January 2026 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

UF Fall 2025 online aquatics course - Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues
by Larkin,Iskande (Iske) 20 Jul '26

20 Jul '26

Hi All, Registration is open for Fall 2025. The University of Florida, Aquatic Animal Health Program is offering the Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues course, fully online. Classes start Thursday August 22th and runs through Wednesday, December 4th. * Registration will remain open through Monday Aug 25th. Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues Class (VME-4012, VME-6010) is an online course (3 credits) designed to introduce students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) to the controversial issues surrounding aquatic animal species ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals, with an emphasis on marine mammals, but also including sea turtles, fisheries, and marine ecosystems. Students enrolled at any College or University can take this course. *This class is also available at the graduate level within our Care & Conservation of Aquatic Animals graduate certificate* For more information about the class or enrollment, contact Dr. Larkin (ivlarkin(a)ufl.edu)<mailto:ivlarkin@ufl.edu%29.*This> Sincerely, Dr Iske Larkin [cid:image001.jpg@01DBFCAF.2CF14F90] Iske V. Larkin, PhD Senior Lecturer & Education Coordinator Director of Aquatic Animal Health Program Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida PO Box 100136 2015 SW 16th Ave Gainesville, Florida 32610 Office phone - 352-294-4095 Work cell - 352-494-1742 Fax - 352-392-8289 Program web page: http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu<http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/> "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." -Anonymous ________________________________

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Consequences of culturally-driven ecological specialization: Killer whales and beyond
by Hal Whitehead 12 Jun '26

12 Jun '26

The following paper has just been published: Consequences of culturally-driven ecological specialization: Killer whales and beyond. by: Hal Whitehead and John K.B. Ford Journal of Theoretical Biology 456: 279-294 Abstract: Culturally-transmitted ecological specialization occurs in killer whales, as well as other species. We hypothesize that some of the remarkable demographic and ecological attributes of killer whales result from this process. We formalize and model (using agent-based stochastic models parametrized using killer whale life history) the cultural evolution of specialization by social groups, in which a narrowing of niche breadth is spread and maintained in a group through social learning. We compare the demographic and ecological results of cultural specialization to those of a similar model of specialization through natural selection. We found that specialization, through either the cultural or natural selection routes, is adaptive in the short term with specialization often increasing fitness. Generalization, in contrast, is rarely adaptive. The cultural evolution of specialization can lead to increased rates of group extirpation. Specialization has little effect on group size but tends to reduce population size and resource abundance. While the two specialization processes produce similar results, cultural specialization can be very much faster. The results are generally consistent with what we know of the formation and maintenance of specialist ecotypes in killer whales, and have implications for the persistence, nature and ecological effects of these apex predators. You can read a .pdf at: http://whitelab.biology.dal.ca/labpub.htm Hal Whitehead Dalhousie University hwhitehe(a)dal.ca

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UF Summer online aquatics courses - Manatee Health & Conservation and Marine Mammal Bio
by Larkin,Iskande (Iske) 30 Mar '26

30 Mar '26

Hi All, Registration is currently open for Summer 2025. The University of Florida, Aquatic Animal Health Program is offering the Manatee Health & Conservation (upper level undergrad and grad) course and Marine Mammal Biology (grad), both fully online. Classes starts Monday May 12th and run through Friday Aug 8th. Registration will remain open through Friday, May 9th. Manatee Health and Conservation Class (VME4016 and VME6017) is an online course (3 credits) that will provide students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) with a detailed overview of manatee natural history, health assessment, and research findings as well as explore conservation issues. Marine Mammal Biology (VME-6014) is an online course (3 credits) available only to Post-Baccalaureate and graduate students and provides a detailed overview of marine mammal species including cetaceans, sirenians, pinnipeds, mustelids, and ursids. Each module will broadly explore a particular ecological, biological, or physiological theme related to the study of marine mammals, including taxonomy and biodiversity, diving physiology, thermoregulation, foraging ecology, and reproduction as well as the many conservation and management issues faced by different marine mammal species. For more information about the class or enrollment, contact Dr. Iskande Larkin (ivlarkin(a)ufl.edu)<mailto:ivlarkin@ufl.edu%29.*This> Sincerely, Dr Iske Larkin [cid:image001.jpg@01DB94FE.6407D300] Iske V. Larkin, PhD Senior Lecturer & Education Coordinator Director of Aquatic Animal Health Program Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida PO Box 100136 2015 SW 16th Ave Gainesville, Florida 32610 Office phone - 352-294-4095 Work cell - 352-494-1742 Fax - 352-392-8289 Program web page: http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu<http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/> "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." -Anonymous ________________________________

