[MARMAM] New publication: Seasonal distribution of an opportunistic apex predator (Tursiops truncatus) in marine coastal habitats of the Western Mediterranean Sea

[Daniela Silvia Pace]

Dear MARMAM community,
on behalf of my coauthors, I'm pleased to announce the recent publication
of our paper in Frontiers in Marine Science:

Pace DS, Panunzi G, Arcangeli A, Moro S, Jona-Lasinio G and Martino S
(2022). Seasonal distribution of an opportunistic apex predator (Tursiops
truncatus) in marine coastal habitats of the Western Mediterranean Sea.
Front. Mar. Sci. 9:939692.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.939692/full


Abstract
Assessing the distribution of marine apex–predators is pivotal to
understanding community interactions and defining management goals.
However, several challenges arise in both estimates and predictions
considering the distinctive and mutable biological/ecological requirements
of these species and the influence of human activities. Thus, efforts to
study apex–predators’ spatial distribution patterns must deal with inherent
uncertainty. Relying on different data sources (research programs and
social media reports), physiographic and environmental covariates (depth,
slope, surface temperature and chlorophyll–a), and specific source–related
detection functions, this study selected a Spatial Log–Gaussian Cox Process
to model the distribution patterns of an opportunistic apex–predator, the
common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), over 14 years (2008−2021)
in the Mediterranean Sea (Italy) using a total of 955 encounters. Both
depth and slope showed a significant (95% significance) reduction effect in
the encounters when deeper and steeper, respectively. Temperature
(parabolic) shows a positive effect (90% significance), while chlorophyll–a
values did not seem to have a significant effect on encounter intensities
within each season. The estimated posterior mean and the coefficient of
variation surfaces for the intensity by season showed higher intensity in
summer near the Tiber River estuary than other regions. Almost homogeneous
predictions were observed in winter, with marginal greater intensities
where lower temperatures and higher chlorophyll–a concentration were
observed. The relatively low variance was predicted in the more coastal
parts of the study area within each season, while higher uncertainty was
instead revealed in the southernmost offshore area. This study highlighted
the persistent presence of the common bottlenose dolphin in the
investigated area both winter and summer, with a coherent distribution
within each season, and rare transient occurrences in deeper waters (where
uncertainty increases). Thanks to its versatile characteristics, the
species seems to well adapt to different seasonal conditions and maintain
its distributional range.

With very best wishes,
Daniela

--
Daniela Silvia Pace, PhD
Department of Environmental Biology
Marine Ecology Lab
Sapienza University of Rome
Viale dell’Università 32
00185 Rome, Italy
mail: danielasilvia.p...@uniroma1.it
mobile: +39 346 1039652
office: +39 06 4991 4763
skype: lagenorinco
Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/-0001-5121-7080

[image: Risultati immagini per logo sapienza]
"*Ecology is a contingent science under the broad control of climate and
evolutionary change. It is an essential science if we are to achieve
conservation successes. There is much left to do*"
(Charles J. Krebs)

-- 
**Fai crescere le giovani ricercatrici e i giovani ricercatori*

**con il 5 
per mille alla Sapienza
*Scrivi il codice fiscale dell'Università 
*80209930587
Cinque per mille *





___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] PhD opportunity

[JEANNIARD DU DOT Tiphaine]

PhD studentship opportunity - Marine Ecology

Title: Increasing our understanding of climate change impacts on a keystone 
species in the Arctic: the hooded seal

