November 2022 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New Publication: Human influence on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) strandings in the northern Gulf of Mexico
by Mackenzie Russell 22 Nov '22

22 Nov '22

Hello all, On behalf of my fellow coauthors and myself, we are excited to share a new publication titled "Human influence on bottlenose dolphin (*Tursiops truncatus*) strandings in the northern Gulf of Mexico" published in Frontiers in Environmental Science. Carmichael RH, Hodanbosi MR, Russell ML and Wingers NL (2022), Human influence on bottlenose dolphin (*Tursiops truncatus*) strandings in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Front. Environ. Sci. 10:951329. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.951329 Abstract: Human activity affects marine mammal stranding rates in two major ways; through human interaction (HI) that may lead to mortality and through search and response efforts that enable carcass detection. To better quantify the combined effects of these interacting human influences, we analyzed strandings for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM), an area of high cetacean strandings. To identify hotspots of human influence, we first determined the number of total and HI-related bottlenose dolphin strandings normalized to shoreline length in each nGOM U.S. state, which represent major response areas. To estimate the effects of response effort on stranding numbers (for HI and non-HI strandings), we used the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DWHOS) as an established benchmark to compare periods of lower (pre-spill) and higher (post-spill) response effort. Strandings in Alabama waters were used as a case study to detail spatial and temporal variation due to human influences during the 39-year period of retrospective study. We found an increase in strandings from Louisiana through Alabama following the DWHOS. Non-oil related HI strandings increased in total number in AL, and they increased as a proportion of total strandings in Alabama (16%) and the Florida panhandle (12%). The increase in HI related strandings in Alabama was driven by mortality of many types, but particularly fishery interactions and cases of apparent intentional harm. The Alabama case study clearly detected lower stranding numbers during periods of low or intermittent response coverage. Our findings are consistent with an overall increase in stranding numbers due to a combination of increased stranding occurrence and response effort following the DWHOS. Importantly, we provide evidence that HI-related standings increased independently from the DWHOS, with ongoing increases in at least one hotspot (Alabama). These findings provide a first step to parsing out different effects of human influences on stranding data for a common coastal cetacean. Our approach establishes baselines for future damage and recovery assessments, identifies areas where resources can be focused for management and education, and highlights the power of response and monitoring agencies to positively influence stranding datasets. This article is available OPEN ACCESS here: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.951329/full Many thanks, Mackenzie Russell Mackenzie Russell, MS Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network Stranding Coordinator Dauphin Island Sea Lab mrussell(a)disl.org

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New Publication: Home ranges and diving behavior of endangered New Zealand sea lions along the Catlins coast of South Island, New Zealand
by Nathan Reed 22 Nov '22

22 Nov '22

Hello all, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication titled "Home ranges and diving behavior of endangered New Zealand sea lions along the Catlins coast of South Island, New Zealand" published in Marine Mammal Science. Reed, N., Childerhouse, S., Robertson, B. C., & Davis, R. W. (2022). Home ranges and diving behavior of endangered New Zealand sea lions along the Catlins coast of South Island, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12989 Abstract: New Zealand sea lions (NZSL, Phocarctos hookeri) were extirpated from mainland New Zealand during pre-European subsistence hunting. They began reoccupying South Island in 1994, and the newest breeding colony arose in 2006 along the Catlins Coast on southeastern South Island and currently consists of <10 individuals. The goal of this study was to use animal-borne satellite telemeters and miniature data recorders (MDRs) to determine home ranges, three-dimensional movements, and foraging strategy of female NZSL along the Catlins Coast during the austral winter of 2019. Total home ranges were small (97 km2) and primarily restricted to nearshore areas. Dives were shallow (8.9 m), short in duration (1.4 min), and had a mean swimming speed of 1.5 m s-1. We identified three dive types based primarily on total dive duration, mean maximum depth, total distance swam, and path linearity. The estimated at-sea metabolic rate varied among dive types because of differences in flipper stroke frequency and swim speed. Female NZSL along the Catlins Coast have smaller home ranges and make shorter foraging trips compared with females in the Auckland Islands, and suitable habitat for breeding and prey availability along the southeast coast are encouraging for future population growth. The article is available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mms.12989 Cheers, Nathan Nathan Reed, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biology North Greenville University http://ngu.edu/ Ph: (864) 977-2086

