[MARMAM] New paper on the phylogeny of the pygmy right whale (Caperea)

[Felix Marx]

Dear colleagues,


please find below the abstract and link to our recently published, open
access paper on a re-interpretation of the only known fossil pygmy right
whale, Miocaperea pulchra, and the status of the living pygmy right whale
as  the last survivor of the otherwise extinct family Cetotheriidae:

Marx, F.G. and Fordyce, N. 2016. A link no longer missing: new evidence for
the cetotheriid affinities of Caperea. PLoS ONE 11: e0164059

Link:
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0164059

Abstract: The origins of the enigmatic pygmy right whale Caperea marginata,
the only living member of its subfamily (Neobalaeninae), are an outstanding
mystery of cetacean evolution. Its strikingly disparate morphology sets
Caperea apart from all other whales, and has turned it into a wildcard
taxon that holds the key to understanding modern baleen whale diversity.
Morphological cladistics generally ally this species with right whales,
whereas molecular analyses consistently cluster it with rorquals and grey
whales (Balaenopteroidea). A recent study potentially resolved this
conflict by proposing that Caperea belongs with the otherwise extinct
Cetotheriidae, but has been strongly criticised on morphological grounds.
Evidence from the neobalaenine fossil record could potentially give direct
insights into morphological transitions, but is currently limited to just a
single species: the Late Miocene Miocaperea pulchra, from Peru. We show
that Miocaperea has a highly unusual morphology of the auditory region,
resulting from a–presumably feeding-related–strengthening of the
articulation of the hyoid apparatus with the skull. This distinctive
arrangement is otherwise only found in the extinct Cetotheriidae, which
makes Miocaperea a “missing link” that demonstrates the origin of pygmy
right whales from cetotheriids, and confirms the latter’s resurrection from
the dead.

Kind regards,

Felix Marx
_

*Felix G. Marx* PhD
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow
*Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
*Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
*Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

Address: School of Biological Sciences, Monash University
25 Rainforest Walk, VIC 3800, Australia
Tel. +61 (0)3 9905 1190 (Monash University) or +61 (0)3 8341 7733 (Museum
Victoria)
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[MARMAM] New publication on sources of individual variation in aggression in Grey Seals

[Kelly Robinson]

Dear MARMAM subscribers,

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce a new publication exploring the 
ontogeny of aggressive behaviour in young grey seals:

Robinson, K.J., Pomeroy, P.P. , Hazon, N., Moss, S. & Twiss, S.D. (2016).

Individual size, sex and rearing environment impact on aggression in newly 
weaned seals.

Marine Mammal Science, DOI: 10./mms.12367

Summary:
Aggressive behavior is an important part of how animals interact with each 
other. Aggressiveness enables individuals to defend themselves or to exploit 
opportunities to obtain resources from others. We investigated which physical 
and environmental factors affect how aggressive gray seal pups are towards each 
other once weaned from their mothers on the Isle of May breeding colony in 
Scotland. We found that pups raised on crowded areas of the colony were more 
aggressive than pups from areas with few seals, and that physical 
characteristics (sex and size) also influence how aggressive individuals of 
this seal species are. Males showed a postive correlation between aggression 
and size, while the relationship female size and aggression showed a non-linear 
relationship. Further research is needed to determine whether heightened 
aggressiveness in large or high density reared infants persists into adulthood, 
whether it is consistent throughout an individual's lifetime, or if this 
relationship is present in other age groups or species.

The article can be found at: 
 
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10./mms.12367/full

The article will soon be open access; so anyone who is interested in the 
manuscript should be able to download a pdf of it once this has gone through. 
However if you have any problems getting a copy please email 
kj...@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Kind regards,

Dr Kelly Robinson


Research Fellow

Sea Mammal Research Unit

Scottish Oceans Institute

University of St Andrews

KY16 8LB


Tel: +44(0)1334 462635

Twitter: @_SMRU_



For more information about my research please visit: 
https://kellyrobinsonscience.wordpress.com/


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[MARMAM] New publication on manatee aging

[Katie Brill]

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce a new publication published
in NAMMCO Scientific Publications.

