- MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication on Hawaiian spinner dolphins
by Kimberly Rose Andrews 07 Nov '06

07 Nov '06

Below is the reference information and abstract for a new publication on Hawaiian spinner dolphins. A PDF of the publication can be downloaded at the following website: http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/atoll.htm Kimberly R. Andrews, Leszek Karczmarski, Whitlow W.L. Au, Susan H. Rickards, Cynthia A. Vanderlip, and Robert J. Toonen, 2006. Patterns of genetic diversity of the Hawaiian spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris). Atoll Research Bulletin, No. 543: 65-73. We used population genetic analyses to investigate the genetic structure of the Hawaiian spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris). Genetic samples were collected from spinner dolphins at locations across the Hawaiian Archipelago: Kure Atoll (n=34), Midway Atoll (n=57), Pearl & Hermes Reef (n=21), French Frigate Shoals (n=15), Ni‘ihau (n=39), O‘ahu (n=47), Maui/Lana‘i (n=60), and the Big Island of Hawai‘i (n=77). A 429-base-pair region of the mitochondrial DNA control region was used to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure. Peaks in genetic diversity were found at the Big Island of Hawai‘i (π=0.0082) and French Frigate Shoals (π=0.0072), and genetic diversity was reduced at the three most northwestern Hawaiian atolls (Kure Atoll π=0.0025, Midway Atoll π=0.0019, and Pearl & Hermes Reef π=0.0017). Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) and exact tests of population subdivision indicated significant genetic structure for the spinner dolphin within Hawai‘i. With few exceptions, dolphins at every island were found to be significantly genetically differentiated from dolphins at every other island for one or more tests of population subdivision (FST or ΦST > 0.02, p < 0.05). Exceptions included dolphins at Kure Atoll, Midway Atoll, and Pearl & Hermes Reef, which together seemed to form one interbreeding group, distinct from the rest of the Archipelago. Dolphins at O‘ahu were also an exception in that they were not differentiated significantly from dolphins at Kure Atoll, Midway Atoll, or Pearl & Hermes Reef.

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PhD class: Form and Function in Aquatic Bioacoustics
by Magnus Wahlberg 06 Nov '06

