Dear Marmam and ECS-Mailbase subscribers, Apologies to those of you on both lists for cross-posts that you will receive. The following is posted as a courtesy to the European Association for Aquatic Mammals (EAAM) and the journal editor, Dr. Jeanette Thomas. These are the contents and abstracts for the latest issue of _Aquatic Mammals_, the publication of the EAAM. Information on the society, membership, journal subscriptions, and author guidelines may be found at the EAAM website: http://www.eaam.org/. Detailed author guidelines may also be found in this latest issue of _Aquatic Mammals_ or obtained by contacting: Dr. Jeanette Thomas Department of Biological Sciences Western Illinois University-Quad Cities 3561 60th Street, Moline, Illinois 61265, USA J-Thomas@wiu.edu; tel: 309-762-9481, ext 311; FAX: 309-762-6989 I have provided the address of the author to whom reprint inquiries should be directed. No email addresses were provided with any of these articles, so please do not ask the Marmam editors or me, for this information. Thank you for your continued interest in the journal, the EAAM, and these postings. Regards, Dagmar Fertl Marine Mammal Biologist Geo-Marine, Inc. 550 East 15th Street Plano, Texas 75074 USA 972-543-4137 FAX 972-543-4130 dfertl@geo-marine.com http://www.geo-marine.com ************************************************************** Mass, A.M., and A. Ya Supin. 2005. Ganglion cell topography and retinal resolution of the Steller sea lion (_Eumetopias jubatus_). _Aquatic Mammals_ 31(4),393-402. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky Prospect, 119701 Moscow, Russia The total number, soma size, topographic distribution, and density of ganglion cells were studied in retinal wholemounts of the Steller sea lion (_Eumetopias jubatus_). Ganglion cell soma size varied from 6 to 37 μm, and the majority of cells were of a size from 10 to 25 μm. A distinct group were large ganglion cells of more than 25 to 37 μm, which were similar to the α-cells known in terrestrial mammals. The number of α-like cells constituted 8% of the total ganglion cell population. The topographic distribution of ganglion cells showed a definite area of high cell density similar to the area centralis of terrestrial carnivores. This area was located in the temporal retinal quadrant, 8 to 9 mm from the optic disk. In this area, the peak cell densities in six wholemounts ranged from 1,512 to 2,520 (mean 1,904) cells/mm^2. With a posterior nodal distance of 19 mm (underwater), these densities corresponded to 166 to 277 (mean 209) cells/deg^2. This predicts a mean retinal resolution of 4.15' of minimum visibility (7.2 cycle/deg) in water and 5.5' (5.5 cycle/deg) in air. Topographic distribution of α-like cells was qualitatively similar to that of the total ganglion cell population, but the density of α-like cells reached only 45 to 72 (mean 59) cells/mm^2. **************************************************************************** K. Danil*, D. Maldini, and K. Marten. 2005. Patterns of use of Maku'a Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i, by spinner dolphins (_Stenella longirostris_) and potential effects of swimmers on their behavior. _Aquatic Mammals_ 31(4),403-412. *current address: NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA Spinner dolphins (_Stenella longirostris_) use Maku'a Beach, a small bight along the Wa'i'ana'e coast of O'ahu, as a rest site. Behavior and use patterns of Maku'a Beach by spinner dolphins and swimmers were studied in July and August of 1995 to provide baseline data on the dolphin population and to assess potential impacts of swimmers on the dolphins' resting behavior. Dolphins were observed on 52 out of 53 days, and they entered the area between 0545 and 0845 h. Their departure time varied widely. Average school size was 67 ± 0.6 SE and decreased with time of day. The most common aerial behaviors were slaps, leaps, and spins, respectively, with a peak in aerial behavior in late afternoon associated with schools moving offshore. The number of swimmers in the study area was highest on weekend mornings (x = 12 ± 0.6 SE), with a maximum of 63 people in the water at the same time. Rest appeared delayed and compressed in this population of dolphins as compared to other studies and may be a response to the presence of swimmers in the morning. The results suggest a potential adverse impact of swimmers on the dolphins' resting patterns, with earlier departure times and shorter periods of dive behavior indicative of rest. *********************************************************** Durden, W.N. 2005. The harmful effects of inadvertently conditioning a wild bottlenose dolphin (_Tursiops truncatus_) to interact with fishing vessels in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, USA. _Aquatic Mammals_ 31(4),413-419. Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, 6295 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32821-8043, USA Numerous accounts of social bottlenose dolphins (_Tursiops truncatus_) seeking human interactions have been documented. While there are several cases of dolphins seeking human interactions with no apparent benefit, dolphins may also be enticed to interact with humans through gradual habituation, usually involving a food source. Marine mammals frequently feed in association with commercial fisheries. Dolphins residing in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida, USA, may become conditioned to approaching commercial blue crab boats since the fishery regularly discards old bait fish at each trap. This routine may inadvertently acclimatize wild bottlenose dolphins to approach fishing vessels to feed on this supplemental food source. From 1998 to 2001, an adult bottlenose dolphin residing in the IRL estuary system regularly associated with commercial blue crab fishing boats. Focal observations revealed that the animal has become conditioned to approaching commercial crab boats (n = 110 min, n = 6 observations), spending all of its observed time feeding on discarded bait fish, following crab boats, or begging. The dolphin is readily resighted and well-known by fishers due to its tendency to closely approach and beg at fishing boats. The habituated dolphin is site-specific, with all observations and sightings (including fisher reports) occurring within a small 12.88 km area. This unintentional food provision and habituation of wild IRL dolphins to local fisheries may negatively impact the population. On 26 May 2001, this habituated dolphin approached a commercial vessel with a recreational fishing lure lodged in its mouth. Numerous reports from recreational fishers indicate that IRL dolphins also forage in association with recreational fisheries. Feeding and close interactions between wild dolphins and humans can lead to both animal and human injuries and fatalities. This paper documents the habituation of an IRL bottlenose dolphin to fishing vessels and reports the potentially harmful consequences of these interactions. ******************************************************************** Lima, R.P.*, C.M.C. Alvite, J.E. Vergara-Parente, D.F. Castro, E. Paszkiewicz, and M. Gonzalez. 2005. Reproductive behavior in a captive-released manatee (_Trichechus manatus manatus_) along the northeastern coast of Brazil and the life history of her first calf born in the wild. _Aquatic Mammals_ 31(4),420-426. *Centro Mamiferos Aquaticos/IBAMA, Estrada de Forte Orange, s/n, Caixa Postal o1, Ilha de Itamaraca/PE, Brazil CEP: 53,990-000 The West Indian manatee (_Trichechus manatus_) is an exclusively herbivorous aquatic mammal. Recently, the stranding of live-orphaned calves has been the main threat to the species in northeastern Brazil. Since 1989, the Brazilian Manatee Project (PPB) has recovered 52 calf carcasses, of which 44 were alive. In 1994, "Lua" and "Astro" were the first manatees released from captivity in Brazil, and they have been tracked using radio telemetry methods. During daily tracking bouts, Lua's behavior and movement patterns were recorded, including reproductive behavior. On 17 December 2003, while she was in the Maracaípe Estuary, Lua gave birth to her first calf. Beginning on 18 December 2003, the mother/calf pair began repeated, tidally determined moves from the estuary used during high tides to the sandstone reefs used during low tides. Four days after the birth, an increase in motorized boat traffic in Maracaípe Estuary was observed. On 22 December, Lua and her calf moved to Serrambi Beach and remained outside the estuary in the reef area. On 25 December, the ninth day after the birth, Lua was sighted alone. On 26 December, the calf was found dead at Serrambi Beach. The place of birth supports the hypothesis that estuaries are birthing areas for manatees. The fact that Lua established her main fidelity site and gave birth in an area where manatees had previously been extirpated indicates a potential for reestablishing the species in its historical range via the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintroduction program developed by PPB. The calf's death confirms the fragility of the species' conservation. The last 44 live-orphaned calves seem to have been caused by habitat destruction and/or human disturbances within their habitat. The lack of effective coastal management programs, despite being mandated within the federal Environmental Protection Areas established in the region, are factors that severely impair conservation of the Antillean manatee in Brazil. ************************************************************** Wilke, M.