Project description: Over recent decades, the Arctic has experienced a warming 
three times faster than the global average, resulting in major changes in ice 
and oceanographic conditions. These structural changes impact organisms at 
every level of the Arctic food web from phytoplankton to top predators. Ice 
seals are considered bio-indicators of the Artic ecosystem health, yet little 
is known about how ice seals have responded both horizontally and vertically to 
seasonal and annual changes in the Arctic ecosystem in the past. As the Arctic 
continues to lose ice, this study will examine future consequences of these 
ecosystem changes on ice seals.
Successful candidates will combine biologging-derived behavioural and movement 
data, environmental data and simulation modelling to 1) characterize the 
foraging behaviours of hooded seals using tri-dimensional movement data, their 
relation to foraging efficiency, and to their habitat characteristics; 2) 
assess changes in foraging efficiencies through time-series data and their 
links to population trajectory; 3) build models that predict the future 
vertical distribution of the Arctic hooded seal. This research will allow us to 
infer mechanistic links between the ice seals foraging ecology and their 
physical environment, and better understand the impacts of environmental 
changes on ice seal individuals and populations from forecasts of climate 
induced habitat shifts.

Qualifications: We seek candidates with an MSc in Marine Ecology, Biology or 
Ocean Sciences. Rigorous candidate with creative and collaborative spirit that 
will help foster a collegial culture that is grounded in equity, diversity and 
inclusiveness. She/He must be highly autonomous and able to adapt quickly to 
different lab/team/country settings as this PhD is co-supervised between French 
and Canadian institutions. Proficiency in English is mandatory. The candidate 
is expected to complete his PhD in 36mo (France requirements).

Research abilities:
  *   Programming (proficient in R and/or matlab)
  *   Advanced statistical modelling
  *   Biologging data analysis
  *   Oceanographic data analysis
  *   Scientific writing and communication

Location: The candidate will be registered at La Rochelle University in France 
but will be co-supervised between Dr Tiphaine Jeanniard du Dot from Centre 
d'Etudes Biologiques de Chize at La Rochelle University and Dr Ruth Joy from 
School of Environmental Science at Simon Fraser University in Canada. The 
candidate will be expected to start their degree in France but to spend time in 
both institutions/countries in the course of their degree.

Start date: March 2023
To apply: Please send CV with references, Statement of Research Interest (1 
page) and unofficial copy of transcripts to Dr Tiphaine Jeanniard du Dot 
tiphaine.jeanniard-du-...@cebc.cnrs.fr
 and Dr Ruth Joy r@sfu.ca or contact us for more 
information.

Application deadline: Oct 15th 2022.



___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Job Opportunity: Biometrician

[Lori Polasek]

*The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation
is recruiting for a Biometrician 1/2/3 located in either Juneau, Anchorage
or Fairbanks !*



*What you will be doing:*

 The department reposting the search for an individual with an interest in
marine mammal research and conservation with vision to be part of an
innovative and skilled research team, and who aspires to solve scientific
problems and address conservation issues. This position provides biometric
assistance to mid and upper level wildlife biologists (Wildlife Biologist
II, III, and IV) to support the statewide Marine Mammal Program staff and
projects and consultations on management level issues. This position works
closely on statewide research issues and offers a rare opportunity to
provide biometric support to a diverse array of marine mammal projects in
beautiful and remote areas of Alaska. The wildlife species associated with
these projects include such species as ice seals, polar bears, sea lions,
belugas, walrus, otters, and bowhead whales, as well as other marine mammal
species. The successful applicant may also have the opportunity to
participate in wildlife field work.



*To view the full posting please visit: ADFG_Biometrician
*
___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphin sympatric use of nearshore water at Bimini, The Bahamas

[Kathleen Dudzinski]

To our Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the publication of our most recent paper detailing 
the sympatric distribution of Atlantic spotted and common bottlenose dolphins 
in the nearshore water around Bimini, The Bahamas. 