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New article on a novel method to study steroids from grey seal pup plasma
by Vaida Surviliene 21 Nov '22

21 Nov '22

Dear colleagues, I am pleased to inform you that a new article regarding a development of a novel method to study multiple steroid hormones from grey seal pup plasma was published recently. Lea Sait, S.T., Survilienė, V., Jüssi, M., Gonzalez, S. V, Ciesielski, T.M., Jenssen, B.M., Asimakopoulos, A.G., 2022. Determination of steroid hormones in grey seal (*Halichoerus grypus*) blood plasma using convergence chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Talanta 124109. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2022.124109 The link to the open access article can be found here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039914022009055?via%3Di… Abstract A hybrid solid phase extraction (HybridSPE) protocol tailored to ultra-performance convergence chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPC2-MS/MS) was developed for the determination of 19 steroid hormones in grey seal (*Halichoerus grypus*) blood plasma. In this study, the protocol demonstrated acceptable absolute recoveries ranging from 33 to 90%. The chromatographic separation was carried out using a gradient elution program with a total run time of 5 min. The method repeatability ranged from 1.9% to 24% for most target analytes and the method limits of quantification (mLOQs) ranged from 0.03 to 1.67 ng/mL. A total of 9 plasma samples were analysed to demonstrate the applicability of the developed method in blood plasma from a wildlife species. A total of 13 steroid hormones were quantified in grey seal pup plasma. The most prevalent steroids: cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, progesterone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone were detected at concentrations in the range of 9.09–40.1, 7.10–24.2, 0.742–10.7, 1.06–5.72, 0.38–4.38 and <mLOQ - 1.05 ng/mL, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first study to determine steroid hormones in the plasma of pinnipeds using convergence chromatography. Best regards, Vaida Survilienė Junior research fellow Institute of Biosciences Vilnius university +37066211047

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Australia/New Zealand Student Chapter catch up
by Rebecca Boys 21 Nov '22

21 Nov '22

Excited to announce Australia/New Zealand SMM Student Chapter's last monthly catch up for the year is next Wednesday 30th November at 12pm GMT+8 (WA time). Dr Charles Littnan (president of SMM) will be talking to us about "What makes a successful applicant"! Please join us on zoom to hear some useful tips and to ask career related questions 🙂 Zoom: https://massey.zoom.us/j/89927852459?pwd=5pnvsmuy4xKnK1oXSxa1bTXQbCS6au.1 Password: 003359 [cid:1f751cdf-e7fa-4f91-abd1-7034e33558aa] ------------------------------------------------------------- Rebecca M Boys Marine Biologist PhD Student Cetacean Ecology Research Group School of Natural Sciences Massey University Auckland New Zealand [cid:50537993-843c-4089-b134-970749da084e]<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebecca_Boys> [cid:2e71a180-0fa7-49d8-a90d-3bbf5370ca82] <https://scholar.google.co.nz/citations?hl=en&user=7rHpOpMAAAAJ> [cid:fba26792-a2e3-446e-834f-81295d03173c] <https://twitter.com/RebeccaMBoys> [cid:8f6deb0d-1af0-4e1a-bda1-224b0534f22a] <https://www.facebook.com/CetaceanEcologyOrg/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBKlWSLR-YC7KHN…> [cid:c73045c8-a74e-46d6-95d5-44fed0b3501f] <https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/explore/research/animal-veterinary/animal/m…> [cid:dcadaa52-16af-4b41-ba93-6cb4583f492c] www.cetaceanecology.org/<https://www.cetaceanecology.org/> Australia and New Zealand Student Chapter SMM Committee member European Cetacean Society National Contact Person for New Zealand

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New publication: Seasonal gain in body condition of foraging humpback whales along the Western Antarctic Peninsula
by Bierlich, Kevin C 21 Nov '22