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New paper on cetaceans' summer abundance and distribution in Bulgarian Black Sea waters
by Dimitar Popov 06 Mar '26

06 Mar '26

Dear all, On behalf of me and my co-authors, I am happy to share our recently published new paper on cetaceans' summer abundance and distribution in Bulgarian Black Sea waters, available on the link: https://www.acta-zoologica-bulgarica.eu/2024/Suppl_20_21.pdf Abstract: /All three Black Sea cetacean species are nominated as endemic subspecies for the basin listed in the IUCN Red List of Endangered species: the Black Sea harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta) and Black Sea bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus ponticus) as Endangered (EN), while the Black Sea common dolphin (Delphinus delphis ponticus) as Vulnerable (VU). In addition, all three species are protected at national and international levels. Effective conservation of protected and endangered species requires robust data on their distribution to delineate important habitats. We present data on the summer distribution of cetaceans in Bulgarian shelf waters, derived from a series of vessel line transect distance sampling surveys, conducted in the summer months during the period 2020-2023. Harbour porpoise density estimates ranged from 0.156 ind./sq. km (CV=43%) in territorial waters in 2020 to 2.83 ind./sq. km (CV=27%) in deeper waters in 2022. Bottlenose dolphin density estimates ranged from 0.226 ind./sq. km (CV=49%) in territorial waters in 2023 to 0.542 ind./sq. km (CV=35%) in 2020, also in territorial waters. Common dolphin density ranged from 0.032 ind./sq. km (CV=80%) in territorial waters in 2023 to 0.699 ind./sq. km (CV=41%) in deep shelf waters in 2022. The distribution of porpoises has shown a clear preference for deep waters (80-100 m), indicating a shift from the coastal waters that are their preferred habitat in the spring. The density of common dolphin has also shown a gradient towards deeper waters of the shelf, while bottlenose dolphins show a preference for coastal waters. Here, we propose updated threshold values of Descriptor 1's criteria 2 and 4 of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and identify important habitats for harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins that remain outside of NATURA 2000's scope./ In case you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact me. Best regards, Dimitar -- __________________________________________________ *__________________________________________________ **Mr. Dimitar Popov**,**PhD **Project Coordinator GREEN BALKANS - Stara Zagora NGO* BSB00432 EOL 30, Boruygrad str. Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria Mobile +359 (0)885 108712 E-mail: _dpopov(a)greenbalkans.org_ http://www.greenbalkans.org __________________________________________________ -- Този имейл е проверен за вируси от антивирусния софтуер Avast. www.avast.com

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New publication on brucellosis in dolphins from the Mediterranean Sea
by Ignacio Vargas Castro 31 Jan '26

