July 2022 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

***SPAM Suspected*** Job Opportunity
by Peter Wallerstein 16 Jul '22

16 Jul '22

JOB OPPORTUNITY WITH MARINE ANIMAL RESCUE SPECIALISTS Marine Animal Rescue is a non-profit organization providing rescue response as far north as the Pacific Palisades, south to Long Beach, and as far west as Catalina Island. MAR conducts hundreds of marine mammal rescues annually. Rescued animals consist primarily of sea lions, seals, and seabirds with occasional dolphins and sea turtles. MAR has rescued 6,000 marine mammals over the past 30 years. MAR also works as a member of the large whale disentanglement network. You must have pinniped rescue experience to apply for this position POSITION: MARINE ANIMAL RESCUE SPECIALIST MAR is looking for committed individuals who would like to make rescuing marine animals a career. You must have pinniped, especially sea lion rescue experience to apply. Training will be provided by MAR to ensure continued high-level response to any marine animal calls. MAR will not consider candidates looking for a temporary position. Only long-term applicants will be considered. JOB DESCRIPTION: Must be available 5 days a week, 8 hours per day for response, rescue and transportation from jetties, docks, and both common and uncommon stranding locations. Must be able to learn the proper use of specialized marine animal rescue, transportation and safety equipment. Must be able to work in cooperation with local agencies and volunteers and be familiar with all local, state and federal laws pertaining to the rescuing of marine animals. LOCATION: MAR’s authorized territory is Los Angeles County, from Pacific Palisades to Long Beach and west to Catalina, California. HOURS: Approximately 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. Be prepared to work long days from January to June. SALARY: Commensurate with experience and skills START: Within 6 months REFERENCES AND REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS A bachelor's degree and marine mammal handling experience · Provide background/references · A valid driver’s license with no points · Minimum two year experience in rescuing seals and sea lions · Must correctly identify local marine animal species and demonstrate knowledge of birthing seasons and natural behaviors of marine animals · Some animal-related emergency medical experience · Must meet challenging physical fitness requirements Must be able to lift 75 pounds into truck · Must possess 24-hour Hazwhoper certificate · Skill in small boat handling a must · Able to drive 4WD Pickup truck in a sandy environment OTHER REQUIRED RESPONSIBILITIES: · Maintain rescue and transportation equipment · Responsible for school visits · Must be enthusiastic with good communication skills and be able to work with others, including Coast Guard, Lifeguards, Police, etc. · When on-call, must answer calls promptly · Must pass County Beach Safety Driving Course · Coordinate volunteers Send your cover letter, resume and references to the email address below: Contact: Peter Wallerstein, pw(a)marspecialists.org <mailto:pw@marspecialists.org> www.marspecialists.org <http://www.marspecialists.org/>

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Mystic Aquarium - Job Posting
by Danielle Lavoie 15 Jul '22

