March 2022 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

list submission - new publication
by Brooke Hodge 07 Mar '22

07 Mar '22

Dear MARMAN members, My co-authors' and I are happy to share with you our new paper "Identifying predictors of species diversity to guide designation of marine protected areas," recently published in Conservation Science and Practice. This study characterizes marine mammal species diversity on the U.S. east coast and examines environmental drivers for high marine mammal diversity. We found diversity was highest in: * The northern and mid-Atlantic regions with steep continental shelf edges * Areas of high salinity and low temperatures * Areas characterized with canyons Abstract: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a widely-used tool for conserving biodiversity. Features that support marine mammal foraging have been suggested as important components to include in MPAs, but research is needed to understand the relationship between these features and diversity. For example, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument represents an area known to support marine mammal foraging and was designated to protect an area of high marine mammal diversity. However, no comparisons have been made between marine mammal diversity in the Monument and other areas. We used 3,174,167 km of survey effort and 189,175 sightings to assess alpha and beta diversity in the Monument and 500 randomly selected sites along the east coast of the United States. We used linear models to relate diversity to variables that represent marine mammal foraging areas. Our analyses showed a gradient of higher to lower diversity from north to south and that the shelf-edge, canyons, and areas of likely upwelling support high diversity. We also found that the Monument protects a diverse and unique marine mammal community. Our analyses contribute to efforts to designate MPAs to conserve habitat that is important for protecting species by identifying drivers of biodiversity and potential sites for protecting 30% of the planet by 2030. Open Access link to paper: https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/csp2.12665<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fconbio.on…> Best, Brooke Hodge Brooke (Wikgren) Hodge | Associate Research Scientist/GIS Specialist | Spatial Ecology Mapping & Assessment Program | Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life | New England Aquarium | Central Wharf Boston, MA 02110 | bhodge(a)neaq.org<mailto:bhodge@neaq.org> | http://www.andersoncabotcenterforoceanlife.org<http://www.andersoncabotcenterforoceanlife.org/> [AndersonCabotCenterLogo] [New-England-Aquarium - Copy] This electronic message contains information from the New England Aquarium which may be privileged and confidential. The information is intended to be for the use of the addressee only. If you have received this communication in error, do not read or circulate it. Please delete it from your system without copying it or saving any attachments and notify the sender by reply e-mail. Thank you.

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Mailing list submission: New publication on olfaction in the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) (Ian Farnkopf)
by Ian Farnkopf 07 Mar '22

07 Mar '22

Topic: New publication on olfaction in the bowhead whale (*Balaena mysticetus*) (Ian Farnkopf) My co-authors and I are excited to present to you our publication that provides guidance on how to identify olfactory epithelium histologically in mammals, shows olfactory epithelium in bowhead whales (*Balaena mysticetus*), and supports the notion that baleen whales have a sense of smell. Additionally, we describe the gross anatomy of the nasal chambers in a preterm fetus, a full-term fetus, and a subadult bowhead. Farnkopf, I. C., George, J. C., Kishida, T., Hillmann, D. J., Suydam, R. S., & Thewissen, J. G. M. (2022). Olfactory epithelium and ontogeny of the nasal chambers in the bowhead whale (*Balaena mysticetus*). *Anatomical Record*, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24682 It is in a special issue on marine mammal sensory systems. Abstract: In a species of baleen whale, we identify olfactory epithelium that suggests a functional sense of smell and document the ontogeny of the surrounding olfactory anatomy. Whales must surface to breathe, thereby providing an opportunity to detect airborne odorants. Although many toothed whales (odontocetes) lack olfactory anatomy, baleen whales (mysticetes) have retained theirs. Here, we investigate fetal and postnatal specimens of bowhead whales (*Balaena mysticetus*). Computed tomography (CT) reveals the presence of nasal passages and nasal chambers with simple ethmoturbinates through ontogeny. Additionally, we describe the dorsal nasal meatuses and olfactory bulb chambers. The cribriform plate has foramina that communicate with the nasal chambers. We show this anatomy within the context of the whole prenatal and postnatal skull. We document the tunnel for the ethmoidal nerve (ethmoid foramen) and the rostrolateral recess of the nasal chamber, which appears postnatally. Bilateral symmetry was apparent in the postnatal nasal chambers. No such symmetry was found prenatally, possibly due to tissue deformation. No nasal air sacs were found in fetal development. Olfactory epithelium, identified histologically, covers at least part of the ethmoturbinates. We identify olfactory epithelium using six explicit criteria of mammalian olfactory epithelium. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of olfactory marker protein (OMP), which is only found in mature olfactory sensory neurons. Although it seems that these neurons are scarce in bowhead whales compared to typical terrestrial mammals, our results suggest that bowhead whales have a functional sense of smell, which they may use to find prey. Feel free to email me if you're not able to access the full-text at https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24682 I'd be happy to send you a PDF copy, Ian Farnkopf ifarnkop(a)kent.edu Ph.D Candidate | Kent State University Thewissen Laboratory | Northeast Ohio Medical University Instructor | Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine

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New publication: variation in body mass and food intake in northern fur seals
by Elizabeth A McHuron 06 Mar '22

06 Mar '22

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are excited to share our new paper that is available for early view in Marine Mammal Science that describes how body mass, food intake, and energy intake in northern fur seals varies with age, season, sex, and reproductive status. McHuron EA, Rosen DAS, Carpenter J, Leonard P, Sirpenski G, Sterling JT. 2022. Variation in body mass and food intake of northern fur seals (*Callorhinus ursinus*). Marine Mammal Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12919 *Abstract * Estimates of prey and energy consumption are important for effective management and conservation of marine mammals and the ecosystems they inhabit. We used routinely collected husbandry data on body mass, food intake (kilograms), and energy intake (megajoules) from northern fur seals (*Callorhinus ursinus*) in zoological institutions to examine how these variables changed throughout the year, and with age, sex, and reproduction. Fur seals exhibited seasonal changes in all three variables, but the magnitude and timing of trends varied among age and sex groups. Notably, adult males exhibited rapid increases in body mass leading up to the breeding season. Fur seals were most efficient at converting energy intake to mass gain in the spring and least efficient in the fall. Intake increased into adulthood as animals grew in body mass. Sex-specific differences in intake were detectable early in development, likely related to size dimorphism. Pregnancy was energetically inexpensive compared with lactation, with food and energy intake rapidly increasing post parturition to values that were double those during early pregnancy. This study highlights the importance of accounting for different age, sex, and life history stages when estimating prey consumption of northern fur seals. Please feel free to email me (emchuron(a)uw.edu) if you would like a copy and do not have access. Best, Liz McHuron Elizabeth McHuron, PhD Research Scientist, UW CICOES

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New paper: An environment dependent fitness trade-off in Galapagos sea lions
by Jonas Schwarz 06 Mar '22

06 Mar '22

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent paper published in Current Biology on the consequences of foraging strategies of Galapagos sea lions: Schwarz, J. F. L., DeRango, E. J., Zenth, F., Kalberer, S., Hoffman, J. I., Mews, S., Piedrahita, P., Trillmich, F., Páez-Rosas, D., Thiboult, A., & Krüger, O. (2022). A stable foraging polymorphism buffers Galapagos sea lions against environmental change. Current Biology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.02.007 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.02.007> Abstract: Understanding the ability of animals to cope with a changing environment is critical in a world affected by anthropogenic disturbance. Individual foraging strategies may influence the coping ability of entire populations, as these strategies can be differently adapted to contrasting conditions, allowing populations with foraging polymorphisms to be more resilient toward environmental change. However, environmentally dependent fitness consequences of individual foraging strategies and their effects on population dynamics have not been conclusively documented. Here, we use biologging data from endangered Galápagos sea lion females (Zalophus wollebaeki) to show that benthically foraging individuals dig after sand-dwelling prey species while pelagic foragers hunt in more open waters. These specialized foraging behaviours result in distinct and temporally stable patterns of vibrissae abrasion. Using vibrissae length as a visual marker for the benthic versus pelagic foraging strategies, we furthermore uncovered an environment-dependent fitness trade-off between benthic and pelagic foragers, suggesting that the foraging polymorphism could partially buffer the population against the negative effects of climate change. However, demographic projections suggest that this buffering effect is unlikely to be sufficient to reverse the ongoing population decline of the past four decades. Our study hence shows how crucial a deeper understanding of behavioural polymorphisms can be for predicting how populations cope within a rapidly changing world. A video abstract can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYx_TkPQiKY&t=44s <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYx_TkPQiKY&t=44s> The article is available until the 21st of April via this link: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1egY%7E3QW8R%7EbXx <https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1egY~3QW8R~bXx> Best, Jonas Schwarz __________________________ Jonas Schwarz Sea Lion Project Galapagos Department of Animal Behaviour Bielefeld University

