August 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Consequences of culturally-driven ecological specialization: Killer whales and beyond
by Hal Whitehead 12 Jun '26

12 Jun '26

The following paper has just been published: Consequences of culturally-driven ecological specialization: Killer whales and beyond. by: Hal Whitehead and John K.B. Ford Journal of Theoretical Biology 456: 279-294 Abstract: Culturally-transmitted ecological specialization occurs in killer whales, as well as other species. We hypothesize that some of the remarkable demographic and ecological attributes of killer whales result from this process. We formalize and model (using agent-based stochastic models parametrized using killer whale life history) the cultural evolution of specialization by social groups, in which a narrowing of niche breadth is spread and maintained in a group through social learning. We compare the demographic and ecological results of cultural specialization to those of a similar model of specialization through natural selection. We found that specialization, through either the cultural or natural selection routes, is adaptive in the short term with specialization often increasing fitness. Generalization, in contrast, is rarely adaptive. The cultural evolution of specialization can lead to increased rates of group extirpation. Specialization has little effect on group size but tends to reduce population size and resource abundance. While the two specialization processes produce similar results, cultural specialization can be very much faster. The results are generally consistent with what we know of the formation and maintenance of specialist ecotypes in killer whales, and have implications for the persistence, nature and ecological effects of these apex predators. You can read a .pdf at: http://whitelab.biology.dal.ca/labpub.htm Hal Whitehead Dalhousie University hwhitehe(a)dal.ca

1 9

Update to SOCPROG
by Hal Whitehead 01 Jul '24

01 Jul '24

A new and updated version of SOCPROG, SOCPROG2.9 (both compiled and uncompiled downloads) is available at: http://whitelab.biology.dal.ca/SOCPROG/social.htm SOCPROG is a MATLAB-based package of programs for the analysis of animal social structures, movements and populations. The compiled version does not need MATLAB itself. This version is compatible with MATLAB2018b (although it will likely work well on recent and soon-to-be-released versions of MATLAB). It fixes a few bugs and adds functionality compared to previous versions (especially association complexity). Thanks Hal Whitehead, Dalhousie University, Canada

1 1

Summer Online Course - Manatee Health
by Larkin,Iskande (Iske) 24 Mar '21

24 Mar '21

Hi All, The University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Aquatic Animal Health Program would like to send notice that registration for our summer online course is open. Manatee Health and Conservation is an online course (3 credits) that will provide students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) with a detailed overview of manatee natural history, health assessment, and research findings as well as explore conservation issues. More information about this class can be found here. Students enrolled at any College or University within the US or internationally can take this course. For more information about this classes or enrollment, contact Dr. Iskande Larkin (ivlarkin(a)ufl.edu<mailto:ivlarkin@ufl.edu> ). The first day of the semester is Monday May 13th. Sincerely, Dr Larkin [Description: AAH logo blue E-Mail Sig] Iske V. Larkin, PhD Lecturer & Education Coordinator Interim Director Aquatic Animal Health Program Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida PO Box 100136 2015 SW 16th Ave Gainesville, Florida 32610 Office phone - 352-294-4095 Work cell - 352-494-1742 Fax - 352-392-8289 Program web page: http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu<http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/> "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." -Anonymous ________________________________ Please note that Florida has a broad public records law, and that all correspondence to or from University of Florida employees via email may be subject to disclosure. ________________________________

1 2

New publication: Resistance and susceptibility of dolphins to cetacean morbillivirus (Kimberley Batley)
by Kimberley Batley 17 Mar '21

