November 2020 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Last reminder: Survey on definitions of delphinid groups and related terms - Invitation to participate (closes 2nd December)
by Jonathan Syme 16 Nov '20

16 Nov '20

Dear MARMAM community, Thank you to all who have already completed the survey, your responses are much appreciated. Thank you as well to all MARMAM subscribers for being patient with the many reminders (this is the last one!). If you haven't had the chance to complete the survey yet, it will be open until the 2nd of December, so if you would like to have your say, then please see below for more information and the link. My name is Jonathan Syme and I am a PhD student with the Cetacean, Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL) at Flinders University, Australia, under the supervision of Associate Professor Guido Parra (CEBEL, Flinders University) and Assistant Professor Jeremy Kiszka (Marine Conservation Ecology Lab, Florida International University). As part of my thesis, I am conducting a review into how group and associated terms are defined in regard to the study of delphinid behavioural ecology. I plan to use an online survey, accompanied by a literature review, to gather information on how researchers define delphinid groups. To this end, I would appreciate it if you would kindly take 10 - 15 minutes to complete a questionnaire regarding your opinions on this subject via the following link: https://qualtrics.flinders.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_3CwSUztVdqFBgEt Participation is entirely voluntary, and all responses will be anonymous and treated in confidence. Please see the Participant Information Sheet for more information and if you have any enquiries, please contact me by email at jonathan.syme(a)flinders.edu.au<mailto:jonathan.syme@flinders.edu.au>. Thank you for your time and assistance. Kind regards, Jonathan Jonathan Syme PhD Candidate Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL), Flinders University, South Australia jonathan.syme(a)flinders.edu.au<mailto:jonathan.syme@flinders.edu.au> @jonathan_syme @CEBELresearch

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Summer 2021 marine mammal positions at Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
by Neilson, Janet L 16 Nov '20

16 Nov '20

The National Park Service may be seeking to fill two full-time seasonal biological technician positions for next summer (approximately May-September 2021) at Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, if funding allows. Application materials are found at the USA Jobs links below. Follow the instructions carefully, and include a cover letter if at all possible. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, 11/20/2020. Late applications will not be accepted and we do not accept hardcopy or email application packages. Humpback Whale Population Monitoring (1 position): This GS-06 or GS-07 position is primarily responsible for data entry and analysis, (e.g., MS Access databases, labeling digital images), but will also assist Park whale biologists in conducting boat-based surveys of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait once per week, to document the distribution, behavior, feeding ecology, and life histories of individually-identified humpback whales. This person also assists with marine mammal stranding response and helps maintain a 45-foot humpback whale skeleton exhibit. This seasonal position will be hired at the GS-06 or GS-07 level depending on the applicant's education and work experience. If interested in being considered for both the GS-06 and the GS-07 positions, you must submit a separate application for each. For more information, please contact Chris_Gabriele(a)nps.gov Marine Mammal Shipboard Observer (1 position): This GS-07 position is based out of Bartlett Cove, Alaska (Glacier Bay National Park) focused on marine mammal surveys. The position is part of an effort that, since 2006, has placed observers on large cruise ships to record the frequency and proximity of surfacing events of humpback whale around the ships as they transit through Glacier Bay National Park. Selectee will conduct ship-based surveys up to 4 times per week, by standing at the bow for long periods in all weather conditions using rangefinder binoculars and GPS units. Familiarity with GPS and database software including ArcGIS is strongly encouraged. For more information, please contact Scott_Gende(a)nps.gov Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) GS-0404-06 https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/584536700<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usajo…> Applying for this GS-0404-06 position will allow you to be considered for the Humpback Whale Monitoring position only. Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) GS-0404-07 https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/584536800<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usajo…> Applying for this GS-0404-07 position will allow you to be considered for both the Humpback Whale Monitoring position *and* the Shipboard Observer position.

