[MARMAM] New paper on bottlenose dolphin population genetics in the North-East Atlantic
Dear all, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article: Louis M, Viricel A, Lucas T, Peltier H, Alfonsi E, Berrow S, Brownlow A, Covelo P, Dabin W, Deaville R, de Stephanis R, Gally F, Gauffier P, Penrose R, Silva MA, Guinet C and Simon-Bouhet B. 2014. Habitat-driven population structure of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in the North-East Atlantic. Molecular Ecology 23: 857-874. Abstract Despite no obvious barrier to gene flow, historical environmental processes and ecological specializations can lead to genetic differentiation in highly mobile animals. Ecotypes emerged in several large mammal species as a result of niche specializations and/or social organization. In the North-West Atlantic, two distinct bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) ecotypes (i.e. ‘coastal’ and ‘pelagic’) have been identified. Here, we investigated the genetic population structure of North-East Atlantic (NEA) bottlenose dolphins on a large scale through the analysis of 381 biopsy-sampled or stranded animals using 25 microsatellites and a 682-bp portion of the mitochondrial control region. We shed light on the likely origin of stranded animals using a carcass drift prediction model. We showed, for the first time, that coastal and pelagic bottlenose dolphins were highly differentiated in the NEA. Finer-scale population structure was found within the two groups. We suggest that distinct founding events followed by parallel adaptation may have occurred independently from a large Atlantic pelagic population in the two sides of the basin. Divergence could be maintained by philopatry possibly as a result of foraging specializations and social organization. As coastal environments are under increasing anthropogenic pressures, small and isolated populations might be at risk and require appropriate conservation policies to preserve their habitats. While genetics can be a powerful first step to delineate ecotypes in protected and difficult to access taxa, ecotype distinction should be further documented through diet studies and the examination of cranial skull features associated with feeding. The article can be download from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10./mec.12653/abstract or you can email me for a copy. Best wishes, Marie ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] FLOs wanted offshore Africa
Dear Marmamers, Hydenlyne are currently looking to increase their FLO database. I'm particularly interested in those from Africa or with FLO experience offshore Africa. Please reply with your interest and CV with the subject heading African FLO. All other enquires are welcomed but may not be replied to with hast. Kind regards, Emma Forrester Project Manager UK Mobile +44 (0)7730222001 Office +44 (0)1202 900078 Hydenlyne 1 Princes Court Princes Road Ferndown Dorset England BH22 9JG ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] ALASKA FIELD EXPERIENCE THROUGH TEXAS AM UNIVERSITY AT GALVESTON
ALASKA FIELD EXPERIENCE THROUGH TEXAS AM UNIVERSITY AT GALVESTON Summer 2014 Course Name: COASTAL MARINE BIOLOGY OF ALASKA Course Number: MARB/MARS 415, MARB/MARS 615 or as an INTERNSHIP WITHOUT UNIVERSITY CREDIT Session dates: June 2-13; June 16-June 27; June 30-July 11; July 14-25. INSTRUCTOR: DR. RANDALL DAVIS Please contact Dr. Davis at (281) 250-7839 (dav...@tamug.edu) for more information. Travel to south-central Alaska for this three credit hour field course or internship. For 12 days, students will live and study at the remote Alice Cove Research Station located along the shores of Prince William Sound. Students will learn about the flora and fauna of this area and conduct research on a chosen sea otter behavioral ecology or fisheries project. An overland day trip will be made to explore the Copper River Delta and visit Sheridan Glacier. There are no prerequisites. Field course fee is $2,150 (airfare to Anchorage and Cordova not included). You do not need to be a student at Texas AM University to register for an internship. ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Internships available
Be Part of the Soundwatch Boater Education Team: Summer Internships Available! Soundwatch is a successful and internationally acclaimed education and monitoring program working to reduce vessel disturbance to orcas and other marine wildlife in the Salish Sea region of Washington State (USA) and British Columbia (Canada). Soundwatch needs interns to help conduct seasonal vessel patrols, educating boaters on regional guidelines and regulations and collecting data while monitoring vessel activities around whales. Data from this critical program characterizes vessel activity trends around endangered orcas and other marine wildlife. Data are used to promote better boater compliance and to inform marine mammal management strategies such as state and federal vessel laws and guidelines. Internship based in Friday Harbor, WA, approximately 35-40 hours per week, May-September, variety of tasks both in the field on the boat and in an office setting. Typical week consists of 3-4 days on the boat and 1 day in the office. Internship is unpaid. Shared housing at reasonable cost is likely available. REQUIREMENTS: Applicant requirements: at least 18 years of age, physically fit (able to lift 40 lbs), able to swim, not easily susceptible to seasickness, and familiar with database spreadsheets. Be prepared to spend substantial time aboard small (20 ft.) vessels in unpredictable weather and sea conditions. Preference will be given to undergraduates or recent graduates in the marine or wildlife sciences. Interns will need a valid passport or US enhanced driver's license, transportation and CPR/First Aid certification. A state boater license/or equivalent safe boating card, not required, but is encouraged. Interns are required to commit to at least two months, but preferably to the full study period, May-September, plus some training time. HOW TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIP POSITION Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references. Be sure to include what dates you can start/end. Applications accepted until February 23, 2014. Decisions will be made by March 14, 2014. Please send application materials to: Eric Eisenhardt Research Curator/Soundwatch Coordinator P.O. Box 945 Friday Harbor, Washington 98250 Or email (preferred) to: soundwa...@whalemuseum.org Please visit The Whale Museum's Web site for more information on Soundwatch: http://www.whalemuseum.org/programs/soundwatch/soundwatch.html Sincerely, Eric Eisenhardt Research Curator The Whale Museum P.O. Box 945 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 360-378-4710 X 33 360-378-5790 Fax www.whalemuseum.org http://www.whalemuseum.org/ Be Whale Wise! ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
