October 2023 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Two positions in Washington State
by Jessica Crance - NOAA Federal 25 Oct '23

25 Oct '23

Good morning, On behalf of colleagues, please see the following positions for a lead Marine Mammal Capture Technician and a Marine Mammal Capture and Necropsy Technician available with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lead Capture Tech: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4255266/lead-marine-… Capture and Necropsy Tech: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4254920/marine-mamma… For questions, please contact Diana Humes at Diana.Humes(a)dfw.wa.gov or John Edwards at John.Edwards(a)dfw.wa.gov. Best, Jessica -- Jessica Crance (she/her) Research Biologist Marine Mammal Laboratory Alaska Fisheries Science Center 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115 work: 206-526-4063 cell: 619-733-1386

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Researcher/postdoc position in cetacean-prey modeling
by Ana Širović 25 Oct '23

25 Oct '23

Dear marmam comunity, We have a vacancy for one Researcher position<https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/252278/researcher-position-i…> (postdoc-equivalent) to work on a project focusing on the study of the dynamics of baleen whales and their prey, based on passive and active acoustic mooring data. Background in ecological modeling is required for this position, but familiarity with baleen whale acoustic ecology will be considered a plus. Duties of the position include: use of long-term passive acoustic data from combined passive-active moorings deployed in Southern California to develop ecological models of cetacean-prey interactions, submission of publications to peer-reviewed journals and presenting of work at national and international meetings, as well as partial teaching duties. We are looking for a person with a PhD and professionally relevant background in marine biology/oceanography or ecological modeling. Proficiency in ecological model development using long-term time series data and solid expertise in R, MATLAB, Python, or similar programming language are required. The position is based in the Marine Bioacoustics and Ecology Lab<https://www.ntnu.edu/biology/research/mbel> at the Department of Biology<https://www.ntnu.edu/biology> at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)<https://www.ntnu.edu/>. The expected duration of initial appointment is 15 months. Application deadline: 8 November 2023 (extended from an earlier deadline) Desired start date: as close to January 2024 as possible If you are interested and would like more information or to apply, check out the full ad at https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/252278/researcher-position-i…. For specific questions related to the position, feel free to contact me: ana.sirovic(a)ntnu.no<mailto:ana.sirovic@ntnu.no>. Best, Ana ---- Ana Širović Associate Professor Trondhjem Biological Station, Department of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) N-7491 Trondheim, Norway email: ana.sirovic(a)ntnu.no<mailto:ana.sirovic@ntnu.no> phone: +47 92 06 96 42 https://www.ntnu.edu/biology/research/mbel<https://www.ntnu.edu/biology/research/mbel#/view/about>

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Falkland Islands killer whale catalogue
by Simona Sanvito 24 Oct '23

24 Oct '23

Hi All, This is just to let you know that we put online an updated photo identification catalogue of the killer whales observed in the Falkland Islands. PDF link: <http://www.eleseal.org/pdf_vari/KW_SLI_cat_2023.pdf>http://www.eleseal.org/pdf_vari/KW_SLI_cat_2023.pdf. More info about our research on killer whales, and marine mammals at large: <http://www.eleseal.org>www.eleseal.org. Thanks Simona Sanvito & Filippo Galimberti Elephant Seal Research Group ----------- Simona Sanvito, PhD Elephant Seal Research Group simo_esrg(a)eleseal.org www.eleseal.org www.facebook.com/eleseal.org

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NOAA Division Chief positions open in Woods Hole MA
by Tim Cole - NOAA Federal 23 Oct '23

23 Oct '23

The NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, has announced openings for both a Fishery Monitoring and Research Division Chief and a Protected Species Division Chief. The PSD Chief is a central position for deciding marine mammal research priorities for NOAA's Northeast Region, Virginia to Maine. Please view the announcement here: *NMFS NEFSC-24-12155952-DHA* https://www.usajobs.gov/job/755906600

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New publication: Summer distribution of the Mediterranean sperm whale: insights from the acoustic Accobams survey initiative.
by Auriane Virgili 23 Oct '23

