September 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Aquatic Mammals issue 45.5 is available online
by Kathleen Dudzinski 16 Sep '19

16 Sep '19

Dear MARMAM and ECS Talk subscribers, Apologies to those of you who will receive duplicate emails due to cross-posting. The following titles represent the contents of the most recent issue (Volume 45, issue 5, 2019) of Aquatic Mammals. For individuals with a print subscription, the double print copy of 45.5/45.6 will be mailed in late November. I encourage you to visit the website not only for the recent issue but also because we have a new “Meet the Editorial Team” page under the “About Us” menu option. With this new feature, our readers and authors can virtually meet our editorial team. Aquatic Mammals is the longest running peer-reviewed journal dedicated to research on aquatic mammals and is published quarterly with manuscripts available as published PDFs in real time. Further information about the journal can be found at: http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/ <http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/> To submit a manuscript for publication consideration, please visit: http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php <http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php> Thank you for your continued interest in the journal and abstract postings. With regards, Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D. Editor, Aquatic Mammals Journal business(a)aquaticmammalsjournal.org <mailto:business@aquaticmammalsjournal.org> Fletcher M. J. Mingramm, Tamara Keeley, Deanne J. Whitworth, and Rebecca A. Dunlop. (2019). Relationships Between Blubber and Respiratory Vapour Steroid Hormone Concentrations in Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Aquatic Mammals 45(5), 465-477. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.465 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.465> Agathe Serres, Yujiang Hao, and Ding Wang. (2019). Agonistic Interactions and Dominance Relationships in Three Groups of Captive Odontocetes: Method of Assessment and Inter-Species/Group Comparison. Aquatic Mammals 45(5), 478-499. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.478 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.478> Alexander Werth, Peter van de Graaf, and Rebecca Desjardins. (2019). A Method to Replace Whale Gingival Tissue for Long-Term Study or Exhibition of Full Baleen Racks. Aquatic Mammals 45(5), 500-506. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.500 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.500> Héctor Pérez-Puig, Gisela Heckel, and Lorayne Meltzer. (2019). First Leucistic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Sighting Registered in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Aquatic Mammals 45(5), 507-512. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.507 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.507> Lauren T. Harshaw, Iskande V. Larkin, Charles R. Staples, Karen C. Scott, and Richard C. Hill. (2019). In Vivo Apparent Digestibility of Fiber in Florida Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) Under Human Care. Aquatic Mammals 45(5), 513-524. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.513 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.513> Ting Li, Hao Wu, Caiwen Wu, Guang Yang, and Bingyao Chen. (2019). Molecular Identification of Stranded Cetaceans in Coastal China. Aquatic Mammals 45(5), 525-532. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.525 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.525> Adam M. Schaefer, Gregory D. Bossart, Tyler Harrington, Patricia A. Fair, Peter J. McCarthy, and John S. Reif. (2019). Temporal Changes in Antibiotic Resistance Among Bacteria Isolated from Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, 2003-2015. Aquatic Mammals 45(5), 533-542. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.533 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.533> Annette E. Harnish, Jim Ault, Chuck Babbitt, Frances M. D. Gulland, Paul C. Johnson, Noelle L. Shaughnessy, Kimberly A. Wood, and Robin W. Baird. (2019). Survival of a Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Calf with a Presumptive Gunshot Wound to the Head. Aquatic Mammals 45(5), 543-548. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.543 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.543> Ronald A. Kastelein, Lean Helder-Hoek, Suzanne Cornelisse, Léonie A. E. Huijser, and Robin Gransier. (2019). Temporary Hearing Threshold Shift in Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) Due to One-Sixth-Octave Noise Band at 32 kHz. Aquatic Mammals 45(5), 549-562. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.549 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.549> Sarah E. Tubbs, Aylin Akkaya Baş, Gabrielle Côté, Amy L. Jones, and Gillian Notman. (2019). Sighting and Stranding Reports of Irrawaddy Dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) and Dugongs (Dugong dugon) in Kep and Kampot, Cambodia. Aquatic Mammals 45(5), 563-568. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.563 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.563> Brandon L. Southall, James J. Finneran, Colleen Reichmuth, Paul E. Nachtigall, Darlene R. Ketten, Ann E. Bowles, William T. Ellison, Douglas P. Nowacek, and Peter L. Tyack. (2019). Errata: Marine Mammal Noise Exposure Criteria: Updated Scientific Recommendations for Residual Hearing Effects. Aquatic Mammals 45(5), 569-572. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.569 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.5.2019.569>