17 Mar '21

Dear all, My colleagues and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper: Batley KC, Sandoval‐Castillo J, Kemper CM, Attard, CRM, Zanardo, N, Tomo, I, Beheregaray, LB, Möller, LM (2018). Genome-wide association study of an unusual dolphin mortality event reveals candidate genes for susceptibility and resistance to cetacean morbillivirus. Evolutionary Applications. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12747 Abstract: Infectious diseases are significant demographic and evolutionary drivers of populations, but studies about the genetic basis of disease resistance and susceptibility are scarce in wildlife populations. Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) is a highly contagious disease that is increasing in both geographic distribution and incidence, causing unusual mortality events (UME) and killing tens of thousands of individuals across multiple cetacean species worldwide since the late 1980’s. The largest CeMV outbreak in the Southern Hemisphere reported to date occurred in Australia in 2013, where it was a major factor in a UME, killing mainly young Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). Using cases (non-survivors) and controls (putative survivors) from the most affected population, we carried out a genome-wide association study to identify candidate genes for resistance and susceptibility to CeMV. The genomic dataset consisted of 278,147,988 sequence reads and 35,493 high quality SNPs genotyped across 38 individuals. Association analyses found highly significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies amongst cases and controls at 65 SNPs, and Random Forests conservatively identified eight as candidates. Annotation of these SNPs identified five candidate genes (MAPK8, FBXW11, INADL, ANK3, and ACOX3) with functions associated with stress, pain and immune responses. Our findings provide the first insights into the genetic basis of host defence to this highly contagious disease, enabling the development of an applied evolutionary framework to monitor CeMV resistance across cetacean species. Biomarkers could now be established to assess potential risk factors associated with these genes in other CeMV affected cetacean populations and species. These results could also possibly aid in the advancement of vaccines against morbilliviruses. The PDF is freely accessible at https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12747 Regards, Kimberley Batley, on behalf of all co-authors Kimberley Batley PhD candidate Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL) Molecular Ecology Lab (MELFU) College of Science & Engineering, Flinders University P +61 8 8201 3865 | E kimberley.batley(a)flinders.edu.au www.cebel.org.au<http://www.cebel.org.au/> | www.molecularecology.flinders.edu.au<http://www.molecularecology.flinders.edu.au/>

1 1

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Stranding Conference 2020
by Kerry Sanchez 05 Nov '19

05 Nov '19

Clearwater Marine Aquarium will be hosting our annual Stranding Conference on January 11th and 12th, 2020. Join us on the 11th in the CMA theatre for a lecture series including topics such as Manatee Health Assessment and Monitoring Efforts; drone utilization in marine mammal studies, Marine Mammal Rescue and Recovery Efforts, the value of necropsy, and much more. Join us on the 12th for poster session in the morning followed by focused breakout sessions! Light breakfast, snacks, and lunch provided. Undergraduate and Graduate students interested in careers in marine mammology, conservation, and research are encouraged to attend and network. CMA staff will be available to answer questions regarding volunteer and internship opportunities. https://www.seewinter.com/2020-stranding-conference-registration/ If you have any questions please contact Kerry Sanchez at Ksanchez(a)cmaquarium.org<mailto:Ksanchez@cmaquarium.org> or 727.441.1790 ext 301 Kerry Sánchez Senior Rescue Biologist Clearwater Marine Aquarium 249 Windward Passage Clearwater, FL 33767 727-441-1790 ext 301 www.SeeWinter.com<http://www.seewinter.com/> [cid:3CC8C79C-80D8-41B4-846D-9591EEFEB493]