21 Nov '22

Hello MARMAMers, On behalf of my co-authors, I am excited to announce our publication in Frontiers in Marine Science titled "Seasonal gain in body condition of foraging humpback whales along the Western Antarctic Peninsula". Bierlich, K.C., Hewitt, J., Schick R.S., Pallin, L., Dale, J., Friedlaender, A.S., Christiansen, F., Sprogis K.R., Dawn, A.H., Bird, C.N., Larsen, G., Nichols, R., Shero, M., Goldbogen, J.A., Read, A., Johnston, D.W. (2022). Seasonal gain in body condition of foraging humpback whales along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Frontiers in Marine Science. 9, 1–16. doi:10.3389/fmars.2022.1036860 Abstract: Most baleen whales are capital breeders that use stored energy acquired on foraging grounds to finance the costs of migration and reproduction on breeding grounds. Body condition reflects past foraging success and can act as a proxy for individual fitness. Hence, monitoring the seasonal gain in body condition of baleen whales while on the foraging grounds can inform how marine mammals support the costs of migration, growth, and reproduction, as well as the nutritional health of the overall population. Here, we use photogrammetry from drone-based imagery to examine how the body condition of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) changed over the foraging season (November to June) along the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) from 2017 to 2019. This population (IWC stock G) is recovering from past whaling and is growing rapidly, providing an opportunity to study how whales store energy in a prey-rich environment. We used a body area index (BAI) to estimate changes in body condition and applied a Bayesian approach to incorporate measurement uncertainty associated with different drone types used for data collection. We used biopsy samples to determine sex and pregnancy status, and a length-based maturity classification to assign reproductive classes (n = 228; calves = 31, juveniles = 82, lactating females = 31, mature males = 12, mature unknown sex = 56, non-pregnant females = 12, pregnant females = 3, pregnant & lactating females = 1). Average BAI increased linearly over the feeding season for each reproductive class. Lactating females had lower BAI compared to other mature whales late in the season, reflecting the high energetic costs of nursing a calf. Mature males and non-pregnant females had the highest BAI values. Calves and juvenile whales exhibited an increase in BAI but not structural size (body length) over the feeding season. The body length of lactating mothers was positively correlated with the body length of their calves, but no relationship was observed between the BAI of mothers and their calves. Our study establishes a baseline for seasonal changes in the body condition for this humpback whale population, which can help monitor future impacts of disturbance and climate change. Here is a link to access the paper https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.1036860/full Cheers, KC KC (Kevin) Bierlich, PhD, MEM Postdoctoral Scholar Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna (GEMM<https://mmi.oregonstate.edu/gemm-lab>) Lab Marine Mammal Institute | Dept. of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences Oregon State University Pronouns: he, him, his kcbierlich.com<http://kcbierlich.com/> kevin.bierlich(a)oregonstate.edu<mailto:kevin.bierlich@oregonstate.edu> <http://kcbierlich.com>

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New Publication: Fifty Shades of Gray: The First Leucistic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Sighting off the Cedar Keys, Florida, Gulf of Mexico
by Mackenzie Russell 21 Nov '22

21 Nov '22

Hello all, On behalf of Dr. Stefanie Gazda and myself, we are happy to share our recent publication with you titled "Fifty Shades of Gray: The First Leucistic Bottlenose Dolphin (*Tursiops truncatus*) Sighting off the Cedar Keys, Florida, Gulf of Mexico" published in Aquatic Mammals. Gazda, S. K., and M. L. Russell. 2022. Fifty Shades of Gray: The First Leucistic Bottlenose Dolphin (*Tursiops truncatus)* Sighting off the Cedar Keys, Florida, Gulf of Mexico. Aquatic Mammals; 48(6), 661-665, DOI 10.1578/AM.48.6.2022.661 Summary: This is the first sighting by dedicated marine mammal researchers of a hypopigmented, suspected leucistic bottlenose dolphin in the north-eastern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The adult female dolphin nursing a normally colored calf makes the sighting even more unusual. The use of news articles that are over 50 years old aided in the creation of this paper and represents a potentially useful dataset of information in public records regarding rare sightings such as leucistic marine mammals in never-before-reported locations like the north-eastern GOM. This paper is available OPEN ACCESS here: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.6.2022.661 Many thanks, Mackenzie Russell Mackenzie Russell, MS Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network Stranding Coordinator Dauphin Island Sea Lab mrussell(a)disl.org

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New publication: From Monitoring to Final Disposition: Collaborative Response to the First Live Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) Stranding in Alabama, USA
by Mackenzie Russell 21 Nov '22