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Marine Mammal Veterinary Technician/Assistant Call for Applicants
by Alissa Deming 04 Mar '22

04 Mar '22

Dear Colleagues, The Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC; www.pacificmmc.org) is accepting applications for a fulltime marine mammal veterinary technician/assistant. PMMC rescues, rehabilitates and releases marine mammals and inspires ocean stewardship through research, education, and collaboration. The successful candidate will passionately represent the PMMC and its mission while displaying a positive attitude and a high level of commitment and professionalism. The primary purpose of this position is to assist the veterinary team with all aspects of patient care. In addition, this position will be responsible for assisting with maintaining biological sample, hospital supplies, and pharmacy inventory. Position: Marine Mammal Veterinary Technician/Assistant Location: Laguna Beach, California Duration: Full time with benefits Application Due Date: March 21st, 2022 or sooner; applications will be reviewed as received Primary Responsibilities • Assists veterinarians with the veterinary care of patients rescued and admitted to the PMMC • Prepare and assist with triage, surgery, diagnostic imaging (radiology, ultrasonography, and endoscopy), necropsy and medical procedures • Provide surgical assistance and anesthetic monitoring • Provide medical treatment and phlebotomy • Responsible for the input and maintenance of patient medical records (Tracks®) • Maintenance of the treatment room, diagnostic equipment and pharmacy inventory • Assists with sample inventory and sample shipping • Coordinates the collection of research samples and data from patients admitted to the hospital • Perform pharmaceutical and consumable supply inventories • Performs in-house diagnostic procedures (blood work, differentials, fecal exams, radiographs, etc.) • Coordinates the educating, training and monitoring of volunteers and students that participate in clinical rotations, externships, necropsy and research • Communicates with and educates the PMMC volunteers on all aspects of patient care in a compassionate and professional manner • Assists veterinarians and biologists with necropsies and field research as needed Requirements and Competencies • Minimum of 2-years work experience as a Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant (preference given to applicants with wildlife, aquarium or zoological experience) • Must be available to work varying hours including being on call for live marine mammal stranding response and afterhours/weekend care of critical patients • Must have a valid state driver’s license and be able to obtain a company driver’s license • Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Photoshop • Must be able to lift 50 pounds and move around restraint patients • Must be able to work in harsh weather conditions during field work and rescue missions Preferred qualifications • Veterinary Technician Certification in the state of California, or eligible to acquire certification within one year (will consider Veterinary Assistants with relevant aquatic animal experience) • Experience managing pharmacy inventory and controlled drugs (if RVT/CVT) • Proficient in microscopic evaluations (fecal flotation, cytology, white blood cell differentials, etc.) • Marine mammal necropsy experience • Experience managing large biological sample inventories and hospital supply inventories To apply, please include the below materials (PDF saved with the applicants’ name): 1. Cover letter 2. Curriculum vitae with three professional references listed All materials should be submitted no later than March 21st, 2022 to: To: Hospital(a)pacificmmc.org Subject: Marine Mammal Veterinary Technician/Assistant Attn: Dr. Alissa Deming Alissa C. Deming, DVM, MS, PhD Vice President of Conservation Medicine and Science [cid:65b935ba-4d8f-47c0-b226-7ca79baf6786] 20612 Laguna Canyon Road Laguna Beach, CA 92651 ademing(a)pacificmmc.org | ph 949.494.3050 | fax<http://fax> 949.494.2802 | www.pacificmmc.org<http://www.pacificmmc.org/>

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Open Marine Wildlife Analyst positions at APEM
by Jessie Behr 04 Mar '22

