June 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

PhD studentship - University College Cork
by Rogan, Emer 09 Jun '21

09 Jun '21

Hi all, We have funding for a 4 year PhD studentship looking at abundance and distribution of cetaceans in the Irish EEZ. The successful candidate will join a diverse group of researchers at UCC and help deliver an ambitious aerial survey programme, participating as an observer in dedicated surveys for marine megafauna (cetaceans, seabirds, turtles, sharks) and undertaking a programme of study on the distribution of marine megafauna in Irish waters. Aerial surveys throughout the Irish EEZ will be conducted in summer and winter of 2021 and 2022. The successful student should be willing and able to participate in all surveys. The proposed PhD will focus on the distribution and habitat modelling of cetaceans, identifying biodiversity ‘hotspots’ and marine spatial planning. Scholarship details: The scholarship is funded by the Department of Environment, Communications and Climate ObSERVE programme and will cover EU fees of €5,900 and a tax-free stipend of €18,500 per annum for a period of four years. UK applicants will be granted EU fee status due to the Common Travel Area with Ireland, but international students would likely be required to make up the fee deficit (currently approx. €10,000 p.a.). It is anticipated that the successful candidate will start the project as soon as possible after 1st July 2021. Full details are available at: https://www.ucc.ie/en/hr/vacancies/research/full-details-1316717-en.html Informal inquiries can be made to: Prof. Emer Rogan, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, e-mail: e.rogan(a)ucc.ie<mailto:e.rogan@ucc.ie> Dr Mark Jessopp, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, e-mail: m.jessopp(a)ucc.ie<mailto:m.jessopp@ucc.ie> To Apply: Submit an electronic version of a cv including contact details of two referees and cover letter detailing your reasons for applying for the project and outlining how you meet the post requirements to Prof. Emer Rogan, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, email: e.rogan(a)ucc.ie<mailto:e.rogan@ucc.ie> Closing date: 1200hrs (GMT+1) Monday 21st June 2021. Le gach dea ghuí, Emer Prof. Emer Rogan, Head of Zoology and Ecology, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University College Cork. + 353 21 4904645

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New publication: Using identity calls to detect structure in acoustic datasets
by Taylor Hersh 08 Jun '21

08 Jun '21

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent Open Access publication in Methods in Ecology and Evolution: Hersh, T. A., Gero, S., Rendell, L., & Whitehead, H. (2021). Using identity calls to detect structure in acoustic datasets. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041- 210X.13644 Abstract: 1. Acoustic analyses can be powerful tools for illuminating structure within and between populations, especially for cryptic or difficult to access taxa. Acoustic repertoires are often compared using aggregate similarity measures across all calls of a particular type, but specific group identity calls may more clearly delineate structure in some taxa. 2. We present a new method—the identity call method—that estimates the number of acoustically distinct subdivisions in a set of repertoires and identifies call types that characterize those subdivisions. The method uses contaminated mixture models to identify call types, assigning each call a probability of belonging to each type. Repertoires are hierarchically clustered based on similarities in call type usage, producing a dendrogram with ‘identity clades’ of repertoires and the ‘identity calls’ that best characterize each clade. We validated this approach using acoustic data from sperm whales, grey-breasted wood-wrens and Australian field crickets, and ran a suite of tests to assess parameter sensitivity. 3. For all taxa, the method detected diagnostic signals (identity calls) and structure (identity clades; sperm whale subpopulations, wren subspecies and cricket species) that were consistent with past research. Some datasets were more sensitive to parameter variation than others, which may reflect real uncertainty or biological variability in the taxa examined. We recommend that users perform comparative analyses of different parameter combinations to determine which portions of the dendrogram warrant careful versus confident interpretation. 4. The presence of group-characteristic identity calls does not necessarily mean animals perceive them as such. Fine-scale experiments like playbacks are a key next step to understand call perception and function. This method can help inform such studies by identifying calls that may be salient to animals and are good candidates for investigation or playback stimuli. For cryptic or difficult to access taxa with group-specific calls, the identity call method can aid managers in quantifying behavioural diversity and/or identifying putative structure within and between populations, given that acoustic data can be inexpensive and minimally invasive to collect. The full article is available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13644 And the code can be accessed at: https://osf.io/5fter/ Please feel free to reach out with questions or feedback! Cheers, Taylor Hersh Ph.D. Candidate, Dalhousie University taylor.hersh(a)dal.ca @taylorahersh taylorhersh.weebly.com

