[MARMAM] New OA publication: Prolonged maternal care in northern bottlenose whales alters our understanding of beaked whale life history

[Laura Joan Feyrer]

New open access publication from the Northern Bottlenose Whale Project /
Whitehead Lab

Feyrer LJ, Zhao ST, Whitehead H, Matthews CJ. Prolonged maternal investment
in northern bottlenose whales alters our understanding of beaked whale
reproductive life history. PloS one. 2020 Jun 23;15(6):e0235114.

Nursing and weaning periods are poorly understood in cetaceans due to the
difficulty of assessing underwater behaviour in the wild. However, the
onset and completion of weaning are critical turning points for individual
development and survival, with implications for a species’ life history
including reproductive potential. δ15N and δ13C deposited in odontocete
teeth annuli provide a lifetime record of diet, offering an opportunity to
investigate variation and trends in fundamental biology. While available
reproductive parameters for beaked whales have largely been inferred from
single records of stranded or hunted animals and extrapolated across
species, here we examine the weaning strategy and nursing duration in
northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus) by measuring stable
isotopes deposited in dentine growth layer groups (GLGs). Using a
collection of H. ampullatus teeth taken from whales killed during the
whaling era (N = 48) and from two stranded specimens, we compared
ontogenetic variation of δ15N and δ13C found in annual GLGs across all
individuals, by sex and by region. We detected age-based trends in both
δ15N and δ13C that are consistent across regions and males and females, and
indicate that nursing is prolonged and weaning does not conclude until
whales are 3–4 years old, substantially later than previous estimates of 1
year. Incorporating a prolonged period of maternal care into H. ampullatus
life history significantly reduces their reproductive potential, with broad
implications for models of beaked whale life history, energetics and the
species’ recovery from whaling.

A copy is freely available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235114

Cheers,

Laura Joan Feyrer
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[MARMAM] New publication: prolonged nursing in the Namibian Cape fur seals

[Anna Osiecka]

Dear colleagues,

Me and my co-authors are happy to share our newest work on extended
maternal care in the Cape fur seals observed at the Cape Cross colony in
Namibia.

Anna N Osiecka, Jack Fearey, Tess Gridley, Simon Elwen, ‘Observation of
prolonged nursing in Cape fur seals (*Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus*) at
Cape Cross colony, Namibia’, African Zoology (2020)
https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2020.1768144

Abstract

Extended nursing periods have been observed in some pinniped species. Here,
we document multiple cases of such prolonged nursing in Cape fur seals in
Namibia. Over three separate visits to the Cape Cross breeding colony, we
observed five unusual nursing interactions. These included animals of
estimated age from one to over three years suckling on awake and permitting
females. One of these observations included two individuals (juvenile and
pup) suckling simultaneously. In three out of five cases, the female
sniffed the large suckling animal, and the lack of aggression suggested
mutual recognition. We suggest that the most likely scenario for these
observations is that the larger animals might be the mothers’ offspring
from the previous year maintaining contact over at least three years. Such
prolonged nursing may occur in cases where the year’s pup is not born, dies
or is outcompeted by older siblings, which can result in large energetic
advantages for the offspring, by maintaining a feeding relationship with
mothers over more than one year. We suggest that animals that extend
suckling over more than one year may increase their overall success,
although possibly inhibiting their mother’s pregnancy in a given year.
Under poorer conditions, investing more in an older calf may also be more
cost effective to the mother than risking a new pregnancy. However, further
detailed investigation is necessary to explain extended nursing in this
socially complex mammal.

You can contact me personally for a pdf copy, or find it here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/WAC5BNSMCKDTUD6WZZMK/full?target=10.1080/15627020.2020.1768144

Kindest regards,

Anna N Osiecka
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[MARMAM] Job opportunity: Statistical Modeller

[Admin Team]

Ocean Science Consulting Limited is currently seeking a Statistical Modeller

Vacancy: Statistical Modeller
Type: Full-time, permanent position
Salary: £34,000 - £40,500 depending on qualifications and experience
Location: Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland, UK
Application deadline: 31st August 2020

Company
Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) is a privately-owned technology-focused 
marine-science company involved principally in the global supply of underwater 
noise and marine mammal monitoring, and risk mitigation services. OSC reinvests 
>80% of profits into Research & Development (R), orientated primarily towards 
high-level research on the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and other 
marine mammal species, Rigs-to-Reefs using Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) 
footage, underwater noise measurement and modelling, and improving marine 
mammal and environmental monitoring standards worldwide. See 
www.osc.co.uk/publications-and-press-covers.

Role
OSC seeks to expand its UK-based team. This is a rare opportunity for permanent 
employment as a Statistical Modeller. The commercial post doc role involves 
working primarily in OSC's R wing, although suitable candidates may also be 
considered for a combination of consultancy/commercial duties. It is 
anticipated that over the course of the first year, the candidate will bring to 
completion ca. five manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals. 
Applicants must therefore be able to source, consolidate, analyse, interpret, 
and present these data in the form of high-level, peer-reviewed papers, that 
must be brought to completion on commercial and not academic timescales (i.e. 
weeks, not months), with minimal supervision from line managers. This is a 
highly unusual position for academic research in a commercial consultancy. The 
candidate may also be presented with urgent commercial requests as these arise 
and must therefore be able to switch from one project to another. 
Prioritisation is of high importance.