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New paper on responses of Burmeister's porpoise to pingers
by Clay, Thomas 16 Sep '19

16 Sep '19

Hi all, We are pleased to share with you our new paper: Clay TA, Alfaro-Shigueto J, Godley BJ, Tregenza N, Mangel JC (2019) Pingers reduce the activity of Burmeister’s porpoises around small-scale gillnet vessels. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 626:198-208 - https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v626/p197-208/<https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v626/p197-208/><https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v626/p197-208/> Abstract: Incidental mortality (bycatch) in gillnet fisheries is a major threat to many cetacean populations. Acoustic alarms or pingers are a widely adopted management tool used to deter dolphins and porpoises from nets; however, their efficacy is largely species- and fishery-dependent. As such, results from experimental trials may have limited transferability to poorly studied species or fisheries. Here, we investigated the effect of pingers on the behaviour of Burmeister’s porpoise Phocoena spinipinnis in the vicinity of the Peruvian small-scale driftnet fleet. Over a 4 yr period (2009-2012), 116 control (without pingers) and 94 experimental (with pingers) fishing sets were observed, and porpoise acoustic activity around nets was recorded using passive acoustic loggers (C-PODs). We modelled variation in detection rates as a function of pinger use and habitat covariates, and found that in regions of preferred habitat associated with cooler (17-18°C), shallow waters (within the 100 m isobath), the use of pingers lead to an 86% reduction in porpoise activity around nets. Our results suggest that pingers are likely to be particularly effective at deterring Burmeister’s porpoises from fishing nets, and given the vast capacity of this and other fleets in the region, may substantially reduce mortality. This study also emphasizes the potential of passive acoustic monitoring to determine the effectiveness of bycatch mitigation measures, both for species for which visual observations are scarce, and also in regions where gathering statistically meaningful bycatch rates is logistically challenging. This work is part of an ongoing collaboration between ProDelphinus and the University of Exeter. Best regards, Tommy Clay Postdoctoral Research Associate School of Environmental Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 3GP, UK

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New paper entitled the Nutritional Ecology of Marine Apex Predators
by Machovsky Capuska Gabriel 14 Sep '19

14 Sep '19

Dear Marmam, We are pleased to announce the publication of our paper entitled “The Nutritional Ecology of Marine Apex Predators” Gabriel E. Machovsky-Capuska & David Raubenheimer *https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-marine-010318-095411 <https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-marine-010318-095411>* Abstract Apex predators play pivotal roles in marine ecosystems, mediated principally through diet and nutrition. Yet, compared with terrestrial animals, the nutritional ecology of marine predators is poorly understood. One reason is that the field has adhered to an approach that evaluates diet principally in terms of energy gain. Studies in terrestrial systems, by contrast, increasingly adopt a multidimensional approach, the nutritional geometry framework, that distinguishes specific nutrients and calories. We provide evidence that a nutritional approach is likewise relevant to marine apex predators, then demonstrate how nutritional geometry can characterize the nutrient and energy content of marine prey. Next, we show how this framework can be used to reconceptualize ecological interactions via the ecological niche concept, and close with a consideration of its application to problems in marine predator research. Please feel free to contact me for the pdf including the name of the paper in the subject area (to avoid spam emails!). We also welcome enquiries regarding to the possibility of exploring new research collaborations on this field. Regards, Gabriel Dr. GABRIEL MACHOVSKY-CAPUSKA Adjunct Senior Research Fellow Level 4 East | D17 - Education and Research Hub, The Charles Perkins Centre| The University of Sydney | NSW | 2006 *T* +61 2 9351 8020 | *F* +61 2 9351 3056 | *M *+61 406 419 396 *http://gabrielmachovsky.com/ <http://gabrielmachovsky.com/>* http://sydney.edu.au/perkins/research/current-research/human-animal-interac… https://sydney.edu.au/charles-perkins-centre/our-research/current-research/…