06 Nov '06

Form and function in aquatic bioacoustics An international SNAK Ph. D. course 26 February - 2 March, 2007 Aarhus University, University of Southern Denmark, and Fjord & Bælt, Denmark 3 ECTS points Course description: This class focuses on underwater bio-acoustical techniques for laboratory-based studies of sound production and hearing in aquatic animals. Underwater bioacoustics is best learned by combining theory and practice. For a thorough understanding the students need to obtain hands-on experience with animals, equipment, and experimental methods. Lectures are likewise important to disseminate experimental methodology as well as analysis techniques, and to pinpoint situations where mistakes are commonly made. In this class the students are introduced to the large functional variety by which animals produce and hear sounds. Underlying concepts are treated in lectures by well-experienced experimental bio-acousticians with a broad research background. The lectures are combined with anatomical dissections of hearing and sound production organs. Likewise, psychophysical concepts such as the hearing threshold, signal to noise ratio, critical bands, are illustrated by psychological experiments, both on humans and animals. We hope the students in this manner will obtain a deeper understanding for both the fundamental mechanisms of function and form of the use of sound in aquatic animals, and also to get introduced to modern techniques used to bio-acoustic questions. Requirements: 12 PhD students or post graduate researchers with a background in bioacoustics and a basic understanding of the recording and physics of underwater sound. Application deadline 15th of December, 2006. Successful candidates will be notified by January 1st. Fee: 500 Euros, including room but not food. For more information and applications, please visit www.snak.biology.sdu.dk or contact Magnus Wahlberg, magnus(a)fjord-baelt.dk SCHEDULE MONDAY (AARHUS, DENMARK) 9.00-9.30 Introduction (MW) 9.30-10.15 Fundamentals of aquatic bioacoustics (MW) 10.45-11.30 The hair cell, and the evolution of hearing underwater (JM) 11.45-12.30 Fish and invertebrate hearing and sound production (MW) 14.00 - 18.00 A) Electron microscopy of hair cells (JM) B) Dissection of inner ear, lateral line & sound production organs of fishes (JM, MW & PTM) TUESDAY (AARHUS) 9.00-9.45 Marine mammal sound production (PTM) 10.00-10.45 Hearing in marine mammals (JT) 11.15-12.00 Physiological instrumentation in aquatic bioacoustics (JCD) 13.00-13.45 Propagation of underwater sound fields (MW) 14.00-18.00 Dissection of a harbour porpoise and a harbour seal (JT&PTM) 20.00-23.00 Bus transfer to Kerteminde WEDNESDAY (KERTEMINDE, DENMARK) 9.00-9.45 ABR instrumentation of fish, frogs, turtles and invertebrates (JCD) 10.00-10.45 ABR instrumentation for marine mammals (KB & AS) 11.00-11.45 Hydrodynamic field detection (MW) 12.00-12.45 Tucker Davis fundamentals with Matlab interface (JCD) 14.00-18.00 C) ABR and neural recording of a frog (JCD) D) ABR of a porpoise (KB & AS) THURSDAY (KERTEMINDE) 9.00-9.45 Signals and noise (KB) 10.00-10.45 Measuring signals and noise (PTM) 11.15-12.00 Psychophysics and signal detection theory (TD) 12.15-13.00 Continued signal detection theory (TD) 14.00-18.00 E) Psychophysics and signal detection theory practical (JCD and TD) F) Signal and Noise measurements and analysis (MW and PTM) FRIDAY (KERTEMINDE) 9.00-12.00 Hydrodynamic field detection practical (MW) Cadaver Acoustics (LM) Sound radiation from porpoise (PTM) 13.00-15.00 Class evaluation and farewell Teachers: AS Alexander Ya Supin (Russian Academy of Sciences) JCD Jakob C Dahlsgaard (SDU), JM Jørgen Mørup (AU) JT Jakob Tougaard (NERI) KB Kristian Beedholm (SDU) LM Lee Miller (SDU), MW Magnus Wahlberg (F&B) PTM Peter T Madsen (AU) TD Torsten Dau (DTU)

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Bottlenose dolphin research training courses - Winter season
by Bruno Diaz 05 Nov '06

05 Nov '06

Please see the announcement below. There are still places available. Please note: further information can be viewed and printed out from the following website: www.thebdri.com The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute - BDRI - www.thebdri.com offers comprehensive and intensive courses during the 2007 winter season for motivated individuals, who are seeking thorough training in approaches to the study of free ranging wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). These intensive educational courses provide experience in specialized research techniques, consisting of field sessions and lectures. The courses will last 6 or 13 days, and - weather permitting - we will be out on the water at least during 4 or 9 of these days respectively. Using study techniques that neither harm nor seriously disturb the animals, students conduct studies into the ecology and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins in Sardinian waters, as well as collecting detailed information about their environment. Students will actively participate in data collection and analyses as part of an ongoing research (see BDRI's publications: http://www.thebdri.com/resources/publications.htm) The successful completion of the course will earn a Certificate of Attendance. Download the 2007 research courses schedule and fees: http://www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/Courses2007.pdf For students accounts and evaluation of BDRI's courses visit: www.thebdri.com/education/evaluation.htm Bottlenose dolphin research courses: Field methods in the wild, more info: www.thebdri.com/education/general.htm Photoidentification and social structure of bottlenose dolphins, more info: www.thebdri.com/education/photo.htm Study of bottlenose dolphin behaviour, more info: www.thebdri.com/education/behaviour.htm Bioacoustics of bottlenose dolphins, more info: www.thebdri.com/education/bioacoustics.htm Bottlenose dolphin and human activities, more info: www.thebdri.com/education/interaction.htm For further information please visit: http://www.thebdri.com or contact: info(a)thebdri.com The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI Via Diaz 4, Golfo Aranci 07020 Italy www.thebdri.com tel: + 39 346 0815414 --------------------------------- Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited Try it today.

