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Field course announcement for the Greek Sea area
by Frank Veit 02 Feb '07

02 Feb '07

The Greek research organisation Archipelagos is offering several one-week field courses addressing the local cetacean fauna. Location is the island of Patmos, Northern Dodecanese. Whales & Dolphins of the Greek Seas - A Marine Field Course These courses focus on the biology and conservation of marine mammals in the Aegean Sea, and the methods to study them in the field. Weather permitting, daily boat surveys will be carried out. Dates in 2007: 3.4.-9.4. 29.4.-5.5. 27.5.-2.6. 22.7.-28.7. 9.9.-15.9. 14.10.-20.10. (The fee including accommodation, meals and all activities is Euro 580.) Please find extended information at: http://www.archipelago.gr/en/viewpage.asp?page=fieldcourses/Marinemammals.h… The course content is highly applied, as is the daily work of the Archipelagos Institute, which aims at developing sustainable management concepts for the natural wealth of the Aegean Sea in co-operation with the local communities. The topics of the course: 1. Visual survey methods to assess the abundance of cetacean populations. 2. Biology and conservation of marine mammals of the Eastern Aegean Sea. 3. Passive acoustics: a modern tool to study cetacean behaviour, habitat characteristics and estimating cetacean abundance. 4. Cetacean Bioacoustics. 5. Application of GIS (Geographic Information System) analysis in marine biodiversity studies. 6. First aid to marine mammals The course is coordinated and conducted by Dr. Frank Veit. For more information, visit the course home page (link above) or contact Frank Veit directly at: frank(a)archipelago.gr The non-profit environmental organisation Archipelagos conducts for over six years the first comprehensive study on the biodiversity of the marine and terrestrial island ecosystems in Greek waters, focussing on the application of established as well as innovative research techniques in assessing and modelling environmental data. A further emphasis of the organisation's activities is the information exchange with local communities, including educational programs, and a close collaboration with national and international institutions. Archipelagos is offering further educational field courses. An overview is given at: http://www.archipelago.gr/en/viewpage.asp?page=fieldcourses/StudentGroups.h… Frank Veit, Ph D Marine Mammal Research Coordinator www.archipelago.gr Archipelagos Institute Poste Restante 85500 Patmos Greece Tel./Fax: +30 22750 41673 mob. : +30 6946447506 email: frank(a)archipelago.gr

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XXI IBAC - International Bioacoustic Congress - First announcement
by Gianni Pavan 02 Feb '07

