November 2024 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New paper on Sensitivity and performance of residency and site fidelity methods
by Eduardo Morteo 26 Nov '24

26 Nov '24

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my coauthors, I’m proud to announce the publication of our latest paper: Huesca-Domínguez I., Morteo E., Abarca-Arenas L.G., Balmer B.C., Cox T. M., Delfín-Alfonso C.A., Hernández-Candelario I.C. Method selection affects the estimates of residency and site fidelity in bottlenose dolphins: Testing sensitivity and performance of different methods using mark-resight data. PeerJ 12:e18329.http://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18329, ISSN 2167-8359 Abstract: Residency (R) and site fidelity (SF) are important parameters in population ecology, yet their quantification poses challenges in marine mammals. Based on a previous review, this study used simulated and empirical mark-resight data to assess the variations and performance of the most used R (n = 8) and SF (n = 11) indices in peer-reviewed literature under different scenarios. We applied the Jolly-Seber model to simulate thousands of bottlenose dolphin populations varying resighting (p) and survival (Phi) probabilities, and performed calibration, sensitivity, and validation analyses. Our results underscore the effects of p and Phi on individual categorization within the diverse simulated conditions, representing the often-overlooked heterogeneity in residency classification for Tursiops populations. All SF indices showed similar and consistent performance (>0.70 Gower’s distance) across the simulated scenarios, even when compared to field study data from wild dolphin populations (i.e., Savannah, USA, and Alvarado, Mexico); thus, SF should be a critical parameter for interstudy comparisons. Conversely, R indices were remarkably different based on their definitions and classification criteria. The different thresholds among definitions largely biased the proportion of residents and transient individuals (or occasional visitors) even leading to counterintuitive outcomes. This emphasizes the importance of considering trade-offs in R index selection aligned with project goals, specific sampling efforts, and population dynamics. For instance, the simplified binomial categorization of R defined by Conway (2017) (https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/etd/10/) easier to interpret but R indices incorporating temporal components (e.g., monthly, seasonal, and annual) outperformed (>0.70 Gower’s distance) other R indices lacking such criteria. This allowed for a more detailed representation of the temporal structure of the population, and higher consistency and accuracy while classifying individuals. Also, although the residency categories proposed by Möller, Allen & Harcourt (2002) (DOI 10.1071/AM02011 <https://doi.org/10.1071/AM02011>) did not perform as well, these seemed to fit better when dealing with data gaps across spatial and temporal scales. Our results contribute to the ongoing discussion on methodological implications for the interpretation of ecological patterns, facilitating a nuanced understanding of population dynamics, aiding scientists, and conservation agencies in making informed decisions for bottlenose dolphin populations worldwide. It can be viewed and downloaded for free at: https://peerj.com/articles/18329/ We hope you enjoy our contribution. Cheers! Dr. Eduardo Morteo Director Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Universidad Veracruzana Calle Dr. Castelazo Ayala S/N, Col. Industrial Ánimas CP 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, México. Ph/Tel: +52 (228) 841 89 00 E-mail: emorteo(a)uv.mx http://www.uv.mx/personal/emorteo/ http://uv-mx.academia.edu/EMorteo https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eduardo_Morteo/?ev=hdr_xprf http://scholar.google.com.mx/citations?user=fDUl-IIAAAAJ

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New publication: Acoustic richness and composition changes of humpback whale song, Ecuador (Javier Oña)
by Javier Oña 26 Nov '24