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New Publication: Polar bear behavioral response to vessel surveys in northeastern Chukchi Sea, 2008–2014
by Kate Lomac-MacNair 08 Jun '21

08 Jun '21

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our new publication in *Ursus*: Kate Lomac-MacNair, Sheyna Wisdom, José Pedro De Andrade, Julia E. Stepanuk, and Eduardo Esteves "Polar bear behavioral response to vessel surveys in northeastern Chukchi Sea, 2008–2014," Ursus 2021(32e8), 1-14, (8 June 2021). https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-20-00023.2 ABSTRACT Evaluating the impacts of anthropogenic activities on Arctic wildlife is a key issue in current management and conservation strategies. With global climate change, expanding shipping routes, and increasing industrial development in the Arctic, the polar bear (*Ursus maritimus*) faces new challenges to its survival. Polar bear behavioral response to vessel presence is not well-documented. During the 2008–2014 Chukchi Sea Environmental Studies Program (CSESP), polar bear occurrence and behavioral data were collected during summer–autumn vessel surveys. We examined polar bear occurrence and behavioral response to vessel presence by distance. During this study, 56,901 km of observation effort occurred from 3 survey vessels and 42 groups (50 individuals) of polar bears were recorded. Over half of the groups exhibited a behavioral response (i.e., vigilance or flee) including all groups of mothers with cubs. The mean distance at which bears responded to vessels (805 ± 648 m) was closer than the mean distance at which no response was observed (2,001 ± 1,368 m). Logistic regression analysis revealed that response was associated with distance and our model indicated the estimated distance at which 50% of the polar bears would exhibit a behavioral response to be 1,645 m. Our findings are relevant to assess potential impacts of increasing vessel activity in the Arctic and to assist in the development of effective monitoring and mitigation strategies for polar bears. Our paper is available online: https://bioone.org/journals/ursus/volume-2021/issue-32e8/URSUS-D-20-00023.2… Or via e-mail request: klomacmacnair(a)gmail.com Cheers, Kate Kate Lomac-MacNair PhD Candidate University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal klomacmacnair(a)gmail.com

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New publications: Trace elements in franciscana dolphins and microplastics in North Atlantic fin whales
by Odei Garcia-Garin 08 Jun '21