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New publication - Use of recurrence plots for identification and extraction of patterns in humpback whale song recordings
by Divna Djokic 16 Nov '20

16 Nov '20

Dear MARMAM members, In the name of my co-authors and myself, I am please to share our new publication regarding humpback whale song, published online for Bioacoustics: F. Malige , D. Djokic , J. Patris , R. Sousa-Lima & H. Glotin (2020): Use of recurrence plots for identification and extraction of patterns in humpback whale song recordings, Bioacoustics, DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2020.1845240 https://doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2020.1845240 ABSTRACT Humpback whale song is comprised of well-structured distinctlevels of organisation: combinations of sounds, repetition ofcombinations, and a sequence of repetitions, which have noclear silent intervals. This continuous sound output can behard to delimit, rather, it could be interpreted as a long seriesof states of a system. Recurrence plots are graphical representations of such series of states and have been used to describeanimal behaviour previously. Here, we aim to apply this tool tovisualise and recognise structures traditionally used in inferences about behaviour (songs and themes) in the series ofunits manually extracted from recordings of humpback whales.Data from the Abrolhos bank, Brazil were subjected to theseanalyses. Our analytical tool has proven efficient in identifyingthemes and songs from continuous recordings avoiding someof the human perception bias and caveats. Furthermore, oursong extraction is robust to errors coming from both manualand automated transcriptions, constructing a level of description largely independent of the first stage of analysis. If you would like a copy of the paper, or have any questions about the work, please feel free to contact me or the paper's first author! Cheers,Divna Divna DjokicPhD candidate at Laboratory of Bioacoustics (LaB)Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Brazilhttps://www.lab.bio.br/ Skype: divna.djthedivna(a)gmail.com

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New paper on sex-specific diving behaviour in Weddell Sea Weddell seals
by Theoni Photopoulou 16 Nov '20

16 Nov '20

Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper online: Theoni Photopoulou, Karine Heerah, Jennifer Pohle and Lars Boehme. 2020. Sex-specific variation in the use of vertical habitat by a resident Antarctic top predator. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 287(1937): 20201447 Abstract: Patterns of habitat use are commonly studied in horizontal space, but this does not capture the four-dimensional nature of ocean habitats (space, depth, and time). Deep-diving marine animals encounter varying oceanographic conditions, particularly at the poles, where there is strong seasonal variation in vertical ocean structuring. This dimension of space use is hidden if we only consider horizontal movement. To identify different diving behaviours and usage patterns of vertically distributed habitat, we use hidden Markov models fitted to telemetry data from an air-breathing top predator, the Weddell seal, in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica. We present evidence of overlapping use of high-density, continental shelf water masses by both sexes, as well as important differences in their preferences for oceanographic conditions. Males spend more time in the unique high-salinity shelf water masses found at depth, while females also venture off the continental shelf and visit warmer, shallower water masses. Both sexes exhibit a diurnal pattern in diving behaviour (deep in the day, shallow at night) that persists from austral autumn into winter. The differences in habitat use in this resident, sexually monomorphic Antarctic top predator suggest a different set of needs and constraints operating at the intraspecific level, not driven by body size. The paper is freely available here: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2020.1447 Please feel free to get in touch with any questions about our work. All the best, Theoni -- Theoni Photopoulou, Research Fellow Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling School of Mathematics and Statistics University of St Andrews

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INTERN COORDINATOR 2021
by Davide Ascheri 16 Nov '20