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HAWAII MARINE ANIMAL RESPONSE EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENTINTERNSHIP
by Carissa Cabrera 14 Sep '19

14 Sep '19

Hawaii Marine Animal Response is now accepting applications for our Education and Engagement internship. Our Education and Engagement Program visits classrooms, attends community events, develops educational resources, assists in educating tour operators on conservation, and works closely with students and the public. Education and Engagement Intern Responsibilities: Interns will be responsible for assisting and contributing to educational events in the classroom, at the local aquarium, and other scheduled outreach events. As part of your internship, you will develop an educational resource or project that can be used in K-12 classrooms and contribute to our organization’s newsletter. Other Responsibilities: Interns can be assigned to other projects in different areas of the organization to gain a wider variety of skills, e.g. field response, rescue support, and/or social media depending on the needs of the organization. Internship Information: Internship dates are flexible but a commitment of 12 weeks is required. Positions are unpaid. Interns should have their own transportation. Housing is not provided. A minimum commitment of 20 hours per week is expected of volunteers. We do offer 40 hour per week internships as well. Qualifications: Must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. Must be willing to be trained on effective conservation communication. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. Remote work is expected as part of this internship. Must be able to speak in front of crowds. Must be adaptable, responsible, hard working, willing to learn, and have attention to detail. Must be willing to engage in a positive and informative manner with volunteers and members of the public on a regular basis. Must be willing to engage with different viewpoints on conservation in a respectful manner. Past education or outreach experience is preferred but not required. Internship dates are flexible but a commitment of 12 weeks is required. Must expect to work 20 hours per week, some of which can be remote. To Apply: Visit http://h-mar.org/apply and fill out your internship application. Additional materials including cover letter, CV and references are also required. Due to the high number of applications, only qualified candidates will be contacted and applications will be reviewed and offers extended on a first-in basis. Carissa Cabrera Programs Manager Carissa.cabrera(a)h-mar.org 602-717-6186 Learn more at h-mar.org

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HAWAII MARINE ANIMAL RESPONSE: MARINE DEBRIS & MARINE OPERATIONS INTERNSHIP
by Carissa Cabrera 14 Sep '19

14 Sep '19

Hawaii Marine Animal Response is now accepting applications for our new Marine Debris and Marine Operations Internship. Our operations in the fields of marine debris and marine operations support two primary missions: (1) conducting marine debris surveys and removal operations, and (2) building and maintaining capacity to support offshore marine animal response and stranding support. Internship dates are flexible but a commitment of 12 weeks is required. Marine Debris Responsibilities: MDP interns will be play a significant role in the execution of marine debris program activities such as underwater cleaning of near-shore waters to remove hazardous marine debris on snorkel and SCUBA, data collection and management, and supporting volunteer dive teams throughout the island of Oahu. At least 50% of this internship is in-water activities, meaning successful applicants will have strong understanding and confidence in dive safety and small boat operations. Marine Operations Responsibilities: HMAR’s marine operations assets include access and two small vessels to clean Oahu nearshore areas. A 14-foot inflatable boat and a WaveRunner jetski with tow boards are used to execute offshore dives. Experience with small boat operation is highly desired to ensure the safety and efficiency of dives. Other Responsibilities: Each intern can be assigned to other projects in different areas of the organization to gain a wider variety of skills, e.g. education and outreach, field response, rescue support, and/or social media depending on the needs of the organization. Positions are unpaid. Interns must have their own transportation. Housing is not provided. A minimum commitment of 20 hours per week is expected of volunteers. We do offer 40 hour per week internships as well. Qualifications: Must be at least Rescue certified on SCUBA with DAN dive insurance at the “Preferred,” level. Small boat operation experience is highly desired. Must be comfortable on small boats and in marine operations environments including open-ocean conditions. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. Must be able to demonstrate your diving and physical ability. Must be adaptable, responsible, hardworking, willing to learn, and have attention to detail. Must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. Must be willing to engage in a positive and informative manner with volunteers and members of the public on a regular basis. Must expect to work 20 hours per week, which can include scheduling dives, data entry, executing dives, categorizing debris, and summarizing findings. To Apply: Visit http://h-mar.org/apply and fill out your internship application. Additional materials including cover letter, CV and references are also required. Due to the high number of applications, only qualified candidates will be contacted and applications will be reviewed and offers extended on a first-in basis. For questions, reach out to Carissa Cabrera, Programs Manager at Carissa.cabrera(a)h-mar.org. Learn more at http://h-mar.org"