*, M. Bossley, and W. Doak. 2005. Managing human interactions with solitary dolphins. _Aquatic Mammals_ 31(4),427-433. *Centre d'Etudes Hydrobiologiques, 108 Avenue du Puig del Mas, 66650 Banyuls-sur-Mer, France Some solitary dolphins reorient part or all of their social behavior towards humans. Such dolphins often attract large numbers of people who wish to observe them at close quarters or even interact with them. These encounters may be rewarding for both the dolphin and the people concerned, but negative outcomes, particularly for the dolphin, are common. This paper describes the pattern of development of human-friendly dolphin situations and proposes a "dolphin etiquette" and protocols for management options. The most critical of these is the development of a situation-specific management plan with official support for its implementation. The success of a management plan will depend on an effective education program and the support of local stakeholders. ************************************************************** Batista, R.L.G., B.L. Bastos, R. Maia-Nogueira, M. dos Reis, and M. do Socorro Santos. 2005. Rescue and release of two estuarine dolphins (_Sotalia fluviatilis_; Gervais, 1853) found confined in a natural pool of the Cachoeira River, Ilhéus, southern Bahia, Brazil. _Aquatic Mammals_ 31(4),434-437. Aquatic Mammals Rescue Center-AMRC/Aquatic Mammals Research and Conservation Society, Largo da Vitoria, 02/102. Edf. San Remo, CEP: 40130-110. Salvador, Bahia, Brazil The estuarine dolphin, _Sotalia fluviatilis_, is one of the least known delphinids distributed on the Brazilian coast, and it is considered to be "insufficiently known" by the World Conservation Union (IUCN, 2000) and the Action Plan for Aquatic Mammals of Brazil (IBAMA, 2001). On 1 March 2003, two estuarine dolphins were found confined in a natural pool of the Cachoeira River, Ilhéus, southern Bahia, Brazil. They remained trapped in the pool for nine days, so a rescue was launched on 10 March 2003 to return them to deep water in the Pontal Bay, Ilhéus. Their capture was performed with a 0.9-mm nylon net, which was 120 m in length, 6 m in depth, and 80 mm in stretched mesh, through an encirclement technique. As soon as the dolphins were removed from the net, a physical assessment was performed. Both individuals were subadult males, with good body conditions, and normal cardiac and respiratory rates. During the handling process, the animals were treated preventively with 4 mg of Dexamethasone by intramuscular injection. The dolphins were released successfully next to Pontal Bay and were monitored for one hour. They found food resources soon after release, and a restranding did not occur. Although there is no evidence that they ultimately survived, since the possibility of death at sea without carcass recovery cannot be ruled out, their chances of survival increased, at least in the short term. ************************************************************** Guerrero-Ruiz, M.*, I. García-Godos, and J. Urbán R. 2005. Photographic match of a killer whale (_Orcinus orca_) between Peruvian and Mexican waters. _Aquatic Mammals_ 31(4),438-441. *Programma de Investigacion de Mamiferos Marinos, Departamento de Biologia Marina, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Sur. A.P. 19-B, La Paz, B.C.S. Mexico, C.P. 23081 Killer whales are widely distributed along the Pacific coast of Mexico, but they are only occasionally seen in some areas of the southeast Pacific. Although they are found on both coasts of the Baja California Peninsula, killer whale distribution and movements have mostly been studied in the Gulf of California. Records of this species are sporadic off Peru, and sightings have been mainly anecdotal. On 27 March 2001, a pod of six killer whales was observed during a pelagic survey at 12° 52′ S, 77° 53′ W, ca. 148 km off Pucusana, Peru. Within the killer whale pod, a readily identifiable adult male was present. Photographs of this male were checked for matches with the Mexican killer whale catalog. During this process, a match was found with an animal previously photographed two times in the Mexican Pacific, on 4 April 1988 in Magdalena Bay at 24° 18′ N, 112° 01′ W, and on 5 July 1994 in La Paz Bay at 24°36′ N, 110°26′ W. The minimum distance between the Mexican and Peruvian match reached a total of 5,535 km. The inter-hemispheric match reported in this paper extends the already known maximum distance that killer whales are able to travel, and also raises further questions in relation to the population structure of the species due to its high capacity of movement throughout the oceans and, in consequence, the potential interaction between geographically distant populations. ********************************************************** Oviedo, L.*, N. Silva, L. Bermudez, and D.K. Odell. 