July 2023 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New Publication: Small reductions in cargo vessel speed substantially reduce noise impacts to marine mammals
by Charlotte Findlay 11 Jul '23

11 Jul '23

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent Open Access publication in Science Advances: Findlay, C.R., Rojano-Doñate, L., Tougaard, J., Johnson, M.P., & Madsen, P.T. (2023). Small reductions in cargo vessel speed substantially reduce noise impacts to marine mammals. Science Advances. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adf2987 Abstract: Global reductions in the underwater radiated noise levels from cargo vessels are needed to reduce increasing cumulative impacts to marine wildlife. We use a vessel exposure simulation model to examine how reducing vessel source levels through slowdowns and technological modifications can lessen impacts on marine mammals. We show that the area exposed to ship noise reduces markedly with moderate source-level reductions that can be readily achieved with small reductions in speed. Moreover, slowdowns reduce all impacts to marine mammals despite the longer time that a slower vessel takes to pass an animal. We conclude that cumulative noise impacts from the global fleet can be reduced immediately by slowdowns. This solution requires no modification to ships and is scalable from local speed reductions in sensitive areas to ocean basins. Speed reductions can be supplemented by routing vessels away from critical habitats and by technological modifications to reduce vessel noise. The full article is available open access at: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adf2987 Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to discuss further. Best regards, Charlotte R. Findlay Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University charlotte.findlay(a)bio.au.dk<mailto:charlotte.findlay@bio.au.dk> @chazz_findlay / @BioacousticsAU

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New publication on manatee vocalizations
by Eric Angel Ramos 10 Jul '23

10 Jul '23

Greetings MARMAM, On behalf of my coauthors, I am pleased to share our newest open access publication in *Scientific Reports* titled: *Vocalizations of wild West Indian manatee vary across subspecies and geographic location.* *Citation* *Reyes-Arias, J.D., Brady, B., Ramos, E.A. et al. Vocalizations of wild West Indian manatee vary across subspecies and geographic location. Sci Rep 13, 11028 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37882-8 <https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37882-8> * *Abstract:* Geographic variation in the vocal behavior of manatees has been reported but is largely unexplored. Vocalizations of wild West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) were recorded with hydrophones in Florida from Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris), and in Belize and Panama from Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) to determine if calls varied between subspecies and geographic regions. Calls were visually classified into five categories: squeaks, high squeaks, squeals, squeak-squeals, and chirps. From these five categories, only three call types (squeaks, high squeaks and squeals) were observed in all three populations. Six parameters from the temporal and frequency domains were measured from the fundamental frequency of 2878 manatee vocalizations. A repeated measures PERMANOVA found significant differences for squeaks and high squeaks between each geographic location and for squeals between Belize and Florida. Almost all measured frequency and temporal parameters of manatee vocalizations differed between and within subspecies. Variables that may have influenced the variation observed may be related to sex, body size, habitat and/or other factors. Our findings provide critical information of manatee calls for wildlife monitoring and highlight the need for further study of the vocal behavior of manatees throughout their range. The article can be downloaded free here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37882-8 If you have any questions, please contact corresponding author Nataly Castelblanco-Martinez: castelblanco.nataly(a)gmail.com Best regards, *Eric Angel Ramos, Ph.D.* Postdoctoral Research Associate at The University of Vermont Scientist at FINS (Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad) Member of the IUCN SSC Sirenian Specialist Group for Mesoamerica www.finsconservation.org <https://finsconservation.org/> E-mail: eric.angel.ramos(a)gmail.com Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/ericangelramos> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/EricAngelRamos> | Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/eric.angel.ramos/> ResearchGate <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eric_Ramos> | ORCiD <https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4803-3170> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-angel-ramos-aa9b4915/>

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New paper on the impact of anthropogenic pollutants on the distribution of dolphins
by Bruno Diaz Lopez 10 Jul '23

10 Jul '23

On behalf of my team, I am delighted to bring to your attention the publication of our last research published by the Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Bridge, C., Methion, S., & Díaz López, B. (2023). The impact of anthropogenic pollutants on the distribution of a marine top predator within a coastal estuarine system. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195(7), 898. Abstract Due to anthropogenic pressures, estuarine systems are among the most broadly impacted areas for marine top predator species. Given this, it is crucial to study the interaction between the vulnerable marine species that inhabit these regions with environmental and anthropogenic variables. This study aims to determine whether nutrient pollution is related to the presence of bottlenose dolphins in a coastal environment. Using a multi-year dataset and GAMs, we studied the relationship between marine pollutants and the presence of bottlenose dolphins in this highly impacted coastal marine environment. We observed that urban fertilizers were linked to the spatial distribution of bottlenose dolphins. There was a higher presence of bottlenose dolphins in areas with high levels of phosphoric acid. In contrast, at higher concentrations of nitrate, the presence of bottlenose dolphins decreased. The article can be found at the following links: https://rdcu.be/dfCNt https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371938022_The_impact_of_anthropoge… Please do not hesitate to ask for any question regarding our study or to request a PDF copy of the article. Bruno Díaz López Ph.D Chief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI - www.thebdri.com Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain Tel. 0034 684248552 he/him/his ResearchGate - GoogleScholar -https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0388-3289 Follow BDRI on Facebook , Instagram or mention us on Twitter. This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private informations. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Please note that neither the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI nor the sender accept any responsibility for any viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and the attachments (if any). Thank you for your cooperation.

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Research Topics in Frontiers in Marine Science
by FrontiersMarSci_MarMam 09 Jul '23

09 Jul '23

Dear All, This is a follow up on a previous announcement of several new thematic Research Topic collections that are currently being considered in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science. Many thanks for the considerable interest received thus far. Based on the suggestions and enquiries received, the number of topics under consideration has been expanded and some of the previously indicated topics have been slightly modified; please see below. Topic 1: Conservation ecology of marine mammals in southeast Asia and western Pacific Topic 2: Behavioural ecology of island-associated cetaceans Topic 3: Population processes of apex marine predators: ecology, demography and behaviour Topic 4: Conservation ecology of marine mammals in coastal seas of sub-Saharan Africa The intended host section of the journal is “Marine Megafauna”, but the topics will be cross-listed with multiple other sections, such as “Marine Conservation and Sustainability”, “Marine Biology”, and “Marine Evolutionary Biology, Biogeography and Species Diversity”. At this early stage, we welcome expressions of interest so that we can prioritise topics that are currently under consideration and potentially suggest new ones. We would like to hear from anyone interested in contributing a manuscript to any of the above topics. Please send us (i) your tentative title, (ii) email address of the lead or corresponding author, (iii) indicate which topic you are interested in participating, and (iv) an approximate time when you may want to submit your manuscript. Please note, the expressions of interest are not a commitment but simply an indication of interest which may or may not result with a manuscript submission. Anyone interested, please contact us at: FrontiersMarSci.MarMam(a)gmail.com Note please that as Frontiers is an Open Access platform, standard manuscript processing fee will apply to all accepted articles. Thank you all in advance for your interest. Bill Richards Assistant to Guest Editorial Team

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New paper: Evidence of signature whistles produced by Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Mozambique
by Rachel Probert 08 Jul '23

08 Jul '23

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication titled "Evidence of signature whistles produced by Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops aduncus*) in Mozambique" https://doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2023.2229290 ABSTRACT: Individually distinctive signature whistles are used by common bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*) during social interactions and to facilitate group cohesion. There is evidence from a few populations that Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins (*T. aduncus*) also use signature whistles. We investigated this from a coastal resident population of *T. aduncus* in Mozambique. Video-audio data were collected during recreational swim-with activities over 12 years, where potential signature whistles were identified from 28 individuals. Of the 405 whistles documented, 75% were produced in SIGID bouts. Visual assessment of individual signature whistle contours demonstrated temporal stability for up to 8 years. Overall, most signature whistle types had upsweep frequency modulation and were emitted as multiloop whistles. Comparing all whistle contours to each other indicated low discrimination between individuals, with contours frequently categorised together. However, sex differences in the frequency characteristics of whistles were identified, with females whistling at lower frequencies than males. Our results indicate either a shared whistle repertoire or identity encoding with subtle contour features, requiring acute auditory perception and discrimination to decipher caller identity. More widespread geographic investigation into signature whistle use may demonstrate variation in acoustic communication systems for bottlenose dolphins, which are thus far not well understood. Best, Rachel Probert -- *Rachel Probert* *PhD candidate, Marine Biology, Bioacoustics* Sea Search Research and Conservation, Muizenberg, Cape Town School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban Cell: +27767831809 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SeaSearch

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SMM Seminar Editors’ Select Series on July 20th 2023. Assimilation takes time: integration of two dolphin societies
by Student Members-at-Large Society for Marine Mammalogy 07 Jul '23

07 Jul '23

Greetings MARMAM! Join us on Thursday, 20 July 2023 at 3pm PDT / 6pm EDT / 10pm GMT for the next SMM Seminar Editors' Select Series Assimilation takes time: integration of two dolphin societies with Dr. Cindy Elliser This event is free to attend and presented online via Zoom, but registration is required. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CevPOor4Q8-BOom0BHG_bA Space on Zoom is limited to the first 500 attendees. The talk will also be streamed live on the SMM Facebook page. About this talk: In the Bahamas live two communities of spotted dolphins separated by deep water: one on Little Bahama Bank (LBB) off of Grand Bahama Island and one on Great Bahama Bank (GBB) off of Bimini. In 2013 an unprecedented 50% of the LBB spotted dolphins moved across the deep water and took up residence on GBB. This type of large-scale immigration is rare. How does such a large group of dolphins move into an established community? This is the story of how these two communities have reacted, how they have integrated and how this is shaping the social structure of this new community. About the presenter: Dr. Cindy R. Elliser is the Research Director and Founder of Pacific Mammal Research (PacMam) and Associate Director of the Salish Sea Institute at Western Washington University. She received her B.S. (2000) and M.S. (2003) in Biological Sciences from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and received her Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from FAU in 2010. Her work focuses on photo-identification, behavioral ecology and social structure of marine mammals. For 10 years she worked with Dr. Denise Herzing and the Wild Dolphin Project studying Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins in the Bahamas. In 2014 Dr. Elliser moved to the Pacific Northwest and founded PacMam to study marine mammals in the Salish Sea, particularly harbor porpoises and harbor seals. Dr. Elliser also teaches biology and related courses as an associate professor at Skagit Valley College and Western Washington University. Open access to this article is made temporarily available in the weeks around the presentation and can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12960 Current SMM members have access to all Marine Mammal Science papers. Missed a presentation or want to share this series with a friend? All previous Editors' Select presentations are recorded and archived on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUc78IynQlubS2DVS1VZoplf_t42-yZOO All the best, *Ayça Eleman, Ph.D. Candidate* *Theresa-Anne Tatom-Naecker, Ph.D. Candidate* *Sophia Volzke, Ph.D. Candidate* *Student Members-at-Large* Society for Marine Mammalogy

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FWC Florida Manatee Photo-identification Internship
by Johnson, Jennifer 07 Jul '23

07 Jul '23

Manatee Photo-identification Internships The manatee photo-identification program is based in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). FWRI is the research arm of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a state agency. For more information about FWRI, please visit: https://myfwc.com/research/. FWRI's manatee photo-identification research focuses on long-term monitoring of Florida manatees in southwest Florida. The program's primary goal is to document individual manatees, which allows us to estimate annual adult survival and reproductive rates and to model population dynamics for state and federal assessments of Florida manatee status and recovery. Photo-identification data also provide insight regarding manatee movements, site fidelity, habitat use and behavior. Interns will primarily assist staff members with photographing manatees and collecting behavioral and environmental data at sites around Tampa Bay. Interns will also be responsible for a number of lab-based photo-identification tasks, such as downloading images, entering information into databases, scanning data sheets and matching images to known animals. Interns often collect data independently in the field, thus responsible, detail-oriented applicants are encouraged to apply. Most field work is land-based; however, during the winter session opportunities are available to assist with boat-based manatee photo-identification. Other responsibilities may include but are not limited to data entry, assisting with manatee genetics research, special projects and outreach activities. This internship provides a great opportunity to gain valuable field and lab experience at a government agency. Two positions are available each year: one in winter (November to March) and one in summer (May to September). Start and end dates are flexible; however, a minimum commitment of four weekdays per week for four months is required. Work hours are typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no compensation for these internship positions and successful applicants will be responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from the institute. Positions are open until filled, and priority will be given to candidates who can commit for longer periods. Qualifications: * Computer proficiency; Microsoft Access literacy preferred. * Working knowledge of SLR digital cameras, filters and lenses preferred but not required. * The ability to lift approximately 50 pounds of equipment. * A valid U.S. Driver's License. * Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab-based research methods. If you are interested in applying for an internship with the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the following information is required: * A cover letter describing the internship you are applying for; area(s) of academic/research interest; and the dates, days, and hours of availability. * A resume (or curriculum vitae) describing your relevant training and experience. * Current academic transcripts (unofficial are sufficient). * Names and contact information for three references. Please submit application items as an e-mail attachment to: Interns(a)MyFWC.com<mailto:Interns@MyFWC.com> If electronic submission is not possible, hard copies can be mailed to: Internship Coordinator FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 100 Eighth Avenue SE St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5020 Applicants may contact FWRI's Manatee Photo-identification Intern Manager, Jennifer Johnson, (Jennifer.Johnson(a)MyFWC.com<mailto:Jennifer.Johnson@MyFWC.com>, 727-502-4735) with questions regarding the internship.

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New paper on killer whale refugium off japan during Last Glacial Maximum suggested by genetic and cultural evidence
by Erich Hoyt 07 Jul '23

07 Jul '23

Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce our publication in Marine Mammal Science, available as open access: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/mms.13046 Filatova OA, Fedutin ID, Borisova EA, Meschersky IG, Hoyt E 2023. Genetic and cultural evidence suggests a refugium for killer whales off Japan during the Last Glacial Maximum. Marine Mammal Science, 11pp DOI: 10.1111/mms.13046 Abstract During glacial periods, highly mobile species were able to shift their ranges to warmer regions that remained ice-free—so-called “glacial refugia.” Glacial refugia often preserved higher levels of genetic diversity than areas that were colonized after the retreat of glaciers. In this study, we examined genetic and vocal variation in R-type (“resident”) killer whales, Orcinus orca, from Nemuro Strait in the western North Pacific to test the hypothesis that environmentally stable marine regions may have preserved refugial populations of the killer whale that retained historical genetic and cultural diversity. We found three distinct mtDNA control region haplotypes and stereotyped calls that differed significantly from the repertoire of a population further north off Kamchatka and the adjacent western North Pacific. Therefore, both genetic and cultural evidence suggest that at least some killer whales from Nemuro Strait represent a separate maternal lineage. The control region haplotype diversity for Nemuro Strait is comparable to that for the rest of the North Pacific. The data presented here are consistent with the existence of the southwestern glacial refugium for killer whales in the waters off northern Japan during the Last Glacial Maximum. Thank you and best regards, Erich Hoyt * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Research Fellow, WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Co-chair, IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force Park House, Allington Park Bridport, Dorset DT6 5DD United Kingdom Email: erich.hoyt(a)mac.com Web: erichhoyt.com marinemammalhabitat.org whales.org erichhoytbooks.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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NEW PUBLICATION: Inter‐group alliance dynamics in Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus)
by Whitney Friedman 06 Jul '23

06 Jul '23

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share with you our new paper entitled "Inter‐group alliance dynamics in Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus)", published in *Animal Cognition*. This open-access paper can be viewed and downloaded here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-023-01804-y Abstract: The social intelligence hypothesis holds that complex social relationships are the major selective force underlying the evolution of large brain size and intelligence. Complex social relationships are exemplified by coalitions and alliances that are mediated by affiliative behavior, resulting in differentiated but shifting relationships. Male Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia, form three alliance levels or ‘orders’, primarily among non-relatives. Strategic alliance formation has been documented *within* both first- and second-order alliances and *between* second-order alliances (‘third-order alliances’), revealing that the formation of strategic inter-group alliances is not limited to humans. Here we conducted a fine-scale study on 22 adult males over a 6-year period to determine if third-order alliance relationships are differentiated, and mediated by affiliative interactions. We found third-order alliance relationships were strongly differentiated, with key individuals playing a disproportionate role in maintaining alliances. Nonetheless, affiliative interactions occurred broadly between third-order allies, indicating males maintain bonds with third-order allies of varying strength. We also documented a shift in relationships and formation of a new third-order alliance. These findings further our understanding of dolphin alliance dynamics and provide evidence that strategic alliance formation is found in all three alliance levels, a phenomenon with no peer among non-human animals. How to cite this paper: Friedman, W.R., Krützen, M., King, S.L., Allen, S.J., Gerber, L., Wittwer, S. and Connor, R.C. (2023), “Inter-group alliance dynamics in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus)”, *Animal Cognition*, pp. 1–12, doi: 10.1007/s10071-023-01804-y. Best, Whitney Friedman