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Comments requested: Proposed Rule - to issue seven-year regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to govern the incidental take of marine mammals by the U.S. Navy’s in the Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing (HSTT) Study Area
by Kate Goggin - NOAA Federal 13 Sep '19

13 Sep '19

NOAA Fisheries is proposing to issue seven-year regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to govern the incidental take of marine mammals by the U.S. Navy’s in the Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing (HSTT) Study Area. The regulations would be valid from the publication date of the final rule (if issued) through December 20, 2025. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was recently amended to allow for seven-year authorizations under the MMPA for military readiness activities. The Navy’s activities qualify as military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA. This seven-year rule and subsequent Letters of Authorization would replace the existing five-year rule published on December 27, 2018 (83 FR 66846) and Letters of Authorization. NOAA Fisheries’ proposed regulations and the subsequent Letters of Authorization include identical required mitigation and monitoring measures that are expected to reduce adverse impacts to marine mammals as those required under the existing five-year final rule and Letters of Authorization. The Navy’s activities are likely to result in the incidental take of marine mammals by exposing them to sonar, in-water detonations, airguns, and pile driving/removal activities. The proposed takes authorized by this action are Level B harassment in the form of behavioral disturbance and temporary threshold shift takes and Level A harassment in the form of permanent threshold shift and other injury from exposure to explosives. A small number of serious injury or mortality takes are also proposed for this action from ship explosives and vessel strikes. The HSTT Study Area includes existing range complexes and testing ranges and additional areas located in the Pacific Ocean along southern California and Hawaii. The HSTT Study Area includes three existing range complexes: the Southern California (SOCAL) Range Complex, Hawaii Range Complex (HRC), and the Silver Strand Training Complex (SSTC). Range complexes include established operating areas (OPAREAs) and special use airspace. In addition, the Study Area includes Navy pierside locations and areas on the high seas where maintenance, training, or testing may occur. The public is invited to comment on the proposed regulations here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/09/13/2019-18850/taking-and-… Please visit our HSTT webpage for more information <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-us-navy…> about this action or https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/node/23111 for more information on NOAA’s incidental take program under the MMPA. Kate Goggin HQ Office of Protected Resources Lead Communications Specialist (301) 427-8400 Main (301) 427-8411 Direct Kate.Goggin(a)noaa.gov

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Faculty position mammalian physiology, Baylor University, Waco Texas
by Trumble, Stephen 13 Sep '19