15 Jul '22

POSITION: Postdoctoral Investigator DEPARTMENT: Research IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt (Salaried) Supervisory Responsibility: No JOB SUMMARY: Consistently exhibit excellent representation of the aquarium through a positive, energetic, and teamwork-focused work ethic. Mystic Aquarium is seeking a Postdoctoral Investigator (PDI) to address noise impacts on aquatic species, particularly beluga whales, seals and turtles. Many animals use underwater hearing and sound, rather than sight, to enact key activities such as foraging, communication and navigation. This project will develop and carry out research to address initial behavioral and physiological effects of relevant and various types of sound exposures on marine mammals and turtles. This project is in collaboration with colleagues at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Marine Mammal Laboratory of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. Therefore, the PDI, based at Mystic Aquarium, CT, will have the opportunity to work closely with multiple PIs to lead a research study and assist in related projects, spending time as a visiting scientist in Woods Hole, MA, and Seattle, WA. The researcher will work as part of an interdisciplinary team composed of scientists who are focused on understanding the effects of noise on marine animals. Our research includes bioacoustics, communication, noise impacts, behavior, physiology, hearing, microbiomes, and eDNA. Potential experiments may include: Investigating sound induced effects on: physiology, foraging behavior and feeding rates, intraspecific communication (both acoustic and visual), spatial avoidance and use of habitat, and hearing including masking effects. The PDI ideally will have experience in experimental design, bioacoustics, and coding (including Matlab or similar). Background and experience in behavioral research, tagging related research such as DTAGs, or physiology of stress will be considered. Minimum Qualifications: • Ph.D. in Marine Science, Biological sciences, Ethology, or a related field. • Excellent verbal communication skills, including explaining science to a variety of age groups and experience levels • Adaptable and flexible to changing plans • Experience coding and working with large datasets • Experience with bioacoustics • Ability to work in the lab and in the field, as part of a large team as well as by oneself • Able to travel for extended periods Responsibilities & Essential Functions: • Working with a team and multiple facilities. Management of acoustic research projects at the Aquarium and WHOI facilities. • Data collection, management and database maintenance • Data analysis and visualization • Interpretation of results and integration with broader research knowledge • Writing reports and manuscripts related to these efforts as lead author, and assisting in writing and editing reports and manuscripts as co-author • Preparing presentations and presenting at workshops, meetings and scientific conferences Safety/Security • Work in a safe manner at all times. • Properly use and keep, in good order, all personal protective equipment (PPE) supplied to them as protection from recognized hazards. • Report any unsafe condition. • Must have a working knowledge of all facility-wide and department-specific safety procedures that relate to their position, including but not limited to: Emergency Evacuation, Lockdown Procedure, and Fire Extinguisher Use. Sea Research Foundation, Inc. (dba Mystic Aquarium) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. Women and underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply Application can be found on our website: https://www.mysticaquarium.org/careers/ OR https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.htm… [https://www.mysticaquarium.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Vet-with-Penguin.…]<https://www.mysticaquarium.org/careers/> Employment | Jobs at Mystic Aquarium<https://www.mysticaquarium.org/careers/> Please note that individuals must have received or be willing to receive COVID-19 vaccination as well as applicable Booster by the date of hire to be considered for hire, internship, externship, or volunteering at Mystic Aquarium. Proof must be submitted on the first day via an official vaccination card. www.mysticaquarium.org ~Danielle Lavoie Danielle Lavoie MS Research Technician 55 Coogan Boulevard Mystic, Connecticut 06355 860-572-5955 x 637 www.mysticaquarium.org<http://www.mysticaquarium.org> [cid:7cab79ec-c570-45e4-94ff-0acfec19a167]

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New publication: blue whales and earthquakes
by Barlow, Dawn Renee 14 Jul '22

14 Jul '22

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my coauthors, I am pleased to share our recent publication in Royal Society Open Science: Barlow DR, Estrada Jorge M, Klinck H, Torres LG. 2022. Shaken, not stirred: blue whales show no acoustic response to earthquake events. Royal Society Open Science. 9:220242. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.220242 Abstract: Quantifying how animals respond to disturbance events bears relevance for understanding consequences to population health. We investigate whether blue whales respond acoustically to naturally occurring episodic noise by examining calling before and after earthquakes (27 040 calls, 32 earthquakes; 27 January-29 June 2016). Two vocalization types were evaluated: New Zealand blue whale song and downswept vocalizations ('D calls'). Blue whales did not alter the number of D calls, D call received level or song intensity following earthquakes (paired t-tests, p > 0.7 for all). Linear models accounting for earthquake strength and proximity revealed significant relationships between change in calling activity surrounding earthquakes and prior calling activity (D calls: R2 = 0.277, p < 0.0001; song: R2 = 0.080, p = 0.028); however, these same relationships were true for 'null' periods without earthquakes (D calls: R2 = 0.262, p < 0.0001; song: R2 = 0.149, p = 0.0002), indicating that the pattern is driven by blue whale calling context regardless of earthquake presence. Our findings that blue whales do not respond to episodic natural noise provide context for interpreting documented acoustic responses to anthropogenic noise sources, including shipping traffic and petroleum development, indicating that they potentially evolved tolerance for natural noise sources but not novel noise from anthropogenic origins. The full article is open access, and available online: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.220242 Cheers, Dawn Dawn Barlow, PhD (she/her) Marine Mammal Institute | Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences Oregon State University | Hatfield Marine Science Center Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab<https://mmi.oregonstate.edu/gemm-lab> dawn.barlow(a)oregonstate.edu