16 Nov '20

*DELFINI DEL PONENTE ASSOCIATION, IMPERIA, ITALY* *Cetaceans and Marine Fauna research project * *The project* The dolphin research project “Delfini del Ponente”, started in 2018, is the first project focused on monitoring bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*) occurrence and distribution in the Western Ligurian Sea. The project is structured on an annual basis, to obtain data not only on the distribution during the Summer, but also changes during the different seasons. The study is already providing very interesting information about this community inside the study area, especially about its social organisation, abundance of individuals, distribution, and movements also outside the region. Moreover, our dataset includes data on several cetaceans species and also about other marine fauna such as Mediterranean shearwaters (*Puffinus yelkouan)*, Scopoli’s shearwaters (*Calonectris diomedea*), Northern gannets (*Morus bassanus*), Sandwich terns (*Thalasseus sandvicensis*), sunfish (*Mola mola*) among others. Surveys are carried out in coastal waters onboard a dedicated zodiac (6 m inflatable boat) around 10 times per month. Training will focus on collecting photo for photo-ID purposes, environmental, marine traffic, geographical (GPS) and dolphins' behavioural data. Land-based surveys take place in Imperia, in 2 different locations with the aim of collecting data on the presence/absence of dolphins, fishing boats in activity and marine birds. Fieldwork is a great opportunity to get involved and improve skills on cetaceans’ and marine biodiversity’s research. Both land-based and zodiac surveys are weather dependent, and their number can change each month. Office work (6 hours per day) includes training and lessons to the interns and supervision of all the activities (photo-id work, transcription of data, data entry, QGIS work, etc...) *WHERE:* Imperia, Italy *WHEN:* 1 March-30 October 2021 (minimum 4 months) *Preference will be given to candidates that can guarantee a minimum of 4 months or a longer period. The intern coordinator will be asked to join the research team one week earlier than the actual start of the programme,* to gain all the necessary skills and information needed. The intern coordinator will be responsible for: ● Assisting the researchers during all the research activities ● Coordinating the interns and volunteers participating in the project with the help of the Project Coordinators ● Be responsible for the cleaning schedule and maintenance of the shared apartment with the volunteers ● Assist with the training of the interns both during office work and fieldwork ● Carry on land-based surveys ● Driving the zodiac and photo-id collection ● Responsible for an own project with the data collected *Skills/qualification:* ● Minimum age of 18 ● Degree or on-going studies in Biology, Natural Sciences, Veterinary or similar (preferred) with strong motivation to work in marine mammals’ research ● Speak, read and write in fluent English ● Be adaptable and flexible as fieldwork is weather dependent ● Have prior experience in cetaceans or boat-based surveys ● Be prepared to spend many hours on a small zodiac (5-6 m) and under the sun, be able to swim and work in harsh weather conditions both in nearshore and offshore waters ● Be prepared to spend many hours in the office (generally 6 hours/day) ● Be sociable and with a positive attitude as he/she is expected to live and work in an international team ● Boat driving licence or experience in handling small boats (preferred) ● The preferred candidate should have a proven track record as a team player as the project will involve working closely with other participants but also must be able to supervise small groups of interns. He/she must also be self-motivated and eager to work independently and responsibly. *Other Information* *This position is unpaid, but accommodation is provided*. The successful applicant will be responsible for organising and paying for his/her own travel arrangements to and from Imperia. Website: http://delfinidelponente.costabalenae.it/ *How to apply: * Send your CV and a cover letter, specifying your period of availability, to delfinidelponente(a)gmail.com *no longer than the 12th of December. * Successful applicants could be contacted for a skype interview in December-January. For any further enquiry and detail, please send an email to delfinidelponente(a)gmail.com Elena Fontanesi and Davide Ascheri *Delfini Del Ponente APS* Via Regione Bussi, 18100 Imperia (Italy) http://delfinidelponente.costabalenae.it/

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Aquatic Mammals issue 46.6 available online
by Kathleen Dudzinski 15 Nov '20

