Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, we are pleased to share with you our recent publication in Marine Pollution Bulletin: "Mercury and selenium concentrations in lanugo of free-ranging California sea lions in the southern Gulf of California, Mexico" T.E. Symon, D.A. Murillo-Cisneros, C.J. Hern?ndez-Camacho, T.M. O'Hara, R.J. Taylor, C.A. Rosado-Berrios, J.P. V?zquez-Medina, T. Zenteno-Sav?n. 2023. Marine Pollution Bulletin 197(2023): 115712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115712 Abstract: Total mercury ([THg]) and selenium ([TSe]) concentrations were determined in California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) lanugo from the Gulf of California in 2021 and 2022. Relationships with sex, morphometrics, and year were evaluated. Following toxicological thresholds of concern for piscivorous mammals, most pups had a [THg] < 10 ppm, one pup (2021) had a [THg] > 20 ppm, no pups had a [THg] > 30 ppm. Females had significantly higher [TSe] than males; sex did not influence [THg]. [THg] and [TSe] in 2022 were significantly higher in the general population and male cohorts compared to 2021. Significant negative correlations were observed between [THg], [TSe], and morphometrics (2021). These results indicate that, compared to other pinniped species, regional California sea lions may have a decreased likelihood of experiencing Hg-related adverse health effects. Year-related changes in element concentrations suggest continued monitoring of this population to assess pinniped, environmental, and potentially, human health. This article will be open access until December 21, 2023 and can be accessed at the following link: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1i0lE,asi64wJ Best regards, Taryn -- PhD(c). Taryn Elizabeth Symon El Centro de Investigaciones Biol?gicas del Noroeste S.C. (CIBNOR) La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico Email: tsymon@pg.cibnor.mx<mailto:tsymon@pg.cibnor.mx> ________________________________ From: MARMAM <marmam-bounces@lists.uvic.ca> on behalf of marmam-request@lists.uvic.ca <marmam-request@lists.uvic.ca> Sent: November 8, 2023 12:00 PM To: marmam@lists.uvic.ca <marmam@lists.uvic.ca> Subject: MARMAM Digest, Vol 220, Issue 7 Send MARMAM mailing list submissions to marmam@lists.uvic.ca To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to marmam-request@lists.uvic.ca You can reach the person managing the list at marmam-owner@lists.uvic.ca When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of MARMAM digest..." Today's Topics: 1. New publication: Geographical variation in Cape fur seals' in-air vocalizations across Southern Africa (Namibia and South Africa) (Mathilde Martin) 2. PSO and Turbidity Monitor Openings (Maxx Van Waeyenberghe) 3. Faculty position Marine Mammal Biology (Markus Frederich) 4. New Publication: Whales for Sale: A Content Analysis of American Whale-Watching Operators? Websites (Reamer, Marcus) 5. Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network Spring 2024 Internship (Mackenzie Russell) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2023 08:17:29 +0000 From: Mathilde Martin <mathilde.martin@uzh.ch> To: "marmam@lists.uvic.ca" <marmam@lists.uvic.ca> Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: Geographical variation in Cape fur seals' in-air vocalizations across Southern Africa (Namibia and South Africa) Message-ID: <GV0P278MB0289E0B3B7CC5051AD1124318FAAA@GV0P278MB0289.CHEP278.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our article recently published in Marine Mammal Science: ?Geographical variation in Cape fur seals' in-air vocalizations across Southern Africa (Namibia and South Africa) Mathilde Martin, Jessica Stow, Tess Gridley, Simon Elwen, Isabelle Charrier Abstract: ?The use of acoustic signals to communicate is widespread among marine mammals and vocalizations are involved in all their social interactions. Due to many factors, acoustic features of a species' vocalizations may differ among populations. The present study investigated both micro- and macro-geographical variation in the vocalizations of Cape fur seal females, males, and pups. Acoustic measurements were performed on calls recorded at four South African and two Namibian sites (maximum range ~ 1,000 km). Comparisons among close sites in South Africa revealed no microgeographical variation (maximum range ~ 130 km) in females' and pups' vocalizations. Barks of subadult males had different features among sites, which may be explained mostly by the context of call production. At the macro-geographical scale (South Africa vs. Namibia), all call types varied significantly among sites. Several extrinsic and intrinsic factors were suggested to drive such differences. For fe! males' and pups' calls, differences might be explained by environmental factors, whereas for males' barks, behavioral differences are the most likely explanation for acoustic differences (breeding vs. resting sites). Such investigations help understand how? acoustic communication in marine mammals is shaped by ecological drivers. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13084 Best regards, - - Mathilde Martin, PhD Postdoctoral researcher Communication and Cognition in Social Mammals research group Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies University of Zurich https://www.ieu.uzh.ch/en/research/behaviour/cognition.html https://mathildemartin-research.com