[MARMAM] New publication on leopard seal morphology, movement patterns, and dive behavior, oh my!

[Sarah Kienle]

Dear MARMAM'rs,

My co-authors and I are so excited to share our new paper on leopard seals:

Kienle, S. S., Goebel, M., LaBrecque, E., Borras-Chavez, R., Trumble, S.
J., Kanatous, S. B., Crocerk, D. E. & Costa, D. P. Plasticity in the
morphometrics and movements of an Antarctic apex predator, the leopard
seal. *Frontiers in Marine Science*, 1540.

Abstract:

Animals that display plasticity in behavioral, ecological, and
morphological traits are better poised to cope with environmental
disturbances. Here, we examined individual plasticity and intraspecific
variation in the morphometrics, movement patterns, and dive behavior of an
enigmatic apex predator, the leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx).
Satellite/GPS tags and time depth recorders were deployed on 22 leopard
seals off the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Adult female leopard seals were
significantly larger (454±59 kg) and longer (302±11 cm) than adult males
(302 ±22 kg, 276±11 cm). As females were 50% larger than their male
counterparts, leopard seals are therefore one of the most extreme examples
of female biased sexual size dimorphism in marine mammals. Female leopard
seals also spent more time hauled-out on land and ice than males. In the
austral spring/summer, three adult female leopard seals hauled-out on ice
for 10+ days, which likely represent the first satellite tracks of
parturition and lactation for the species. While we found sex-based
differences in morphometrics and haul out durations, other variables, including
maximum distance traveled and dive parameters, did not vary by sex. Regardless
of sex, some leopard seals remained in near-shore habitats, traveling less
than 50 kilometers, while other leopard seals traveled up to 1,700
kilometers away from the tagging location.Overall, leopard sealswere short
(3.0±0.7 min) and shallow (29±8 m) divers. However, within this general
pattern, some individual leopard seals primarily used short, shallow dives,
while others switched between short, shallow dives and long, deep dives. We
also recorded the single deepest and longest dive made by any leopard seal—1,
256 meters for 25 minutes. Together, our results showcased high plasticity
among leopard seals tagged in a single location. These flexible behaviors
and traits may offer leopard seals, an ice associated apex predator,
resilience to the rapidly changing Southern Ocean.

It is freely available here:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.976019/full.
Please email
me (sarah_kie...@baylor.edu) if you cannot access it.

Cheers,
Sarah S. Kienle
Department of Biology
Baylor University
Kienle Lab 
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[MARMAM] Soliciting support for SMM initiative on enhancing the impact and inclusivity of research by embracing multi-lingual science communication

[Emma Carroll]

Tēnā koutou and greetings,



Mariano Sironi from Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas and I have
written a letter that we intend to submit to the Editor for *Marine Mammal
Science* entitled “*Enhancing the impact and inclusivity of research by
embracing multi-lingual science communication”.*



The purpose of the letter is to promote the publication and communication
of science in languages other than English within the Society for Marine
Mammalogy (SMM). Research suggests that this will increase the scientific
engagement and understanding of native speakers and broaden conversations
in science as multilingualism will expand both an individual’s and
collaboration’s perspective, which could lead to more innovative science.
In particular, we emphasise the benefits that communicating research
findings and implications in the language where the research takes place,
and the growing responsibility we have as scientists to ensure this occurs.
To facilitate change within SMM, we suggest a Resolution on Multilingual
Science Communication to be put forward to the Society.



You can read the letter here: http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.29934.08001



The purpose of this message is to ask for your support for this letter and
its proposed resolution. We have created the opportunity for you to
contribute to this initiative by adding your details and confirming your
support in a short, online form: https://tinyurl.com/4emmkyeb



The final number of signatures and countries of those that complete the
form in support of the letter by *15 September* will be added to the final
document before submission.



Please feel free to share the letter and support form with colleagues,



Ngā mihi and thanks,

Emma Carroll

University of Auckland – Waipapa Taumata Rau, Aoteaora New Zealand

www.tohoravoyages.ac.nz





Buenas tardes colegas,



Junto a Emma Carroll de la Universidad de Auckland (Nueva Zelanda) hemos
escrito una carta dirigida al Editor de la revista Marine Mammal Science. La
carta se titula “*Letter to the Editor of Marine Mammal Science: Enhancing
the impact and inclusivity of research by embracing multi-lingual science
communication.”*



Esta carta tiene por objetivo promover la publicación y comunicación de la
ciencia en idiomas alternativos al inglés, así como ampliar a otros idiomas
las reuniones científicas, las solicitudes de financiamiento para proyectos
de investigación, e incluso facilitar el acceso a fondos para realizar o
revisar traducciones de trabajos científicos. En especial, hacemos énfasis
en la importancia de que los resultados científicos se hagan disponibles en
los idiomas locales de los sitios donde se realizan las investigaciones, de
modo que estos resultados tengan mayor impacto en las comunidades locales y
en definitiva, en la protección de las especies y de sus hábitats.