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2023 International Cetacean Symposium & Workshop (24-27 July 2023) in CityU Hong Kong (2nd announcement)
by Dr. KOT Brian Chin Wing 06 Jul '23

06 Jul '23

Dear friends of MARMAM, [cid:81667a81-8f5e-4b37-af08-ffe322e7ad2d] Time flies! Less than 3 weeks and it will be our highlight of the year - the "2023 International Cetacean Symposium & Workshop" - our first-ever, large-scale scientific symposium and workshop on cetacean conservation medicine in post-COVID-19 era. On 24 to 25 July, we will host the symposium in the City University of Hong Kong (CityU HK). On 26 to 27 July, a 2-day post-symposium workshop will be held in the CityU HK and Ocean Park Hong Kong. This workshop focuses on several important conventional and revolutionary techniques for aquatic animal stranding investigation, including parasitological analysis, 3D surface scanning, virtual dissection via VR simulation, computed tomography and ultrasonography and specimen preparations. Please also find the following links and attached files (invited speakers and workshop flyer) for your reference: 2023 International Cetacean Symposium (Physical meeting) Date: 24 to 25 July 2023 (Monday to Tuesday) Time: 09:00 – 17:00 (HKT: UTC+8) Venue: LT-16, 4/F, Yeung Kin Man Academic Building, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong Registration Fee: HK$0 (Yes, it is FREE) Details & Registration: https://epay.cityu.edu.hk/ics2023 Workshop (Physical workshop) Date: 26 to 27 July 2023 (Wednesday to Thursday) Time: 09:00 – 17:00 (HKT: UTC+8) Venue: City University of Hong Kong; Ocean Park Hong Kong, Aberdeen. Registration Fee: HK$1,000 for 2 days. Registration fee includes light refreshment, lunch meals and coffee breaks. Details & Registration: https://epay.cityu.edu.hk/ics2023 Prior registration is ESSENTIAL to get the access right to the venue. Please make sure all fields are entered CORRECTLY, particularly your NAME and EMAIL address :) Our host hotel will be the Harbour Plaza Metropolis Hong Kong in 7 Metropolis Drive, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It sits in the heart of Kowloon, overlooking the spectacular world-famous Victoria Harbour. Conveniently located near the MTR Hunghom Station, it provides easy access to other districts in town, including CityU HK and Ocean Park Hong Kong. A discounted group rate of HKD$880/night plus tax is available for our symposium participants. Discounted rate is available until 14 Jul 2023, or if block is sold out. Please use this link to reserve a room online: https://bit.ly/44cdUnx There are only few seats left for our practical workshop! Seats are limited with first come first served basis. Do register NOW, and hope you see you in Hong Kong soon! Warm regards, Brian Kot Chairperson of the organising committee of the 2023 International Cetacean Symposium & Workshop Ph.D. in Diagnostic Imaging, B.Sc. (Hons) in Radiography, Cert. (RPC), Cert. (Virtopsy), CAS (Forensic Imaging & Virtopsy) Assistant Professor Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences City University of Hong Kong T: (852) 3442 7681 M: (852) 9365 2267 E: briankot(a)cityu.edu.hk W: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/ph/staff/dr-brian-kot-chin-wing Aquatic Animal Virtopsy Lab Website: https://aavlab2014.wixsite.com/aavlab2014 Follow us at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAVLab2014 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aavlab2014 Twitter: https://twitter.com/aavlab2014 Disclaimer: This email (including any attachments) is for the use of the intended recipient only and may contain confidential information and/or copyright material. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email and all copies from your system. Any unauthorized use, disclosure, reproduction, copying, distribution, or other form of unauthorized dissemination of the contents is expressly prohibited.

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