21 Nov '22

Hello all, We are pleased to share our recently published article titled "From Monitoring to Final Disposition: Collaborative Response to the First Live Sperm Whale (*Physeter macrocephalus*) Stranding in Alabama, USA", which is now published in the journal Aquatic Mammals. Bloodgood, J.C.G., M.L. Russell, C. D. Clark, E.E. Hieb, D. P. Mooe, T.R. Madgrigal, S. Carmichael, and R. H. Carmichael. From Monitoring to Final Disposition: Collaborative Response to the First Live Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) Stranding in Alabama, USA. Aquatic Mammals, 48(6), 485-494, DOI 10.1578/AM.48.6.2022.485. Summary: This paper details the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network's response, from initial report to final disposition, for the first documented live sperm whale stranding in Alabama. The animal stranded out of habitat inside Mobile Bay. We highlight the challenges and successful aspects of the response, including multi-day live-animal monitoring, in-water sedation and euthanasia, transport, field necropsy, personnel safety, and the importance of interagency collaboration throughout the process. For the sedation and euthanasia phase of response, we provide detailed doses and times of drug delivery, animal response, and time to death. Our findings will benefit other stranding networks by informing best practices for coordinating large whale stranding response, particularly in areas where these strandings are rare and resources may be limited. It is available open access here: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.6.2022.485 Many thanks, Mackenzie Russell Mackenzie Russell, MS Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network Stranding Coordinator Dauphin Island Sea Lab mrussell(a)disl.org

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Marine vertebrate monitoring with eDNA, China Scholarship Council PhD Offered at University of Exeter, UK
by Thompson, Kirsten 21 Nov '22

21 Nov '22

Dear Marmammers, Molecular monitoring of marine vertebrates across changing oceans with eDNA China Scholarship Council PhD studentships for 2023 Entry based at the University of Exeter, United Kingdom. Application deadline: midday UK time 4th January 2023. For more details on how to apply: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/csc-scholarships/facultyofhealthandlife… The project is listed under Ocean Sciences. This PhD studentship is open to Chinese nationals only. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate for an exciting collaboration between the University of Exeter (Dr Adam Monier and Dr Kirsten Thompson) and Greenpeace Research Laboratories (Exeter; Dr Kirsten Thompson and others). Join a dynamic group of bioscientists, geneticists and cetacean biologists at Exeter Streatham Campus in the southwest of the United Kingdom. The successful candidate will be based at the Living Systems Institute, Exeter, and will have access to existing data from temperate and tropical oceans and the potential opportunity to work in the field. We would encourage those with an aptitude and interest in bioinformatics, phylogenetics, oceanography and marine conservation to apply. Experience in molecular laboratory and field work are desirable but not essential. For informal inquiries contact: Adam Monier, A.Monier(a)exeter.ac.uk<mailto:A.Monier@exeter.ac.uk> and Kirsten Thompson, k.f.thompson(a)exeter.ac.uk<mailto:k.f.thompson@exeter.ac.uk> Send us your CV, we would love to hear from you if you think you might be interested in this research. Kind regards, Kirsten Thompson Dr Kirsten Thompson Pronouns<http://www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/communicationservices/docu…>: she/her Lecturer in Ecology University of Exeter Mob: +44 (0)7841695569 Staff profile: Biosciences<https://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/staff/profile/index.php?web_id=Kirsten_Tho…> Hatherly Laboratories, Prince of Wales Rd, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4PS I work Monday to Wednesday, but check my emails regularly for any urgent business. [cid:C85A9705-14B0-472E-9FC8-6E9A199C05D0] This email and any attachment may contain information that is confidential, privileged, or subject to copyright, and which may be exempt from disclosure under applicable legislation. It is intended for the addressee only. If you received this message in error, please let me know and delete the email and any attachments immediately. The University will not accept responsibility for the accuracy/completeness of this email and its attachments.