La carta completa puede leerse aquí
http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.29934.08001



La intención de esta comunicación es solicitarles a ustedes el apoyo a esta
carta. Para quienes crean oportuno apoyar esta iniciativa, hemos creado un
formulario breve que permitirá sumar las firmas a la carta. Pueden
completar el formulario aquí: https://tinyurl.com/4emmkyeb



También, pueden distribuir esta solicitud entre sus colegas del ámbito
científico para dar a otras personas la oportunidad de manifestar su apoyo.



Estaremos agregando firmas *hasta el 15 de septiembre* para luego enviar la
carta al Editor.



Desde ya, agradezco a quienes se sumen apoyando esta declaración y
solicitud, para que podamos comunicarnos más y mejor usando la hermosa
diversidad de los idiomas de todo el planeta.



Cordialmente,



Mariano.



Dr. Mariano Sironi

Director Científico

Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas – Argentina

www.ballenas.org.ar
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[MARMAM] New publication on a mammalian mRNA sex determination method

[jake linsky]

Dear Colleagues,

   My co-authors and I are happy to share our new paper "A mammalian
messenger RNA sex determination method from humpback whale (Megaptera
novaeangliae) blubber biopsies" in The Royal Society Open Science. Our
paper presents a functional blubber mRNA extraction protocol and a method
of determining sex using the extracted mRNA, to help streamline
expression-based health studies.

A mammalian messenger RNA sex determination method from humpback whale
(Megaptera novaeangliae) blubber biopsies
Jacob M. J. Linsky, Rebecca A. Dunlop, Michael J. Noad and Lee A. McMichael
Published:24 August 2022 https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.220556

Abstract
The large size of free-ranging mysticetes, such as humpback whales
(Megaptera novaeangliae), make capture and release health assessments
unfeasible for conservation research. However, individual energetic
condition or reproductive health may be assessed from the gene expression
of remotely biopsied tissue. To do this, researchers must reliably extract
RNA and interpret gene expression measurements within the context of an
individual's sex. Here, we outline an RNA extraction protocol from blubber
tissue and describe a novel mammalian RNA sex determination method. Our
method consists of a duplex reverse transcription-quantitative (real-time)
polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) with primer sets for a control gene
(ACTB) and the X-chromosome inactivation gene (XIST). Products of each
RT-qPCR had distinct melting temperature profiles based on the presence
(female) or absence (male) of the XIST transcript. Using high-resolution
melt analysis, reactions were sorted into one of two clusters (male/female)
based on their melting profiles. We validated the XIST method by comparing
results with a standard DNA-based method. With adequate quantities of RNA
(minimum of approx. 9 ng µl−1), the XIST sex determination method shows
100% agreement with traditional DNA sex determination. Using the XIST
method, future cetacean health studies can interpret gene expression within
the context of an individual's sex, all from a single extraction.

A mammalian messenger RNA sex determination method from humpback whale
(Megaptera novaeangliae) blubber biopsies | Royal Society Open Science
(royalsocietypublishing.org)


regards,
-Jake

[image: width=]

Virus-free.www.avg.com

<#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
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[MARMAM] New publication: Historical occurrence of whales in Scottish Waters inferred from whaling records

[Conor Ryan]

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of my coauthors, I am pleased to announce the publication of a
new open access paper:

Ryan, C., Calderan, S., Allison, C., Leaper, R., & Risch, D. (2022).
Historical occurrence of whales in Scottish Waters inferred from whaling
records. *Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems*.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aqc.3873

Abstract
Archived logbooks detailing landings at Scottish shore-based whaling
stations between 1903 and 1951 were used to map whale catch locations.
Historical distribution and occurrence are inferred and summary statistics
on total landings are updated for blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin
(Balaenoptera physalus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), North Atlantic
right (Eubalaena glacialis), sei (Balaenoptera borealis) and sperm
(Physeter macrocephalus) whales: a total of 9,996 whales were caught during
this period, which is 3.7% higher than previously reported and 25% higher
for blue whales.
The most frequently caught species were fin and sei whales. Whaling off
Scotland in the 1920s contributed to the likely extinction of right whales
in the eastern North Atlantic. Blue whales, once regularly hunted to the
west of Scotland, are now rarely documented there and North-east Atlantic
whaling appears to have had a significant and lasting impact on sei whales.
Analysis of whaling effort indicates that catch rates remained high despite
the depletion of some species. This may be a consequence of two features of
Scottish shore-based whaling: (1) the mixed species catch composition; and
(2) the catching of whales as they migrated through Scottish waters.
The findings of this study highlight the historical significance of the
shelf-seas around Scotland as a habitat for some species, which was not
apparent from previous studies. These results can inform where there may be
potential for the recovery of some species in the future.
Current major threats in the North Atlantic include entanglement, ship
strike and displacement owing to the effects of climate change. The
baseline and historical information on distribution and seasonal occurrence
examined here is important for informing spatial and temporal measures to
reduce these threats. If populations are to recover post-whaling there is
an increasing need to reduce threats such as ship strikes and entanglement,
whose magnitude is proportional to whale density.