1 1

River dolphin internships in the Brazilian Amazon
by Tony 08 Oct '19

08 Oct '19

RIVER DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS IN BRAZIL STARTING SOON Once again, Projeto Boto is recruiting for 9-month internships in the Mamirauá Reserve, Amazon State, Brazil. We require fit, enthusiastic, hard-working fieldworkers who will carry forward our long-term study of botos (Amazon river dolphins). Due to close involvement with local communities, interns are required to have at least moderate Portuguese language skills, or to speak excellent Spanish, in addition to English. There can be no exceptions. In previous years we have received many applications from people who do not fulfil these language criteria, and this is counter-productive. Please only apply if you have the necessary skills. Projeto boto was established in 1994. To date it has hosted more than 60 interns of many different nationalities. The Project's objective is to conserve the boto, and the sympatric tucuxi, through research leading to greater understanding of the biology and ecology of these dolphins. In recent years we have also spent considerable time investigating the impacts of fisheries on these species, and especially a harpoon hunt, in which thousands of botos are killed each year for fish bait. We are seeking two people to commence work as soon as possible, and we would also like to hear from people available in mid-late 2016. Our work is centred on a floating lab/accommodation base, moored in the flooded forest. The research team comprises 3-5 people, who maintain daily observational boat-based research effort year-round. The basis of the work is the piecing together of the lives of over 600 individually recognisable dolphins, to provide publishable information on such diverse topics as growth, reproduction, habitat use, social system, seasonal movements, survival rates, causes of mortality etc. Interns are provided with free accommodation and food, and receive a small monthly stipend (approx $150 US). Transportation to the fieldsite (near the town of Tefé, Amazonas) from Manaus is provided, but interns must arrange and pay for their own transportation to Manaus. They must also have adequate medical insurance. Please do not apply unless you know that you can obtain the airfare to reach Manaus. All necessary training is provided on site. Internships offer the opportunity of a lifetime. They reward hard work and dedication with unique experiences and a chance to stand out from the crowd in subsequent applications for higher degrees and employment. Successful applicants will: be aged 21-35 speak at least moderate Portuguese or fluent Spanish, in addition to English be available for 9-12 months have completed a university degree, preferably in zoology or biology preferably have some fieldwork experience, especially in the use of photo-ID Applicants should please provide: Full CV, complete with age, nationality, linguistic skills, educational and fieldwork experience A letter explaining why you are prepared to dedicate 9 months of your life to this study. The names and email addresses of 3 referees who are familiar with you and your work. The date on which you would be available to start work in the Amazon. Send this information by email to both of the Project co-ordinators, Prof. Tony Martin (boto(a)live.co.uk) and Dr Vera da Silva (vmfdasilva(a)gmail.com) Closing date is 24 November 2015. Applications fulfilling the above criteria will be acknowledged within 4 days of the closing date, but there will be no further communication unless the applicant is short-listed. Short-listed applicants will be notified by 30 November latest.

2 3

dwarf sperm whales surface feeding
by dinets . 31 Aug '19

31 Aug '19

Are there any records of dwarf sperm whales feeding on the surface? I recently saw them swimming in circles just outside a feeding aggregation of wedge-tailed shearwaters, strongly suggesting that they were also catching something (appr. 27.81N 141.78E). I looked through the few books I have and everything I could find on Kogia in Google Scholar, but didn't find any mention of surface feeding. Looks like everybody just assumes them to be obligatory deep divers, even though the list of known prey species on OBIS-SEAMAP page includes some squid species (i. e. Ilex argentinus) that are caught on surface by squid fisheries. Vladimir Dinets Science & Technology Associate, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan Research Assistant Professor, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA dinets.info <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free. www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

1 0

New Review Article - Mercury in cetaceans: Exposure, bioaccumulation and toxicity
by Joanna Kershaw 31 Aug '19