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Two new papers on South American marine mammals electrocardiography
by Diego Rodríguez 14 Jul '22

14 Jul '22

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of all the co-authors, we are happy to share our recent publications on electrocardiography in South American pinnipeds and Burmeister porpoises. All inquiries and copies of the papers should be directed to Mariela Dassis (marieladassis(a)gmail.com) Thank you! Diego Rodríguez Dassis,M., C.de León, A.Díaz, A.Faiella, A.Saubidet, D.Rodríguez, E.Castro. 2022. First description of the Burmeister porpoise (Phocoena spinipinnis) electrocardiogram. J Exp Zool A Ecol Integr Physiol. 2022;1–7. DOI: 10.1002/jez.2641. Abstract The aim of this study was to make the first characterization of the electrocardiogram (ECG) of the Burmeister porpoise (Phocoena sipinipinnis). A total of three ECGs were made in one, wild juvenile female (body weight = 32.5 kg, Lt = 1.45 m), temporarily held in captivity for rehabilitation at Mar del Plata Aquarium (Argentina). For ECG recordings, the animal was removed from its pool on a stretcher under constant veterinary supervision. A traditional six‐lead system in the frontal plane was used, with the typical four “extremities” electrodes positioned bilaterally. ECGs were readable and all waves were detectable. The QRS complexes were characterized by Q wave absence in all leads. The ECG characteristically displayed distinctly defined STs, with a T wave clearly differentiated from the QRS complex. An STs elevation was detected in leads II and III. The mean electrical axis was −79°, meaning a cranial left axis orientation. The animal showed normal sinus rhythm and heart rate (HR) showed a continuous oscillation between tachycardia and bradycardia. Mean HR from all recordings was 147.02 ± 24.95 bpm (range = 71–176, n = 178). Evidence of the occurrence of respiratory sinus arrhythmia was detected through HR variations and RR interval differences, which suggested an adequate cardiovascular system compensation to handling conditions. This study has reported ECG amplitude and duration measurements of a potentially healthy specimen, which represents the starting point for the determination of normal ECG values for this species. Also, it has confirmed that ECG is a valuable noninvasive tool for rapid cardiac health assessment in small cetaceans. Dassis,M., C.de León, A.Díaz, E.Rodríguez, D.Rodríguez, G.Giardino, E.Castro. 2022. Comparative electrocardiogram in two anesthetized pinnipeds, the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) and the Southern sea lion (Otaria byronia), with analysis of ECG parameters allometry. Mar Mam Sci. 2022;1–15. DOI: 10.1111/mms.12915. Abstract The mammalian heart has been described as a highly evolutionarily conserved structure and the cardiovascular system allometry has been fully studied among many mammalian species, but few of these studies have been focused on marine mammals. Previously reported electrocardiogram (ECG) of anesthetized Southern sea lions (SSL; n = 13) and South American fur seals (SAFS; n = 19) females were compared, and linear models were used to examine variations of ECG parameters with body mass (BM) and heart rate (HR). Electrocardiograms resulted in qualitatively similar characteristics (rhythm, polarity patterns, mean electrical axes orientation, and waves/complex forms), but there were significant quantitative differences in HR and all ECG parameters. With few exceptions, duration and amplitude parameters were significantly higher in the SSL, whereas the SAFS had a significantly higher HR. Allometric scaling was verified for most duration variables (P, T, QRS, and PR interval) and P wave amplitude, which were all significantly and positively associated with BM, with no significant effect found for HR. Results suggest that the cardiac conduction system is highly conserved, and allometry occurs for these species even in anesthetized subjects, particularly in atrial contraction and atrioventricular conduction, which was proposed as potentially related to optimal atrioventricular activation sequence and high hemodynamic efficiency. -- Dr.Diego Rodríguez Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata-CONICET. Casilla de Correos 1260 (Correo Central) (7600) Mar del Plata, Argentina TE + 54 (0) 223 4754060 (Int.244) FAX +54 (0) 223 4753150 Skype: diego291162 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/136323163081610/ Website: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Diego_Rodriguez16 ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5080-3739 "Si los pueblos no se ilustran, si no se divulgan sus derechos, si cada hombre no conoce lo que puede, vale, debe, nuevas ilusiones sucederán a las antiguas y será tal vez nuestra suerte cambiar de tiranos sin destruir la tiranía" (Mariano Moreno)

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Aquatic Mammals - New Audio Podcasts (Ridgway, Perrin) and Issue 48.4 published
by AMJ Business 14 Jul '22

14 Jul '22

Dear MARMAM & ECS Talk Subscribers, Sadly, this week we lost two icons of the Marine Mammal Community - Dr. Sam Ridgway and Dr. Bill Perrin. Both were two of the first Historical Perspectives participants and they have been added to the HP audio podcast roster as an early Tribute to their legacies in our field. Listen to each reflect on his career and other topics on these newly posted audio podcasts from the HP series on Spotify or Anchor.com <http://anchor.com/>! Also, the 4th issue of volume 48 (48.4) of Aquatic Mammals journal is published online. Further information about the journal can be found at: http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/ <http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/> To submit a manuscript for publication consideration, please visit: http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php <http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php> With regards, Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D. Editor, Aquatic Mammals Journal business(a)aquaticmammalsjournal.org <mailto:business@aquaticmammalsjournal.org> Volume 48, Issue 4 (Items preceded by an ** are open access) Elizabeth R. Hawkins, Mia Gustavsson, Lara Pogson-Manning, Heather Pheloung, and Christian Jaehnichen. (2022). Prevalence of Skin Lesions and Injuries in Australian Humpback Dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) and Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Moreton Bay, Queensland. Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 297-313 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.297 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.297> **Ronald A. Kastelein, Marja J. L. Kik, and Léonie A. E. Huijser. (2022). Behavioral, Pathomorphological, and Clinical Observations of a Young Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) with Congenital Hemihydranencephaly. Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 314-323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.314 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.314> Rodney A. Rountree, Kelsey R. Moreno, and Francis Juanes. (2022). Hunting, Fighting, or Playing with Bubbles: Possible Usage and Acoustic Characteristics of Bubble Burst Sounds Produced by the Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Moreton Bay, Queensland. (2022). Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 324-340. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.324 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.324> Isabel Cristina Avila, Luis Fernando Ortega, Estefanía Isaza-Toro, and Elio Angulo. (2022). Recent Accidental Entanglements of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Colombian Pacific. Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 341-348. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.341 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.341> **Anya Dietrich, Lorenzo von Fersen, and Kurt Hammerschmidt. (2022). Signature Calls in West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus)? Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 349-354. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.349 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.349> Yoshihiro Tanaka and Hiroyuki Taruno. (2022). First Record of a Right Whale Fossil Radius from the Pre-Historic Period of Japan. Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 355-361. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.355 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.355> **Victoria M. Neises, Shawna A. Karpovich, Mandy J. Keogh, and Stephen J. Trumble. (2022). Examination of Blubber Fatty Acids in Pregnant and Lactating Alaskan Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina). Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 362-379. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.362 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.362> **Emily L. Hague, Nick McCaffrey, Rachel Shucksmith, and Lauren McWhinnie. (2022). Predation in the Anthropocene: Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina) Utilising Aquaculture Infrastructure as Refuge to Evade Foraging Killer Whales (Orcinus orca). Aquatic Mammals, 48(4), 380-393. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.380 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.380>

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SMM2022 - Hotel Room Last Call
by Amy Hirons 14 Jul '22

14 Jul '22

The 24th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals begins in just over 2 weeks. This is the last call to get your hotel rooms booked at the conference rate. After Friday, July 15, you'll need to contact the hotels (Hilton and Marriott) directly to ask for the conference rate. Refer to the conference website for additional information (smmconference.org) See you in Palm Beach (in person and virtually)! Amy C. Hirons, PhD Professor Director, Charismatic Megafauna and Oceanography Laboratory Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center Nova Southeastern University 8000 North Ocean Drive Dania Beach, FL 33004 (o) 954-262-3620 (OC) (f) 954-262-4098 hirons(a)nova.edu Pronouns: she, her(s) hirons(a)nova.edu<mailto:hirons@nova.edu> https://works.bepress.com/amy-hirons/about/ http://nsuoc-cmol.weebly.com/ Conference Co-Chair, SMM2022 [cid:c4c37097-d21d-44a1-947c-7baa60200567] [cid:9b21fb5f-f2cc-4298-a111-0e299513351b]

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SMRU Consulting - Canada - job posting
by Cormac Booth 14 Jul '22

14 Jul '22

Job Posting: Senior Scientist. Deadine: 1st August 2022. SMRU Consulting is a world leading marine mammal consultancy with an unrivalled reputation for providing innovative, robust, and environmentally sound solutions for clients active in the marine environment. SMRUC is owned by the University of St Andrews, with offices in Scotland, Vancouver, BC and Friday Harbor, WA (near Seattle). Our senior professionals are experienced scientists and world-class consultants working across all marine sectors from renewables, civil engineering, infrastructure to government, defence, and scientific research and development. We are looking for candidates with existing experience that can be applied to our current and future project portfolio, with a focus on the offshore wind sector and marine infrastructure projects although there will be the opportunity to get involved in a wide variety of sectors and projects. Much of this activity is specifically related to the potential for impacts from underwater noise, a stimulating and growing field of marine mammal science. We are keen therefore to attract talented candidates with client-facing experience in this area. Key attributes and skills: * Marine mammal scientist with industry and/or regulatory experience * Proven ability to project manage and liaise with clients * An understanding of the relevant policy landscape as it relates to marine mammal protection * Strategic, critical thinker and strong communicator who understands the needs of our clients * Ability to multi-task and balance the needs of a variety of project deliverables We provide excellent career development opportunities, personal development time and a commitment to staff training. Employment with SMRU Consulting offers global opportunities for collaboration and travel. We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience, with associated benefits, flexible working patterns and a commitment to staff wellbeing. This successful applicant will be working in our Canada office, based in Vancouver. We maintain strong links with our US office (Friday Harbor) and UK office (located in the Scottish Oceans Institute at the University of St Andrews). We have strong links with the Sea Mammal Research Unit and the Centre for Research into Environmental and Ecological Modelling (CREEM) and regularly work together to deliver projects and services to clients and funders, irrespective of location. Please see https://www.smruconsulting.com/employment-opportunities for more details. Regards, Cormac Dr Cormac Booth Scientific Director [cid3463345404*image001.png(a)01D8384E.8D87C740] SMRU Consulting<http://www.smruconsulting.com/> | @SMRU_Consulting<https://twitter.com/SMRU_Consulting> SMRU Consulting, Scottish Oceans Institute, East Sands, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB Email: cgb(a)smruconsulting.com<mailto:cgb@smruconsulting.com> Mobile: +358 (0) 403219235 Main office: +44 (0) 1334 466010 NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY: This message, and any attachments, are intended solely for the addressee and may contain privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you believe that you have received this email in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy this email. Although we have taken steps to ensure that this email and any attachments are free from any virus, we advise that, in keeping with good computing practice, the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free. SMRU Consulting is a trading name of SMRU Limited, which is a limited company registered in Scotland, Registered Number: SC296937. Registered Office: SMRU Limited, Walter Bower House, Main Street, Guardbridge, St Andrews KY16 0US

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SMM workshop Experimental Science in Wild and Captive Marine Mammals
by Jason Bruck 13 Jul '22

13 Jul '22

The Society for Marine Mammalogy will be the venue of a *FREE* virtual workshop on 30 July (8:30-17:30 EDT) titled "Experimental Science in Wild and Captive Marine Mammals." Hosted by Drs Austin Allen and Jason Bruck. The workshop will focus on synergies between research in marine mammal facilities and in the wild. Fourteen leading researchers will highlight their current work and discuss where marine mammal research is headed and the role managed care will play in the future of conservation, welfare and basic science. Panelists include Kathleen Dudzinski, Heather Hill, Kelly Jaakkola, Frants Jensen, Stephanie King, Chloe Malinka, Chris McKnight, Tracy Romano, Adam Smith, Peter Tyack, Fabien Vivier, Magnus Walberg, Andreas Fahlman and Terrie Williams. If you are interested in expanding research initiatives, this is a great workshop to attend. Visit here (https://www.smmconference.org/workshops/#1623459599555-3541540e-c132) to read the full abstract and register in-person. To attend virtually, register at the link below. https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUodeqoqT4iG9Yx5XFn1xJV-PjGFE1OA39B -- Jason N. Bruck Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Biology Faculty Senator Stephen F. Austin State University Jason.Bruck(a)SFASU.edu Miller Science Building 112 P.O. Box 13003, SFA Station Nacogdoches, 75962 (936) 468-2267 Editorial Board Journal of Animal Behavior and Cognition / International Journal of Comparative Psychology. Consider submitting your next manuscript to AB&C or IJCP **The views and opinions expressed in this message are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Stephen F. Austin State University, its Board of Regents or the State of Texas. -- Jason N. Bruck Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Biology Faculty Senator Stephen F. Austin State University Jason.Bruck(a)SFASU.edu Miller Science Building 112 P.O. Box 13003, SFA Station Nacogdoches, 75962 (936) 468-2267 Editorial Board Journal of Animal Behavior and Cognition / International Journal of Comparative Psychology. Consider submitting your next manuscript to AB&C or IJCP **The views and opinions expressed in this message are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Stephen F. Austin State University, its Board of Regents or the State of Texas. -- Jason N. Bruck Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Biology Faculty Senator Stephen F. Austin State University Jason.Bruck(a)SFASU.edu Miller Science Building 112 P.O. Box 13003, SFA Station Nacogdoches, 75962 (936) 468-2267 Editorial Board Journal of Animal Behavior and Cognition / International Journal of Comparative Psychology. Consider submitting your next manuscript to AB&C or IJCP **The views and opinions expressed in this message are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Stephen F. Austin State University, its Board of Regents or the State of Texas.

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New publications on trace elements in Peruvian pinnipeds
by Catherine Kooyomjian 13 Jul '22