04 Mar '22

There are open Marine Wildlife Analyst positions at APEM available: Job Title: Marine Wildlife Analyst Salary: Competitive and Rewarding + Benefits Hours: Standard Business Reports to: Marine Wildlife Analysis Team Leader Location: Flexible: Manchester/Hybrid/Remote The role is about analysing aerial images and identifying marine species, primarily seabirds and marine mammals. This is a great career opportunity for everyone who wants to join a fast growing team in a leading environmental consultancy. Requirements: 1) UK/Ireland residency 2) A degree in a relevant field 3) (Sea)bird and marine mammal ID skills 4) Some experience with GIS software If you are interested, please do get in touch with me (Jessie.Behr(a)posteo.uk <mailto:Jessie.Behr@posteo.uk>) before applying via the website, explaining in a few sentences how you meet the requirements. If you’re a good fit, I can support your application with a recommendation. This is the link to see all details of the position: https://careers.apemltd.co.uk/jobs/1595796-marine-wildlife-analyst <https://careers.apemltd.co.uk/jobs/1595796-marine-wildlife-analyst> I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards,

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New publlication: the impact of marine debris on cetaceans
by Nino Pierantonio 04 Mar '22

04 Mar '22

Dear all, It is with great pleasure that my co-authors and I present to you our new review paper "The impact of marine debris on cetaceans with consideration of plastics generated by the COVID-19 pandemic" recently published in Environmental Pollution. Eisfeld-Pierantonio, S.M., Pierantonio, N., Simmonds, M.P., 2022. The impact of marine debris on cetaceans with consideration of plastics generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Environmental Pollution 300, 118967. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118967 Highlights • The build-up of human-derived debris in the oceans is a global environmental plague. • 68% of cetacean species are affected by marine debris either by ingestion or entanglement. • Covid-19 related debris are likely to further affect cetacean species. • Long-term population consequences of marine debris have not been assessed in 50 years. • Welfare concerns relating to marine debris are overlooked in conservation plans. Abstract The accumulation of human-derived debris in the oceans is a global concern and a serious threat to marine wildlife. There is a volume of evidence that points to deleterious effects of marine debris (MD) on cetaceans in terms of both entanglement and ingestion. This review suggests that about 68% of cetacean species are affected by interacting with MD with an increase in the number of species reported to have interacted with it over the past decades. Despite the growing body of evidence, there is an ongoing debate on the actual effects of plastics on cetaceans and, in particular, with reference to the ingestion of microplastics and their potential toxicological and pathogenic effects. Current knowledge suggests that the observed differences in the rate and nature of interactions with plastics are the result of substantial differences in species-specific diving and feeding strategies. Existing projections on the production, use and disposal of plastics suggest a further increase of marine plastic pollution. In this context, the contribution of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to marine plastic pollution appears to be substantial, with potentially serious consequences for marine life including cetaceans. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to investigate the direct links between industry, human behaviours and the effects of MD on cetaceans. This could help inform management, prevention efforts, describe knowledge gaps and guide advancements in research efforts. This review highlights the lack of assessments of population-level effects related to MD and suggests that these could be rather immediate for small populations already under pressure from other anthropogenic activities. Finally, we suggest that MD is not only a pollution, economic and social issue, but also a welfare concern for the species and populations involved. The link below gives you free access to the article for the next 50 days. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749122001816 Best wishes, Nino, Pine and Mark -- Research Associate Tethys Research Institute www.tethys.org ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1210-8831 Mobile: +44 (0)7581737669 Phone: +44 (0)1249813815 Skype: pierantonio_nino

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New publication on the behavioral and anatomical evidence for electroreception in the bottlenose dolphin
by tim.huettner55＠gmail.com 03 Mar '22