13 Sep '19

Baylor seeks to fill the following tenure-track faculty position in the Department of Biology: Assistant Professor of Comparative Mammalian Physiology The Department of Biology<https://www.baylor.edu/biology/> in the College of Arts & Sciences (www.baylor.edu/artsandsciences/<http://www.baylor.edu/artsandsciences/>) seeks applications to fill a tenure-track faculty position (Assistant Professor) in the area of comparative mammalian physiology. We are specifically seeking a candidate whose research is relevant to mammalian disease and health with training in vertebrate physiology including (but not limited to) integrative physiology, metabolic physiology, environmental physiology, endocrinology or stress physiology. The Department of Biology keenly values diversity amongst its faculty and students and believes it is essential to achieving excellence. Successful candidates will show a strong record of innovative and integrative research and will establish a competitive and externally funded research program that contributes to broader departmental goals as well as emerging and existing university-wide initiatives in Global Health. Further, this candidate will teach at undergraduate and graduate levels and contribute to service and leadership within the department, the university, and the scientific community. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but to ensure full consideration, complete applications must be submitted by 10/15/2019. Visit apply.interfolio.com/67105 for more details about this position or contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Stephen Trumble, at Mammalian_Physiology(a)baylor.edu<mailto:Mammalian_Physiology@baylor.edu>. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, Baylor is committed to compliance with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including those regarding age, race, color, sex, national origin, marital status, pregnancy status, military service, genetic information, and disability. As a religious educational institution, Baylor is lawfully permitted to consider an applicant's religion as a selection criterion. Baylor encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply Stephen J. Trumble, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Biology Baylor University 101 Bagby Ave Waco, Texas 76706 Phone: 254-710-2128 Fax: 254-710-2969 E-mail: Stephen_Trumble(a)baylor.edu<mailto:Stephen_Trumble@baylor.edu> LEAP: http://sites.baylor.edu/trumblelab/ [cid:D8384ADC-CFFC-42AA-A6F4-ACA2FC35F03B]

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First record of XXY in marine mammals and intersex sequencing method: new publication
by Laura Joan Feyrer 12 Sep '19

12 Sep '19

On behalf of my co-authors I'm excited to announce our publication in the Journal of Mammalogy which describes: (1) the first records of genetically intersex cetaceans and (2) the sequencing method for determining XXY chromosome condition in mammals. Please contact Dr. Einfeldt (tony.einfeldt(a)gmail.com) for a PDF. Einfeldt, A. Orbach, D., & Feyrer, L.J. A method for determining sex and chromosome copy number: sex-by-sequencing reveals the first two species of marine mammals with XXY chromosome condition, Journal of Mammalogy, gyz131, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyz131 Abstract Molecular assays of sex determination typically rely on qualitative evaluation of sex-linked markers, which can lead to uncertainty when results contradict morphological identifiers of sex. To investigate whether disagreement between phenotypic and genotypic assays of sex could be underpinned by variation in sex chromosome copy number, we developed a quantitative genetic method to determine sex that is broadly applicable to mammals with XY sex determination. We sequenced a region of the zinc-finger gene ZF, which has fixed genetic differences between the X and Y chromosomes, and screened 173 cetacean specimens for ZFX–ZFY haplotype identity and read depth. Using a subset of 90 male specimens, we demonstrate that haplotype read depth is an accurate estimator of chromosome copy number. We identified three specimens representing two different cetacean species that had external female morphological traits, Y chromosome haplotypes, and ratios of ZFX:ZFY haplotypes that were above the 1:1 value expected for genetic males. These results provide the first evidence of XXY aneuploidy in cetaceans. Investigation of the reproductive tract of one specimen, a True’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus), revealed an intersex phenotype; despite having external characteristics typically diagnostic for the female sex, a penis and testes were present. Our results suggest that intersex phenotypes may be associated with XXY aneuploidy, and that this phenomenon may be underestimated due to it not being detectable by qualitative assays for determining sex.

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New paper on scales of blue and fin whale feeding behavior
by Irvine, Ladd 12 Sep '19