13 Jul '22

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am happy to announce our recent publications in Marine Mammal Science and the Journal of Wildlife Diseases: Kooyomjian, C., Giarikos, D. G., Adkesson, M. J., Hirons, A. C. (2022). Maternal offloading of arsenic and other trace elements in Peruvian fur seals. Marine Mammal Science, 1– 15. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12920 Abstract: The maternal transfer of 15 elements was examined in Peruvian fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) dam and pup paired vibrissae (whiskers), serum, and milk samples collected from 2009 to 2019. Pup vibrissae, grown in utero, represented gestational transfer, while milk represented lactational transfer. Element concentrations, except arsenic, were highest in vibrissae compared to serum and milk for both dams and pups. Mean arsenic concentrations in pup vibrissae (0.44 μg/g) and milk (0.41 μg/g) were twice as high as dam vibrissae concentrations (0.19 μg/g) and nearly ten times higher than dam (0.06 μg/g) and pup serum (0.04 μg/g) concentrations. Mean arsenic concentrations from 2011 to 2019 increased in dam vibrissae (0.026 μg/g to 0.262 μg/g) and milk (0.361 μg/g to 0.484 μg/g). Pup vibrissae had significantly higher concentrations for 11 of the 15 elements analyzed compared to dam vibrissae, suggesting that element transfer is occurring through recent exposure and remobilization of elements from dam body stores. Potentially high concentrations of aluminum, arsenic, copper, and lead in pup tissues may impact their survival and population health. The impact of regional mining activities can contribute to elevated trace elements through runoff and pose a possible threat to local marine environments. AND Kooyomjian, C., Giarikos, D. G., Adkesson, M. J., Hirons, A. C. (2022). EVALUATION OF TRACE ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN THE SERUM AND VIBRISSAE OF PERUVIAN PINNIPEDS (ARCTOCEPHALUS AUSTRALIS AND OTARIA BYRONIA). Journal of Wildlife Diseases,1-13. https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-21-00104 Abstract: Concentrations of 15 trace elements (aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, tin, vanadium, and zinc) were determined in vibrissae (whiskers) and serum of two sympatric pinniped species, the Peruvian fur seal population (PFS; Arctocephalus australis Peruvian subpopulation) and South American sea lion (SASL; Otaria byronia, at Punta San Juan, Peru during 2011–2019 sampling events. Element concentrations were 2–20 times higher in vibrissae than in serum. Vibrissae and serum concentrations of several elements, including aluminum, arsenic, and lead, suggest that environmental contaminants may affect the health of pinnipeds at Punta San Juan. Although toxicity thresholds are unknown in pinnipeds, high concentrations of some elements (especially aluminum, arsenic, and lead) may have adverse impacts on their health such as immunosuppression and impaired reproduction. Arsenic was the only element that increased in mean vibrissae concentration throughout the study period. Female SASL vibrissae contained a mean arsenic concentration three times higher than the male SASL vibrissae mean arsenic concentration, and twice as high as the arsenic mean for all PFS vibrissae. The mean male SASL vibrissae cadmium concentration was five times higher than the vibrissae cadmium mean for both PFS males and females and nearly three times higher than the vibrissae cadmium mean for SASL females. Serum concentrations of aluminum, arsenic, copper, and manganese were significantly higher during moderate to extreme El Niño years compared to La Niña years. With stronger and more frequent ENSO events predicted in the future, it is vital to understand how these trace elements may affect pinniped population health. The full text is available Open Access at the following link: https://meridian.allenpress.com/jwd/article/doi/10.7589/JWD-D-21-00104/4826… Best, Catherine Catherine Kooyomjian Ck817(a)mynsu.nova.edu

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New publication - Eavesdropping at the Speed of Light: Distributed Acoustic Sensing of Baleen Whales in the Arctic
by Léa Bouffaut 13 Jul '22

13 Jul '22

Dear Marmam community, On behalf of my co-authors, I'm thrilled to share our recent publication demonstrating that we can eavesdrop (and more!) on whales using existing and already installed underwater telecommunication fiber optic cables. It is now available in open access in Frontiers In Marine Sciences: Bouffaut, L., Taweesintananon, K., Kriesell, H. J., Rørstadbotnen, R. A., Potter, J. R., Landrø, M., Johansen, S. E., Brenne, J. K., Haukanes, A., Schjelderup, O., & Storvik, F. (2022): Eavesdropping at the Speed of Light: Distributed Acoustic Sensing of Baleen Whales in the Arctic. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9:901348. DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2022.901348 <https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.901348> Abstract: In a post-industrial whaling world, flagship and charismatic baleen whale species are indicators of the health of our oceans. However, traditional monitoring methods provide spatially and temporally undersampled data to evaluate and mitigate the impacts of increasing climatic and anthropogenic pressures for conservation. Here we present the first case of wildlife monitoring using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). By repurposing the globally-available infrastructure of sub-sea telecommunication fiber optic (FO) cables, DAS can (1) record vocalizing baleen whales along a 120 km FO cable with a sensing point every 4 m, from a protected fjord area out to the open ocean; (2) estimate the 3D position of a vocalizing whale for animal density estimation; and (3) exploit whale non-stereotyped vocalizations to provide fully-passive conventional seismic records for subsurface exploration. This first example's success in the Arctic suggests DAS's potential for real-time and low-cost monitoring of whales worldwide with unprecedented coverage and spatial resolution. If you'd like to learn more, we gave a talk to the joint IRIS & DAS RCN Webinar series, available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BS4dtG-12Q4 <https://youtu.be/BS4dtG-12Q4>. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us for more information on this work. Best regards, Léa Léa Bouffaut, Ph.D. (she/her) Post-doctoral associate K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University lea.bouffaut(a)cornell.edu <mailto:lea.bouffaut@cornell.edu> Twitter: @leabouffaut

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