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New publications week 43
by Jan Herrmann 04 Nov '06

04 Nov '06

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 43 / 2006, which haven't been announced on MARMAM earlier AFAIK. By clicking the following link you are guided to a website, where the following references are linked to their according journal homepages. There you can find abstracts and contact information: http://www.mmbib.com/news.html Please do not contact MARMAM, the MARMAM editors or me for reprints. Thank you. Thanks to all of you who sent in reprints to be included in the weekly announcements. Kindest Regards, Jan Herrmann CETACEA Burton, R. (2006): CAPTAIN JAMES FAIRWEATHER: WHALER AND SHIPMASTER: HIS LIFE AND CAREER 1853-1933. Nancy Rycroft. 2005. Ripponden, West Yorkshire: Fairweather Books. 202 p, illustrated, soft cover. ISBN 0-9551739-0-6. £13.95. Polar Record 42(4): 380. Das, K. et al. (2006): Interfollicular Fibrosis in the Thyroid of the Harbour Porpoise: An Endocrine Disruption? Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 51(4): 720-729. Fossi, M.C. et al. (2006): Development of new-tools to investigate toxicological hazard due to endocrine disruptor organochlorines and emerging contaminants in Mediterranean cetaceans. Marine Environmental Research 62(1): S200-S204. Fritz, M. (2006): Whales & Dolphins of the World. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 118(1): 122-123. Johnson, J.I. et al. (2006): Sensory cerebral cortex in cetartiodactyls compared with that in primates and carnivores. The FASEB Journal 20(5): A880-b. Reidenberg, J.S. (2006): Motor Mouth Moby: is the hyoid a locomotor bone in whales, dolphins, and porpoises? The FASEB Journal 20(5): A845-d. Remage-Healey, L., D.P. Nowacek, and A.H. Bass (2006): Dolphin foraging sounds suppress calling and elevate stress hormone levels in a prey species, the Gulf toadfish. Journal of Experimental Biology 209(22): 4444-4451. PINNIPEDIA Arnason, U. et al. (2006): Pinniped phylogeny and a new hypothesis for their origin and dispersal. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 41(2): 345-354. Fulton, T.L. and C. Strobeck (2006): Molecular phylogeny of the Arctoidea (Carnivora): Effect of missing data on supertree and supermatrix analyses of multiple gene data sets. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 41(1): 165-181. Kuhn, C.E. and D.P. Costa (2006): Identifying and quantifying prey consumption using stomach temperature change in pinnipeds. Journal of Experimental Biology 209(): 4524-4532. Pearson, M. and R. Stehberg (2006): Nineteenth century sealing sites on Rugged Island, South Shetland Islands. Polar Record 42(4): 335-347. Riemer, S.D. and R. Mikus (2006): Aging fish otoliths recovered from Pacific Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) fecal samples. Fishery bulletin 104(4): 626-630. Sakai, H. et al. (2006): Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR) as a Potential Sensing Biomarker of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Aquatic Mammal: Molecular Characterization, Expression Level, and Ligand Profiling in Baikal Seal (Pusa sibirica). Toxicological Sciences 94(1): 57-70. OTHER MARINE MAMMALS Aragones, L.V. et al. (2006): Dugong grazing and turtle cropping: grazing optimization in tropical seagrass systems? Oecologia 149(4): 635-647. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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malnutrition in bottlenose dolphins
by Andrea Dell'Apa 03 Nov '06

03 Nov '06

Dear Marmarers, In one of our center displayed troughout Italy, we have found a community of about 90 bottlenosedolphins skinny, with inter-rib spaces hollowed in the visible part of the torax. This is quite weird, considering that not all the animals present this particular features, probably due to malnutrition. The only work done about this topic that i have found is: "Evidence for malnutrition in bottlenose dolphins photoidentifies in the eastern Ionian Sea" E. Politi, G. Bearzi, S. Airoldi (2000). If anyone could give me information about this topic please contact me. Cheers Andrea Dell'Apa CTS - Dipartimento ambiente Via Albalonga 3 - 00183 - Roma _________________________________________________________________ Idee per i tuoi viaggi... http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=viaggi&mkt=it-it&FORM=LVSP&go.x=18&go…