02 Feb '07

First Announcement ______________________________________________________________ XXI IBAC - International Bioacoustic Congress CIBRA, University of Pavia, 15-18 September 2007 ______________________________________________________________ The XXI International BioAcoustic Congress will be held in the historical buildings of the University of Pavia, Italy, where Spallanzani in the 18th century studied the ability of bats to fly in the dark. The Congress is organized, for the third time, by CIBRA, the Interdisciplinary Center for Bioacoustics and Environmental Research, University of Pavia. The subject of bioacoustics is principally a marriage between the fields of biology and physical acoustics. Given its multidisciplinary nature, the Congress aims to bring together, in informal settings, biologists from different specialisms (ethologists, physiologists, taxonomists, ecologists, etc) with engineers, sound archivists and amateur sound recordists, to foster discussion and exchange of ideas. During the Congress the 2nd European workshop on animal sound research and libraries will be held. The workshop will be organized by CIBRA for the European Network of Bioacoustic Collections for Taxonomy, Systematics and Conservation. The network was created based on the agreement of experts who attended the 1st workshop at the Fonoteca Zoologica (Madrid), 27-30 September 2006, to foster cooperation among institutions, researchers and interested amateurs to safeguard animal sound recordings and to optimise their use as a resource for research and nature conservation. The Congress is based on thematic symposia that will cover both the traditional research areas and new emerging themes. To date, five symposia are planned: "Advanced tools for sound recording and analysis" (G.Pavan et al.) "In-air communication in mammals" (I.Charrier and D.Reby) "Monitoring the Environment: Bioacoustics as a tool for inventory and monitoring of biodiversity" (K.Frommolt, et al.) "The impacts of anthropogenic noise" (Y.Yan, et al.) "Animal communication networks: from behaviour to brain" (T.Aubin & N.Mathevon) Organizing Committee Gianni Pavan, Claudio Fossati, Michele Manghi, Marco Priano Scientific Committee Richard Ranft, Nicolas Mathevon, Isabelle Charrier, Thierry Aubin, Hong Young Yan, Matija Gogala, David Helweg, Dietmar Todt, Rafael Marquez, Karl-Heinz Frommolt, Gianni Pavan, Guido Pinoli, Michela Podestà Proceedings Selected paper will be published in a special Congress issue of the Bioacoustics journal. Deadlines Abstract Submission should be made no later than May, 20th. Details will be published soon. Presenting Authors should indicate their preferred presentation type, talk or poster; the final decision will be taken by the Scientific Committee; Authors will be informed within 20 days after the deadline. Registration The registration should be made by email no later than June 30th. Email address for registration: ibac(a)cibra.unipv.it The fees for participants who register by email are: 80 full registration, 60 students, 20 for the social dinner Early registration is strongly encouraged: on-site or late registration will be 100! Payment modalities Bank transfer PayPal On location (more expensive!) Technical/commercial exhibit Companies and Institutions willing to show and demonstrate their products and services related with bioacoustics are welcome. Information about fees and available facilities will be published as soon as possible. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Information on the congress will be published on the CIBRA web page at http://www.unipv.it/cibra and on the official IBAC web page at http://www.ibac.info __________________________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gianni Pavan Centro Interdisciplinare di Bioacustica e Ricerche Ambientali Universita' degli Studi di Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, 27100 PAVIA, ITALIA Phone +39-0382-987874 Fax +39-02-700-32921 Email gpavan(a)cibra.unipv.it, gianni.pavan(a)unipv.it Web http://www.unipv.it/cibra -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CIBRA organizes the XXI IBAC Congress, Pavia, 15-18 September 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.19/663 - Release Date: 01/02/2007 14.28

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FW: Marine Scientist Vacancy Announcement
by Frederickson Joshua M CONT NPRI 02 Feb '07

02 Feb '07

Apologies for cross-posting -----Original Message----- From: Patricio, Kelly [mailto:KPatricio@mrcds.com] To: Frederickson, Joshua Subject: Position Announcement Marine Scientist, Newport, Rhode Island Position Description: Successful candidate would join an interdisciplinary team of marine biologists and environmental planners to research, acquire, and develop technical content in support of Navy at-sea environmental planning projects. Candidates would perform independent research across multiple marine disciplines in support of NEPA, MMPA, ESA, or other policy-driven projects. Candidate would be required to communicate with staff scientists and engineers, government personnel, and academic researchers and independently prepare and provide timelines, briefs, and presentations to sponsors. Candidate would also travel to and participation in scientific and industry-specific conferences. Must be a U.S. citizen and eligible for a Department of Defense Security Clearance. Required Skills: Initiative; willingness to meet deadlines and adhere to schedules; experience multi-tasking and managing multiple, simultaneous, and diverse projects; ability to take ownership and accountability for a project and follow through to ensure completion of tasks. Successful candidate would be motivated and eager to address complex environmental issues involving biological, physical, and acoustic oceanography. Efficient computer skills for writing and reviewing documents are also necessary. Effective communication and interpersonal skills are absolutely necessary. Preferred Skills: Experience with ESRI ArcGIS, EndNote and familiarity with environmental regulations is highly preferred. Education: BS/BA (M.S. or advanced degree preferred) marine science, oceanography, environmental science, or related field. Contact: Send resumes, 1 page writing sample, and contact information for at least 3 professional/academic references to: Linda Perry McLaughlin Research Corporation 132 Johnnycake Hill Middletown, RI 02842 Email (preferred): lperry(a)mrcds.com MRC offers a competitive wage and benefit package. Please visit the Human Resources section of our web site (<http://mrcds.com>) for information on benefits.

