard 7.4 Data confidentiality In order to register, please contact our team with your interest at: moidjio(a)hotmail.com<mailto:moidjio@hotmail.com> or arcimenkab(a)gmail.com<mailto:arcimenkab@gmail.com> Menkab website: http://www.menkab.it<http://www.menkab.it/> Moidjio website: http://www.cetaceansconservation.org<http://www.cetaceansconservation.org> <https://www.cetaceansconservation.org/>

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New paper on noise impacts on marine mammals
by Frank Thomsen 18 Jun '19

18 Jun '19

Hi Colleagues I would like to draw your attention to an article my colleague Uwe Stöber and I have just published in JASA. Effect of impact pile driving noise on marine mammals: A comparison of different noise exposure criteria In this work we compare the results of noise impact assessments when using different noise exposure criteria. We hope we can contribute to the regulatory discussion on noise issues with this piece. Link is below. For reprints, please contact me directly. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.5109387 Abstract: Regulators in Europe and in the United States have developed sound exposure criteria. Criteria range from broadband levels to frequency weighted received sound levels. The associated differences in impact assessment results are, however, not yet understood. This uncertainty makes environmental management of transboundary anthropogenic noise challenging and causes confusion for regulators who need to choose appropriate exposure criteria. In the present study, three established exposure criteria frameworks from Germany, Denmark, and the US were used to analyse the effect of impact pile driving at a location in the Baltic Sea on harbor porpoise and harbor seal hearing. The acoustic modeling using MIKE showed that an unmitigated scenario would lead to auditory injury for all three criteria. Despite readily apparent variances in impact ranges among the applied approaches, it was also evident that noise mitigation measures could reduce underwater sound to levels where auditory injuries would be unlikely in most cases. It was concluded that each of the frameworks has its own advantages and disadvantages. Single noise exposure criteria follow the precautionary principle and can be enforced relatively easily, whereas criteria that consider hearing capabilities and animal response movement can improve the accuracy of the assessment if data are available. VC 2019 Acoustical Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.5109387 Best regards, Frank Thomsen PhD Sales Executive Ecology and Environment [DHI logo] The expert in WATER ENVIRONMENTS DHI A/S Agern Allé 5 DK-2970 Hørsholm Denmark CVR-no: 36466871 Tel: +45 4516 9200 Direct: +45 4516 9446 Mobile: +45 2940 4355 frth(a)dhigroup.com<mailto:frth@dhigroup.com> www.dhigroup.com<http://www.dhigroup.com> Privacy policy<http://www.dhigroup.com/privacy> This message contains information which may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorised to receive this message for the intended recipient), you may not use, copy, disseminate or disclose any information contained in it thereof. If you have received this communication in error, please advise the sender appropriately by reply e-mail, and then delete it. Thank you very much.

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new publication on ringed seal life history
by Ferguson, Steve 17 Jun '19

17 Jun '19

Co-authors and I would like to make known the publication of the following research in Population Ecology. This is a result of a collaborative ringed seal tissue sample collection from Arctic Canada. Do intraspecific life history patterns follow interspecific predictions? A test using latitudinal variation in ringed seals Authors: Steven Ferguson, David Yurkowski, Brent Young, Cornelia Willing, Xinhua Zhu, Derek Muir, Aaron Fisk, Gregory Thiemann Abstract: Mammals adapted to unpredictable and low-energy environments often evolve a "bet-hedging" life history strategy characterized by less costly reproductive outputs over a longer and slower-growing life. In contrast, species adapted to more predictable (i.e., low variation) and higher energy environments may evolve greater fecundity over a shorter and faster-growing life. We tested whether this known interspecific pattern also occurs within a species. We compared life history traits of the ringed seal (Pusa hispida) in the Canadian High Arctic to those closer to the southern limit of the species' circumpolar distribution. We found that northern seals grew slower than southern seals (Brody growth coefficient), achieved a greater asymptotic body weight (82 and 69 kg vs. 74 and 54 kg female and male, respectively), reached sexual maturity later (6.1 years vs. 4.5 years), had lower fecundity (1.8 years vs. 1.3 years interbirth interval), longer average lifespan (5 years vs. 3 years median age), and greater movements (1,269 vs. 681 km). Mating systems also likely differed with northern seals showing morphological evidence of a promiscuous mating system with potential sperm competition as indicated by greater relative testes size. The northern region was also characterized by more unpredictable environmental timing of seasonal events, such as spring sea ice breakup. Life history variation between the intraspecific groups of seals appears to agree with interspecific patterns and provides a better understanding of how species' life history parameters shift in concert with environmental conditions. pdfs can be downloaded from this link: https://esj-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/1438-390X.120… Thanks Steve Ferguson

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