31 Jan '26

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our most recent publication. *Vargas-Castro I*, Andrés-Barranco S, Crespo-Picazo JL, Torre-Fuentes L, Jiménez-Martínez MA, Hernández M, Arbelo M, Álvarez J, Muñoz PM, Marco-Cabedo V, de Miguel MJ, López D, Muñoz-Baquero M, García-Párraga D, Barasona JA. *Towards integrated surveillance of marine brucellosis: diagnostic and phylogenetic assessment of Brucella ceti in stranded dolphins of the Western Mediterranean Sea*. Transbound Emerg Dis. 2026. You will find the open access publication at the link: https://doi.org/10.1155/tbed/2075116 *Abstract*: Reports of brucellosis in free-ranging cetaceans are increasing worldwide, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea. To enhance diagnostic accuracy and epidemiological understanding of cetacean brucellosis in the Western Mediterranean Sea, we analyzed bacteriological, serological and molecular data from 30 cetaceans belonging to three different species stranded along the coast of the Valencian Community (Spain) between 2011 and 2021. *Brucella ceti *infection was confirmed by bacteriological isolation in 14 animals (46,7%) and by genus-specific qPCR in 15 cases (50%), with some discrepancies between methods. When feasible, serological analyses were performed using a commercial blocking ELISA and/or the Rose Bengal agglutination test (RBT). In absence of ELISA tests properly validated for its use in marine mammals, we assessed the optimum dilution and cut-off of this ELISA kit using panels of gold-standard sera from culture-positive and brucellosis-free dolphins. From a pathological perspective, 12 infected animals showed moderate to severe meningoencephalitis, or meningoencephalomyelitis with lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. Additionally whole-genome sequencing enabled the identification of two sequence types, ST26 and ST49, indicating phylogenetic divergence. Our findings provide new insights into the phylogenetics of *B. ceti* and highlight the particular susceptibility of striped dolphins to this bacterium. The study also evidences the need for proper validation of the indirect diagnostic methods used for surveillance and seroepidemiological studies of brucellosis in marine mammals. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any questions you may have. Kind regards, Ignacio Vargas-Castro *Ignacio Vargas Castro *[image: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8721-3150] <https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8721-3150> DVM, PhD Viral Immunology and Preventive Medicine Unit (SUAT) VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre & Animal Health Department Universidad Complutense Madrid Av. Puerta de Hierro, s/n. 28040 Madrid. Spainignavarg(a)ucm.eswww.sanidadanimal.info <https://www.sanidadanimal.info/en/> This message is private and confidential and it is intended exclusively for the addressee. If you receive this message by mistake, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please inform the sender and delete the message and attachments from your system, as it is completely forbidden for you to use this information, according to the current legislation. No confidentiality nor any privilege regarding the information is waived or lost by any mistransmission or malfunction. The personal data herein will be collected in the file "Correoweb", under the ownership of the Vice-Rectorate for Information Technologies, in which those interested may exercise their right to access, rectify, erasure or right to object the contents (article 15-21 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, General Data Protection Regulation). Before printing this mail please consider whether it is really necessary: the environment is a concern for us all.

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Quick Announcement ECS Dundee 2026
by Mariel tendoeschate 30 Jan '26

30 Jan '26

Dear all, We are working hard to curate a fabulous scientific programme for the conference, and are hoping to let authors know the outcomes of their abstract submissions no later than the 17th February. Please find the latest conference news here: Quick Announcement Letter<https://sway.cloud.microsoft/ICaGyOSZi8XBhbrN?ref=Link> This, and all previous newsletters are also available on the ECS Conference website --> https://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference-2026 In this edition you will find important information for: * Students * Call for volunteers closes this Sunday 1st February 2026 * Exclusive low rate student accommodation now bookable * Exhibitors and sponsors * Those wishing to contribute to video night --> submit your videos now! We recommend following the ECS social media channels for the most recent updates, including when registration opens: https://www.instagram.com/europeancetaceansociety/ https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCetaceanSociety We look forward to seeing you in Dundee, Scotland, in April 2026! Have a lovely weekend! Cheers, on behalf of the entire LOC for ECS 2026, Ailsa Hall, Jo Kershaw, Carol Sparling & Mariel ten Doeschate ECS co-chairs of the LOC. [cid:image001.png@01DC91FB.239C31D0]

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New publication: Epigenetic Age Estimation for Hawaiian False Killer Whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in the Absence of ‘Known-Age’ Individuals
by Karen Martien - NOAA Federal 29 Jan '26