Brill, K., Marmontel, M., Bolen-Richardson, M., & Stewart, R. (2016).
*Inter-lab
comparison of precision and recommended methods for age estimation of
Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) using growth layer groups
in earbones*. *NAMMCO Scientific Publications, 10*. doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.7557/3.3786

Abstract: Manatees are routinely aged by counting Growth Layer Groups
(GLGs) in periotic bones (earbones). Manatee carcasses recovered in Florida
between 1974 and 2010 provided age-estimation material for three readers
and formed the base for a retrospective analysis of aging precision
(repeatability). All readers were in good agreement (high precision) with
the greatest apparent source of variation being the result of earbone
remodelling with increasing manatee age. Over the same period, methods of
sample preparation and of determining a final age estimate changed. We
examined the effects of altering methods on ease of reading GLGs and found
no statistical differences. Accurate age estimates are an important
component for effective management of the species and for better models of
population trends and we summarize the currently recommended methods for
estimating manatee ages using earbones.

Feel free to contact me for any inquiries at manateeag...@gmail.com

Thanks,
Katie Brill
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[MARMAM] ANZSCSMM: Final Call for Abstracts

[Katherine Indeck]

Dear ANZSCSMM members,

This is a friendly reminder that the third Australia/New Zealand Student 
Chapter Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy will take place on November 
24th and 25th, 2016, starting at 9 AM at Flinders University (South Australia). 
There will be an optional half-day workshop (Introduction to DISCOVERY: 
Photo-Identification Data-Management System for Individually Recognisable 
Animals) on Wednesday afternoon, November 23rd, which will be run by our 
colleagues from the University of Hong Kong. This opportunity will be free, and 
open to all interested conference participants.

The Chapter has funding to provide meals during the two days of the conference, 
as well as the opportunity to cover most, if not all, accommodation costs for 
those traveling from outside of Adelaide (3 nights; depending upon need). We 
would therefore like to reiterate that all university students (undergraduates 
to postdocs) from Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and Southeast Asia 
are welcome to attend.

We encourage attendees to give an oral presentation (15 minutes) or to present 
a poster about their current (or planned) work on marine mammals. Participants 
wishing to present must submit an abstract (max. 300 words) by Friday October 
21st. Please send an email as soon as possible to 
anzsc...@gmail.com with the subject 'ANZSCSMM 
Abstract', along with your presentation preference, abstract, name, 
affiliation, the state/country you'll be traveling from, any dietary 
requirements, and a request for accommodation (if applicable).

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us! We will be 
sending out a schedule and an abstract book two weeks prior to the conference.

We look forward to meeting you all,
ANZ Student Chapter Heads
­___

Kate Indeck
The Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, University of Queensland

Cecilia Passadore
Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Laboratory, Flinders University

Jessica Patiño Pérez
Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation Group, Massey University


Katherine Indeck
PhD Candidate
Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory
School of Veterinary Science
University of Queensland Gatton Campus
QLD 4343, Australia

Phone: (07) 5460 1877
Mob: 0413 933 922
Email: k.ind...@uq.edu.au
CEAL website: https://ceal.lab.uq.edu.au/


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[MARMAM] New fossil rorqual from Peru

[Felix Marx]

Dear colleagues,


please find below the abstract and link to our recently published, open
access paper on a new fossil species of rorqual from the Miocene of Peru:

Marx, F.G. and Kohno, N. 2016. A new Miocene baleen whale from the Peruvian
desert. Royal Society Open Science 3: 160542

Link: http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/3/10/160542

Abstract: The Pisco-Ica and Sacaco basins of southern Peru are renowned for
their abundance of exceptionally preserved fossil cetaceans, several of
which retain traces of soft tissue and occasionally even stomach contents.
Previous work has mostly focused on odontocetes, with baleen whales
currently being restricted to just three described taxa. Here, we report a
new Late Miocene rorqual (family Balaenopteridae), *Incakujira
anillodefuego* gen. et sp. nov., based on two exceptionally preserved
specimens from the Pisco Formation exposed at Aguada de Lomas, Sacaco
Basin, southern Peru. *Incakujira* overall closely resembles modern
balaenopterids, but stands out for its unusually gracile ascending process
of the maxilla, as well as a markedly twisted postglenoid process of the
squamosal. The latter likely impeded lateral (omega) rotation of the
mandible, in stark contrast with the highly flexible craniomandibular joint
of extant lunge-feeding rorquals. Overall, *Incakujira *expands the still
meagre Miocene record of balaenopterids and reveals a previously
underappreciated degree of complexity in the evolution of their iconic
lunge-feeding strategy.