08 Jun '21

Dear MARMAM list members, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our recent studies: *Long-term assessment of trace elements in franciscana dolphins from the Río de la Plata estuary and adjacent Atlantic waters * Garcia-Garin, O., Borrell, A., Vighi, M., Aguilar, A., Valdivia, M., González, E. M., & Drago, M. (2021). Long-term assessment of trace elements in franciscana dolphins from the Río de la Plata estuary and adjacent Atlantic waters. Science of The Total Environment, 788, 147797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147797 *Abstract*: The estuary of Río de la Plata, in the eastern coast ofSouth America, is a highly anthropized area that brings a high load of contaminants to the surrounding waters, which may have detrimental effects on the local marine fauna. The franciscana dolphin (*Pontoporia blainvillei*) is a small cetacean species endemic of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN red list. In this study, we assessed the concentrations of 13 trace elements in bone samples from100 franciscana dolphins that were found stranded dead or incidentally bycaught in the Río de la Plata and adjacent coast between 1953 and 2015. Elements were, in decreasing order of mean concentrations: Zn > Sr > Fe > Al > Mn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni > As > Hg > Cd > Se. The concentrations of Al, Cr and Fe were slightly higher in females than in males. The concentrations of As, Ni, and Pb significantly decreased with body length. Throughout the study period, the concentrations of Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ni significantly increased, while the concentrations of As, Pb and Sr significantly decreased. The increasing trends may be due to increased inputs from river discharges, the leather industry and petroleum refineries, while the decrease in Pb may be due to the ban in the use of this element as an additive in gasoline and as component of car batteries. This investigation supports the validity of analysing trace element in bone, a tissue available in scientific collections and museums, to retrospectively examine variation over long temporal scales and thus assess long-term trends in pollution. The paper can be accessed using the following link: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1d8cZB8ccqw18 <https://www.researchgate.net/deref/https%3A%2F%2Fauthors.elsevier.com%2Fa%2…> *Ingestion of synthetic particles by fin whales feeding off Western Iceland in summer* Garcia-Garin, O., Aguilar, A., Vighi, M., Víkingsson, G. A., Chosson, V., & Borrell, A. (2021). Ingestion of synthetic particles by fin whales feeding off Western Iceland in summer. Chemosphere, 279, 130564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130564 *Abstract*: In this study we aim to assess the daily ingestion rates of synthetic particles by the fin whales (*Balaenoptera physalus*) that feed off the western coast of Iceland. To do so, we collected and analysed samples from the stomach content of 25 fin whales, consisting solely of northern krill (*Meganyctiphanes norvegica*). The particles found consisted of fibres and fragments, mainly blue, black and red, with an average size of 1.2 ± 1.3 mm. To confirm the synthetic nature of these particles, we used Micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and comparison with a polymer library. The mean concentration of synthetic particles in the krill samples found in the stomachs of whales was 0.057 particles per gram, a value much lower than that previously reported for particle uptake by krill. From this concentration in krill, we estimated that the daily intake of synthetic particles for the North Atlantic fin whale would be ranging from 38,646 ± 43,392 to 77,292 ± 86,784 particles per day. Although at this level it is not possible to assess the impact of synthetic particles and their associated chemicals on the North Atlantic fin whale population, concentrations of these contaminants are likely to increase in the future, potentially causing adverse effects on whales and other marine mammals. Please, send me an e-mail (odei.garcia(a)ub.edu) for the full texts. All the best, Odei Garcia-Garin

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New publication: Geographic variations in common bottlenose dolphin's acoustic repertoire
by Ana Rita Francisco Luís 08 Jun '21

08 Jun '21

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication in Nature Scientific Reports: Luís, A.R., May-Collado, L.J., Rako-Gospić, N., Gridley, T., Papale, E., Azevedo, A., Silva, M. A., Buscaino, G., Herzing, D., & dos Santos. M.E. (2021). Vocal universals and geographic variations in the acoustic repertoire of the common bottlenose dolphin. Sci Rep 11, 11847. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-90710-9 Abstract Acoustical geographic variation is common in widely distributed species and it is already described for several taxa, at various scales. In cetaceans, intraspecific variation in acoustic repertoires has been linked to ecological factors, geographical barriers, and social processes. For the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), studies on acoustic variability are scarce, focus on a single signal type-whistles and on the influence of environmental variables. Here, we analyze the acoustic emissions of nine bottlenose dolphin populations across the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and identify common signal types and acoustic variants to assess repertoires' (dis)similarity. Overall, these dolphins present a rich acoustic repertoire, with 24 distinct signal sub-types including: whistles, burst-pulsed sounds, brays and bangs. Acoustic divergence was observed only in social signals, suggesting the relevance of cultural transmission in geographic variation. The repertoire dissimilarity values were remarkably low (from 0.08 to 0.4) and do not reflect the geographic distances among populations. Our findings suggest that acoustic ecology may play an important role in the occurrence of intraspecific variability, as proposed by the 'environmental adaptation hypothesis'. Further work may clarify the boundaries between neighboring populations, and shed light into vocal learning and cultural transmission in bottlenose dolphin societies. The full article is available here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-90710-9 Best regards, Ana Rita Luís MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre ISPA - Instituto Universitário Rua Jardim do Tabaco, 34 1149-041 Lisboa PORTUGAL

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FW: Faculty positions of interest to marine mammal ecologists
by Godley, Brendan 07 Jun '21