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Listing of Micronesian marine mammals
by Gary Wiles 02 Nov '06

02 Nov '06

Dear MARMAM readers, Im a bit slow to post this note, but I wanted to let MARMAM readers know that the following paper was published late last year. Wiles, G. J. 2005. A checklist of the birds and mammals of Micronesia. Micronesica 38:141-189. The mammal section of the checklist includes an annotated listing of 21 marine mammal species documented at one or more of the regions nine island groups, including Palau, Yap, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, the Marshalls, and Wake. The list updates several previous publications (Eldredge 1991, Reeves et al. 1999) reporting species occurrences in the region. A pdf copy is available upon request from me (wilesharkey(a)yahoo.com) Gary J. Wiles Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 600 Capitol Way North Olympia, Washington 98501-1091 USA ____________________________________________________________________________________ Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business (http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com)

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Last Posting: Marine Mammal Sessions_Defenders of Wildlife's 6th Biennial Carnivore Conference-Less Than 2 Weeks Away
by Jim Curland 01 Nov '06

01 Nov '06

Carnivores 2006 Logo - Copyright Steve Oliver Here are the various marine mammal sessions sprinkled throughout Defenders of Wildlife's 6th Biennial Carnivore Conference, Habitats, Challenges, and Possibilities, to be held November 12-November 15 at the Hilton Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida. The conference will feature three full days of sessions on terrestrial and marine carnivore issues, plus a poster session, field trip, silent auction, banquet and ambassador wolf sessions. For more information, please visit: http://www.carnivoreconference.org/. You can view a detailed schedule at this site for other session topics. Note that on the detailed schedule it may still reflect less than a handful of presentations that have since dropped , namely one from the marine mammal/human interactions session, by John Dobson (who is no longer speaking). There may possibly also be additions to the schedule that aren't on this version of the schedule. On this year's Conference Science Advisory Committee is a team of 15 scientists, including 5 marine scientists: * From Mote Marine Lab: Dr. John Reynolds, Dr. Randy Wells, Dr. Nélio B. Barros, Dr. Damon Gannon * From the Center for Ocean Health, U.C. Santa Cruz/Long Marine Lab: Dr. Jim Estes Monday, November 13 Climate Change and Carnivores I 10:00 am-1:30 pm 1. Conservation in the Face of Climate Change, Lara Hansen 2. Effects of Climate Change on Ice-Breeding Harp and Hooded Seals, David Lavigne 3. Impacts of Diminishing Snow Cover on Ringed Seals, Brendan Kelly 4. Long-Term Trends in Polar Bear Ecology in Relation To Climatic Change, Nick Lunn 5. Global Warming, the Arctic Region and Preserving Endangered/Threatened Species- Another Case of Pre-Hurricane Katrina Thinking? Michael Belanger Climate Change and Carnivores II 1:30 pm -3:30 pm 1. Climate-Ocean Effects on the Marine and Terrestrial Habitats of the Hawaiian Monk Seal, Jason Baker 2. The Implications of Global Warming on a Snow Dependent Species - A Case For the Wolverine, Jeffrey Copeland 3. Whitebark Pine, Grizzly Bears, and Climate Change, Katherine Kendall DISCUSSION Human Interactions With Marine Mammals 10:00 am-1:30 pm 1. Human Interactions With Marine Mammals in the Wild: An Overview of the Policies, Guidelines and Regulations Developed in the U.S. To Address Activities of Concern, Trevor Spradlin 2. Feeding and Harassment of Wild Bottlenose Dolphins in the Southeast Region: Overview of Activities of Concern and Mitigation Efforts, Stacey Carlson 3. Evidence of Recreational Fishing Interactions in Stranded Indian River Lagoon Bottlenose Dolphins: 1997-2005, Wendy Durden 4. Impacts of Human Activities on a Long-Term Resident Community of Bottlenose Dolphins on Florida's