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New publication: How to define a dolphin "group"? Need for consistency and justification based on objective criteria.
by Jonathan Syme 20 Nov '22

20 Nov '22

Dear all, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our review on the definitions of delphinid groups in the journal Ecology and Evolution. Syme, J., Kiszka, J. J., & Parra, G. J. (2022). How to define a dolphin "group"? Need for consistency and justification based on objective criteria. Ecology and Evolution, 12(11), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9513 Abstract: Group living is a critical component of the ecology of social animals such as delphinids. In many studies on these animals, groups represent sampling units that form the basis of the collection and analysis of data on their abundance, behavior, and social structure. Nevertheless, defining what constitutes a group has proven problematic. There is inconsistency in the terms and criteria used and many definitions lack biological justification. We conducted a literature review and an online expert survey to assess various terms (group, school, party, and pod), and their definitions as applied to delphinids to identify issues to ultimately make recommendations. Of 707 studies analyzed, 325 explicitly defined one or more terms, providing 344 definitions. Additionally, 192 definitions were obtained from the survey. Among these definitions, group was the most common term used (review: 286 definitions, 83.1%; survey: 69 definitions, 35.9%) and the most familiar to the survey respondents (73 respondents, 100.0%). In definitions of group, spatial proximity was the most used criterion (review: 200 definitions, 71.2%; survey: 53 definitions, 81.5%) followed by behavior (review: 176 definitions, 62.6%; survey: 38 definitions, 58.5%). The terms and criteria used to define delphinid groups vary considerably. Rather than proposing a single formal definition, we instead recommend that the term group and spatial proximity criteria be used to define sampling units of individuals observed in the field. Furthermore, we propose a process for formulating definitions that involves analyzing interindividual distances to determine naturally occurring patterns that are indicative of group membership. Although this process is based principally on the spatial proximity of individuals, it could also incorporate the behavior of group members by evaluating the influence of behavior on interindividual distances. Such a process produces definitions that are biologically meaningful and compatible across studies and populations, thus increasing our ability to draw strong conclusions about group living in delphinids. You can find the full article here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.9513 Thank you to all who took the time to complete the online survey. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at jonathan.syme(a)flinders.edu.au<mailto:jonathan.syme@flinders.edu.au> Kind regards, Jonathan Syme PhD Candidate CEBEL, Flinders University

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New publication: Spatial, temporal and demographic patterns of cetacean strandings in the northcentral Gulf of Mexico
by Mackenzie Russell 18 Nov '22

18 Nov '22

Hello all, My co-authors and I are excited to share with you our recent publication titled "Spatial, temporal and demographic patterns of cetacean strandings in the northcentral Gulf of Mexico" published in the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management. Russell M, Bloodgood J, Carmichael R. Spatial, temporal and demographic patterns of cetacean strandings in the northcentral Gulf of Mexico. JCRM. 2022 Nov. 8;23(1):171-82. Available from: https://journal.iwc.int/index.php/jcrm/article/view/356 Abstract: There are few published reports that summarise long‐term stranding data for cetaceans in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Cetacean stranding data from Alabama (AL) in the northcentral GoM have been recorded since 1978, with dedicated stranding response beginning in 1987, providing an opportunity to characterise spatial, temporal and demographic stranding patterns for this unique area, which links the eastern and western northern GoM coastline. To elucidate long‐term patterns, we analysed stranding records in AL from 1978–2018, taking into consideration the effects of periodic unusual mortality events (UMEs) on stranding demographics. During this 41‐year period, 774 stranding events were recorded involving at least 13 different cetacean species. Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were the most reported stranded cetacean (n = 692, 89.4%), followed by Stenella spp. (n = 31, 4.0%). Spatial analysis revealed three stranding hotspots for bottlenose dolphins and an additional hotspot for non‐bottlenose dolphin species that may represent a geographic influence in the northcentral GoM for strandings of offshore cetaceans. Because strandings were dominated by bottlenose dolphins, additional demographic analyses were possible for this species. Strandings occurred most often in the spring (March–May), and females and foetuses stranded more often in calving (January–April) than non‐calving season, consistent with increased mortality related to birthing or reproductive‐associated events. Subadults were found stranded more often than other size classes, indicating a potential stranding bias for this age class. These data are critical to guide future stranding response efforts, define vulnerable populations and help understand causes of mortality through time in the northcentral GoM. Our findings also highlight the importance of long‐term, consistent stranding response to enable identifying spatial and temporal trends that are necessary to support meaningful, range‐wide management and conservation. Best, Mackenzie Russell Mackenzie Russell, MS Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network Stranding Coordinator Dauphin Island Sea Lab mrussell(a)disl.org

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