Levengood, A, Melillo-Sweeting, K, Ribic, CA, Beck, AJ, Dudzinski, KM (2022) 
Shoreline distribution of dolphins along North Bimini Island, The Bahamas. 
Caribbean Journal of Science, 52(2), 162-176. 
https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a3 


Abstract—Within nearshore waters off Bimini, The Bahamas, Atlantic spotted 
(Stenella frontalis) and common bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) dolphins are 
sympatric but separated spatially in different geographic areas and water depth 
ranges. Afternoon surveys during summer months across a 16-year period showed 
S. frontalis used the northern part of the nearshore area more, while T. 
truncatus used the southern area more. Generally, examination of geographic 
zones and water depth distributions of both species before and after 
construction of a pier in the study area suggested these dolphins were not 
impacted, long-term, by this anthropogenic activity. Still some differences in 
use of the nearshore area were identified. For water depth, S. frontalis varied 
use between 5–<12 m and 12–<20 m, depending on location along the coast. In 
contrast, T. truncatus consistently used the 5–<12 m depths. This difference 
may be related to how each species used the nearshore area, with T. truncatus 
feeding more and S. frontalis travelling and doing other activities. A small 
change in the distribution of S. frontalis by water depth off the northern 
coast of Bimini was found, specifically an increased use of deeper (12–20 m) 
water post 2014, which is unlikely an effect of pier construction as S. 
frontalis continued to use the 5–12 m depths as they had before pier 
construction. How this change might be related to an unprecedented 2013 S. 
frontalis immigration event, which might have disrupted the social structure, 
habitat/resource use, and distribution of both species, is discussed.

The publication is available as pdf and html text: 
https://bioone.org/journals/caribbean-journal-of-science/volume-52/issue-2/cjos.v52i2.a3/Atlantic-Spotted-and-Bottlenose-Dolphin-Sympatric-Distribution-in-Nearshore-Waters/10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a3.full
 


Please let us know if you have questions.
Thank you.
Cheers,
Kathleen (on behalf of my co-authors: Alexis Levengood, Kel Mellilo-Sweeting, 
Christine Ribic and AJ Beck)



Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D.
Director, Dolphin Communication Project

kathl...@dcpmail.org
www.dolphincommunicationproject.org



___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] New publication: Assessment of social mixing and spatial overlap as a pathway for disease transmission in a northeast Florida estuarine dolphin community

[Kristy Brightwell]

Hello,



My coauthors and I are pleased to share our new publication. Our article
“Assessment of social mixing and spatial overlap as a pathway for disease
transmission in a northeast Florida estuarine dolphin community” has been
published in Mammalian Biology as a contribution to the special issue on
“Individual Identification and Photographic Techniques in Mammalian
Ecological and Behavioural Research – Part 2: Field Studies and
Applications” — Editors: Leszek Karczmarski, Stephen C.Y. Chan, Scott Y.S.
Chui, and Elissa Z. Cameron.

Szott, E.A., Brightwell, K. & Gibson, Q. Assessment of social mixing and
spatial overlap as a pathway for disease transmission in a northeast
Florida estuarine dolphin community. *Mamm Biol* (2022).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-022-00282-y

Abstract

Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in estuarine systems are
often subjected to natural and anthropogenic risks, which may impact their
health and behaviors. Effective management for this species should
incorporate continual, updated information on behavioral patterns of the
individuals within populations. Currently, the Jacksonville Estuarine
System stock assessment report, which includes dolphins in the St. Johns
River (SJR) in northeast Florida, is based on data from the 1990s. Since
then, dolphins’ use of the SJR has shifted, and the community has been
impacted by two unusual mortality events (UME). This study analyzed site
fidelity, space use and overlap, and social mixing with respect to the
epizootic 2013–2015 UME, whose infectious agent was cetacean morbillivirus
(CeMV). Examination of residency status determined that most dolphins
sighted in the river were year-round residents (x̄=45%, SD = 3.20). Space
use and overlap of core areas occurred among residency categories but
varied between cold and warm seasons and across time periods. There were
key, highly connected individuals in the social network, which may have
influenced disease transmission during the UME. Individuals infected by
CeMV that stranded during the UME shared overlapping core areas with each
other and with individuals from different residency categories. Altogether,
this information on site fidelity, spatial overlap, and social mixing will
help improve management plans for SJR dolphins, lead to better response
efforts to future unusual mortality events, and increase the understanding
of disease transmission in social species.