2005. Distribution of bottlenose dolphins (_Tursiops truncatus_) on the east coast of Isla Margarita and the Los Frailes Archipelago, Venezuela. _Aquatic Mammals_ 31(4),442-446. *Biotropica, Center for Research and Conservation of Tropical Biodiversity, Caracas 1090, Venezuela There have been few studies on the composition, distribution, and abundance of cetaceans in Venezuelan waters. Opportunistic stranding and sighting data revealed _Tursiops_, _Stenella_, _Delphinus_, and _Balaenoptera edeni_ in the waters around Isla Margarita, Coche, Cubagua, and Los Frailes Archipelago. All of these sites are located off the northeast coast of the mainland of Venezuela in an area of coastal upwelling and complex submarine topography. The purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary assessment of bottlenose dolphins and other cetaceans in this area. Data were gathered from June 1999 through November 2000 using a land-based platform (28 h) and a boat-based platform (26 surveys, totaling 121 h and 699 nmi). Data in relation to sea floor relief were analyzed using GIS software. Complex topographical features, such as depressions and passes located southwest of the study area, appear to limit the range of _Tursiops_. Bottlenose dolphins commonly occur between Punta Ballenas and Los Frailes Archipelago, where movements among those localities evidence a great plasticity in two different environments, likely to be related to prey distribution. No interspecific aggregation was recorded for bottlenose dolphins, as observed in the central coast of the country with _Stenella frontalis_ and _Tursiops truncatus_. This study is the first to document cetacean habitat use around Isla Margarita and, with continued effort, will be important not only for documenting Venezuelan cetaceans but also for the assessment of potential impacts of local development, including ecotourism. ******************************************************************** Watson, A.*, and L.E. Gee. 2005. Laryngeal displacement and asphyxiation by a beheaded sheepshead (_Archosargus probatocephalus_) in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). _Aquatic Mammals_ 31(4), 447-452. *Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-2014, USA A mature, 2.7-m male bottlenose dolphin (_Tursiops truncatus_) with a fish tail protruding from its mouth was found dead on the northern Gulf of Mexico coast near Galveston, Texas, on 26 February 1995. Necropsy revealed a large and beheaded sheepshead (_Archosargus probatocephalus_) directly impacting the base of the laryngeal goosebeak. The larynx was severely dislocated rostroventrally into the oral cavity, which led to death by asphyxiation. An isolated sheepshead head was recovered from the caudal thoracic esophagus. Feeding strategies in dolphins of beheading fish and the sometimes fatal ingestion of inappropriately large and/or spiny prey are discussed. ************************************************************************ dos Santos, M.E.*, S. Louro, M. Couchinho, and C. Brito. 2005. Whistles of bottlenose dolphins (_Tursiops truncatus_) in the Sado Estuary, Portugal: Characteristics, production rates, and long-term contour stability. _Aquatic Mammals_, 31(4),453-462. *Unidade de Investigacao em Eco-Etologia, Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada, Rua Jardin do Tabaco 34, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal This study focuses on the whistle characteristics and production patterns of bottlenose dolphins (_Tursiops truncatus_) resident in the Sado Estuary, Portugal. Recordings and observations were conducted inside the estuary and in adjacent coastal waters using single hydrophones between 1987 and 2000. In the groups sampled, the mean number of whistles emitted per minute per animal was 0.28. The acoustic characteristics of a sample of 735 whistles were measured and compared with data from other _Tursiops_ populations, showing that, in a pattern of overall similarity, the whistles recorded in the Sado are relatively long and the frequency range used is relatively wide. Mean peak frequency was 9.2 kHz. About 30% of the whistles were stereotyped, and remarkable stability was found in several contours over a 12-year period. No relation was found between dolphin group size and whistle rate, suggesting some restriction in production; and no relation was found between dolphin group size and the emission of different contours. Significant variation was found between episodes of simple travel and more aroused activities in terms of the production of whistles in general and also of different whistle contours. ********************************************************************** Lopatka, M.*, O. Adam, C. Laplanche, J. Zarzycki, and J-F Motsch. 2005. An attractive alternative for sperm whale click detection using the wavelet transform in comparison to the Fourier spectrogram. _Aquatic Mammals_, 31(4),463-467. *Laboratorie d'Images, Signaux et Systemes Intelligents (Lissi-iSnS), University Paris 12, France Although many mathematical and signal-processing tools exist, detection of sperm whales based on their sound recordings proves somewhat difficult. This paper presents some of the advantages of the wavelet transform and the spectrogram in analyzing sperm whale clicks. The coefficients of the wavelet transform and the short-time Fourier transform are used to provide a representation of the intrinsic characteristics of the sound emissions of the sperm whale. For detection, we propose a new parameter―Short-Time Windowed Energy―that characterizes the particular shape in the time-frequency/scale domain of sperm whale clicks. This paper illustrates the resistance to noise of this parameter. In addition, thanks to new processors, this algorithm, which was once lengthy in calculation time, can be integrated easily in a real-time system. ************************************************************************ Silva, J.M.*, and J.L. Silva Flávio, and I. Sazima. 2005. Two presumed interspecific hybrids in the genus _Stenella_ (Delphinidae) in the tropical West Atlantic. _Aquatic Mammals_,31(4),468-472. *Centro Golfinho Rotador, CP 49, 53990-000 Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil We describe and comment on two aberrant individuals of the genus _Stenella_ from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, tropical West Atlantic, which we regard as interspecific hybrids. Each dolphin was found living with a large group of spinner dolphins, _Stenella longirostris_. One of the aberrant dolphins is a presumed hybrid between _S. longirostris_ and _S. attenuata_, and the second one is possibly a hybrid between _S. longirostris_ and _S. clymene_. Each of the hybrids was accompanied by a spinner female. The _S. longirostris_ × _S. attenuata_ was first sighted as a calf and was re-sighted several times over two years. This individual was recorded being nursed by the female. The other hybrid was re-sighted a few times over three months. **************************************************************************** Bossart, G.D.*, S. Ghim, M. Rehtanz, J. Goldstein, R. Varela, R.Y. Ewing, P. A. Fair, R. Lenzi, B. Joseph, C.L. Hicks, L.S. Schneider, C.J. McKinnie, J.S. Reif, R. Sanchez, A. Lopez, S. Novoa, J. Bernal, Jaime; M. Goretti, M. Rodriguez, R.H. Defran, and A.B. Jenson. 2005. Orogenital neoplasia in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (_Tursiops truncatus_). _Aquatic Mammals_, 31(4),473-480. *Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, 5600 US 1 North, Ft. Pierce, FL 34946, USA This study describes lingual papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas (n=11) and genital papillomas (n = 4) in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (_Tursiops truncatus_) evaluated from January 2000 to January 2005. Tumors were found primarily in adult dolphins of both sexes living in free-ranging and captive conditions. Three dolphins had multiple lingual tumors of mixed histological type, consisting of papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas, suggesting malignant transformation of the benign papillomatous lesions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of oral papillomas in bottlenose dolphins and concurrent oral neoplasia that included both sessile papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma in the same dolphin. Additionally, it is the first known report of genital papillomas in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins from Atlantic coastal waters. The unusually high occurrence of related benign and malignant orogenital epithelial neoplastic lesions in a short period suggests that the lesions may represent one or more emerging diseases. Preliminary evidence suggests that these tumors may be of infectious etiology, possibly having an orogenital route of transmission. *********************************** Book Reviews: ******************* Nawojchik, R.* 2005. Marine Protected Areas of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises: A World Handbook for Cetacean Habitat Conservation. Editor: Erich Hoyt. Earthscan, London and Sterling, VA, USA. 2005. _Aquatic Mammals_, 31(4),481-482. *P.O. Box 335, Bradford, Vermont 05033, USA ***************** Aguilar, A.* 2005. Marine Mammals of India. Kumaran Sathasivam. Universities Press (India) Private Limited, Hyderabad. 2004. _Aquatic Mammals_, 31(4),483-484. *Department of Animal Biology, University of Barcelona, 08071 Barcelona, Spain ****************** Donovan, G*. 2005. Book Review: Whaling Around the World. Editor: Kathy Happynook, World Council of Whales (WCW) Publications. _Aquatic Mammals_, 31(4),485. *Head of Science, International Whaling Commission, The Red House, 135 Station Road, Impington, Cambridge CB4 9NP, United Kingdom