Additional details can be found on: 
http://www.osc.co.uk/careers/vacancies 
or https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/CAO635/statistical-modeller

Key duties
-Conduct statistical analysis of pre-existing datasets;
-Write manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals;
-Oversee the peer-review process; and,
-Support colleagues with analysis of commercial datasets as and when required.

A successful candidate will have the following:
Required
-A completed PhD in a relevant scientific discipline 
(statistics/oceanography/marine biology/marine ecology, etc.);
-The position requires a PhD; however, students may apply, but be aware that 
starting salary will be £27,000-30,000 (depending on qualifications and 
experience until the PhD is completed), and the position would be part time 
until the PhD was completed;
-Strong statistical analysis background ideally in R (e.g. GLM, GAM, PCA, HBM, 
INLA, time series analysis, distance sampling, abundance estimation, survey 
design, PCoD, etc.);
-A minimum of two, first author, ecological-modelling related peer-reviewed 
scientific papers in a top journal (i.e. not a proceedings paper);
-Experience sourcing and processing oceanographic datasets (synoptic 
satellite-derived or modelled data, etc.) and handling data of various types 
including: netCDF, csv, txt, etc.;
-Excellent spoken and written English (to peer-reviewed, non-copy-edited level);
-A genuine interest in marine mammals and benthic ecology, and an understanding 
of the physical parameters of the ocean which affect them;
-Ability to collaborate within a team setting to produce high-calibre 
publications and reports; and,
-Must be legally allowed to work in the UK prior to employment (we cannot 
assist with visas).

Desirable
-Machine learning and image processing (of ROV imagery);
-Experience making publication-quality maps in QGIS; and,
-Experience with referencing software (e.g. EndNote).

Interested candidates should send a CV and cover letter to: 
ad...@osc.co.uk. This address can also be used for 
informal enquiries. Successful candidates will be invited to an interview via 
Microsoft Teams. An interview task will be provided comprising both written and 
practical components. The successful candidate will be working under the 
supervision of Dr Victoria Todd and Dr Laura Williamson.

Best wishes,
Laura


--
Dr. Laura Williamson
Senior Analyst
Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC)
Spott Road, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1RR, Scotland, UK
M: +44 (0)7528 545 167
T: +44 (0)1368 865 722
W:
www.osc.co.uk
.
MMO or PAM requirement?
We wrote the book. Now available on Amazon:
www.marinemammalobserverhandbook.com
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[MARMAM] Last places Remote Internship

[Selina Brouwer]

Dear all,



*We only have a few places left for our Remote Internship, please find the *
*information** below.*



The borders of many countries remain closed and it is currently almost
impossible to travel safe due to the outbreak of COVID-19, but that doesn't
mean that you can't benefit from our knowledge and develop your career or
get help with your thesis remotely. You can receive both research and
public outreach experience working with the DMAD team.
http://www.dmad.org.tr/remote-internships



WHO ARE DMAD AND WHAT DO WE DO?

DMAD - Marine Mammals Research Association have scientific projects running
in Turkey, Montenegro and Albania. We conduct long-term studies of marine
mammals in Istanbul, Antalya, the Levantine Sea, Montenegrin coastal waters
and the northern coastline of Albania.  We aim to address questions about
marine mammal abundance, distribution and behaviour, define critical
habitats and investigate the impact of major threats, ranging from tourism
to hydrocarbon exploration.

Our wider attention focuses on the promotion and implementation of
awareness initiatives targeted at the local community. More details on the
projects can be found here: http://www.dmad.org.tr/our-projects



ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP:

The DMAD team provides lectures and training as well as constant support. You
will be given the chance to learn the most popular methodologies used in
marine mammal research including:

-Cetacean species identification within the Mediterranean

-Population statuses and threats to marine mammals within the Mediterranean

-Software used in the field (Pythagoras, Logger 2010)

-Data analysis using GIS, R, Distance, Mark

-Passive Acoustic Monitoring using PamGuard

-Residency Pattern Analysis

-Scientific support on manuscript and technical report writing including
thesis supervision-Population



PARTICIPATION FEE:

The internship is for 2 months and is about 100 hours and requires a
contribution fee of 380euro, which fully goes to supporting the project.



WHATS INCLUDED IN THE FEE:

-PDF copies of the training and lectures

-Audio recordings

-Scientific support through weekly Skype calls

-Real data and practical examples to work through

-Certification



HOW TO APPLY

Our next Remote Internship starts on the 20th of July 2020 and has a
limited number of places.

Email your CV and cover letter to i...@dmad.org.tr, explaining the subject
of your thesis in the cover letter.