Kind regards,

Felix Marx

_

*Felix G. Marx* PhD
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow
*Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
*Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
*Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

Address: School of Biological Sciences, Monash University
25 Rainforest Walk, VIC 3800, Australia
Tel. +61 (0)3 9905 1190 (Monash University) or +61 (0)3 8341 7733 (Museum
Victoria)
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[MARMAM] New study measuring the body condition of humpback whales using drones

[Fredrik]

Dear MARMAM colleagues,

My co-authors and I are happy to announce the publication of the following 
paper in Ecosphere:

Christiansen, F., A. M. Dujon, K. R. Sprogis, J. P. Y. Arnould, and L. Bejder. 
2016. Noninvasive unmanned aerial vehicle provides estimates of the energetic 
cost of reproduction in humpback whales. Ecosphere 7(10):e01468. 
10.1002/ecs2.1468

Abstract:
An animal's body condition will affect its survival and reproductive success, 
which influences population dynamics. Despite its importance, relatively little 
is known about the body condition of large whales and its relationship to 
reproduction. We assessed the body condition of humpback whales (Megaptera 
novaeangliae) at a breeding/resting ground from aerial photographs recorded 
using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Photogrammetry methods were used to 
measure the surface area of individual whales, which was used as an index for 
body condition. Repeated measurements of the same individuals were not 
possible; hence, this study represents a cross-sectional sample of the 
population. Intraseasonal changes in the body condition of four reproductive 
classes (calves, immature, mature, and lactating) were investigated to infer 
the relative energetic cost that each class faces during the breeding season. 
To better understand the costs of reproduction, we investigated the 
relationship between female body condition (FBC) and the linear growth and body 
condition of their dependent calves (CBC). We documented a linear decline in 
the body condition of mature whales (0.027 m2/d; n = 20) and lactating females 
(0.032 m2/d; n = 31) throughout the breeding season, while there was no change 
in body condition of immature whales (n = 51) and calves (n = 32). The 
significant decline in mature and lactating female's body condition implies 
substantial energetic costs for these reproductive classes. In support of this, 
we found a positive linear relationship between FBC and CBC. This suggests that 
females in poorer body condition may not have sufficient energy stores to 
invest as much energy into their offspring as better conditioned females 
without jeopardizing their own body condition and survival probability. 
Measurement precision was investigated from repeated measurements of the same 
animals both from the same and different photographs, and by looking at 
residual errors in relation to the positioning of the whales in the 
photographs. The resulting errors were included in a sensitivity analysis to 
demonstrate that model parameters were robust to measurement errors. Our 
findings provide strong support for the use of UAVs as a noninvasive tool to 
measure the body condition of whales and other mammals.

A copy of the paper can be downloaded for free from:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.1468/full

For more information about the project, please visit our project webpage:

http://mucru.org/our-research/research-projects/baleen-whale-body-condition/
http://mucru.org/our-research/research-projects/humpback-condition-on-breeding-ground/

Also check out our blog:

http://mucru.org/new-publication-estimating-cost-of-reproduction-in-humpback-whales-using-uavs/


Best regards,



Fredrik Christiansen

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Cetacean Research Unit, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
+61 417 502 098, f.christian...@murdoch.edu.au
http://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=vkA5Y3EJ=en=sra
http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fredrik_Christiansen3/?ev=hdr_xprf

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[MARMAM] New publication: genetic population structure of spinner dolphins in the SW Indian Ocean

[Jeremy KISZKA]

Dear colleagues,

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the following publication:

Viricel, A., Simon-Bouhet, B., Ceyrac, L., Dulau-Drouot, V., Berggren, P., 
Amir, O.A., Jiddawi, N., Mongin, P. & Kiszka, J. Habitat availability and 
geographic isolation as potential drivers of the population structure in an 
oceanic dolphin in the Southwest Indian Ocean. Marine Biology 163:219

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-016-2999-3


Abstract

Delphinid populations show highly variable patterns of genetic diversity and 
population structure. Previous studies indicate that habitat discontinuities 
and geographic isolation are major drivers of population division in cetaceans. 
Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) are distributed in all tropical 
oceans, but they are particularly common around islands and atolls. This 
species occurs in shallow waters at daytime to rest and socialise, and feeds on 
offshore mesopelagic prey overnight. Here, we investigated the genetic 
population structure of spinner dolphins in the Southwest Indian Ocean along a 
west–east geographic gradient, from eastern Africa to the Mascarene 
archipelago. We combined analyses of 12 microsatellite loci, mtDNA control 
region sequences, and sighting data to assess genetic differentiation and 
characterise habitat preferences of these populations. Significant genetic 
structure among the three sampled sites (Zanzibar, Mayotte and La Réunion) was 
observed using both types of molecular markers. Overall, our results indicate 
that geographic isolation and potentially other factors, such as shallow-water 
habitats to rest and socialise, may be important drivers of the genetic 
population structure of insular spinner dolphins in this region.