26 Nov '24

Dear community, My co-authors and I are so happy to announce the publication of a recent paper of humpback whale song off the coast of Ecuador in the Marine Mammal Science Journal: Oña, J., Denkinger, J., & Schall, E. (2024). Acoustic richness and composition changes of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) songs on breeding grounds off the coast of Ecuador. Marine Mammal Science, e13208 Abstract Song evolution and revolution events recorded through time are typical cultural features for humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) populations worldwide. However, it is unknown if song dynamics are equivalent among subpopulations or breeding stocks of the South Pacific Ocean. To contribute to the understanding of the temporal song dynamics of humpback whale song off the coast of Ecuador, we analyzed acoustic richness and repertoire composition based on unit, phrase, and song composition over consecutive breeding seasons from 2012 to 2019. We observed incomplete song revolutions (all themes were replaced except one) and a nonsignificant variation in the acoustic richness during the study period. Our results show that over the years, humpback whale singers incorporate acoustic material from different subpopulations such as Central South Pacific (French Polynesia) and western South Atlantic (Brazil) into their song repertoire. The temporal acoustic contact of different subpopulations migrating through the eastern South Pacific may be reflected in their particular acoustic richness and temporal evolution. Off the coast of Ecuador, humpback whale song patterns point towards an alternative scenario of song evolution, indicating how cultural transmission among subpopulations can alter the song patterns in specific breeding grounds due lack of geographical barriers surrounding the southeastern Pacific region. If you are interested in the topic. The paper can be requested my personal email (ecujavier10(a)gmail.com) or accessed from the following links: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.13208 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Javier-Ona/research Best regards, *MSc. Javier Oña * Estudiante *Programa Doctorado en Ciencias Aplicadas, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Chile* *Principal Researcher* *Acoustic Ecology, CETACEA Ecuador Project and* *GHOST NETS Ecuador Project * *Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ)* *Phone: 0986113344/0984869657* *ecujavier10(a)gmail.com <ecujavier10(a)gmail.com>* * <ecujavier10(a)gmail.com>*

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New publication : Acoustic occurrence of deep‐diving cetaceans in the southern Adriatic Sea (Alexandra Constaratas)
by Alexandra Constaratas 26 Nov '24

26 Nov '24

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I'm happy to announce that our paper "Acoustic occurrence of deep-diving cetaceans in the southern Adriatic Sea" has been published in Marine Mammal Science. Constaratas, A. N., Holcer, D., Özgöbek, Ö., & Širović, A. (2024). Acoustic occurrence of deep-diving cetaceans in the southern Adriatic Sea. Marine Mammal Science, e13204. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13204 Abstract: Goose-beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) are two deep-diving odontocete species known to occur in the southern Adriatic Sea, based on intermittent stranding and sighting data. To get a better understanding of their presence in this region, we studied the occurrence of echolocation clicks produced by these species in passive acoustic recordings. Passive acoustic data were collected offshore Dubrovnik, Croatia. Data were collected from October 2018 to December 2019 and from June 2020 to December 2020 using a High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) deployed at approximately 1,000 m depth. To determine the occurrence of echolocation clicks, a two-step process was used: automated detection followed by manual annotation of the detected clicks. Automated detection was implemented using a low signal-to-noise ratio threshold and a broad range of parameters to detect as many clicks as possible. Two click clustering algorithms were evaluated for performance on this data set: an unsupervised clustering algorithm and a filtering algorithm. The performance of the algorithms was compared to the manual annotations to determine a time-effective method for future monitoring. Both species were found to be acoustically active in the southern Adriatic Sea. Goose-beaked whales were detected throughout the recording period, with echolocation clicks peaking during the winter of 2018–2019 and in the spring of 2019. Conversely, sperm whales were more acoustically active during short, irregular windows, mostly during the summer of 2019. These results suggest that goose-beaked whales are residents, and, due to the irregularity of their detection, sperm whales are likely occasional visitors to this region. The unsupervised clustering algorithm performed better than the tested filtering algorithm, with F-scores of 0.74 and 0.46, respectively. This study provides knowledge that can help with effective conservation efforts and further contribute to our understanding of cetacean occurrence in the region. Feel free to contact me at <alexandra.constaratas(a)ntnu.no> for questions. Best, Alexandra Constaratas PhD candidate Trondhjem Biological Station, Department of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) N-7491 Trondheim, Norway email: alexandra.constaratas(a)ntnu.no https://www.ntnu.edu/biology/research/mbel

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WDC Marine Mammal Conservation Internship - On-Demand Fishing
by Lauren Brandkamp 25 Nov '24