12 Sep '19

Hello everyone, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the open-access publication of our paper in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution: Irvine LM, Palacios DM, Lagerquist BA and Mate BR (2019) Scales of Blue and Fin Whale Feeding Behavior off California, USA, With Implications for Prey Patchiness. Front. Ecol. Evol. 7:338. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00338<https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2019.00338> Abstract: Intermediate-duration archival tags were attached to eight blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus; four females, three males, one of unknown sex), and five fin whales (B. physalus; two females, one male, two of unknown sex) off southern California, USA, in summer 2014 and 2015. Tags logged 1-Hz data from tri-axial accelerometers, magnetometers, and a depth sensor, while acquiring Fastloc GPS locations. Tag attachment duration ranged from 18.3 to 28.9 d for blue whales and 4.9-16.0 d for fin whales, recording 1,030-4,603 dives and 95-3,338 GPS locations per whale across both species. Feeding lunges (identified from accelerometer data) were used to characterize "feeding bouts" (i.e., sequences of feeding dives with <60 min of consecutive non-feeding dives), within-bout behavior, and to examine the spatial distribution of feeding effort. Whales fed near the tagging locations (Point Mugu and San Miguel Island) for up to 7 d before dispersing as far south as Ensenada, Mexico, and north to Cape Mendocino, California. Dispersal within southern California waters differed by sex in both species with males undertaking offshore, circuitous excursions, while females remained more coastal, suggesting that movement patterns on the feeding grounds may not be exclusively related to energy gain. Feeding bout characteristics were similar for both species, with the median bout having 24 dives and lasting 3.3 h for blue whales (n = 242), and 19 dives while lasting 2.7 h for fin whales (n = 59). Bout duration was positively correlated with the number of feeding lunges per dive within a bout for both species, suggesting whales left poor-quality prey patches quickly but fed intensively for up to 34.9 h when prey was abundant. Feeding bouts occurred further apart as the distance from shore increased, but there was no corresponding difference in the number of feeding lunges per dive, suggesting the whales were feeding at the same rate throughout their range, but that prey was more dispersed in offshore waters. This may be evidence of two feeding strategies, with spatially aggregated foraging around highly localized, topographically forced upwelling centers nearshore, and more dispersed foraging in larger areas of elevated, but patchy, productivity offshore. The underlying data are being published as a Movebank Repository under a Creative Commons Zero license as: Irvine, L. M., Palacios, D. M., Lagerquist, B. A., Mate, B. R., and Follett, T. M. (2019). Data from: scales of blue and fin whale feeding behavior off California, USA, with implications for prey patchiness. Movebank Data Repos. doi: 10.5441/001/1.47h576f2 (Note: this is not quite active yet but will be soon) Finally, a press release accompanying the article has also been prepared by the OSU News & Research Communications Office: https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/how-long-does-whale-feed-new-data-gives-… Cheers, Ladd Irvine Sr. Faculty Research Assistant Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute Hatfield Marine Science Center 2030 S Marine Science Dr. Newport, OR 97365 Phone: 541-867-0394 http://mmi.oregonstate.edu

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Recent Publication: Survival of a Common Bottlenose Dolphin Calf with a Presumptive Gunshot Wound
by Annette Harnish 12 Sep '19

12 Sep '19

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my coauthors, I am excited to announce the publication of the following short note, "Survival of a Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Calf with a Presumptive Gunshot Wound to the Head" in Aquatic Mammals. No abstract is available, so we've included this short summary: Documented gunshot wounds in odontocetes are a rare occurrence, but have been previously reported in several locations within the United States. Depredation of bait or catch from fishermen has been identified through anecdotal accounts as a reason behind shootings, though confirmation of the circumstances behind any gunshot wound is difficult. We report the apparent shooting and short-term survival of a dependent common bottlenose dolphin calf from the resident O‘ahu insular population, based on community science photo contributions. The calf was first documented in November 2017 and from the sighting history of its mother it was at most 4.5 months old when first documented. Photographs from 30 June and 14 July 2018 show a wound characteristic of a gunshot injury on the melon, with a small, round wound with inverted margins on the right side, and a larger, more irregular wound with an extruded margin on the left side, consistent with entry and exit wounds, respectively. Throughout both encounters, the calf did not display any unusual behaviors, swimming alongside its mother and surfacing at regular intervals. Subsequent encounters over the following eleven months show that the wound gradually healed over, eventually leaving only a small depigmented scar and area of visibly healed tissue over the original entry wound on the right side, and a single larger depigmented scar and area of lighter pigmentation over the area of the original exit wound on the left side. While the calf did not display any obvious changes in body condition or behavior, it was estimated to be at most 23 months of age when last seen and thus still dependent upon its mother. It is not known whether the calf will be able to echolocate and feed independently following weaning, and therefore further encounters will be required to assess long-term survival and body condition. The full text is available for purchase from Aquatic Mammals at the following link, or feel free to contact us for a copy. https://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=art… Regards, Annette Harnish Research Assistant Cascadia Research Collective http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/

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