23 Oct '23

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, we are pleased to share with you our recent publication published in Frontiers in Marine science: "Summer distribution of the Mediterranean sperm whale: insights from the acoustic Accobams survey initiative." Lerebourg, C., Boisseau, O., Ridoux, V., & Virgili, A. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10, 1229682. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1229682 Abstract: The Mediterranean sperm whale population, Physeter macrocephalus, is listed as endangered due to population decline caused by human activities. To mitigate the impact of these activities, accurate knowledge of their distribution and abundance is crucial. During their long dives, sperm whales are not available to visual observation, but since they produce sounds when they dive, they are available to acoustic detection. Therefore, we aimed to use towed acoustic data to model their habitat and fill the knowledge gap on Mediterranean sperm whale distribution. Generalised additive models were used to link the number of sperm whales detected acoustically during the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative in 2018 with different environmental variables integrated over different depth classes, encompassing the depth range used by the species for foraging. Sperm whale distribution was influenced by water temperature at the bottom, eddy kinetic energy between 200 and 600 m, as well as gradients of sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentrations. The abundance of sperm whales was estimated at 2,959 individuals [2,077 - 4,265] in the sampled areas of the Mediterranean Sea. We predicted that sperm whales were mainly distributed in summer along the continental slope of the north-western Mediterranean basin from the Balearic Islands to the Ligurian Sea and off the Algerian coast. They were present throughout the western Mediterranean Sea and in the northern Ionian Sea. In contrast, predicted densities were low in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. The use of acoustic data compensated for the main difficulty in studying sperm whales, the unavailability of animals at the surface during visual observation and the paucity of visual data. We thus encourage more systematic use of passive acoustics to study sperm whale distribution. The model highlighted a higher concentration of sperm whales in the western Mediterranean basin than in the eastern basin in summer, opening up avenues to improve the conservation of this endangered Mediterranean sub-population. Best regards, Auriane -- Dr Auriane VIRGILI Ingénieure de recherche / Research engineer Share the Ocean consortium, 14 place de l'Eglise, 56870 Larmor Baden, France E-mail : auriane(a)sharetheocean.earth

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Publication on Connectivity patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the north-east Mediterranean
by Drasko Holcer 19 Oct '23

19 Oct '23

Dear colleagues, my co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication in /Conservation Genetics:/ *Gaspari, S., Dooley, C., Shreves, K., Silva, C.S.E., Chapman, N., Genov, Gonzalvo, J., Holcer, D. & Moura, A.E. 2023. Connectivity patterns of bottlenose dolphins (/Tursiops truncatus/) in the north-east Mediterranean: implications for local conservation. Conservation Genetics. DOI 10.1007/s10592-023-01577-4 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-023-01577-4>* Full-text access is available by using the following link: *_https://rdcu.be/dmQur _* Abstract Accurate description of population structure and genetic connectivity is essential for efficient conservation efforts. Along the European coastline, /Tursiops truncatus/ typically shows high site fidelity to relatively small areas, often semi-enclosed waters, but patterns of genetic connectivity among such areas are often poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the patterns of genetic structure and connectivity of /Tursiops truncatus/ in the Adriatic Sea and contiguous Mediterranean, using multilocus microsatellite genotypes. We focus particularly on areas where photo-ID studies suggest the occurrence of local ‘resident communities’. Patterns of geographic structure were identified using multivariate methods, Bayesian assignment methods, and analyses of relatedness. Our results are consistent with the occurrence of communities with high site fidelity to the Gulf of Ambracia, Croatian island archipelagos, and the Gulf of Trieste. Dolphins in these regions do not fit a model of complete panmixia, but neither do they exhibit multiple discrete population units. Even for the community in the Gulf of Ambracia, which is well separated by several population genetic estimates, we can unambiguously identify individual dispersal to the most distant area in the Northern Adriatic Sea. We suggest that the population structure patterns in these animals might be best described as a stable metapopulation and discuss the implications of such a model for regional conservation efforts. The critically endangered Ambracian sub-population is particularly well differentiated, and is therefore at high risk of local extinction due to relatively small size, high degree of isolation and exposure to several anthropogenic pressures. The exact geographic boundaries of individual sub-populations cannot always be determined due to lack of sampling and low resolution of the methods used. Nevertheless, our results have important implications for effective conservation of local communities showing strong site fidelity. Should you need a pdf copy of the paper or if you have any questions please email me (drasko.holcer(a)blue-world.org) Sincerely, Draško Holcer -- ** *Asst.Prof. Draško Holcer, Ph.D. * LogoBWI Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation Kaštel 24, 51551 Veli Lošinj, Croatia * M*: +385 91 4637424 *T*: +385 51 604666 * W*: Blue-World.org <http://Blue-World.org>

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New article: odontocetes enamel ultrastructure and morphological disparity
by Mariana Viglino 19 Oct '23