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New MRes course in Marine Mammal Science
by smruma＠st-andrews.ac.uk 02 Feb '07

02 Feb '07

One-year Master of Research in Marine Mammal Science We are currently accepting applications for the 2007/08 entry into a new Master of Research (MRes) course in Marine Mammal Science based at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. This is a unique one-year course intended to prepare students fully for a professional career in marine mammal conservation and research. It is, first and foremost, a course in quantitative marine ecology. The programme is tailored to address the scientific challenges of marine mammal physiology and behaviour with strong components of methodology, laboratory work, and field study. The course will be taught by members of the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU), with some modules jointly organised with the School of Biology and CREEM (Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling). For further information on the course, entry requirements and how to apply see http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/courses/mres_mms/. Best wishes, Jason & Sonja Dr Jason Matthiopoulos (Course Coordinator) & Dr Sonja Heinrich (Teaching Fellow) Email for enquiries: smrumasters(a)st-andrews.ac.uk Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St.Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, Scotland, UK http://smub.st-and.ac.uk/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ University of St Andrews Webmail: https://webmail.st-andrews.ac.uk

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Seal finger
by Kelly, Jane M. (CDC/CCHP/NCCDPHP) 02 Feb '07

02 Feb '07

In response to the current listserv comments on antbiotic choices for seal finger, I want to confirm the information submitted by Mary Cody that the infecting organism in seal finger is NOT generally responsive to penicillin or penicillin-derivatives as suggested by Pieter Van Der Wal, and I highly recommend consultation with a physician with expertise with this specific infection. Secondary infection with other organisms such as Staphylococci may be responsive to penicillin derivatives, but this treatment is not adequate for the causative agent (mycoplasma) for seal finger. The current antibiotic of choice is still doxycycline 100mg bid X 4 to 6 weeks or tetracycline 500mg QID X4 to 6 weeks. Jane Kelly, MD Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta GA

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new paper on highly divergent bottlenose dolphins
by Kate Charlton 01 Feb '07

01 Feb '07

Dear Marmam readers, The following paper will be published in the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management. A note on divergent mtDNA lineages of bottlenose dolphins from coastal waters of southern Australia. Kate Charlton, Andrea C. Taylor and Stephen W. McKechnie J. CETACEAN RES. MANAGE. 8(2):173–179, 2006 173 Contact e-mail: kate.charlton(a)sci.monash.edu.au ABSTRACT Bottlenose dolphins have a global distribution throughout tropical and temperate waters, both inshore and offshore. Many studies demonstrate the existence of at least two Tursiops species: Tursiops truncatus, consisting of inshore and offshore eco-types and T. aduncus, a coastal Indo-Pacific type known to extend south into temperate waters down the east coast of Australia. To clarify the taxonomic status of two populations (Port Phillip Bay and Gippsland Lakes) of coastal bottlenose dolphins along Australia’s south coast (Victoria), a 346bp region of the mitochondrial-DNA (mtDNA) control region was sequenced from ten individuals and they were incorporated into phylogenetic analyses involving published sequences of other Tursiops spp., Stenella spp. and Delphinus spp., found worldwide. Both neighbour-joining and maximum parsimony trees place Victorian coastal haplotypes in a highly-supported group separate to those from the other dolphins, including those from the southern part of the Australian eastern coast. Victorian haplotypes are least divergent from T. truncatus (average 5.5%) and most divergent from T. aduncus (9.1%), with intermediate levels of divergence from Stenella and Delphinus spp. These data suggest that the Victorian coastal dolphins, similar to other world-wide coastal populations, are genetically unique, long isolated and therefore likely to be locally adapted. This has important implications for management and conservation. If you would like a pdf file of this paper, please send a request to: kate.charlton(a)sci.monash.edu.au Best Regards, Kate Charlton