31 Aug '19

Dear MARMAM, We are pleased to announce the publication of our review article in Science of the Total Environment - Mercury in cetaceans: Exposure, bioaccumulation and toxicity. Abstract: The fate and transportation of mercury in the marine environment are driven by a combination of anthropogenic atmospheric and aquatic sources, as well as natural geological inputs. Mercury biomagnifies up the food chain, resulting in the bioaccumulation of toxic concentrations in higher trophic organisms even when concentrations in their habitat remain below the threshold level for direct toxicity. As a result, mercury exposure has been recognised as a health concern for both humans and top marine predators, including cetaceans. There appears to be no overall trend in the global measured concentrations reported in cetaceans between 1975 and 2010, although differences between areas show that the highest concentrations in recent decades have been measured in the tissues of Mediterranean odontocetes. There is increasing concern for the impacts of mercury on the Arctic marine ecosystem with changes in water temperatures, ocean currents, and prey availability, all predicted to affect exposure. The accumulation of mercury in various tissues has been linked to renal and hepatic damage as well as reported neurotoxic, genotoxic, and immunotoxic effects. These effects have been documented through studies on stranded and by-caught cetaceans as well as in vitro cell culture experiments. Demethylation of methylmercury and protection by selenium have been suggested as possible mercury detoxification mechanisms in cetaceans that may explain the very high concentrations measured in tissues of some species with no apparent acute toxicity. Thus, the ratio of selenium to mercury is of importance when aiming to determine the impact of the contaminant load at an individual level. The long-term population level effects of mercury exposure are unknown, and continued monitoring of odontocete populations in particular is advised in order to predict the consequences of mercury uptake on marine food chains in the future. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133683 Best wishes, Joanna Kershaw and Ailsa Hall

1 0

New publications: "Population ecology and the management of whalewatching operations on a data-deficient dolphin population" and "Wildlife tourism through the co-creation lens"
by Maddalena Fumagalli 31 Aug '19

31 Aug '19

Dear MARMAM friends and colleagues, my coauthors and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following papers. They both offer reflections on the phenomenon of swim-with wild dolphins and its management, but approach the topic from two, quite different, perspectives. Fumagalli M., Cesario A., Costa M., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Harraway J. and Slooten E. (2019). Population ecology and the management of whalewatching operations on a data-deficient dolphin population. Ecology and Evolution. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ece3.5565 <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ece3.5565> Abstract: 1) Whale watching is a popular commercial activity, producing socio‐ecological benefits but also potential long‐term effects on the targeted cetacean population. This industry is currently developing in data‐deficient contexts in a largely unregulated fashion. Management schemes should adopt precaution and be informed by the relevant literature, but would be more effective if the assessment of the target population vulnerability, biological impacts, and management implications was drawn from site‐specific data. 2) This paper focuses on a reef‐associated, data‐deficient population of spinner dolphins in the Egyptian Red Sea. In Satayah Reef, new information on population size and dynamic parameters were documented using visual observation and photo‐identification‐based capture–recapture methods (Cormack–Jolly–Seber time‐since‐marking model). 3) Dolphins occurred on 98% of the survey days. Average school size was 66 individuals (±42.1 SE), with most groups including calves. The population was equally divided into recurrent and transient individuals. An “emigration + mortality” model best described residence at the site. Five recurrent males (5% of the Satayah population) provided connectivity between this and the geographically close population of Samadai Reef. 4) Average annual survival probability was 0.83 (±0.06 SE) in the year following first capture and 0.99 (±0.06 SE) for recurrent individuals. Mean yearly population sizes ranged 143–207 individuals. 5) The study had the power to detect a 30% decline in the population, but not the rate of change in abundance estimated from the data (r = 0.018 ± 0.04), which would have required a 3‐ to 5‐times longer study. Synthesis and application: These findings advance the assessment of the Satayah population's intrinsic vulnerability and have three major management applications: (a) the delineation of management units; (b) the identification of key indicators for future impact monitoring and assessment; and (c) realistic estimates of the statistical power for trend detection. Based on our results, we recommend supporting future research, devising site‐specific time–area closure plans, and integrating them in a regional scheme. Approaches employed in this case study can inform the management of whale watching industries targeting other data‐deficient populations Bertella G., Fumagalli M. and Williams-Grey V. (2019). Wildlife tourism through the co-creation lens. Tourism Recreation Research, 44(3): 300-310. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02508281.2019.1606977 <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02508281.2019.1606977> Abstract: This study reflects on the conceptualisation of wild animals as co-creators. Its purpose is to encourage reflection about the role of animals in wildlife tourism. Therefore, to this end – and in the belief that diversity and creativity are important elements in critical thinking – the study was developed by a research team with diverse professional backgrounds. It adopts a fictional methodological approach, employing a fictive dialogue between a tourist joining a swim-with-dolphins tour and a dolphin and draws upon recent scholarly contributions on animals from the perspective of various disciplines, including philosophy, biology and tourism, The study’s most important contribution comes in the form of a discussion of the co-creation concept from a critical perspective, based on innovative and explicitly-described ontological, epistemological and methodological considerations Please feel free to contact us should you have any comments or would like to request a copy of the works. Best regards, Madda Maddalena Fumagalli, PhD Marine Biologist & Conservation Scientist www.linkedin.com/in/maddalena-fumagalli