19 Oct '23

Dear MARMAM Community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share the link to our most recently published article in the Scientific Reports entitled "The better to eat you with: morphological disparity and enamel ultrastructure in odontocetes". You can access it here: https://rdcu.be/dn112 ABSTRACTVariations in the shape and size of teeth have been associated with changes in enamel ultrastructure across odontocetes. Characterizing these features in extinct taxa can elucidate their functional morphology and feeding strategy, while also shedding light into macroevolutionary patterns during the evolutionary history of cetaceans. This study aimed to (1) describe the enamel and dentine ultrastructure of the Early Miocene odontocetes Notocetus vanbenedeni and Phoberodon arctirostris from Patagonia (Argentina) and (2) quantify tooth and enamel ultrastructure morphological disparity among odontocetes. Enamel was predominantly prismatic, thin in the anterior tooth of N. vanbenedeni and P. arctirostris; whilst thick on the posterior tooth of N. vanbenedeni. Together with skull morphology, data suggests a raptorial feeding strategy for P. arctirostris and a combination suction feeding method for N. vanbenedeni. Statistical analyses supported these inferences, indicating that enamel characters are useful for paleoecological research. Morphological disparity analyses showed that extant odontocetes occupy a larger morphospace and have more disparate morphologies, whilst extinct odontocetes were more similar among each other than with the extant group. There was no clear phylogenetic-based grouping, suggesting that tooth and enamel ultrastructure disparity were mainly driven by ecological pressures. These results highlight enamel ultrastructure as a source for broader-scale paleoecological studies in cetaceans. If you have any questions, you can contact me at viglino(a)cenpat-conicet.gob.ar Best wishes, Mariana ---Mariana Viglino (she/her/ella) Grupo de Paleontología y Paleoambientes del Neógeno Marino Patagónico IPGP - CCT CONICET-CENPATBvd. Brown 2915 - U9120ACD Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina Tel: (+54) 0280-4883184 - Int: 1322 Fax: (+54) 0280-4883543 viglinomariana(a)yahoo.com.ar viglino(a)cenpat-conicet.gob.ar

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Final Incidental Take Regulations for the Revolution Wind Project, Offshore Rhode Island
by Kelsey Potlock - NOAA Federal 19 Oct '23

19 Oct '23

Dear Colleagues, On Thursday, October 19, 2023, NOAA Fisheries will publish the final incidental take regulations related to Revolution Wind’s Revolution Wind Project <https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/revolution-wind>. The effective dates for these regulations are November 20, 2023 through November 19, 2028. The project would be located offshore Rhode Island within the Rhode Island/Massachusetts Wind Energy Area. Under power purchase agreements, the project would deliver an estimated 704 megawatts of clean energy to Rhode Island. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, these regulations will govern the “take” of small numbers of marine mammals exposed to elevated underwater noise generated by the project’s activities over a five-year period. NOAA Fisheries has determined the take authorized in a Letter of Authorization will have a negligible impact on all affected marine mammal species and stocks. No take by mortality, serious injury, or non-auditory injury is anticipated to occur nor is it authorized. The final regulations include mandatory mitigation measures undertaken by the wind developer that ensure the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammals and their habitat, as well monitoring and reporting measures to better understand those impacts. Impacts to a small number of North Atlantic right whales are expected to be limited to short-term behavioral disturbance (Level B harassment). Documents associated with this final action will be available on our website <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-revolut…> tomorrow. NOAA Fisheries is committed to careful review and use of the best available scientific information in satisfying the requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you, Kelsey - - - - - *Kelsey Potlock, M.Phil* *(she/her/hers)* *Marine Resources Management Specialist* Permits and Conservation Division Office of Protected Resources NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce www.fisheries.noaa.gov Google Voice Phone Number: (301) 427-8410 Email: *kelsey.potlock(a)noaa.gov <kelsey.potlock(a)noaa.gov>*><((((º>·.¸. ·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º> ·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º>·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º> [image: icon-facebook.png] <https://www.facebook.com/NOAAFisheries>[image: icon-twitter.png] <http://www.twitter.com/noaafisheries>[image: icon-youtube.png] <http://www.youtube.com/usnoaafisheriesgov>[image: icon-instagram.png] <http://www.instagram.com/noaafisheries>[image: icon-linkedin.png] <http://www.linkedin.com/company/noaa-fisheries>

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New publication- Holocene deglaciation drove rapid genetic diversification of Atlantic walrus
by Ruiz Puerta, E.J. 19 Oct '23

19 Oct '23

Hello everybody, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our last publication on Atlantic walrus evolutionary history recently published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B Open access here: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2023.1349 Abstract: Rapid global warming is severely impacting Arctic ecosystems and is predicted to transform the abundance, distribution and genetic diversity of Arctic species, though these linkages are poorly understood. We address this gap in knowledge using palaeogenomics to examine how earlier periods of global warming influenced the genetic diversity of Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus), a species closely associated with sea ice and shallow-water habitats. We analysed 82 ancient and historical Atlantic walrus mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes), including now-extinct populations in Iceland and the Canadian Maritimes, to reconstruct the Atlantic walrus' response to Arctic deglaciation. Our results demonstrate that the phylogeography and genetic diversity of Atlantic walrus populations was initially shaped by the last glacial maximum (LGM), surviving in distinct glacial refugia, and subsequently expanding rapidly in multiple migration waves during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene. The timing of diversification and establishment of distinct populations corresponds closely with the chronology of the glacial retreat, pointing to a strong link between walrus phylogeography and sea ice. Our results indicate that accelerated ice loss in the modern Arctic may trigger further dispersal events, likely increasing the connectivity of northern stocks while isolating more southerly stocks putatively caught in small pockets of suitable habitat. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions! Best, Emily Ruiz Puerta -- *MSc.Emily Ruiz-Puerta* Ph.D. fellow - MSCA SeaChanges program ITN @SeaChangesITN <https://twitter.com/seachangesitn?lang=es> Arctic Centre Groningen Institute of Archeology (GIA) University of Groningen (RUG), The Netherlands. https://www.rug.nl/staff/e.j.ruiz.puerta/ Marine Mammals Ecology and Evolution EvoGenomics section GLOBE Institute University of Copenhagen (KU), Denmark https://globe.ku.dk/research/evogenomics/tange-olsen-group/ --- *"Scientific discoveries happen in a social context, and they can be as much a matter of happenstance as the friendship we form" * >From "Spying on Whales" (2018) by Nick Pyenson, p. 138

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New publication - review on Southern Hemisphere humpback whales
by Elisa Seyboth 19 Oct '23

19 Oct '23

Dear MARMAR colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper: Seyboth, E., Meynecke, J. O., De Bie, J., Roychoudhury, A. N., & Findlay, K. A review of post-whaling abundance, trends, changes in distribution and migration patterns, and supplementary feeding of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10, 997491.<https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.997491/full?&utm_so…> [https://www.frontiersin.org/files/MyHome%20Article%20Library/997491/997491_…]<https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.997491/full?&utm_so…> A review of post-whaling abundance, trends, changes in distribution and migration patterns, and supplementary feeding of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales<https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.997491/full?&utm_so…> Southern Hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were heavily targeted during modern commercial whaling operations, with some 216,000 individuals killed between 1903 and 1973. That impacted the abundance of all the seven breeding stocks of the species. Most of these stocks have been recovering from whaling pressure although the understanding of the current growth rates of some stocks, and how the rates compare across stocks are lacking. Updated information is fundamental for understanding the species’ current status, and to support the review of management plans promoting its protection and recovery, especially considering current changes in ocean environments due to climate change. This work offers a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on Southern Hemisphere humpback whales breeding stocks’ status. The aim is to provide information on their post-whaling growth trends and changes in distribution and migration patterns. Within that, records of supplementary feeding records (i.e. fee www.frontiersin.org   Abstract: Southern Hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were heavily targeted during modern commercial whaling operations, with some 216,000 individuals killed between 1903 and 1973. That impacted the abundance of all the seven breeding stocks of the species. Most of these stocks have been recovering from whaling pressure although the understanding of the current growth rates of some stocks, and how the rates compare across stocks are lacking. Updated information is fundamental for understanding the species’ current status, and to support the review of management plans promoting its protection and recovery, especially considering current changes in ocean environments due to climate change. This work offers a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on Southern Hemisphere humpback whales breeding stocks’ status. The aim is to provide information on their post-whaling growth trends and changes in distribution and migration patterns. Within that, records of supplementary feeding records (i.e. feeding beyond their formally described feeding grounds) are described. We have also identified knowledge gaps and note that the establishment of research collaborations, as well as standard methodologies for data collection can be important steps for the acquisition of better comparable data sets for the analysis of the current status of humpback whales and to fill such gaps. The compiled information provided can be used as part of an In-Depth Assessment of the species by the International Whaling Commission. With best wishes, Elisa. -- Dr Elisa Seyboth Postdoctoral Research Fellow Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Pretoria, South Africa Collaborating Researcher Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG - Brazil Tel.: +27 082 420 2047 www.researchgate.net/profile/Elisa_Seyboth<http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elisa_Seyboth>

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