03 Mar '22

Dear MARMAN colleagues, we are pleased to share with you our recent publication on passive electroreception in bottlenose dolphins in The Anatomical Record’s special issue on marine mammal sensors systems. Our results establish passive electroreception as a supplementary sensory modality in this species that could facilitate short-range prey detection. The fact that the bottlenose dolphins is the second species to have this sense suggests that electroreception might be present in other dolphin species as well. Hüttner, T., Fersen, L. von, Miersch, L., Czech, N. U., & Dehnhardt, G. (2021). Behavioral and anatomical evidence for electroreception in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). The Anatomical Record. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24773 Abstract: In the order of cetacean, the ability to detect bioelectric fields has, up to now, only been demonstrated in the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) and is suggested to facilitate benthic feeding. As this foraging strategy has also been reported for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), we studied electroreception in this species by combining an anatomical analysis of “vibrissal crypts” as potential electroreceptors from neonate and adult animals with a behavioral experiment. In the latter, four bottlenose dolphins were trained on a go/no-go paradigm with acoustic stimuli and afterward tested for stimulus generalization within and across modalities using acoustic, optical, mechanical, and electric stimuli. While neonates still possess almost complete vibrissal follicles including a hair shaft, hair papilla, and cavernous sinus, adult bottlenose dolphins lack these features. Thus, their “vibrissal crypts” show a similar postnatal morphological transformation from a mechanoreceptor to an electroreceptor as in Sotalia. However, innervation density was high and almost equal in both, neonate as well as adult animals. In the stimulus generalization tests the dolphins transferred the go/no-go response within and across modalities. Although all dolphins responded spontaneously to the first presentation of a weak electric field, only three of them showed perfect transfer in this modality by responding continuously to electric field amplitudes of 1.5 mV cm−1, successively reduced to 0.5 mV cm−1. Electroreception can explain short-range prey detection in crater-feeding bottlenose dolphins. The fact that this is the second odontocete species with experimental evidence for electroreception suggests that it might be widespread in this marine mammal group. Best regards, Tim Hüttner

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New publication on HI and Mexico humpback whales (Whale Trust)
by Carissa Cabrera 03 Mar '22

03 Mar '22

Whale Trust is pleased to announce the release of a collaborative publication reporting humpback whales traveling between Hawaii and Mexico within the same winter season. Two individual male humpbacks were identified in both breeding regions approximately 7 weeks apart. These findings, combined with other evidence of mixing between Mexico and Hawaii humpback whales raise questions about the degree of integration of these populations. The findings are a result of an international collaboration of six organizations - Whale Trust <http://whaletrust.org/>, Whales of Guerrero <https://www.whalesinmexico.com/>, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary <https://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/>, Happywhale <http://happywhale.com/>, Eye of the Whale Marine Mammal Research, and the Departamento Académico de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras <https://www.facebook.com/decimacuabcs/> at Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur. The publication is open access, read it in full at this link. <https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2021.0547>

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Marine Mammal Student Symposium (NAMMCO)
by Saskia Cathrin Tyarks 02 Mar '22

02 Mar '22

Dear MARMAM community, The North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission, the Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea, and the University of Tromsø are co-organizing the fourth Marine Mammal Student Symposium entitled: *Connecting scientists, policy-makers and users:* *How can we cooperate to safeguard marine mammals and their environment?* The consequences of human activities, for instance, demonstrated by climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, are putting human, non-human, and environmental well-being at risk. While being a major cause of the socio-ecological crisis, humans are also the only victims who can address these challenges. Different actions for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems have been undertaken, including scientific research and legal action. Given the present urgency to act to avoid the worst-case scenario, there is an increasing need for a flourishing cooperation between natural sciences, law, and users. The symposium represents an opportunity for students with common interests from various fields in natural, social, and legal sciences to share their ideas, knowledge, and experience. These include, but are not limited to, ocean conservation, marine mammal conservation and management. Students interested in presenting their research and projects are highly encouraged to do so in the format of short (~7 minutes + questions). There is no expectation that students present finished work or results. Research at all stages of development are welcome, which includes ideas in development, research plans, and methodological challenges. The symposium is held as a hybrid on the 7th April 2022. Participation is possible virtually or in person at the Arctic Biology Building, University of Tromsø, Norway. You can also find the flyer to this event on NAMMCOs website: https://nammco.no/topics/marine-mammal-student-symposium-2022/ Questions can be sent to intern(a)nammco.org. To register for the event, go on: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/187Hyd2iDqM7joNTboqR7HEZBXHanW3fUSxXQ9PtGHw… Kind regards, Saskia Martin (co-organiser of the 4th Marine Mammal Student Symposium)

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