1 0

Section 7 Information Consultation Services
by Andrew Bill 30 Aug '19

30 Aug '19

Saltwater Inc is seeking a Section 7 Information Consultant to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Regional Office (SERO), Protected Resources Division (PRD). Background The NMFS SERO is responsible for the management, conservation, and protection of living marine, estuarine, and anadromous species and their habitats found in the eight coastal states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, as well as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. SERO PRD administers the Region’s responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). There are 32 ESA-listed species in the Southeast Region, including sea turtles, whales, fish, corals, and seagrass. Twelve of these species have designated critical habitat in the Southeast. The single largest task carried out by SERO PRD is administering Section 7 of the ESA, consulting with federal agencies to conserve listed species and critical habitat during project development and implementation. Section 7 consultation is required when an action authorized, funded, or carried out by a federal action agency may affect a listed species or designated critical habitat. Informal consultation can be completed if the action may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, listed species and critical habitat. An action is not likely to adversely affect ESA resources when all effects to listed species or critical habitat are expected to be insignificant (not able to be meaningfully measured), discountable (extremely unlikely to occur), or wholly beneficial (strictly positive effects). Informal consultation is only initiated when NMFS has all of the information necessary to fully evaluate the action and its effects to ESA resources. Informal consultation is concluded when NMFS issues its Letter of Concurrence (LOC) to the action agency. If an action is likely to adversely affect listed species or critical habitat, formal consultation is required. Location: Work will be conducted offsite (i.e. telework), and travel is expected. Salary and Benefit: This is a full-time position. Salary commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package. Duties · Attend a kick-off meeting in St. Petersburg, FL o Meet the PRD Project Lead o Review available Section 7 resources (templates, checklists, guidance, examples, and information sources) provided by the PRD Project Lead o Discuss SERO’s informal Section 7 process with the PRD Project Lead and ask clarifying questions · When an informal Section 7 consultation request is received, the Contractor shall review the request package for completeness o The Contractor shall be assigned 27 consultation requests over the period of performance. o The contractor shall determine completeness of consultation request packages using the Section 7 resources provided by the PRD Project Lead and any other relevant information sources that may be relevant to the consultation o If the consultation request package is deemed complete, notify the PRD Project Lead that consultation is initiated · Draft a Request for Additional Information (RAI) if the consultation request is deemed incomplete, asking for only the information necessary to initiate consultation o The Contractor shall draft an RAI and submit it to the federal action agency via email informing them that the consultation request package is incomplete o The Contractor shall include standard language in their RAI that if the federal action agency has not responded within 45 days, the consultation request will be withdrawn by NMFS o The Contractor shall send a reminder to the federal action agency that their 45-day response deadline is approaching, if necessary o The Contractor shall alert the PRD Project Lead that the consultation request should be withdrawn, if necessary o The Contractor shall copy the PRD Project Lead on all correspondence with the federal action agency o The Contractor shall document all phone calls with a federal action agency by sending a follow-up email to the federal action agency, copying the PRD Project Lead. The Contractor shall provide the PRD Project Lead with a phone log that includes the project identifying number, the date of the phone call, who they talked to, and the general topic(s) discussed · Review the federal action agency’s RAI response o The Contractor shall determine whether the federal action agency’s response contains the remaining information needed to initiate consultation o The Contractor shall draft additional RAI's, if necessary, repeating Task 3 above o Once all requested information is received from the federal action agency, alert the PRD Project Lead that consultation is initiated · Confirm the action agency’s effect determination o The Contractor shall determine whether the federal action