You can access a view-only version of the article using the following link:
https://rdcu.be/cVeFR

Please contact the corresponding author, Emily Szott (es.un...@gmail.com)
with any questions.



Best,

Kristy Brightwell

UNF Dolphin Research Program
___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Aquatic Mammals issue 48.5 available online

[Kathleen Dudzinski]

Dear MARMAM and ECS Talk Subscriber,
 
Happy September! 
The 5th issue of volume 48 (48.5) of Aquatic Mammals journal is now published 
online. 
 
Further information about the journal can be found at: 
http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/ 
To submit a manuscript for publication consideration, please visit: 
http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php 

 
With regards,
 
Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D.
Editor, Aquatic Mammals Journal
busin...@aquaticmammalsjournal.org 
 
 
Volume 48, Issue 5 (Items preceded by an ** are open access)
Noppakarn Singkhum, Patharapol Piamsomboon, Nitiwadee Keschumras, Thitiorn 
Ussavarangsi, Sirawich Srisiri, Junpen Suwimonteerabutr, Nantarika Chansue, and 
Thanida Haetrakul. (2022). Semen Quality and Electron Microscopy of Captive 
Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) Sperm. Aquatic Mammals, 48(5), 
395-400. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.5.2022.395 


Meghan E. Rickard, Kate S. Lomac-MacNair, Darren S. Ireland, Sarah M. Leiter, 
Mitchell D. Poster, and Ann M. Zoidis. (2022). Evidence of Large Whale 
Socio-Sexual Behavior in the New York Bight. Aquatic Mammals, 48(5), 401-417. 
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.5.2022.401 


Juan José Alava, Marjorie Riofrío-Lazo, Gabriel Reygondeau, Patricia Rosero, 
Isabel C. Avila, Daniel Lara, Fernando Gil, Carlos F. Yaipen-Llanos, Fernando 
R. Elorriaga-Verplancken, and Diego Páez-Rosas. (2022). Southern Elephant 
Seals (Mirounga leonina) in the Galapagos Islands and the Eastern Tropical 
Pacific Amid Ocean Environmental Changes: Towards a Habitat Suitability Index. 
Aquatic Mammals, 48(5), 418-431. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.5.2022.418 


Robin W. Baird, Jesse James, Chad Mata, and Marc Hughes. (2022). Two Gray Whale 
(Eschrichtius robustus) Sightings off Hawaiʻi Island: The First Records for the 
Central Tropical Pacific. Aquatic Mammals, 48(5), 432-435. DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.5.2022.432 


Ana M. García-Cegarra. (2022). Evidence of Type A-Like Killer Whales (Orcinus 
orca) Predating on Marine Mammals Along the Atacama Desert Coast, Chile. 
Aquatic Mammals, 48(5), 436-448. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.5.2022.436 


**Tiu Similä, Tore Haug, Lotta Lindblom, Christina Lockyer, and Seán A. 
O’Callaghan. (2022). Stomach Contents of Three Sperm Whales (Physeter 
macrocephalus) Stranded on Andøya, Northern Norway. Aquatic Mammals, 48(5), 
449-455.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.5.2022.449 


Jure Miočić-Stošić, Maša Frleta-Valić, and Draško Holcer. (2022). The Camera 
Does Not Lie: Superimposed Dorsal Fins Introducing Error in Cetacean 
Photo-Identification. Aquatic Mammals, 48(5), 456-461. DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.5.2022.456 


Jared R. Towers and Paul Tixier. (2022). Indian Ocean Sighting of Shepherd’s 
Beaked Whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi) Helps Confirm Circumpolar Distribution in 
Southern Hemisphere.Aquatic Mammals, 48(5), 462-467. DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.5.2022.462 


**Jason N. Bruck and Elizabeth Henderson. (2022). In Memoriam: Sam Ridgway 
(1936 to 2022). Aquatic Mammals, 48(5), 468-471. DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.5.2022.468 

___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam