July 2024 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New Publication - Growing into it: evidence of an ontogenetic shift in grey whale use of foraging tactics
by Clara Bird 05 Jul '24

05 Jul '24

Hi MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are excited to share with you our new publication in Animal Behaviour. Bird, C. N., Pirotta, E., New, L., Bierlich, K. C., Donnelly, M., Hildebrand, L., Fernandez Ajó, A., & Torres, L. G. (2024). Growing into it: Evidence of an ontogenetic shift in grey whale use of foraging tactics. Animal Behaviour, 214, 121–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2024.06.004 Abstract: Individual specialization may occur relative to diet, behaviour or spatial distribution, potentially leading to differential resource and space use within a population. While specializations have been documented across many animal populations, the underlaying causes of individual specialization (e.g. morphology, age or sex) are not always identified. Causes of specialization can be especially challenging to uncover for large, long-lived marine animals. We used a Bayesian multilevel, multinomial logistic regression model to study the relationships between grey whale, Eschrichtius robustus, use of foraging tactics and morphology (body length and condition), while accounting for habitat characteristics and individual variation in tactic use. The model was informed by a 7-year longitudinal data set of concurrent morphology and foraging behaviour collected using drones. We found evidence of an ontogenetic shift in the use of foraging tactics associated with body length (a proxy for age). Individual specialization in behaviour was also associated with water depth and habitat. After accounting for the effects of these covariates, there was some residual individual level variation in the use of different foraging tactics. Our findings demonstrate variation in resource and habitat use within a baleen whale population at the individual level relative to body length and habitat, suggesting that individual spatial distribution and access to prey may vary by age class. Our results can be applied to investigate whether juveniles and adults differ in their foraging success and resilience to stressors. The article is open access and available here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347224001556#abs0015 Please reach out with any questions. Cheers, Clara (clara.bird(a)oregonstate.edu) ---- Clara Bird (she/her) PhD Candidate Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab Marine Mammal Institute Dept. of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center

1 0

New publication: Spatial and temporal trends of Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin strandings in South Carolina, USA
by Megan Krzewinski 04 Jul '24

04 Jul '24

Hello MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication in the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management: Krzewinski MM, McFee WE and Young RF (2024) Spatial and temporal trends of Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops erebennus) strandings in South Carolina, USA, 2006-2020. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 25(2024):31-48. https://doi.org/10.47536/jcrm.v25i1.941 Abstract: Marine mammal strandings data contribute towards overall assessments of cetacean populations, including seasonal, annual and life‐history trends which result from both natural and anthropogenic causes. We conducted spatial and temporal analyses of Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops erebennus) strandings in the waters of South Carolina, USA, over a 15‐year period from 2006 to 2020, with the following objectives: (1) to determine spatial and temporal trends; (2) to analyse seasonal reproductive trends; (3) to determine life‐history parameters, such as sex ratio and age class; (4) to determine the extent to which human interaction contributed to strandings; and (5) to compare stranding patterns with historical data from 1992–2005. A total of 837 strandings occurred over the study period, with a mean of 55.8 strandings per annum. The season with most strandings was Spring (April–June), while March and April had the highest number of strandings. A relatively equal number of male and female dolphins stranded, and mortality was highest in neonates, first‐year calves and adults. Neonatal strandings comprised 22.1% of all strandings and were predominant in May. Ninety‐five human‐interaction (HI) cases were observed, representing 22.9% of strandings where HI or non‐HI could be determined. Confirmed crab‐pot buoy‐line entanglements were the predominant HI category (n = 31). Density maps and hot spot analysis showed most strandings, including live and neonatal strandings and HI cases, occurred in defined areas of Charleston and Beaufort Counties. While many trends were similar to historical data, some new trends emerged, particularly an increase of strandings in March and April. Neonatal strandings decreased in November and the historical spike during this month has essentially disappeared. The results of this analysis serve as a tool to predict stranding rates and inform conservation and management decisions to better protect bottlenose dolphins. The article is available for open access here: https://journal.iwc.int/index.php/jcrm/article/view/941 Please reach out with any questions. Best, Megan Krzewinski, M.P.S. megkrzewinski(a)gmail.com

1 0

Correction to New Publication: "Imitation of computer-generated sounds by wild Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis)"
by Adam Pack 03 Jul '24

03 Jul '24

Aloha Friends and Colleagues, I apologize for the repeated posting. However, one of our co-authors' names in my previous post was mis-spelled. Below, please find the corrected citation. Sincerely, Adam Herzing, D. L., Pack, A. A., Delfour, F., Starner, T., Mason, C., Gilliland, S., Ramey, C., & Kohlsdorf, D. (2024). Imitation of computer-generated sounds by wild Atlantic spotted dolphins (*Stenella frontalis*). *Animal Behavior and Cognition, 11*(2), 136-166. https://doi.org/10.26451/abc.11.02.02.2024 <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://doi.org/10.26451/abc.11.02.02.2024__;!!…> Since 1985 a community of wild Atlantic spotted dolphin (*Stenella frontalis*) have been observed underwater in the Bahamas. A human-worn, acoustic underwater two-way communication interface was developed and deployed from 2013-2016. Dolphins were exposed to an acoustic referentially based wearable underwater computer/interface. A model/rival system was used with dolphins and human participants during in-water sessions. Artificial and natural objects were labeled with computer generated sounds. Female juvenile spotted dolphins dominated the activity. Group size averaged seven dolphins for an average duration of 37 minute over 58 sessions. Of 243 video audio imitations and 56 Cetacean Hearing Augmentation Telemetry (CHAT) audio imitations, six potential response types were documented and measured. *Stand-alone* vocal contour mimics and Frequency *Modulated Contours* were the most common imitations. Within 5 sec of a computer-generated sound playing, of the 191 non-stand-alone vocal responses that were produced, 114 of them (59.7%) were judged as partial accurate matches, 3 of them (1.57%) were judged as non-matching partial imitations of a computer-generated sound, 67 of them (35.08%) were signature whistles, and seven of them (3.67%) were either non-signature whistle vocalizations or a mimic of the start or end tones. Thus, the majority of vocalizations produced by the dolphins within five seconds of a computer-generated sound were partial accurate imitations for the computer-generated sound played. Dolphins demonstrated both immediate and delayed vocal imitation and flexible attempts at imitation but did not show signs of a functional understanding of object labels. Atlantic spotted dolphins showed vocal flexibility in reaction to humans broadcasting computer generated sounds. -- Adam A. Pack, Ph.D. Professor and Chair (Psychology) Departments of Psychology and Biology University of Hawai'i at Hilo 200 West Kawili Street Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 (Office Voice): 808-932-7082 (Email): pack(a)hawaii.edu (Faculty Webpage): https://hilo.hawaii.edu/faculty/adam-a-pack/ (UH Hilo Lab): https://hilo.hawaii.edu/faculty/adam-a-pack/marine-mammal-lab/ (Non-profit organization): https://thedolphininstitute.org/ Recent PBS Documentary Films: Humpback Health: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0_pvMeGVho Mystery of the Humpback Whale Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgEQ0TUjZh0 "Do or do not; there is no try." Yoda

1 0

Registration is now open for TWM's virtual Global Orca Workshop!
by tracie merrill 03 Jul '24

03 Jul '24

The Whale Museum (TWM) in Friday Harbor, WA, is holding an exciting virtual Global Orca Workshop on Tuesday, August 27 (1:00 pm to 8:00 pm Pacific Time) & Wednesday, August 28 (9:00 am to 4:00 pm Pacific Time). This workshop is open to the public so come join us through Zoom and learn about the world's orcas! This workshop’s theme will be: Understanding orca eco-types around the world; Who are they and what are they facing in today’s changing ocean environments? Invited Presenters include: * Dr. Jeremy Kiszka, Principal Investigator, Marine Conservation Ecology Lab, FIU on Orcas of the Tropics * Dr. Holly Fearnbach, Marine Mammal Research Director, SR3 on Antarctic Killer Whales * Dr. Anaïs Remili, Postdoctoral researcher, McGill University on North Atlantic Killer Whales * Candice K. Emmons, Research Fisheries Biologist, NOAA on PNW and Alaskan Residents and Offshore Orcas * Dr. Ingrid Visser, Founder & Principal Scientist, Orca Research Trust on New Zealand’s Killer Whales * Dr. Eve Jourdain, Postdoctoral Researcher, Section, University of Oslo on Norwegian Killer Whales * Dr. Robin Baird, Hawai‘i Program Director, Cascadia Research Collective on Offshore Orcas in Hawaiian waters * Dr. Ruth Esteban, Marine Mammal researcher, Madeira Whale Museum on Spanish Orcas and the Strait of Gibraltar * Chloe Kotik, PhD student, University of Alaska Fairbanks on PNW and Alaskan Transients * Jorge Cazenve, President of Punta Norte Orca Research on Argentinian Killer Whales The registration fee is $70 for non-members; $50 for current TWM or SSAMN members. Questions can be directed to Tracie Merrill at tracie(a)whalemuseum.org<mailto:tracie@whalemuseum.org>. Zoom link and workshop agenda will be sent to registrants at email provided at registration closer to start of workshop. Register at https://whalemuseum.org/products/global-orca-workshop?_pos=1&_sid=41eaeb015… Global Orca Workshop (Virtual)<https://whalemuseum.org/products/global-orca-workshop?_pos=1&_sid=41eaeb015…> Global Orca Workshop Tuesday, August 27th 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Pacific Time) And Wednesday, August 28th 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Pacific Time)Come join The Whale Museum’s Global Orca Workshop virtually through Zoom! This workshop’s theme will be: Understanding orca eco-types around the world; Who are they and what are th whalemuseum.org Sent from Outlook<http://aka.ms/weboutlook>

1 0

ANZSCSMM Online Webinar Wed 31st May
by Marissa Hutchings 02 Jul '24

02 Jul '24

Greetings MARMAM community! Join us on Wednesday July 31st 2024 at 4:30 am AEST for the next ANZSCSMM Online Webinar. Dr. Emily I. Palmer from Massay University, Auckland, will be presenting her PhD research on the life-history of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in Aotearoa New Zealand waters. This event is free to attend and presented online via Zoom, but registration is required. Register here: https://auckland.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwldO6uqjkiH9QxhASEKdJHwV5fsEhkT… [449774978_2285320918472610_2768518342944103990_n.jpg] We hope to see you there! The ANZSCSMM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marissa Hutchings PhD Candidate - Flinders University BMSc (Hons) - James Cook University Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL) College of Science and Engineering Flinders University Bedford Park SA 5042 [image002.png] Flinders University acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which its campuses are located, these are the Traditional Lands of the Arrernte, Dagoman, First Nations of the South-East, First Peoples of the River Murray & Mallee region, Jawoyn, Kaurna, Larrakia, Ngadjuri, Ngarrindjeri, Peramangk, Ramindjeri, Warumungu, Wardaman and Yolngu people. We honour their Elders past, present and emerging. This email and any attachments may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please inform the sender by reply email and delete all copies of this message. Please consider the environment before printing this email.

1 0

New publication on the underwater soundscapes of Hawaiian monk seal critical habitats
by Kirby Parnell 02 Jul '24

02 Jul '24

Aloha colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, we are excited to share our recent open-access publication in Endangered Species Research: Parnell K, Merkens K, Huetz C, Charrier I, Robinson SJ, Pacini A, Bejder L (2024) Underwater soundscapes within critical habitats of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal: implications for conservation. Endangered Species Research 54:311–329. *https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01336* <https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01336> Abstract: Studying underwater soundscapes of critical habitats of marine mammals can provide valuable information on the acoustic environment utilized by sound-reliant animals. For the endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi; HMS), the acoustic scene of their aquatic habitats is poorly understood. We measured ambient noise levels and characterized sound sources at four shallow critical habitats of the HMS. Broadband levels ranged from 107.8-123.4 dB re 1 µPa. Octave band levels showed diel patterns associated with biological and anthropogenic sources that mask HMS vocalizations. Biological sources dominated the soundscape at all sites. We opportunistically recorded two large-scale geophonic events: hurricane Douglas (Category 4) and a 6.2 magnitude earthquake. This study provides the first description of underwater soundscapes at critical habitats of the HMS across its expansive range. These measurements serve as a baseline for future studies to understand impacts of human activities on underwater soundscapes. The publication is open-access and is available here: www.int-res.com/articles/esr2024/54/n054p311.pdf Please reach out if you have any questions: keparnel(a)hawaii.edu Mahalo, Kirby Parnell -- Kirby Parnell, M.Sc. PhD Candidate, Marine Biology Graduate Program Marine Mammal Research Program University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa *https://www.mmrphawaii.org/kirbyparnell <https://www.mmrphawaii.org/kirbyparnell>*

1 0

New Publication: Behavioral hotspots of bottlenose dolphins in industrialized ship channels
by Eliza Mills 01 Jul '24

01 Jul '24

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce our recent publication in Frontiers in Marine Science: Mills EMM, Piwetz S and Orbach DN (2024) Behavioral hotspots of bottlenose dolphins in industrialized ship channels. Front. Mar. Sci. 11:1334252. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1334252 Abstract Anthropogenic activity in coastal areas can damage marine habitats and alter marine mammal behavior and habitat use. Understanding behavioral associations with diverse habitat features in industrialized coastal areas is crucial for marine mammal conservation management. A shore-based digital theodolite was used to assess the behavioral states and habitat use of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) off Port Aransas, Texas across seasons. The relationship between behavioral states and environmental and geographical variables were analyzed. Behavioral hotspots were identified. Dolphins frequently foraged (46%), indicating the area is an important feeding ground. Dolphins also traveled (25%) and milled (22%), with less frequent occurrences of socializing (6%) and resting (1% of observations). Season, time of day, and distance to shoreline were significant predictors of foraging and traveling behavioral states. Dolphins engaged in all behavioral states closer to seawall shorelines than to mangroves and natural seagrass beds, suggesting that hard shoreline features may influence daily activity patterns. Despite daily anthropogenic operations, bottlenose dolphins use features of the industrialized area (i.e., deeply dredged channels, human-engineered seawalls) to engage in a variety of behaviors. Monitoring of dolphin behavioral states and habitat use in active ship channels are needed to assess changes from baseline data from increasing coastal development and vessel activities. The article is open access and freely available: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.… Best regards, Eliza Mills, MS 2024 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Silver Spring, Maryland eliza.m.mills(a)gmail.com <mailto:eliza.m.mills@gmail.com>

1 0

Update to SOCPROG
by Hal Whitehead 01 Jul '24

01 Jul '24

A new and updated version of SOCPROG, SOCPROG2.9 (both compiled and uncompiled downloads) is available at: http://whitelab.biology.dal.ca/SOCPROG/social.htm SOCPROG is a MATLAB-based package of programs for the analysis of animal social structures, movements and populations. The compiled version does not need MATLAB itself. This version is compatible with MATLAB2018b (although it will likely work well on recent and soon-to-be-released versions of MATLAB). It fixes a few bugs and adds functionality compared to previous versions (especially association complexity). Thanks Hal Whitehead, Dalhousie University, Canada

1 1