07 Jun '21

Dear Colleagues I hope you are well. Despite having great strength in ecology and conservation across the marine vertebrate taxa, it would be great if we had strong candidates with strong interests in marine mammals for the positions advertised below. Can you please share the following within your networks? The Centre for Ecology and Conservation (University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus) is recruiting Lecturers/Senior Lecturers in Marine Biology. We are particularly interested in applicants with a proven research track record in marine vertebrate ecology and conservation, marine resource management or fisheries research. We are also particularly interested in candidates who can work closely with marine sectoral stakeholders, including businesses, charities and government bodies. It would be great if you could please share the following link in your networks to ensure we get the best candidates applying: https://jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACAN…<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjobs.exet…> The position also been promoted on the Exeter Marine social media channels. Please retweet/share the post if you're on such things: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExeterMarine/status/1400388811499184129<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.c…> or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExeterMarine/photos/a.186688988607062/832606687348…<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faceb…> For an informal and confidential discussion about the post please contact my Head of Department, Prof Dave Hodgson email HoD-CLES-Cornwall(a)exeter.ac.uk<mailto:HoD-CLES-Cornwall@exeter.ac.uk> Kind regards Brendan

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ESA/MMPA Ocean Associates, Inc. positions to support NMFS
by Eric Patterson - NOAA Federal 07 Jun '21

07 Jun '21

Dear Colleagues, Passing along two positions with Ocean Associates, Inc. (OAI) to support the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Protected Resources (OPR). https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.htm… Cheers, *Eric M. Patterson, Ph.D.* *Cetacean and Pinniped Conservation LeadMarine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation DivisionOffice of Protected ResourcesNOAA FisheriesU.S. Department of Commerce* *301-427-8415 <301-427-8415>eric.patterson(a)noaa.gov <eric.patterson(a)noaa.gov>https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/office-protected-resources <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/office-protected-resources>*

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New publication: Predicting summer fin whale distribution in the Pelagos Sanctuary (north-western Mediterranean Sea) to identify dynamic whale–vessel collision risk areas
by Joey Gin Swen Ham 07 Jun '21

07 Jun '21

Dear all, My co-authors and I are delighted to announce our recent publication entitled "Predicting summer fin whale distribution in the Pelagos Sanctuary (north-western Mediterranean Sea) to identify dynamic whale–vessel collision risk areas" in the journal Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems (https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3614) If you would like a PDF copy, please feel free to let me know. Abstract: 1. Mediterranean fin whales aggregating in the Pelagos Sanctuary in summer to feed are exposed to vessel collision risk, particularly from high-speed ferries. 2. This study developed models to predict summer fin whale distribution using a generalized additive model (GAM) and MaxEnt, with the aim of providing a tool to identify potential high whale–ferry collision risk areas along ferry routes within the Pelagos Sanctuary during summertime. 3. Models were trained using sightings data collected in the summer months of 2009–2018 on board ferries crossing the central area of the Pelagos Sanctuary. Environmental predictors were bathymetry and mean sea surface chlorophyll concentration of the annual spring bloom period. 4. The predictive ability of GAM and MaxEnt was assessed using existing knowledge of summer fin whale distribution in the region. GAM (deviance explained = 20.2%) predictions matched documented distributions more closely than that of MaxEnt, with highest predicted fin whale occurrence in deep offshore waters (>2000 m) encompassing the central north-western and western regions, and in the south-eastern region, consistent with known fin whale habitats within the Pelagos Sanctuary. Inter-annual variability was evident, influencing collision risk areas. 5. Collision risk was estimated as a function of the overlap between the predicted probability of fin whale occurrence and ferry density estimated from Automated Identification System data. Ferry routes that cross the northern and eastern regions of the Pelagos Sanctuary presented relatively higher collision risk. 6. Areas with changes in risk intensity between the years were temporally and spatially dynamic: some appeared intermittently throughout the study period while others persisted over consecutive years or recurred in different years. 7. Due to the vastness of the Pelagos Sanctuary, vessel speed reduction maybe a more practical measure to manage collision risk than re-routing shipping lanes. A combination of Seasonal Management Areas and Dynamic Management Areas approaches could be adopted for high-risk areas. Regards , Joey @Gin Swen, MSc https://www.linkedin.com/in/gin-swen-ham-b624ab21/