We have a lot of work to do.
Best wishes
Conor Ryan

website: conorryan.photography
twitter: @whale_nerd 
instagram: @whale_nerd 
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[MARMAM] New publication on the moulting phenology of Saimaa ringed seals

[Milaja Nykänen]

Dear colleagues,

On behalf of my co-authors, I'd like to draw your attention to a recently
published paper on the moulting phenology of Saimaa ringed seals.

Niemi M, Nykänen M, Biard V, Kurkilahti M, Kunnasranta M. 2022. Molting
phenology of a lacustrine ringed seal, Pusa hispida saimensis. Ecology and
Evolution, e9248.

Abstract

The timing and effect of a range of environmental variables on the annual
molt of ringed seals (Pusa hispida saimensis) in Lake Saimaa were studied
in 2013–2019. Molting patterns were investigated by mixed models run on
photoidentification data collected by camera trapping and digital camera
surveys. Photoperiod was the predominant environmental variable affecting
the molt but molting of females was also linked to air temperature and ice
thickness. The cumulative proportion of molting seals peaked around the
18th–20th May, when day length reached 18 h. The main molting season, when
most of the seals were hauled out at the same time, lasted on average for
16 days with considerable inter-annual differences in the duration (range
11–22 days). The results provide important baseline information on Saimaa
ringed seal molt. Continued monitoring is important as the molt is an
energetically demanding period for the seals, and any changes in molting
behavior may indicate changes in habitat or in environmental conditions.

The article is freely available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9248

All the best,
Milaja Nykänen

-- 
Dr Milaja Nykänen
Post-doctoral researcher

University of Eastern Finland

Saimaa ringed seal research

Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences

PO Box 111

FI-80101 Joensuu
Finland
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[MARMAM] IMMS Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Program Fall Internship

[Kailey Pamperin]

Kailey Pamperin (kailey.pampe...@gmail.com)

Research Program

Institute for Marine Mammal Studies

*Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Program Fall Internship *

*Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) *

*Gulfport, Mississippi*

*Job Description *

IMMS’ Research Internship Program is designed to provide exceptional
research and learning experiences in a real-world setting to early career
scientists in the fields of marine biology and ecology, marine mammal
population ecology and behavior, veterinary sciences and conservation. In
this position, interns will primarily assist the institute’s Bottlenose
Dolphin Photo-ID Program in collecting and processing photographs of
bottlenose dolphins in the Mississippi Sound. Other research efforts may
include conducting literature reviews, collecting and managing fisheries,
habitat and environmental data, and investigating ecological factors and
relationships. Interns will also gain diverse experience working in other
program areas including marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response,
sea turtle surveys, veterinary research, aquaria maintenance and animal
care (bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, rays, starfish, birds,
reptiles, etc.), and marine education and conservation.


*As part of a research team, primary duties include: *

Conduct boat-based bottlenose dolphin photo-ID surveys up to 7 days per
month in estuarine and nearshore marine Gulf Coast waters. Dolphin surveys
generally take about 6 hours and sometimes occur in challenging weather and
coastal conditions.

Photograph dolphins and collect survey data during boat-based field surveys

Sort and process photographs of bottlenose dolphins

Collect photograph-based data and enter it into Microsoft Excel

Match dolphin photographs to our catalog of known individuals using
finFindR

Enter collected bottlenose dolphin and environmental data in
FinBase/Microsoft Access

Assist in diverse research efforts related to bottlenose dolphins, sea
turtles, and estuarine and near-shore marine ecology

Manage spatial data in ArcGIS

When needs arrive, assist other program areas including stranding response,
sea turtle surveys, veterinary research, animal care and marine education.


*Internship Research Projects and Presentations *

As part of the research internship, interns will be assigned an independent
research project. Research projects are designed to help expand the science
of dolphins and sea turtles, contribute to IMMS’ Research Program, and
provide interns with real-world research experience. Assigned research
project topics will vary depending on the current needs of IMMS’ Research
Department. Interns will be given time at work to work on their research
projects. Interns are also expected to conduct at least 3 hours per week of
research outside of work. Interns will present the findings of their
research with a 10-minute PowerPoint presentation in the last week of their
internship.


*Internship Requirements *

Applicants must be 18 years or older. Applicants should be actively
pursuing a college degree or be a recent graduate in biology, marine
science, marine biology, marine and estuarine ecology, oceanography or a
related field. Previous research experience is a plus. Applicants must be
able and willing to fulfill all of the duties described in this internship
position.

Internship positions are 40 hours per week (generally Mon-Fri/8 am-4 pm). As
needs arrive, responding to stranded dolphins and sea turtles, for
instance, interns may need to shift their schedules to assist our Stranding
Department in these efforts. Internship start and end dates for this Fall
are flexible. We do require a minimum of a 12-week commitment for this
internship position.


*Additional Information *

Research internships are unpaid positions. IMMS provides a $30
reimbursement per week for groceries. Interns are responsible for their own
housing and transportation. Once accepted, IMMS staff will assist interns
in finding rooms available to rent.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the
positions are filled.


To apply, please send a resume (with 3 references), a copy of your college
transcripts, and a one-page statement of interest to jba...@imms.org. For
information about the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, please visit our
website https://imms.org/.
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