West Coast, Randall Wells 5. Recent Phocid and Canid Interactions in the Cape Cod Area of Massachusetts, Betty Lentell Human Interactions With Marine Mammals II 1:30 pm-3:30 pm 1. The Impacts on Human/Bear Conflicts: Why We Need To Learn To Coexist, Minette Johnson DISCUSSION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tuesday, November 14 Bottlenose Dolphin Foraging Ecology I 8-10:30 am 1. Assessing the Effects of Fishing on Bottlenose Dolphins With Qualitative Models, Donald Baltz 2. Bottlenose Dolphin Vocalizations Suppress Calling Rates and Elevate Stress Hormones in a Prey Species, the Gulf Toadfish, Opsanus beta, Douglas Nowacek 3. How To Catch a Fish? Foraging Tactic Fidelity of Bottlenose Dolphins in Florida Bay, Florida, Leigh Torres 4. Role of Ecological Disturbance in the Foraging Ecology of Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins, Damon Gannon 5. Stomach Content Analysis of Bottlenose Dolphins Stranded in South Carolina, Michelle Pate 6. Variation in Feeding Habits Among Bottlenose Dolphins From Two Southeastern U.S. Estuaries As Determined By Stable Isotope Analysis, Melissa Recks Bottlenose Dolphin Foraging Ecology II 10:30-1:30 pm 1. Bottlenose Dolphin Population Differentiation and Trophic Studies Using Carbon, Nitrogen, Sulfur Stable Isotopes and Stomach Content Analyses, Nélio Barros 2. Molecular Scatology As a Tool For Investigating Cetacean Diet: Development, Assessment and Application of DNA-Based Diet Investigation Methods For Bottlenose Dolphins, Glenn Dunshea DISCUSSION Sea Otters 3:30 pm-5:30 pm 1. Patterns of Body Size, Growth and Condition Among Sea Otter Populations: What Can It Tell Us About Population Status? Daniel Monson 2. Persistence of Spilled Oil in Nearshore Sediments and Pathways of Exposure To Foraging Sea Otters, James Bodkin 3. Recovery, Foraging Patterns, and Prey Selection of Washington's Sea Otter Population, Harriet Allen 4. Nutrient Composition of the Diet Consumed By Threatened Southern Sea Otters, Alice Green 5. No Place Like Home: a Comparison of Habitat Use Strategies Between Southern Sea Otter Populations of Varying Density, Gena Bentall 6. Movement Patterns of Female Southern Sea Otters Vary With Reproductive Status, Christine Alfano 7. Sea Otters Translocated To San Nicolas Island: Individual Fates, Population Growth, and Projected Persistence of a Small Population, Lilian Carswell Posters Health Assesment of California Sea Lions Utilizing Fluctuating Asymmetry, Amber Bifolck Evidence of Human Interaction in Pinnipeds Stranded in New York State, Rebecca Scott - Jim Curland, Marine Program Associate Defenders of Wildlife P.O. Box 959 Moss Landing, CA. 95039 831-726-9010 (phone) 831-726-9020 (fax) ? Defenders of Wildlife, founded in 1947, is dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. We focus our programs on what scientists consider two of the most serious environmental threats to the planet: the accelerating rate of extinction of species and the associated loss of biological diversity, and habitat alteration and destruction. Long known for our leadership on endangered species issues, Defenders of Wildlife also advocates new approaches to wildlife conservation that will help keep species from becoming endangered. Our programs encourage protection of entire ecosystems and interconnected habitats while protecting predators that serve as indicator species for ecosystem health. Defenders of Wildlife is pleased to announce Carnivores 2006: Habitats, Challenges and Opportunities A Conference on Carnivore Biology & Conservation Find out more at: November 12-15, 2006 ~ St. Petersburg, Florida http://www.carnivoreconference.org/ http://www.defenders.org http://www.kidsplanet.org http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/seaotters.html (Defenders' Main Sea Otter Page) http://www.kidsplanet.org/espanol/espint.html (Defenders' Sea Otter Teaching Unit) http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/marine.html (Defenders' Marine Program Page) http://www.defenders.org/california/marine.html (Defenders' California Marine Program)