If you wish to have more info about our other internships and work please
take a look at some of our web pages and social media:

Our research: http://www.dmad.org.tr/our-projects

Our remote internships:  http://www.dmad.org.tr/remote-internships

Our publications: http://www.dmad.org.tr/our-publications

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinemammalsresearch/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DMADforNature/



All the best,

DMAD team

*i...@dmad.org.tr *

*www.dmad.org.tr *
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[MARMAM] BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN PROJECT RESEARCH IN VENEZUELA. INTERNS AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 2020.

[Sergio Cobarrubia]

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN PROJECT RESEARCH IN VENEZUELA.
INTERNS AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 2020.

BACKGROUND:
The Laboratory of Ecosystems and Global Change (LEGC) of the
Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC, www.ivic.gob.ve) invites
the second season of internships-volunteering (2020) in the study of
coastal dolphins. LEGC is a scientific team that among its research lines
on the fauna of coastal and riparian ecosystems, it has established the
first one on aquatic mammals in Venezuela. On the other hand, Provita is an
important NGO that contributes to the research and conservation in
Venezuela.

This research will begin with a project focused on sociobiology
(social structure, social networks and bioacoustics) of resident groups of
the coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the central coast of
Venezuela. This, after an experience of 5 years in that locality studying
ecological aspects of T. truncatus (
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-018-0401-1). The coast of Aragua not only
home this species, but also the Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni), the
common dolphin (Delphinus sp.) and the spinner
dolphin (Stenella longirostris). Of which basic information is collected
too.

LEGC interns and volunteers are young, hard-working who are willing
to contribute to research by learning as they experience fieldwork in
teams, field techniques for collecting and processing data and
methodologies. All team members and interns share academic space, housing
in the Institute, housework in the study area, knowledge and experience in
a friendly and multicultural environment.

The internship consists of three weeks: The first week
of theoretical-practical introduction (24 theoretical hours and 16
practicals hours) at the IVIC Ecology Center (
www.ivic.gob.ve/es/investigacion-3/centros-31/ecologia-316). The second
week of seven field surveys for data collection (42 h) on the Cata Bay
(Aragua state) and the third week for data processing and analysis at the
IVIC Ecology Center (40 h). The volunteering consist of the second and
third weeks.

WHERE:
Theory: LEGC, Center of Ecology (IVIC) Miranda State, Caracas (10 23 N -
66 58 W).

Practice: Cata Bay, western coast of the (rain forest) National Park
Henry Pittier, Aragua state (central coast of Venezuela) 150 km from
Caracas (DC) (10 29 N - 67 44 W).

PROGRAM: Interns (Three weeks), Volunteers (Two weeks).

1st WEEK (LEGC-Ecology Center, 40 hours. For Interns).
- Monday: What is a cetacean? The cetaceans and the human in
history. Origin, evolution and diversity. Adaptations for aquatic life:
Anatomy and Physiology. Life histories. Biogeography Distribution. Ecology
Behavior. Conservation.
- Tuesday: Identification of species reported for Venezuela.
Basic logistics for the study of cetaceans on the mainland, sea and air.
Basic equipment to collect information.
- Wednesday: How to detect cetaceans and record an effective
sighting? Basic data to collect during a sighting, calibration and use of
GPS. Configuration and use of the SLR cameras. Download of sightings (GIS).
Download pictures and selection (software).
- Thursday: Daily encounter ratio. Photo-identification as a tool
for ecological and behavioral studies. Estimates of abundance.
Local distribution and areas of action.
- Friday: Residential patterns. Behavior (deployments, states,
daily budget). Habitat use. Social structure and social networks.
Bioacoustics.
Saturday: Break.
Sunday: Transfer to the Cata Bay.

2nd WEEK (Cata Bay-Provita, 42 hours. For Interns and Volunteers). The
field surveys will be carried out in a fishing vessel of 9 m in length by 2
of beam, no roof. The field work will depend on the climatic
conditions, however, the Aragua coast offers few climatic inconveniences
throughout the year. There will be 7 mornings of field surveys in the week,
after each survey is lunch, rest and then proceed to download the data of
sightings and then interpret them preliminarily and discuss them. We
recommend wearing a long-sleeved shirt, cool pants, hat and sunscreen
(30-50 PF).

In the field surveys, it will be implemented:
- The identification and recognition of the elements of the
marine landscape and the method of tracking and detection of cetaceans.
- Ethical navigation mode to study cetaceans.
- The basic data collection / sighting.
- Use of GPS.
- Use of SRL digital camera.
- Counting of individuals and composition of a group.
- Identification of the behavioral states that configure group behavior
and its recording.
- Use of hydrophone.
- Identification and counting of birds.
-Identification and counting of vessels and other antropic objects.
In the afternoon the information of the sightings will be downloaded:
- Sighting forms.
- Latitude and longitude.
- Photographs and their selection.
- Voice recordings (behavior).
- Recordings of vocalizations.
- Shark whales sightings.
- Birds sightings.
- Vessels and anthropic objects sightings.

3rd WEEK (LEGC-Ecology Center, 40 hours. For Interns and