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New article on Z. cavirostris in the Adriatic sea
by Drasko Holcer 01 Feb '07

01 Feb '07

Dear colleagues, the following article will be published in the new issue of JMBA Occurrence of Cuvier’s beaked whales in the southern Adriatic Sea: evidence of an important Mediterranean habitat D Holcer, G Notarbartolo di Sciara, CM Fortuna, B Lazar and V Onofri J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. (2007), 87, 359–362 Abstract The intent of this work is to summarize the available knowledge on the appearance, identification and distribution of Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) in the Adriatic Sea through a review of historical data, inspection of natural history collections and collection of original data. In total, eleven occurrences are documented of Cuvier’s beaked whale along the Adriatic coast with all records originating from the deep southern Adriatic basin. The number of recorded stranded Cuvier’s beaked whales in the southern Adriatic represents about 3% of the recorded specimens in the entire Mediterranean. This percentage increases up to about 5% when considering only data collected after the first recorded stranding of the recent era in 1975. Comparing these percentages to the extent of the area relative to the Mediterranean, the proportion of occurrence of the total stranded Cuvier’s beaked whales in the southern Adriatic ranged between the same to double of that of the entire Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, the southern Adriatic Sea should be considered as a potentially relevant habitat of the Cuvier’s beaked whale. This hypothesis has clear conservation implications particularly in view of the adverse impact of sonar experiments, carried out by navies from several countries, on this species and should be further investigated. Finally, there is no evidence of the northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus) ever having occurred in this part of the Mediterranean region. The reprints can be obtained from the authors My best regards, Drasko Holcer -- Draško Holcer, curator Croatian Natural History Museum, Dept. of Zooloogy Demetrova 1, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia tel +385 1 4851700 fax +385 1 4851644 Internet: www.hpm.hr e-mail Drasko.Holcer(a)hpm.hr SMS: drasko(a)vip.hr

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Job opportunity
by Tomo Eguchi 31 Jan '07

31 Jan '07

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Reviewers sought — polar bear document
by Gene Buck 31 Jan '07

31 Jan '07

Colleagues: I'm seeking volunteers for an expert panel to review and provide comments on a 5-page short report for Congress that I have completed, discussing the recent proposal to list polar bears as threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Abstract: "Polar bears depend on an Arctic sea ice habitat, which some believe is threatened by climate warming causing an earlier thaw and later freeze of coastal sea ice. The Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing polar bears as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, acknowledging the increasing threats to their existence. Although this listing decision must be solely based on the best available scientific and commercial information, some are concerned that an ESA listing might have extensive economic impacts, since federal agencies are required under the ESA to ensure that anything they authorize or fund that might affect polar bears would not jeopardize the survival of these bears or their sea ice habitat." I'm seeking reviewers who are able to review this short report and return comments to me no later than March 1, 2007. I'm looking for individuals who can help me better define the various positions on issues presented, clarify factual background on these issues, and identify additional issues of concern. If interested in being considered for this review panel, please e-mail me a few sentences stating briefly your qualifications for serving on this expert panel. I anticipate selecting about 8-10 individuals to serve on this panel who are relatively current on marine mammal/ polar bear issues and represent a spectrum of constituencies and interests. I will provide the text for review via snail mail, and would like to receive your comments either via fax or e-mail. I can also provide a copy for review via fax to those where snail mail may result in significant delay. Thanks to all who have participated on my expert panels in the past; your continued and excellent critiques of my products have been extremely beneficial to Congress! Gene Buck, Specialist in Natural Resources Policy Congressional Research Service gbuck(a)crs.loc.gov

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New Right Whale Article
by caretta05＠aol.com 31 Jan '07

31 Jan '07

To those interested, Below is a link to a new article on the recent right whale deaths in Georgia featured in the local Savannah paper Connect Savannah: www.connectsavannah.com/show_article.php?article_id=1827 Mike Frick ________________________________________________________________________ Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

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