25 Nov '24

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Marine Mammal Conservation Internship – On-Demand Fishing Submission period: Open through December 9, 2024, 11:59 PM ET, or until we reach a maximum of 50 applications, whichever comes first. IMPORTANT: WDC has a blind hiring process to remove biases in candidate selection. To preserve our ability to fairly review applicants, please DO NOT contact us or have your reference reach out to us regarding the status of your application. We will contact all applicants with the result of your application. Please be patient as this may take a few weeks. Paid, temporary, full-time Whale and Dolphin Conservation’s North American office is offering a 12-week, entry-level Marine Mammal Conservation Internship to candidates with little to no prior experience. We have two open positions for this temporary, full-time, paid internship. The internship dates are for spring between February – May 2025 and summer between May – August 2025.This opportunity will help to build skills relevant to the field of marine conservation while providing interns with insight into the inner workings of a non-profit as well as job skills transferable to any field.   This position is designed for those who do not yet have experience in marine conservation and outreach. We will prioritize candidates who do not have practical experience (internship, significant volunteering, employment) in this field outside of a classroom setting. Applicants should be eager to dive into new experiences and enjoy having a variety of tasks to work on. This position will assist Education & Outreach staff while significantly contributing to the development of on-demand fishing<https://us.whales.org/our-goals/prevent-bycatch/ropeless-fishing/> curriculum and partnership development. Secondarily, the candidate will assist in Marine Animal Rescue and Response. Occasional opportunities to see whales at sea may also be possible, though no part of this position requires being in the water. A large percentage of the candidate’s work week will take place in our office. Opportunities to deliver education programs or assist in animal strandings may occur outside of the office but cannot be guaranteed. Successful candidates will gain transferable skills in effective communication and public speaking, project management, developing and delivering presentations and other interpretive resources, working on a close-knit team, and record keeping.  LOGISTICS: Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they are legally eligible to work in the U.S. by the proposed starting date. Successful candidates will need to make their own arrangements, as needed, for housing and transportation to and from the WDC office in Plymouth, MA, USA. Please note that the cost of living for the Plymouth area is above the national average when considering this role. Successful candidates are expected to work 40 hours a week (including occasional evening and/or weekend work) for the 12-week period of the program; they will be compensated at a rate of $15/hour.   Applicants must be 18 years or older by the internship start date and fluent in English. WDC will assist interested students in obtaining credits for the program through their college or university. Candidates should be advised that WDC’s office is dog-friendly; up to three dogs may be in the office on any given day.  Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Whale and Dolphin Conservation embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We recognize that the field of marine mammal research and conservation lacks diversity, including within our own organization. WDC is dedicated to creating inclusive opportunities which represent diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills and, as a result, our hiring procedure is a blind process, and we do not accept cover letters or resumes. Candidates in this internship will: * Have effective verbal and/or written communications skills * Work well with diverse audiences and teams  * Have an interest in education/outreach initiatives  * Act effectively as a member of a close-knit team * Be able to problem solve in unanticipated situations * Have an attention to detail and follow policies and procedures * Possess a valid driver’s license and be willing to drive a large pick-up truck * Be able to pass a background check * Be able to lift or move heavy objects (around 50 pounds) and work outside in adverse weather conditions * Be comfortable working with deceased/decomposing animals * Have health insurance coverage and be free of (or able to manage) medical issues aggravated by exposure to animals including their fur and bodily fluids, which could contain transmissible diseases * Be legally able to work in the United States * As our work sometimes includes interactions with large crowds of people as well as direct contact with wild animals, we ask that our staff be fully vaccinated (including against COVID-19) unless employee qualifies for exception under applicable law. CDC communicable disease recommendations are reviewed at frequent intervals and guide the updating of WDC's protocols to keep employees safe. Internship responsibilities include but are not limited to: * Researching and exploring potential education partnership opportunities for on-demand programming * Supporting WDC's efforts to advance its on-demand gear trials and education initiatives * Writing blogs, creating social media content, and managing program websites * Developing outreach materials and grade school lesson plans connected to science standards * Delivering educational programs to K-12 students as well as adults/families at community events * Responding to stranded live and dead marine mammals in the field, including assisting with health assessments and examinations to determine cause of death * Answering WDC’s rescue hotline and handling reports from callers * Ensuring marine animal response preparedness by inventorying and restocking equipment, cleaning gear, fueling vehicles, etc. * Supporting WDC policy initiatives including efforts to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The programs this internship supports are as follows: Education  WDC’s formal and informal educational efforts include creating lesson plans, facilitating inquiry-based activities, developing and delivering presentations, managing outreach events, and more. Interns supporting this program will build a strong set of skills related to educational design and philosophy, public speaking and outreach, communications and marketing strategies (including social media), and contribute new ideas and plans on how to grow WDC’s educational programming.   Marine Animal Rescue and Response  WDC’s Marine Animal Rescue and Response Program (MARR) is responsible for responding to stranded marine mammals along about 200 miles of Massachusetts coastline. Interns will learn the skills needed to respond to pinnipeds (seals) and cetaceans (whales, porpoises, and dolphins), including standard data collection and data input (Level A and human interaction evaluations) and maintaining response readiness. It's important to note that stranding events are unpredictable and hands-on experience and species encountered will vary. Funding and support for these paid internships was generously provided by the Binnacle Fund of the Tides Foundation. APPLY NOW: (Link to Jotform<https://form.jotform.com/243265508745159>) [Whales.org]<https://us.whales.org/> Lauren Brandkamp Stranding Coordinator WDC North America Pronouns: she, her, hers Telephone: +1 508 746 2522<tel:+1%20508%20746%202522> Hotline: +1 617‑688‑6872 WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation 225 Water Street Suite A145 Plymouth, MA 02360 United States whales.org<https://whales.org/> [WDC on Facebook]<https://www.facebook.com/uswhalesorg> [WDC North America on Twitter]<https://www.twitter.com/whales_org> [WDC on Instagram]<https://www.instagram.com/whales_org> [WDC on YouTube]<https://www.youtube.com/whalesorg> [WDC News and Blogs]<https://us.whales.org/category/news/> [WDC E-Newsletter]<https://us.whales.org/newsletter> [WDC on Guidestar]<https://www.guidestar.org/profile/02-0749188> [cid:ac5775cf-670f-4aba-9c1c-b8ece7f1ab88]<https://directories.onepercentfortheplanet.org/profile/whale-and-dolphin-co…> [cid:0c6b231b-ee1e-41fc-a1b6-f0394dd881bf]<https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/020749188> Whale and Dolphin Conservation (“WDC”), Inc. is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 non‑profit organization. Your contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. WDC, 225 Water Street, Suite A145, Plymouth, MA 02360 Tel: +1 (508) 746‑2522 This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.

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Dolphin Research Internship with MareTerra - Sardinia Island (Italy)
by Fabio Ronchetti 25 Nov '24

25 Nov '24

MareTerra ERC is offering internships ( https://www.mareterra-erc.org/en/internship) to join research projects on the conservation of the bottlenose dolphins and marine environment between May and October 2024 in Sardinia Island (Italy), a hotspot of biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea. Since its founding in 2012, MareTerra has operated as a self-financed organization. Interns will learn research methods to monitor the behaviour, habitat use, abundance, and distribution of bottlenose dolphins through techniques such as photo-ID, GIS, and Species Distribution Modelling. They will gather georeferenced data on dolphins, fishing activities, and boat traffic that affect dolphin behaviour. Additionally, interns will participate in bioacoustic data collection. The goal of our research projects is to implement measures for marine ecosystem conservation and to promote sustainable and responsible management of fishing and tourism activities. For published papers, please visit https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TegikzmahuAUeWMGS3AS-SlCS_s3I_hd?us… . Working within an international and multicultural team, interns will actively engage in environmental education to raise awareness and promote respect for the marine environment among tourists and locals on board our boats. **Required Skills** - Fluency in English (English level > B2) - Self-confidence - Flexibility and adaptability to an international work environment - Punctuality - Good public relations skills - Comfort on board a motorboat and ability to swim well - Minimum age: 20 years; maximum age: 30 years Participating in this internship requires high motivation, responsibility and willingness to work long hours in the field. For any questions or to receive more information on the application process, please send an email to info(a)mareterra-erc.org Gabriella La Manna, Ph.D. --- Dr Fabio Ronchetti www.mareterragroup.net www.progettonaturasardegna.com www.instagram.com/progetto_natura_ecoturismo www.facebook.com/progettonaturasardegna progettonatura(a)mareterragroup.net.com Via P. Enrico 42 07041 Alghero (SS) Tel: +393921404069 Research associate *MareTerra ERC* www.mareterra-erc.org ronchettifabio(a)gmail.com Via P. Enrico 42 07041 Alghero (SS) Tel: +393921404069

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New publication assessing noise reduction in whale habitat
by Vanessa Zobell 25 Nov '24

25 Nov '24

To the MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are happy to share our recent publication in which we assessed noise reduction techniques in whale habitats. ZoBell, Vanessa M., John A. Hildebrand, and Kaitlin E. Frasier. "Assessing approaches for ship noise reduction within critical whale habitat." *The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America* 156.5 (2024): 3534-3544. https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0034455 https://pubs.aip.org/asa/jasa/article/156/5/3534/3321836 Abstract Ship noise pollution significantly overlaps with critical habitats of endangered whales in the Santa Barbara Channel, prompting the need for effective noise reduction strategies. Various ship noise reduction approaches were assessed by simulating both source-centric (e.g., speed reduction or retrofit) and space-centric (e.g., routing changes) strategies to determine which would most effectively minimize noise within important marine habitats. Reducing the speeds of all ships achieved the highest noise reduction of the source-centric methods, although solely slowing cargo ships led to similar reductions. Implementing a single-route approach on the southern side of the Channel Islands achieved the greatest reduction of the space-centric strategies. For the multi-route approaches, some noise reduction was achieved by creating a buffer zone between the proposed shipping lanes and the critical habitat boundary. This simulation framework provides a mechanism for efficient exploration and assessment of noise reduction strategies across time and space. The framework can be updated to consider new approaches to changing ocean conditions. Please contact Vanessa ZoBell (vmzobell(a)ucsd.edu) if you would like a PDF copy of the article. All the best, Vanessa -- *Dr. Vanessa ZoBell *(she/her) Postdoctoral Researcher, Scripps Machine Listening Lab <https://sioml.ucsd.edu/people/> Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Ritter Hall 105 *I respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on unceded ancestral land <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://native-land.ca/__;!!Mih3wA!ST3Zg-Sx3Mgt…> of the Kumeyaay <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.kumeyaay.com/__;!!Mih3wA!ST3Zg-Sx3M…> people to whom I owe honor and gratitude.*

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New Publication: Occurrence, residency, and habitat characterization of leopard seals in Chile
by Renato Borras 25 Nov '24

25 Nov '24

Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are excited to share with you our new publication on Leopard Seals: Borras-Chavez, R., Soteres, R. L., Gómez-González, G., Martínez, F., Fernández-Ferrada, N., Castillo-Aguilar, M., ... & Kienle, S. S. (2024). Occurrence, residency, and habitat characterization of leopard seals in Chile. *Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution*, *12*, 1448098. The article is open access and available here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ecology-and-evolution/articles/10.3389… Abstract: "Leopard seals have traditionally been considered Antarctic predators with a Southern Ocean distribution. Historically, sightings north of the Antarctic Polar Front were considered extralimital. However, recent studies suggest a significant presence of leopard seals in subantarctic regions. Here, we assess the spatial occurrence, residency status, and temporal trends of leopard seals in Chile using historical records, stranding reports, standardized monitoring data, photo-identification (photo ID) catalogs, and sightings from four research expeditions. We also characterize glaciers where sightings are concentrated, identifying glaciological and geomorphic attributes that prolong iceberg residency time, which is linked to high leopard seal concentrations. Based on these attributes, we evaluated other potential suitable glacial habitats in Patagonia. We obtained 438 sighting records of leopard seals from 1927 to 2023. Over the last 15 years, we documented a 4-18% annual increase in stranding events reported to national authorities. Most sightings (75%) were concentrated in two hotspots: National Park San Rafael Lagoon, located in Northern Patagonia, and Parry Fjord in Tierra del Fuego. Using photo ID catalogs, we identified 19 resident leopard seals, including 16 multi-year residents observed between 2010-2023 (10 in San Rafael, 6 in Tierra del Fuego) and 3 potential residents (observed multiple months in the same year in Tierra del Fuego). San Rafael monitoring data showed no inter-annual trend, but seasonal trends were observed. We also provide evidence of breeding in Chile, with records of at least 14 pups born and at least two females giving birth in multiple years. Our habitat characterization suggests that calving flux, fjord sinuosity, and fjord width variation are crucial for prolonging iceberg residency in hotspot areas. Based on these attributes, we identified 13 additional fjords in Patagonia as “very likely” suitable for leopard seals. Our study confirms that Patagonia is part of the species’ breeding distribution, shifting the paradigm that leopard seals are merely visitors north of the Antarctic Polar Front. Given the limited number of suitable glaciers in Chile and the potential impacts of climate change, our assessment highlights glacial retreat as a major threat for the ecosystem of this pagophilic marine apex predator in South America" Let me know if you have questions!: renato_borras-chavez(a)baylor.edu Thanks for your interest! Best, Renato -- Renato F. Borras-Chavez, Ph.D. (he/him/his) Postdoctoral Fellow Marine Mammal Ecophysiology, Baylor University, US Council Member of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) APECS Representative for EG-BAMM SCAR Group

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LAJAM Vol. 19(2) is available on line!
by Eduardo Morteo 25 Nov '24

25 Nov '24

Dear MARMAM community On behalf of the Editorial Committee, I would like to present Vol. 19(2) of the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals. We publish peer reviewed articles on research, management and conservation biology of aquatic mammals in Latin America. Also, articles on theory or techniques broadly applicable to aquatic mammals are considered, even when the research has taken place outside Latin America. All our issues are available in PDF under Open Access and can be accessed here: https://lajamjournal.org/index.php/lajam/issue/archive In our last volume of 2024 you will find the following contributions: EDITORIAL Miriam Marmontel Editor-in-Chief ARTICLES Macroscopic and histologic characteristics of sexual maturation in the Burmeister’s porpoise Phocoena spinipinnis from Peru by Diana Vega Koen Van Waerebeek Joanna Alfaro-Shigueto Julio C. Reyes Marie-Francoise Van Bressem1(Pages 42-158) Tooth wear and dental pathology in Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) and tucuxis (Sotalia fluviatilis) by Carolina Loch Miriam Marmontel (Pages 159-164) Site fidelity and population parameters of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus ) in the Eastern Caribbean through photographic identification by Manon Riou Claire Freriks Célia Ortolé Céline Valin Morjane Safi Eric Cockx Cédric Millon Laurent Bouveret Benjamin de Montgolfier (Pages 165-181) Artificial intelligence improves the identification of fur seals recorded at Southern Brazilian coast by Carlos Oliveira Camila Spaniol Klagenberg Maurício Roberto Veronez Larissa Rosa Oliveira (Pages 182-189) Occurrence of cetacean strandings on the coast of São Paulo Brazil: a spatio-temporal assessment from 2017 to 2021 by Alexandre Martinelli Daniela Ferro de Godoy Yaçanã Luana Wiener Claudio de Souza Vieira Júnior Claudia Carvalho do Nascimento Daniela Sá de Mello Caio Noritake Louzada Renata Maria Taufer (Pages 190-201) Franciscana Pontoporia blainvillei stranding records from systematic beach surveys opportunistic and incidental capture reports at theRío Negro Estuary Patagonia Argentina (2003 – 2023) by Miguel Iñíguez Bessega Marina Winter Sergio Damián Abate Verónica Andrea Seijas Marta Hevia Mauricio Failla (Pages 202-210) Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis in a neonate Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei): clinical approach and laboratory findings by Marzia Antonelli Mateus Rocha Ribas Rafael Meurer Sandro Sandri Jussara Kasuko Palmeiro Thaís Cristine Marques Sincero Cristiane Kiyomi Miyaji (Pages 211-218) NOTES Gross anatomy and histology of the heart and great vessels of a leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) by Alejandro Díaz Marta Carolina De León Eduardo Castro Verónica Eyheramendy Juan Manuel Herrera Pablo Denuncio Antonio Felipe Joaquín Carlos Mario Gana Mariela Dassis (Pages 219-225) Downsweep calls attributed to sei whales Balaenoptera borealis in Ilhabela São Paulo Brazil by Daniela Pivari Sergio Moreira Heitor Crespo Júlio Cardoso Renata Sousa-Lima (Pages 226-230) First record of humpback whales in the Caribbean coast of Costa RicaLaura May-Collado Kristin Rasmussen Jose David Palacios Alfaro Frank Garita Alpizar (Pages 231-236) IN MEMORIAM Armando Jaramillo-Legorreta (1964-2024) by Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho Edwyna Nieto-García Gustavo Cárdenas-Hinojosa Barb Taylor Jay Barlow Len Thomas Nick Tregenza Annette Henry Sarah Mesnick Juan Carlos Salinas Ernesto Vázquez-Morquecho Horacio de la Cueva Kristin Nowell Valeria Towns-Alonso Jorge Urbán-Ramirez Robert Brownell (Pages 237-239) Enjoy our featured contributions and happy reading! Dr. Eduardo Morteo Managing Editor Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals Dr. Eduardo Morteo Director Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Universidad Veracruzana Calle Dr. Castelazo Ayala S/N, Col. Industrial Ánimas CP 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, México. Ph/Tel: +52 (228) 841 89 00 E-mail: emorteo(a)uv.mx http://www.uv.mx/personal/emorteo/ http://uv-mx.academia.edu/EMorteo https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eduardo_Morteo/?ev=hdr_xprf http://scholar.google.com.mx/citations?user=fDUl-IIAAAAJ