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mass stranding of bottlenose dolphins in Mozambique (fwd)
by MARMAM Editors 31 Oct '06

31 Oct '06

MARMAM readers, While we do not normally forward messages regarding single strandings, or even mass strandings of species which regularly mass strand, mass strandings of bottlenose dolphins are rare enough that forwarding on this message to the list seems warranted. MARMAM Editors ------------------------------------------------ Dear All, The attached horrific pictures were taken at Bazaruto Island this past Saturday at approximately 16.00pm by myself and Derryk from Gone Fishin Pestana Bazaruto In total we witnessed 37 dead bottlenose dolphins on the beach and another barely alive one, of which we managed to get back into the water and after 30 minutes helping to resucitate it managed to swim past the shore breakers. This dolphin also turned back to the shore 4 times before heading out, to its inevitable death one would assume. We received further information from a couple of locals that in the morning at approximately 9am there were 41 dolphins on the beach of which a couple (approximately 6?) having been rescued and returned to the ocean at that time. We assume therefore that the pod consisted of between 44 - 47 dolphins. On inspection of the dolphins, to our untrained eyes, there were no discernable marks or otherwise indicating what may have caused this mass beaching. All dolphins witnessed appeared to be adults, there were no juveniles amongst them. They were spread over an area of approximately 200 meters of beach, no other marine life of any description was noted within virtually the whole ocean facing coastal expanse. Malcolm Warrick, a dolphin specialist and a team of National Geographic filmakers were consulted and they arrived on Bazaruto on Sunday midday to further investigate this very disturbing phenomenon. Further information has recently been received that a seismic buoy has been sighted around the Arcihpelago. Further photos are available on request. Nick ------------------------------------ Nick Raba Director nick.raba(a)kangela-mz.com Av. Das Industrias 605 Machava Mocambique tel: +258 21 748 088 tel2:+258 21 748089/90 fax: +258 21 750 630 mobile: +258 82 307 1940 www.kangelaenergy.co.za www.kangela.co.za

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Need Sei and Bowhead Whale Footage (D. Rees)
by Shoemaker, Mandy L CIV NAVFAC LANT, EV22MS 31 Oct '06

31 Oct '06

The Navy is currently updating its Marine Species Awareness Training video for our bridge watch and aircrew lookouts. We are in need of some Sei and Bowhead whale high-quality video footage and/or photos. If you have any footage or photos that you would be willing to send to us for this effort, we would really appreciate it. In order to meet our final production deadline, it would be most helpful if we received everything by mid-November. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. Please respond to: Deanna Rees NAVFAC ATLANTIC Natural Resources (EV22DR) 6506 Hampton Blvd. Norfolk, VA 23507 (757) 322-4940 Deanna.rees(a)navy.mil

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PBS Special - Hawaiian Monk Seals: Surviving Paradise
by kabernat＠NGS.ORG 31 Oct '06

31 Oct '06

A one-hour film on Hawaiian monk seals will be premiering on PBS starting Wednesday, November 1, 2006 in most areas. Please check your local PBS listings for airdates. This natural history film documents efforts to understand monk seal foraging ecology in hope of finding remedies for the decline of the Hawaiian monk seal in recent decades. It shows how the use of innovative technology such as Crittercam, 'electric rocks' and research submarines have allowed scientists to discover critical aspects of foraging and habitat use that have in turn informed the process of establishing protections for the Hawaiian monk seal and their unique habitat, the Nothwestern Hawaiian Islands. To find out more about this National Geographic special please visit: http://press.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom/index.jsp?pageID=pressRelease… Kyler Abernathy For the Remote Imaging team, Mission Programs - National Geographic Society 202-857-5802, kabernat(a)ngs.org

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