29 Jan '26

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are happy to announce the online publication of the following paper: Martien, K.K., R.W. Baird, K.M. Robertson, M.A. Kratofil, S.D. Mahaffy, K.I. West, S.J. Chivers, and F.I. Archer (2026). Epigenetic age estimation for Hawaiian false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in the absence of ‘known-age’ individuals. Molecular Ecology Resources, 26:e70099. Abstract: Epigenetic aging models hold great promise for enhancing many aspects of wildlife research and management. However, their utility is limited by the need to train models using known-aged animals, which are rare among wildlife species. We present a novel approach to developing methylation-based age prediction models that enables us to train models using samples from individuals whose chronological age is estimated with uncertainty based on photo-identification catalog data. Our approach incorporates this uncertainty into model training by representing the age of each individual with a probability distribution rather than a point estimate. We similarly represent the methylation profiles of individuals as binomial distributions and produce a distribution of predicted age for each sample that reflects the uncertainty in both its age and methylation profile. We compared age models trained using a wide range of parameterizations, training data sets, and analytical methods to determine how well they predicted the catalog-based age estimates. The resulting model has a median absolute error of 1.70 years, outperforming many published clocks trained with known-age samples. This approach significantly expands the range of species for which accurate methylation-based age models can be developed, particularly those of conservation concern where known-age samples are limited. By producing distributions of predicted age, it also enables researchers to accurately communicate the uncertainty in their age estimates to subsequent data users. The paper is Open Access at Molecular Ecology Resources and can be downloaded at https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.70099. If you have any trouble accessing the PDF, please contact Karen Martien ( Karen.Martien(a)noaa.gov) -- Karen K. Martien, Ph.D. Southwest Fisheries Science Center 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr. La Jolla, CA 92037, USA 858-546-7058 Karen.Martien(a)noaa.gov http://swfsc.noaa.gov/mmtd-mmgenetics *I sometimes work irregular hours, but I respect your work schedule and do not expect an action or reply outside of your working hours.*

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paid summer positions - Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program
by Vanessa Mintzer 29 Jan '26

29 Jan '26

The Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program in Texas, USA, is recruiting for two summer 2024 paid opportunities: Research Assistant - The Galveston Bay Foundation is seeking a temporary summer research assistant (14 weeks; June-September 2024) for the Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program. The Research Assistant will help with the collection, entry and analysis of bottlenose dolphin population data in Galveston Bay, Texas. The position will entail a combination of field and office work (both in-person and remote). They will also supervise and train citizen scientists. Previous marine mammal field research and photo-identification experience are required. Research Intern - The Environmental Institute of Houston is seeking a dedicated summer research intern (14 weeks; June-September 2024) for the Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program. The intern will help with the collection and management of bottlenose dolphin population data in Galveston Bay, Texas. The position consists of a combination of field and office work. Previous wildlife management and/or marine mammal coursework, field and photo-identification, and boat handling experience are highly desirable. Details for both positions are available here: https://galvestonbaydolphin.org/summer-2024-opportunities/. Applications are due March 8, 2024. Applicants must be a United States citizen or have permanent resident alien status. The Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program is a collaboration between the Galveston Bay Foundation and the Environmental Institute of Houston at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Visit galvestonbaydolphin.org to learn more. Vanessa J. Mintzer, Ph.D. Director of Research Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program Galveston Bay Foundation Direct: 352-359-5633 1725 Highway 146, Kemah, TX 77565 vmintzer(a)galvbay.org<mailto:vmintzer@galvbay.org> galvestonbaydolphin.org

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New publication on passive acoustic localization and tracking of Rice's whales
by Ludovic Tenorio-Hallé 29 Jan '26