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JNCC-recognised MMO course (remote delivery)
by Carolyn Barton 25 Nov '24

25 Nov '24

There are a few spaces left on a JNCC-recognised MMO course to be delivered by Zoom on 5th and 6th December, cost £150. For more details and a registration form see www.carolynbarton.co.uk or email info(a)carolynbarton.co.uk .

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New publication: A Tropical Estuary Where Mercury Does Not Biomagnify and its Adjacent Waters that Render Extremely High Mercury Concentrations in Top Predators
by Leonardo Flach 23 Nov '24

23 Nov '24

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce our recent study published in AECT: Paulo R. Dorneles, Thaís de C. Paiva, Gabriel P. Bighetti, Dhoone Menezes, António M. B. Marques, Patricia S. L. Anacleto, Leonardo Flach, Fabíola H. S. Fogaça, Ana Paula C. Farro, Mariana F. Nery, Ana Lúcia Cypriano‑Souza, Mirela D’arc, João P. M. Torres, Mariana B. Alonso. *A Tropical Estuary Where Mercury Does Not Biomagnify and its Adjacent Waters that Render Extremely High Mercury Concentrations in Top Predators* *Abstract* In general, mercury (Hg) undergoes biomagnification in aquatic systems. The absence of Hg biomagnification in a certain aquatic environment constitutes an exceptional finding and this seems to be the case for Sepetiba Bay, in Rio de Janeiro state (RJ), Brazil. There are three distinct ecological populations of Guiana dolphins in the Sepetiba Bay (SB)–Ilha Grande Bay (IGB) Complex, inhabiting: (1) the inner part of SB; (2) SB entrance; and (3) IGB. In addition, there are two other delphinid species, rough-toothed dolphin and Atlantic spotted dolphin, that feed on the SB–IGB Complex. Considering the widely employed use of cetaceans as sentinels of environmental contamination by bioaccumulative toxicants, we have biopsy sampled individuals of the abovementioned ecological populations/species for measuring skin Hg concentrations. Two Bryde’s whales and one humpback whale were biopsied in the SB–IGB Complex as well. Skin Hg concentrations [μg g− 1 dry weight (dw)] of Guiana dolphins were the highest in IGB, followed by SB entrance and the inner part of SB (0.99–5.47; 0.09–6.00; 0.08–2.22). Considering all species investigated in the present study, skin Hg concentrations were found in the following order: humpback whale < Bryde's whale < Guiana dolphins from SB inner part < Guiana dolphins from SB entrance < Guiana dolphins IGB = Atlantic spotted dolphins < rough-toothed dolphins. The skin Hg concentrations found in Guiana dolphins from the inner part of Sepetiba Bay (0.08–2.22) and rough-toothed dolphins from the SB–IGB Complex (1.26–20.0) are among the lowest and highest ever reported for dolphins worldwide, respectively. *link: *https://rdcu.be/d0yox Kind regards,

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