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New publication
by Torres Ortiz, Sara 06 Jun '21

06 Jun '21

Dear MARMAM members, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication about group hunting in harbour porpoises: "Group hunting in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)". Torres Ortiz, S., Stedt, J., Midtiby, H. S., Egemose, H. D., & Wahlberg, M. (2021). Canadian Journal of Zoology. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2020-0289 Abstract Cooperative hunting involves individual predators relating in time and space to each other’s actions to more efficiently track down and catch prey. The evolution of advanced cognitive abilities and sociality in animals are strongly associated with cooperative hunting abilities as has been shown in lions, chimpanzees, and dolphins. Much less is known about cooperative hunting in seemingly unsocial animals, such as the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena (Linnaeus, 1758)). Using drones, we were able to record 159 hunting sequences of porpoises, out of which 95 sequences involved more than one porpoise. To better understand if the harbour porpoises were individually attracted by the fish school or formed an organized hunting strategy, the behaviour of each individual porpoise in relation to the targeted fish school was analysed. The results indicate role specialization, which is considered the most sophisticated form of collaborative hunting and only rarely seen in animals. Our study challenges previous knowledge about harbour porpoises and opens up for the possibility of other seemingly non-social species employing sophisticated collaborative hunting methods. The full-text is available online at the following link: <https://rdcu.be/clHjt%3Chttps://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=…>https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10.1139/cjz-2020-0289 Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Sara Ortiz

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CETACEANS AND MARINE FAUNA INTERNSHIP AUTUMN 2021
by Davide Ascheri 06 Jun '21

06 Jun '21

*DELFINI DEL PONENTE ASSOCIATION, IMPERIA, ITALY* *Cetaceans and Marine Fauna research project* *Delfini del Ponente is currently looking for and accepting interns to join our research project on bottlenose dolphins and other marine fauna in the Western Ligurian Sea, Imperia (Italy) from September to November**.* *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 organization, 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 photos 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 September-31 November 2021 (minimum 30 days) Number of interns for month: 2 /3 Activities: • boat-based surveys monitoring the presence and distribution of bottlenose dolphins • data collection of other cetaceans, fishes, seabirds, turtles • classwork, database updating • photo-id matching and analysis • land-based surveys /opportunistic surveys • lessons and training about cetacean ecology, biology and research techniques This is a great opportunity to get involved in cetacean research, encounter marine biodiversity while gaining fieldwork experience, travel and explore the beautiful Liguria region and support cetacean research and conservation . Interns will be involved 5 days a week, 6-8 hours/day (depending on fieldwork or lab work) During free time, interns will have the opportunity to experience all sorts of activities: swimming, diving, hiking, exploring historical sites, visit museums, sailing. *Skills/qualification:* · Minimum age of 18 · Prior experience in cetaceans or boat-based surveys is not required · Degree or on-going studies in biology, natural science, veterinary or similar (preferred) · Strong motivation and interest in cetaceans and research · Speak, read and write in fluent English · Be adaptable as fieldwork is weather dependent · 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 *Internship fee* Delfini del Ponente is a self-funded research project, so participation in this programme requires a tuition fee. Fee includes the accommodation in an apartment in Imperia, tuition, and all associated field costs during the internship period (use of research vessel, training, use of equipment, field trips, insurance). Transportation expenses to and from Imperia (Italy) and food costs during the stay are not included in the fee. *How to apply: * For applyingand for any information and details, please send an email to delfinidelponente(a)gmail.com Davide Ascheri and Elena Fontanesi *Delfini Del Ponente APS* Via Regione Bussi, 18100 Imperia (Italy) https://delfinidelponente.it/ -- Dott. Davide Ascheri tel. 3389287180 Presidente *DELFINI DEL PONENTE APS* Via Regione Bussi 27, 1800 Imperia *C.F. *91048910086* E-mail: *delfinidelponente(a)gmail.com

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