29 Jan '26

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our recent publication: Tenorio-Hallé, L., Frasier, K. E., Frouin-Mouy, H., Garrison, L. P., Gruden, P., Hildebrand, J. A., Nosal, E.-M., & Soldevilla, M. S. (2026). *A framework for passive acoustic localization and tracking using a wide-baseline array demonstrated with Rice’s whales (Balaenoptera ricei).* *The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 159*, 802–815. https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0042189 *Abstract* Passive acoustic localization and tracking provide valuable information for characterizing the behavior of marine mammals. When using time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) localization on a wide-baseline array, certain factors such as stereotyped vocalizations from multiple callers and sparse array configuration, can make the call association problem challenging. A “track-before-detect” localization and tracking framework is presented in which this challenge is addressed by taking a hard-association approach and performing the tracking in the TDOA domain. The framework is demonstrated on low-frequency stereotyped calls produced by Rice's whales (*Balaenoptera ricei*) recorded along the shelf break offshore of northwest Florida. Using the framework, a total of 398 whale tracks were extracted between May and August 2021. A median inter-call interval of 5.8 min was estimated from the calls identified in each set of TDOA tracks. Analysis of 1731 h from 368 two-dimensional tracks showed that whales primarily swam along, rather than across, the continental shelf break, with a mean horizontal swim speed of 0.9 m/s (standard deviation ± 0.6 m/s). By providing quantitative estimates of Rice's whale behavioral parameters, these results illustrate the utility of the developed passive acoustic localization and tracking framework. If you would like a copy, please do not hesitate to reach out. Best regards, Ludovic Tenorio-Hallé, Ph.D. Associate Research Scientist | Marine Conservation Research

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Hybrid course: GLMMs & GAMMs for marine mammal research (March 2026)
by Alain Zuur 29 Jan '26

29 Jan '26

Dear colleagues, We’re happy to announce an upcoming hybrid course that is directly relevant to*marine mammal research and conservation*: Introduction to GLMMs and GAMMs with R - With applications to spatial, temporal, and spatial-temporal marine data 2–6 March 2026, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia (or join online via Zoom) This is a hands-on, applied course aimed at researchers working with marine mammal data who want to use GLMMs and GAMMs in practice, rather than get lost in theory or heavy maths. The focus is on understanding what these models are doing, how to fit them in R, and how to interpret and visualise the results in an ecological and conservation context. Throughout the course, we use*examples and exercises drawn from marine mammal research and related marine ecology*, including data structures commonly encountered in marine mammal studies: repeated observations of individuals or groups, spatially structured survey data, time series, and overdispersed count data. We start with a short refresher on multiple linear regression and generalised linear models, then move on to generalised additive models (GAMs), which are widely used in marine mammal science to model non-linear relationships with space, time, and environmental covariates. We then introduce mixed-effects models for grouped and repeated-measures data — for example, multiple observations from the same individual, pod, site, or survey — before bringing everything together in generalised additive mixed models (GAMMs). In the final part of the course, we apply these models to*spatial, temporal, and spatial-temporal marine data*, using realistic examples with different response types, including continuous measures and count data, as commonly used in marine mammal abundance, distribution, and activity studies. Across five modules, we cover: * How GAMs work, including model selection and smoother interactions, with marine examples * Linear mixed-effects models and Gaussian additive mixed models for repeated and grouped marine data * Hierarchical GAMs (the GAM equivalent of random-slope models), useful for individual- or site-level variation * Poisson and negative binomial GLMMs and GAMMs for count data (e.g. sightings, detections, events) * Applications to spatial and spatial-temporal marine data * Guidance on analysing binary, proportional, and continuous data relevant to marine mammal studies (time allowing) All analyses are done in*R*, mainly using the*mgcv*and*glmmTMB*packages. Each module includes practical exercises with real data and fully annotated R scripts. Before the course starts, participants also receive access to preparatory materials (short videos and exercises) covering linear regression, Poisson GLMs, model validation using DHARMa, and variograms. PDF copies of all theory slides are provided. As part of the course, we include a*free 1-hour one-to-one video meeting*, where you can discuss your own marine mammal data or analysis questions with one or both instructors. *Venue:*James Cook University, Townsville Campus, Australia (hybrid format) *Dates & times:*2–6 March 2026, 09.00–16.00 (local time) *Price:*£500 *Instructors:*Dr. Alain Zuur and Dr. Elena Ieno Registration: highstat.com Please feel free to share this with colleagues working in marine mammal research and conservation who may find it useful. Kind regards, Alain Zuur Highland Statistics Ltd.

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