15 Nov '20

Dear MARMAM subscribers, Apologies to those of you who will receive duplicate emails due to cross-posting. The titles listed below represent the contents of the most recent issue (Volume 46, issue 6, 2020) of Aquatic Mammals that is published online. 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> Volume 46, Issue 6 (Items preceded by an * are open access) Rikiya Takahashi, Mai Sakai, Kazunobu Kogi, Tadamichi Morisaka, Takao Segawa, and Hiroshi Ohizumi. (2020). Prey Species and Foraging Behaviour of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) Around Mikura Island in Japan. Aquatic Mammals, 46(6), 531-541. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.531 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.531> *Sonia Español-Jiménez, Constanza Abaud, Camila Aceituno, Mario Alvarado-Rybak, Cintya Borroni, Gustavo Chiang, Javier Díaz, Winfred Espejo, María Luisa Estay, Ana M. García-Cegarra, Carlos González, Belén Gutierrez, Josefina Gutierrez, Daniel Henríquez, Andrea Hirmas, Pamela Mejías, Constanza Meriño, Charity Molina, Camilo Naretto, Florencia Olivares, Patricia Pereira, Diego Peñaloza, Betsy Pincheira, Nicolás Pinto, Omar Rojas, Carolina Sánchez, Barbara Toro, Frederick Toro, and Raimundo Undurraga. (2020). First Genetic Record of a Strap-Toothed Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon layardii) Stranding in Chile. Aquatic Mammals, 46(6), 542-548. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.542 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.542> Diego Páez-Rosas, Diana A. Pazmiño, and Marjorie Riofrío-Lazo. (2020). Unprecedented Records of Guadalupe and Juan Fernández Fur Seals in the Galapagos Archipelago. Aquatic Mammals, 46(6), 549-555. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.549 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.549> Josh D. McInnes, Justine N. Buckmaster, Kelsey D. Cullen, Chelsea R. Mathieson, and Josh P. Tawse. (2020). Intentional Stranding by Mammal-Hunting Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) in the Salish Sea. Aquatic Mammals, 46(6), 556-560. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.556 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.556> *Holley S. Muraco, Lillian. E. Sibley, and Jan F. Roser. (2020). Urinary Prolactin Concentrations in the Female Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Aquatic Mammals, 46(6), 561-577. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.561 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.561> Fernando Félix, Daniela Rodrigues Abras, Ted Cheeseman, Ben Haase, Joana D’Arc Figueiredo Santos, Milton Cesar C. Marcondes, Ken Southerland, and Jorge Acevedo. (2020). A New Case of Interoceanic Movement of a Humpback Whale in the Southern Hemisphere: The El Niño Link. Aquatic Mammals, 46(6), 578-583. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.578 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.578> *Charla J. Basran, Benno Woelfing, Charlotte Neumann, and Marianne H. Rasmussen. (2020). Behavioural Responses of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to Two Acoustic Deterrent Devices in a Northern Feeding Ground off Iceland. Aquatic Mammals, 46(6), 584-602. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.584 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.584> *Eduardo Infantes, Damboia Cossa, Milica Stankovic, Janmanee Panyawai, Piyalap Tuntiprapas, Chayanis Daochai, and Anchana Prathep. (2020). Dugong (Dugong dugon) Reproductive Behaviour in Koh Libong, Thailand: Observations Using Drones. Aquatic Mammals, 46(6), 603-608. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.603 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.603> Alejandro Arias-Del-Razo, Gisela Heckel, Yolanda Schramm, and Andrea Sáenz-Arroyo. (2020). Fishermen and Pinniped Interactions: The Perception of Fishermen in Baja California, Mexico. Aquatic Mammals, 46(6), 609-622. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.609 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.609> M. Rafael Ramírez-León, María C. García-Aguilar, Anelio Aguayo-Lobo, Isabel Fuentes-Allen, and Oscar Sosa-Nishizaki. (2020). What Do We Know About Cetaceans in the Mexican Waters of the Gulf of Mexico? A Review. Aquatic Mammals, 46(6), 623-632. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.623 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.623> *Charlotte Dunn, Diane Claridge, Denise Herzing, Cassie Volker, Kelly Melillo-Sweeting, Randall S. Wells, Ted Turner, and Kelly O’Sullivan. (2020). Satellite-Linked Telemetry Study of a Rehabilitated and Released Atlantic Spotted Dolphin in the Bahamas Provides Insights into Broader Ranging Patterns and Conservation Needs. Aquatic Mammals, 46(6), 633-639. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.633 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.633>

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New Publication Outlining New Foraging Behaviour by Mammal- Hunting Killer Whales in the Salish Sea
by jmcinnes 14 Nov '20

14 Nov '20

Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce that our new publication is now available online: McInnes, J.D., Buckmaster, J.N., Cullen, K.D., Mathieson, C.R., & Tawse, J.P. 2020. Intentional Stranding by Mammal-Hunting Killer Whales (_Orcinus orca_) in the Salish Sea. Aquatic Mammals, 46(6), 556-560. The publication is available through the following link DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.556. Summary: We share and describe the first documented event of Bigg's (transient) killer whales (Orcinus orca) intentionally stranding while hunting harbour seals in the Salish Sea. This high risk form of foraging behaviour has only been previously observed in Southern Hemisphere populations. In addition, this form of foraging is highly risky and dependent on prerequisite knowledge and specific beaches with cobble or sand substrates. Our observations involve a family of six mammal-hunting killer whales (in 2016) known as the T065As. Please do not hesitate to contact me for details or questions. Josh D. McInnes, BSc Biologist Transient Killer Whale Research Project Victoria BC, Canada transientproject(a)gmail.com

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New American Cetacean Society publication- Breaking the Surface: women of cetology
by Sabena Siddiqui 13 Nov '20

13 Nov '20

The American Cetacean Society (ACS) is excited to announce the issue of our Whalewatcher publication: “Breaking the Surface: women of cetology”! This is the first publication ever to center on women in cetology. The special edition includes articles written by highly acclaimed cetacean scientists detailing their trials, triumphs, and incredible adventures throughout their careers studying the lives of cetaceans. Authors have also provided advice for students pursuing careers in this field. This collection of articles highlight contemporary scientists who are defining the field today while also delving into the history of early pioneer women scientists whose work was foundational for cetacean science. The publication aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, naturalists, and conservationists while enlightening readers on how far women have come in the field and discussing the path forward. Featured articles are written by Jo Marie Acebes, Lisa Balance, Denise Herzing, Ellen Hines, Christina Lockyer, Janet Mann, Lori Marino, Yoko Mitani, Sally Mizroch, Sofie Van Parijs, Louisa Ponnampalam, Naomi Rose, Mridula Srinivasan, Alisa Schulman-Janiger, Kate Stafford, Alison Stimpert, Barbara Taylor, a historical piece by Uko Gorter, and a forward by lead editor Sabena Siddiqui. The Whalewatcher is ACS's premium publication and an exclusive benefit of paid annual membership, however, we are happy to announce that this special edition is now free to view and download on our website https://www.acsonline.org/whalewatcher It is our hope that people of all backgrounds are able to benefit from reading these incredible stories. Hardcopies are reserved for ACS members only. To receive your copy in the mail become a member today here https://www.acsonline.org/join-renew-give Email us at acsoffice(a)acsonline.org for inquiries. Sabena Siddiqui MSc student University of Hawaii Student Chair, American Cetacean Society Board of Directors *"P**rotecting whales, dolphins, porpoises, and their habitats through public education, research grants, and conservation actions.*" ACS Student Coalition website <https://www.acsonline.org/students>

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New paper on creating accurate 3D models of small cetaceans (i.e. harbour porpoises)
by Fredrik Christiansen 13 Nov '20

13 Nov '20

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are happy to announce the publication of the following paper in Marine Mammal Science: Irschick, D.J., Martin, J., Siebert, U., Kristensen, J.H., Madsen, P.T. & Christiansen, F. 2020. Creation of accurate 3D models of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) using 3D photogrammetry. Marine Mammal Science DOI: 10.1111/mms.12759. Abstract: Creating accurate 3D models of marine mammals is valuable for assessment of body condition, computational fluids dynamics models of locomotion, and for education. However, the methods for creating 3D models are not well-developed. We used photography and video to create 3D photogrammetry models of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). We accessed one live adult female (155.5 cm total length), and two dead animals, one juvenile (110 cm total length) and one calf (88 cm total length). We accessed the two dead individuals through a stranding network in Germany, and the live individual through the Fjord and Baelt research center in Denmark. For all porpoises, we used still photographs from handheld cameras, drone video, and synchronized GoPro videos to create 3D photogrammetric models. We used Blender software, and other 3D reconstruction software, to recreate the 3D body meshes, and confirmed the accuracy of each of the 3D body meshes by comparing digital measures on the 3D models to original measures taken on the specimens. We also provide a colored, animated version of the live harbor porpoise for educational purposes. These open-access 3D models can be used to develop methods to study body morphometrics and condition, and to study bioenergetics and locomotion costs. The paper can be accessed from the following link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/mms.12759?af=R This study was done in collaboration with the Digital Life Project at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and CG artist Martin Johnson, who created the 3D models of the porpoises. To access the 3D mesh models of the three harbour porpoises, you can follow these links: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/model-75b-harbor-porpoise-mesh-only-afca540… https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/model-76-dead-harbor-porpoise-1-b9bc8de2b0b… https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/model-77-dead-harbor-porpoise-2-64d32cb647e… To access a full colour 3D model of a harbour porpoise you can follow this link: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/model-75a-harbor-porpoise-eb02e57f17d741329… For more information about the 3D modelling technique or for access to the harbour porpoise 3D models for research or education purposes, please contact the lead author Duncan J. Irschick (irschick(a)bio.umass.edu) Best regards, Fredrik Christiansen Assistant Professor/Postdoctoral Research Fellow Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies Aarhus University, Denmark +4531332367 f.christiansen(a)aias.au.dk http://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=vkA5Y3EAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fredrik_Christiansen3/?ev=hdr_xprf

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New publication on fine-scale sexual segregation in Mediterranean sperm whales
by Enrico Pirotta 13 Nov '20

13 Nov '20

Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce that the following paper is now available online: Enrico Pirotta, Morgana Vighi, José María Brotons, Eileen Dillane, Margalida Cerdà, Luke Rendell. 2020. Stable isotopes suggest fine-scale sexual segregation in an isolated, endangered sperm whale population. Marine Ecology Progress Series 654: 209-218. Abstract: Sexual segregation is common among marine mammals, leading to intraspecific differences in diet, diving behaviour, home range size and even latitudinal distribution and migratory patterns. Sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus present one of the most extreme examples of sexual dimorphism both in size and social structure, with males and females segregating at different latitudes across most of their range, but the underlying ecological drivers remain unclear. Studying fine-scale dietary and habitat differences where the sexes occur in sympatry could therefore provide insights into the mechanisms underpinning their large-scale segregation. In this study, we analysed the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values in the skin of males and females from an isolated, endangered population inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea, sampled in a region where the sexes occur and feed regularly in the summer months but show subtle differences in habitat preference. We found marked differences in both carbon and nitrogen isotopic values between the sexes, indicating that they could be targeting prey items in different trophic levels and habitats. Combined with the evidence from habitat modelling studies, our results suggest that female and male sperm whales segregate even in the latitudinally restricted Mediterranean population, at a much smaller scale. This sympatric, fine-scale sexual segregation suggests that reduction of competition may have been a key factor in the evolution of the social structure and large-scale latitudinal segregation of this species. Keywords: Dietary differences · Sexual segregation · Dimorphism · Sperm whale · Physeter macrocephalus · Mediterranean Sea A PDF copy of the paper can be downloaded from: https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v654/p209-218/ Please do not hesitate to contact me for any question regarding our work. Best Regards, Enrico Pirotta

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