Please contact me (jeremy.kis...@gmail.com) if you have any question.

Cheers,
Jeremy


Jeremy Kiszka (PhD)
Research Assistant Professor
Florida International University
Department of Biological Sciences
Tel. (305) 919 4104 (office)
Mobile. (786) 717 9797 (cell)

Visit Global FinPrint Project
https://globalfinprint.org 


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[MARMAM] New publication: "Mediterranean Sperm Whales, Physeter macrocephalus: The Precarious State of a Lost Tribe"

[Luke Rendell]

Colleagues,

The following article has been published online: 

Rendell, L. & Frantzis, A. 2016. Mediterranean Sperm Whales, Physeter 
macrocephalus: The Precarious State of a Lost Tribe. Advances in Marine Biology 
Volume 75. Editors: Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Michela Podestà, Barbara 
E. Curry. DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2016.08.001

Abstract
First observed in the classical era, a population of sperm whales (Physeter 
macrocephalus) persists to this day in the deep waters of the Mediterranean 
Sea. Genetic and observational evidence support the notion that this is an 
isolated population, separated from its Atlantic neighbours. These whales 
depend on mesopelagic squid for food, and appear to occupy a very similar 
ecological niche to sperm whales in the open oceans. Recent evidence proving 
that individuals can pass between the eastern and western deep water basins 
confirms that this is a single population, not isolated into western and 
eastern stocks. We lack robust information on their population status, but they 
could number in the hundreds rather than thousands, and current densities 
appear to be much lower than those reported in the 1950s, suggesting that we 
should be very concerned about the conservation status of this population. This 
makes it vitally important to address the serious threats posed by ship strikes 
and entanglement in fishing nets, especially driftnets, and to carefully 
monitor other potential sources of anthropogenic impact. A step change in 
funding to collect better data and a clear shift in policy priorities are 
needed if we are to be serious about conserving this population.

It is available here: 
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0065288116300128

Alternatively, email l...@st-andrews.ac.uk for a PDF.

Best wishes,

Luke & Alexandros

--
Dr. Luke Rendell
MASTS (masts.ac.uk) Reader in Biology
Tel: (44)(0)1334 463499
E-mail: l...@st-andrews.ac.uk
WWW: http://bio.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/ler4.htm
School of Biology, University of St. Andrews
Sir Harold Mitchell Building,
St. Andrews, Fife
KY16 9TH
U.K.

The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland (SC013532)



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[MARMAM] Rescue & Response Apprenticeship - The Marine Mammal Center

[Laura Chapman]