agency’s effect determination is accurate. o If the determination is not Likely to Adversely Affect (LAA), the Contractor shall alert the PRD Project Lead, that the consultation is LAA. The consultation will be returned to the PRD Project Lead for reassignment to NMFS/SERO/PRD Staff. · Draft 22 LOCs and submit for review (based on the expected numbers of consultations not withdrawn or determined to be LAA) o The Contractor shall draft LOCs using § the available Section 7 resources provided by the PRD Project Lead (templates, checklists, guidance, examples, and information sources) § information received from the federal action agency § any additional relevant information obtained by the Contractor o The Contractor shall submit any remaining correspondence and any additional documentation used to complete the consultation, from the federal action agency or obtained by the Contractor, to the PRD Project Lead when the draft LOC is submitted for review · Address PRD Project Lead comments on draft LOCs o The PRD Project Lead will provide comments to the Contractor within 3 weeks of receipt of the draft LOC o The contractor shall address all comments provided on the draft LOC and resubmit to the PRD Project Lead o The contractor shall contact the PRD Project Lead if clarification on the comments is needed o The contractor shall respond to additional comments from the PRD Project Lead, if necessary, repeating the steps above · The contractor shall close-out the consultation by sending any remaining correspondence and any additional documentation used to complete the consultation, from the federal action agency or obtained by the contractor, to the PRD Project Lead · The contractor shall delete all project files and correspondence from the contractor’s computer upon project completion. The Contractor will provide the PRD Project Lead with a deletion log that includes the project identifying number, the files (file type and filename) deleted, and the date of deletion. Other Duties · When assigned an informal Section 7 consultation request, review the request package for completeness · Draft a Request for Additional Information (RAI) if the consultation request is deemed incomplete, asking for only the information necessary to initiate consultation · Review the federal action agency’s RAI response · Confirm the action agency’s effect determination · Draft an LOC and submit for review · Address PRD Project Lead comments on draft LOCs · Removal of all project files and correspondence from the Contractor’s computer upon notification by the PRD Project Lead of project completion, withdrawal, or return of a LAA consultation. · Monthly progress report to include, but not necessarily be limited to, status of all consultations, issues encountered, interactions with action agencies, recommendations, if applicable Required Minimum Knowledge and Experience · Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in an environmental science or associated discipline (e.g., biology, ecology, fisheries biology, marine biology, natural resource management, conservation biology, landscape ecology, or restoration ecology) · Demonstrated knowledge and experience with Section 7 consultations requirements of the ESA · Demonstrated knowledge of SERO’s ESA-listed species and their habitats · Strong understanding of the coastal and marine ecology of the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and U.S. Caribbean · Critical thinking and the ability to assess potential impacts to ESA resources associated with coastal and marine activities (e.g., dredging, construction, restoration, military operations) · Proficient with common databases and office productivity programs, such as Word, Excel, Gmail, Google docs, and Endnote · Strong organizational skills with ability to work independently and comply with project deadlines · Strong communication skills and the ability to work well with others, including a diverse array of federal action agencies · Strong professional writing skills and the ability to express both biological and regulatory concepts in plain language If you are interested in being considered for this position, please send a cover letter and resume to: Stacey Hansen @ stacey.hansen(a)saltwaterinc.com <mailto:stacey.hansen@saltwaterinc.com> Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application. Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following: Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed. Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education. Education. Previous experience or training with similar requirements. Three professional references. Include your name in the document file name. Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred). In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check. Saltwater Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law.

1 0