June 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Two new papers on the taxonomic nomenclature
by Thomas Jefferson 24 Jun '21

24 Jun '21

Dear MARMAM, I am pleased toannounce the publication of two new papers on the taxonomic nomenclature ofsmall cetaceans: Jefferson, T. A. 2021. Proposal to retain the scientific namesof five species of small cetaceans (Delphinapterus leucas, Tursiops truncatus,Lissodelphis borealis, Cephalorhynchus eutropia, and Inia geoffrensis) bydesignating their unused senior synonyms as nomina oblita. Aquatic Mammals 47:257-267.Abstract: The purpose of thisnote is to retain five names of small cetaceans [Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas,1776) for the beluga whale, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821) for the commonbottlenose dolphin, Lissodelphis borealis (Peale, 1849) for the northern rightwhale dolphin, Cephalorhynchus eutropia (Gray, 1846) for the Chilean dolphin,and Inia geoffrensis (Blainville in Desmarest, 1817) for the Amazon Riverdolphin] that are each threatened by synonyms that antedate theircurrently-used names. In each case, theearlier name has rarely or never been used in the past 120 years, and itsresurrection, as the valid name for these species would threatenstability. Prevailing usage must bemaintained to favor stability over priority, in accordance with Article 23.9 ofthe International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. I request that in each case listed, thedesignated junior synonym be henceforth considered a nomen protectum (andthereby continue to be used as the valid name for the relevant taxon), and thateach of the indicated senior synonyms be treated as a nomen oblitum (i.e.,forgotten name). Link: https://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=fea… Jefferson, T. A. 2021. Nomenclature of the dolphins,porpoises, and small whales: A review and guide to the early taxonomicliterature. NOAA Professional Paper NMFS 21:107 pp.Abstract:The taxonomy of severalgenera of small cetaceans has been confused for decades or even centuries. Atleast 358 species of dolphins, porpoises, and small whales have been givennames, yet only 50 of these are currently recognized as valid species; the vastmajority of the rest are junior synonyms. Recent taxonomic revisions of somegenera have clarified things, but there are others that await taxonomicrevision, which will probably recommend generic recombinations and new orresurrected species. As new taxonomic studies are resurrecting old species andsometimes describing new ones, an understanding of the available names iscrucial to this task. This monograph comprehensively reviews all 358 valid andinvalid species of dolphins, porpoises, and small whales; documents their typespecimens; summarizes the history of each name; and assigns a status to each.In addition, appendices discuss the early taxonomic literature, historicalnotes, and museum acronyms, and provide a glossary of relevant taxonomic terms.Ultimate goals are to help identify as many of the nomina dubia as possible, and to facilitate the inclusion ofdata and material (both morphological and molecular) from relevant type specimensinto future taxonomic studies. The paper is open-accessand can be downloaded from this link:https://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/content/professional-papers/nomenclature-dol… Best wishes,Tom Jeffersonsclymene(a)aol.com @font-face {font-family:Times; panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}@font-face {font-family:"ＭＳ明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}@font-face {font-family:"ＭＳ明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}@font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}@font-face {font-family:"Sabon LT Std"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-alt:Cambria; mso-font-charset:77; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:auto; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"ＭＳ明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-priority:99; color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;}a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:purple; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;}p.yiv4765144021msonormal, li.yiv4765144021msonormal, div.yiv4765144021msonormal {mso-style-name:yiv4765144021msonormal; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Times; mso-fareast-font-family:"ＭＳ明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"ＭＳ明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}

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New paper: A Rapid Assessment of the Marine Megafauna Biodiversity Around South Bali, Indonesia
by Putu Mustika 24 Jun '21

24 Jun '21

Dear Colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am very pleased to present you our new paper, published today at the Frontiers in Marine Science on the marine megafauna (particularly the cetaceans) in south Bali. The survey was conducted in Oct-Nov 2015 and the abstract and link are as follows. sincerely yours, Icha Dr. Putu Liza Mustika (“Icha”) https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.606998 <https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.606998> A Rapid Assessment of the Marine Megafauna Biodiversity Around South Bali, Indonesia by Putu Liza Kusuma Mustika, Rob Williams, Hanggar Prasetio Kadarisman, Andri Oktapianus Purba, I Putu Ranu Fajar Maharta, Deny Rahmadani, Elok Faiqoh dan I Made Iwan Dewantama A low-cost, small-boat, rapid assessment survey was conducted on the waters off the southern Peninsula of Bali. The objectives were: (1) to conduct an inventory of cetacean species in the study area; (2) to map cetacean distribution to inform the design of the Badung MPA; (3) to estimate relative abundance of cetaceans and record information on presence and distribution of other marine megafauna; and (4) to train observers in the use of distance sampling methods. The survey adopted a “training while doing” approach to build local capacity for marine biodiversity monitoring, while collecting a snapshot of data to assess species richness and distribution. The survey accomplished its first two objectives, but due to violation of underlying assumptions, had mixed success with the third objective. Our survey revealed that the waters off the southern Peninsula of Bali support a rich cetacean fauna, with at least seven cetacean species, other marine megafauna, and avian species. Seven cetacean species found on our survey include: spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodephis hosei), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops sp.), Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni), and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). Density estimates were low for all whales combined, but seem implausibly high for dolphins; likely due to violation of assumptions of distance sampling methods. Future surveys should include sufficient time for training to generate reliable abundance estimates. A dedicated bycatch study is needed to understand sustainability of bycatch mortality relative to reliable abundance estimates. Dr. Putu Liza Mustika (“Icha”) putu.liza(a)my.jcu.edu.au https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5157-4635 <https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5157-4635> https://research.jcu.edu.au/portfolio/putu.liza/ <https://research.jcu.edu.au/portfolio/putu.liza/> College of Business, Law and Governance James Cook University Australia Townsville QLD Australia Cetacean Sirenian Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia

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Mote Marine Laboratory, Manatee Research Program Internship
by Christina Nau 22 Jun '21

22 Jun '21

Mote Marine Laboratory Manatee Research Program Internships Program Description The Manatee Research Program studies several aspects of the biology of manatees inhabiting the waters of southwestern Florida, including population dynamics, population genetics, habitat use, distributional patterns and social behavior. Field data and samples are collected using photo-identification, aerial surveys, and non-invasive genetic sampling. From spring through early fall, photo-identification, genetic, and behavioral sampling are conducted primarily in Sarasota and Manatee counties. During the winter, field work is conducted primarily in Charlotte Harbor and the Ft. Myers area. Aerial surveys are conducted twice per month (during the non-winter) in Sarasota County to assess relative abundance and distribution of manatees in those waters. The long-term database of the program contributes to management and conservation measurements for Florida manatees. Additionally, the program collaborates with manatee researchers throughout the state of Florida and the Caribbean. For more information about, please visit: https://mote.org/research/program/manatee-research. WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING INTERNS TO BEGIN IN August or September 2021, WITH APPLICATIONS DUE BY July 12th 2021. Internship Description Internships are available during all four seasons and must be a MINIMUM of 12 weeks. Hours are typically Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, although some longer days may be required for field work (especially during the winter season). Interns should expect to spend about 20% of their time in the field and about 80% of their time in the office/lab. Field work duties include assisting with data collection, boat handling, and equipment use and maintenance. Field work requires spending long hours in the field, sometimes in uncomfortable weather conditions. Office/Lab duties include data entry, processing, matching images to known animals, equipment maintenance, and miscellaneous tasks and errands. There is no financial compensation for these internship positions, and successful applicants will be responsible for their own living and transportation expenses. Shared housing opportunities near Mote Marine Laboratory may be available. A few scholarships may be available from Mote Marine Laboratory through a competitive application process (US citizens only). Required Qualifications Minimum of 18 years of age and engaged in or recently completed undergraduate studies A background or degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology, or a related field is preferred Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and Access); previous experience using ArcMap GIS is a plus but not required Excellent communication skills; fluent in English Must be physically able to stand for long periods of time and lift heavy objects Knowledge of photography/SLR camera use and/or drawing skills are a plus Desire and willingness to acquire knowledge and skills related to marine mammal field work and capable of working well as a team To apply for a Manatee Research Program internship: Fill out an application form at Mote Marine Laboratory’s website (https://mote.org/research/internships/college-internship-program-overview) and be sure to select “Manatee Research Program” as your first choice Complete and provide to Mote’s intern office all other application materials including: a statement of interest, current college transcript, letter of recommendation, and curriculum vitae (incomplete applications will not be considered) Applicants may contact the Manatee Research Program’s intern coordinator, Christina Nau, (cnau(a)mote.org) with questions regarding the internship. -- Christina Nau Manatee Research Program Mote Marine Laboratory 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota FL 34236 Phone: (941) 388-4441 ext. 471 cnau(a)mote.org

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New publication: Commerson's dolphins can relax acoustic crypsis
by Morgan J. Martin 22 Jun '21

22 Jun '21

Dear All, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of our new paper, "Commerson’s dolphins (*Cephalorhynchus commersonii*) can relax acoustic crypsis". Morgan J. Martin, Sara Torres Ortiz, M. Vanesa Reyes Reyes, Alexander Marino, Miguel Iñíguez Bessega, & Magnus Wahlberg (2021). Commerson’s dolphins (*Cephalorhynchus commersonii*) can relax acoustic crypsis. *Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology*, 75(6), 100. doi:10.1007/s00265-021-03035-y Abstract: Toothed whales use powerful ultrasonic biosonar pulses (i.e. clicks) for echolocation. Underwater acoustic recordings have suggested that the majority of toothed whale species can be grouped acoustically as either producing broadband clicks or narrowband high-frequency (NBHF) clicks. Recently, it has been shown that Heaviside’s dolphins, *Cephalorhynchus heavisidii*, emit NBHF clicks for echolocation but also clicks of lower frequency and broader bandwidth for communication. Here, we use acoustic recorders and drone video footage to reinforce previous findings that Commerson’s dolphins (*C. commersonii*) produce signals similar to Heaviside’s dolphins. We reveal that they use clicks with a lower frequency and broader bandwidth in the form of click trains and burst-pulses. These sounds were not recorded in the presence of smaller groups of Commerson’s dolphins, indicating that they may fulfil a communication function in larger groups. Also, we utilised a novel combination of drone video footage paired with underwater acoustic recordings to estimate the source level of echolocation clicks produced by Commerson’s dolphins. In addition, we compare the acoustic signals produced by Commerson’s and Heaviside’s dolphins to identify interspecific similarities and differences. Spectral differences were found in NBHF click trains, buzzes and burst-pulses between species; however, bandwidth and duration parameters were not significantly different for broadband click trains. Our findings make it likely that all four species of the *Cephalorhynchus* genus have the ability to generate both signal types, and further challenges the evolutionary concept of NBHF signal production. Significance statement: This study confirms the presence of a dual echolocation click (i.e. biosonar) strategy in Commerson’s dolphins, making them the second species of their genus known to produce two types of biosonar. We provide an in-depth quantitative analysis of Commerson’s dolphin acoustic signal types, and include a comparison of signal types between Commerson’s dolphins and the other species known to produce two types of biosonar, the Heaviside’s dolphin. *In addition, this is the first study to combine drone footage with underwater acoustic recordings to measure the source level of toothed whale echolocation signals.* We use this novel technique to provide source levels measured from Commerson’s dolphin echolocation clicks which are comparable to published values for this species calculated using an expensive and complicated array of hydrophones. Thus, we provide a simpler and more cost effective way to study sounds produced by marine mammals. This paper can be downloaded from: https://rdcu.be/cmXkC Please feel free to email me for a pdf copy at mjmartin(a)sandiego.edu Best wishes, Morgan J. Martin, PhD Postdoctoral researcher University of Victoria, BC, Canada Wildlife Conservation Society Canada

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New paper on cetacean Gastro-Intestinal tract analysis methodology
by Sandro Mazzariol 22 Jun '21

22 Jun '21

Dear all my co-authors and I are happy to annouce the recent publication of a paper summarizing a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the gastro-intestinal tract content and walls. Currently procedures used to obtain samples from the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) and protocols used to perform their respective analyses do not allow a multidisciplinary approach of this system. In fact, the investigations applied on the GIT, when performed singularly, could impair or limit the other analyses, because the currently procedures do not consider the needs of other disciplines. This means that the analyses to perform must be selected a priori, sacrificing the collection of other types of data and leads to the risk of losing important information, especially for wildlife species. To solve this conflict, we implement and standardize a new methodological approach to the GIT of marine mammals, which allow the collection of samples for different disciplines at the same time, performing the respective analyses, interpret and compare their results in a multidisciplinary way. The compatibility of multiple analyses allows the gaining of more information about the cause of death of stranded marine mammals and to enhance the knowledge of their biology and ecology.   The publication   Corazzola, G.; Baini, M.; Grattarola, C.; Panti, C.; Marcer, F.; Garibaldi, F.; Berio, E.; Mancusi, C.; Galli, M.; Mazzariol, S.; Fossi, M.C.; Centelleghe, C.; Casalone, C. Analysis of the Gastro-Intestinal Tract of Marine Mammals: A Multidisciplinary Approach with a New Multi-Sieves Tool. Animals 2021, 11, 1824. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061824   can be found and downloaded at the following link (https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/6/1824) Best Sandro Mazzariol -- Prof. Sandro Mazzariol, DVM, PhD Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione (BCA) - Università degli Studi di Padova Cetaceans strandings Emergency Response Team (CERT) Centro Interuniversitario per la Ricerca sui CEtacei (CIRCE) AGRIPOLIS - Ed. Museo Viale dell'Università 16 35020 - Legnaro (PD) tel.: +39 049 827 2963 fax: +39 049 827 2973 skype: smazzariol

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New paper on harbor seals
by Thomas Jefferson 21 Jun '21

21 Jun '21

Dear MARMAM, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our new paper on harbor seals in Washington State, USA: Estimating the stock size of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) in the inland waters of Washington State using line-transect methods Thomas A. Jefferson, Mari A. Smultea, Eric J. Ward, and Barry Berejikian Abstract Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) in the inland waters of Washington were reduced by predator control programs in the twentieth century, but stocks have rebounded since being protected in the 1970s. Three management stocks are recognized, but there is little information on their current abundance. We conducted 38,431 km of aerial line-transect surveys throughout the range of these stocks in 2013–2016, sighting a total of 4,678 groups of harbor seals. Line-transect analysis with Beaufort sea state as a covariate provided estimates of the number of seals in the water. We then incorporated tagging data from 15 instrumented seals to develop correction factors, both for seals missed in the water while diving, and those that were on shore. Tagging data were modeled with generalized linear mixed models to provide estimates of the proportions diving and hauled out. After applying these correction factors, we estimated that the Hood Canal stock contained 1,368 seals (CV = 16.8%), the Southern Puget Sound stock contained 1,976 seals (CV = 20.5%), and the Washington Northern Inland Waters stock contained 7,513 seals (CV = 11.5%). This study presents a non-traditional approach to estimating the size of Washington inland waters harbor seal stocks, which may also be applicable to other species for which survey and tagging data are available. The paper is open-acces and can be downloaded from this link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0241254 Best wishes,Tom Jeffersonsclymene(a)aol.com

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Florida, USA Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Marine Mammal Biological Scientist position posting
by Boyd, Denise 21 Jun '21

21 Jun '21

[Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission] (Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVy…>.) OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77907293 Date: Jun 18, 2021 Location: PORT CHARLOTTE, FL, US, 33954 Apply Now: https://jobs.myflorida.com/<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVy…> The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify website<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVy…>. Requisition No: 402401 Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77907293 Position Number: 77907293 Salary: $14.00/hr. Posting Closing Date: 07/05/2021 Open Competitive Opportunity This is an OPS (Other Personal Service) position. It is considered a full-time position, working 40 hrs./week. Occasional overtime hours may occur. Hours worked over 40 per week, Friday to Thursday, are considered overtime and are paid @ 1.5 times the regular wage. This position, located in Port Charlotte participates in Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Marine Mammal Research program in a ten-county area along the southwest Florida coast. Duties include: fielding calls from FWC Law Enforcement, other agencies, and the general public regarding marine mammals, particularly manatees and cetaceans; verification of mortalities and distressed manatees and cetaceans, potentially in need of rescue; recovery and field workup/examination of carcasses, with some transportation of those carcasses to the Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory (in St. Petersburg) or to the Southwest Field Lab for necropsy; participation in rescues and transportation of sick and injured manatees and cetaceans to appropriate facility; performing and assisting with field necropsies when appropriate; vehicle, trailer and boat maintenance; photographing and sketching manatees at winter refugia and known warm weather habitat areas on the southwest coast; entering and/or mapping data such as carcasses using software such as ArcGIS, Excel, Access and Word; completing paperwork including time sheets, manatee carcass and rescue reports, and technical reports; participate in manatee aerial surveys and tracking projects, assisting with manatee outreach programs such as presentations for local groups and agencies as time permits and with supervisor approval; general cleaning of office and equipment, attend trainings, seminars and meetings, and other tasks assigned by supervisor. Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences. **Preference may be given to individuals who have live and dead marine mammal stranding/necropsy experience. Experience with dissection, pathology, and/or animal necropsies is preferred. Experience with live marine mammal stranding responses is preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: * Knowledge of the Florida Manatee Recovery Plan and state and federal legislation protecting manatees * Knowledge of methods of data collection and principles and techniques of research and analysis * Knowledge of marine mammal anatomy and necropsy techniques * Knowledge of digital SLR cameras, filters, and lenses * Knowledge of marine mammal capture, handling, and transport techniques * Able to trailer flatbeds/utility trailers and watercraft vessels * Able to safely operate watercraft vessels 26' in length and smaller * Be capable of daily manual labor requiring handling of heavy and sharp objects and working under unpleasant conditions * Must be physically fit, able to vertically lift at least 75 lbs., and be able to swim sufficiently to save oneself * Able to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions * Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships * Be comfortable speaking to the public * Possess or be able to obtain and maintain a Florida driver's license within a month of employment WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT? Other Personal Services (OPS) temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short term or intermittent tasks. OPS employees do not fill established positions and may not be assigned the duties of any vacant authorized position. OPS employees are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or designee. WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? * State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory * Workers' Compensation - mandatory * Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory * Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements. Consult with People First or the servicing Human Resource Office for details.) * Deferred Compensation - voluntary * Employee Assistance Program - voluntary WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? * Any form of paid leave * Paid holidays * Participation in the Florida Retirement System * Reinstatement rights or retention rights The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. Nearest Major Market: Fort Myers Apply Now: https://jobs.myflorida.com/<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVy…> ________________________________ [Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Logo]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVy…> QUESTIONS? 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New Publication: Lifetime stability of social traits in bottlenose dolphins
by Taylor Evans 21 Jun '21

21 Jun '21

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce our new article in Communications Biology: Evans, T., Krzyszczyk, E., Frère, C., & Mann, J. (2021). Lifetime stability of social traits in bottlenose dolphins. *Communications Biology*, *4*(1), 759. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02292-x Abstract: Behavioral phenotypic traits or “animal personalities” drive critical evolutionary processes such as fitness, disease and information spread. Yet the *stabilit*y of behavioral traits, essential by definition, has rarely been measured over developmentally significant periods of time, limiting our understanding of how behavioral stability interacts with ontogeny. Based on 32 years of social behavioral data for 179 wild bottlenose dolphins, we show that social traits (associate number, time alone and in large groups) are stable from infancy to late adulthood. Multivariate analysis revealed strong relationships between these stable metrics within individuals, suggesting a complex behavioral syndrome comparable to human extraversion. Maternal effects (particularly vertical social learning) and sex-specific reproductive strategies are likely proximate and ultimate drivers for these patterns. We provide rare empirical evidence to demonstrate the persistence of social behavioral traits over decades in a non-human animal. The full article is freely available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-021-02292-x Regards, Taylor Evans -- *Taylor C. Evans **(**she/hers)* PhD Candidate, Biology Georgetown University 916 412 4080

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New publication on anthropogenic noise in the Arctic
by Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen 21 Jun '21

21 Jun '21

With the receding sea ice pristine areas of the Arctic opens up for resource exploitation. This imposes new and unprecedented threats to marine mammals. Here we present the first of eight papers about the effects of ship traffic and seismic on narwhals: Heide-Jørgensen, M.P., S.B. Blackwell, O.M. Tervo, A.L. Samson, A.S. Conrad, E. Garde, R.G. Hansen, M.C.Ngô, A.S. Conrad, P. Trinhammer, H.C. Schmidt, M.-H. S. Sinding, T.M. Williams, S. Ditlevsen, 2021. Behavioral response study on seismic airgun and vessel exposures in narwhals. Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.658173 The publication is open access and can be found here: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.658173/full<applewebdata://AEA57C3C-D12D-478C-883E-93909D1716C5/The%20publication%20is%…> ABSTRACT One of the last pristine marine soundscapes, the Arctic, is exposed to increasing anthropogenic activities due to climate-induced decrease in sea ice coverage. In this study, we combined movement and behavioral data from animal-borne tags in a controlled sound exposure study to describe the reactions of narwhals, Monodon monoceros, to airgun pulses and ship noise. Sixteen narwhals were live captured and instrumented with satellite tags and Acousonde acoustic-behavioral recorders, and 11 of them were exposed to airgun pulses and vessel sounds. The sound exposure levels (SELs) of pulses from a small airgun (3.4 L) used in 2017 and a larger one (17.0 L) used in 2018 were measured using drifting recorders. The experiment was divided into trials with airgun and ship-noise exposure, intertrials with only ship-noise, and pre- and postexposure periods. Both trials and intertrials lasted ∼4 h on average per individual. Depending on the location of the whales, the number of separate exposures ranged between one and eight trials or intertrials. Received pulse SELs dropped below 130 dB re 1 μPa2s by 2.5 km for the small airgun and 4–9 km for the larger airgun, and background noise levels were reached at distances of ∼3 and 8–10.5 km, respectively, for the small and big airguns. Avoidance reactions of the whales could be detected at distances >5 km in 2017 and >11 km in 2018 when in line of sight of the seismic vessel. Meanwhile, a ∼30% increase in horizontal travel speed could be detected up to 2 h before the seismic vessel was in line of sight. Applying line of sight as the criterion for exposure thus excludes some potential pre-response effects, and our estimates of effects must therefore be considered conservative. The whales reacted by changing their swimming speed and direction at distances between 5 and 24 km depending on topographical surroundings where the exposure occurred. The propensity of the whales to move towards the shore increased with increasing exposure (i.e., shorter distance to vessels) and was highest with the large airgun used in 2018, where the whales moved towards the shore at distances of 10–15 km. No long-term effects of the response study could be detected. Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen Professor, Dr. Scient. ________________________________ Pinngortitaleriffik Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Strandgade 91, 2.sal DK-1401 København K, Danmark Phone: +45 3283 3827 • Cell phone: +45 4025 7943 Email: mhj(a)ghsdk.dk<mailto:mhj@ghsdk.dk>

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New paper: Natal origin of N. Pacific gray whale seen in the South East Atlantic
by Simon Elwen 21 Jun '21

21 Jun '21

Dear colleagues, The Namibian Dolphin Project had the privilege of seeing a Pacific gray whale off the coast of Namibia (SE Atlantic) in 2013, at which point we managed to collect a biopsy from it. It took a while to get it processed it but happily Rus Hoelzel and Fatih Sarigol at Durham University in the UK managed to do this using genomic methods - revealing that the animal's most likely source population was the endangered Western Gray Whale population, known to feed off Sakhalin Island, Russia...making this the longest known movement of any mammal. The paper is available on our all author's researchgate profiles: Hoezel AR, F Sarigol, T Gridley, SH Elwen. (*2021*). Natal origin of Namibian gray whale reveals new distance record for in-water migration. Biol. Lett. 17: 20210136. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2021.0136 and if reading genetic methods isn't your thing - we made a YouTube Video abstract of the paper as well available here: https://youtu.be/aKXZbqaXPiU Many thanks :) Simon Elwen -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Simon Elwen Ph.D. - Director Sea Search Research & Conservation <http://www.seasearch.co.za> and the Namibian Dolphin Project <http://www.namibiandolphinproject.org> Research Associate: Department of Zoology and Botany - Stellenbosch University <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>

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