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Rescue & Response Apprenticeship
Mission
The Marine Mammal Center's mission is to expand knowledge about marine 
mammals-their health and that of their ocean environment-and to inspire their 
global conservation. Our core work is the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and 
injured marine mammals, supported by state-of-the-art animal care and research 
facilities, a corps of dedicated volunteers, and an engaged community.
About the Organization
The Marine Mammal Center is the largest facility of its kind in the world. 
Founded in 1975, The Center has grown into an internationally renowned and 
state-of-the art marine mammal hospital, research center and educational 
organization. Each year, The Center treats 600 - 800 sick, injured and orphaned 
marine mammals, with the goal of rehabilitation and release. Its professional 
staff collaborates with over 30 different scientific, educational, federal, 
state and non-profit organizations from around the world.
Marine mammal scientists and veterinarians from across the globe visit The 
Center and shadow its staff and volunteers to learn from the hundreds of 
animals treated each year, and from its acclaimed veterinary, scientific, and 
research staff. By collaborating with leading scientists and researchers to 
learn from the patients in their care, The Center expands and advances science 
to increase understanding of the health of the ocean and highlights 
implications for human health.
In addition to its work within the scientific community, The Center's formal 
and informal education programs reach 100,000 children and adults ever year. 
Ultimately, The Center's work inspires action and fosters stewardship toward 
the care of our environment.
Overlooking the ocean in the Marin Headlands, in Sausalito, CA, The Center 
operates three field stations in its 600-mile rescue range on the California 
coastline from San Luis Obispo through Mendocino County. Simultaneous to the 
construction of its new Kona, Hawaii facility, The Center's rescue range has 
increased to include the entire Hawaiian archipelago. With an annual operating 
budget of almost $9M, 60 to 70 staff depending on the time of year, and 1,200 
actively engaged volunteers, The Center operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per 
year.
About the Opportunity
The Rescue & Response Apprenticeship is a temporary (12 month), full time, 
non-exempt paid position based out of the Sausalito Hospital. The position is 
designed to afford candidates new to the marine mammal field, the opportunity 
to work full-time alongside experienced marine mammal stranding responders. The 
apprentice will train directly with TMMC's marine mammal rescue and veterinary 
science staff, reporting directly to the Northern Range Operations Manager as a 
part of the Rescue & Response Team. Through practical experience, the 
apprentice will develop skills in the marine mammal stranding profession, 
including stranding preparedness, hotline coverage, volunteer coordination, 
marine mammal handling, assessment, transport, release, data collection, data 
entry, report writing, and other related responsibilities.

This position serves the following primary functions:

* Assist in the day to day operations of rescue and response central 
dispatch

* Answer the Stranded Animal Hotline, communicating with concerned 
members of the public with empathy and understanding, and educating the public 
about marine mammals

* Act as a mentor to Rescue & Response Interns and Volunteer 
Dispatchers, providing support and instruction as needed

* Assist in a variety of tasks, including equipment maintenance, supply 
inventory and data entry

* Adhere to and promote safety standards and protocols

* Rotate after hours on-call, evening, weekend and holiday coverage
Qualifications

* 21 years of age or older

* Four year college degree in the study of biology, zoology, ecology, 
marine or environmental studies (or a related field)

* Legally eligible to work in the U.S.

* Maintain a valid California Driver's License, with a clean driving 
record, and provide valid proof of insurance

* Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with 
individuals, various sized groups and the general public

* Enthusiastic, energetic, self-motivated individual, able to work in 
office as well as field environments

* Computer proficient with basic Microsoft programs

* Comfortable lifting 40+ pounds
Preferred

* New to the marine mammal field, looking to gain further experience in 
stranding response coordination

* Customer service background, or hotline coverage experience
All applications due by October 14th , 2016

Click Here to Apply

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[MARMAM] NIGERIAN MMO/PAM

[i...@geo-mar.com]

Dear All,

GMC is looking for two qualified Marine Mammal Observes (MMO) and Passive 
Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) operators of Nigerian
nationality, for an upcoming seismic project offshore Nigeria, Q4 2016.

Please send your updated CV with relevant certificates asap. to i...@geo-mar.com

Thank  you

The GMC Recruiting Team







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[MARMAM] PSO / MMO Training in Galveston, TX Nov 18-19 at Moody Gardens Aquarium

[abostwick]

MPSC is holding Protected Species Observer (also known as Marine Mammal
Observer) training on November 18-19 in Galveston, TX at the Moody Gardens
Aquarium.  This class will also be visiting the NOAA Sea Turtle Facility.   This
BOEM/BSEE-compliant PSO certification course covers the regulations for reducing
seismic survey impacts to marine mammals and sea turtles, documenting animal
behavior, and how to visually locate and identify the animals. 
 
Course comprehension is measured with examinations on regulations and animal
identification.  Successful completion of this course provides professional
Protected Species Observer Certification.  Lunch is provided and included in the
course fee (college/graduate/government discounts available), along with various
identification guides and regulatory documents (which will be yours to keep),
admission to Moody Gardens, the tour, and advice on applying to PSO positions.

MPSC is also holding PSO training in Florida in Spring of 2017.  For more
information, please contact Angela at abostw...@psocertifications.com, by phone
at 832-523-2402  , or visit the website at
http://www.protectedspeciesobservers.com/.

Thank you,
Angela Bostwick / Founder
Marine Protected Species Consulting
ProtectedSpeciesObservers.com 
https://Facebook.com/ProtectedSpeciesObservers/
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