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Congratulations to the following recipients of the 2011 Grants in Aid of Research!
Final Report: Fukushima Disaster: Does the Japan Nuclear Crisis Affect the Marine Top Predators?
Olga Belonovich, PhD student, Texas A&M University
The proposed research aims was to investigate the concentration of 134 Cs, 137Cs and 90Sr isotopes in fur and milk of lactating northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) from the Commander Islands, Russia which spend 4-6 months in waters off Japan east coast. Fur and milk samples (n=7) were collected during summer 2011. The isotope analyses were conducted in professional laboratory in Moscow, Russia. The isotopes 134Cs, 137Cs, 90Sr were found in all samples with the concentration from 10.9±1.2 to 153.0±14.8 Bq/kg of dry weight. More researches are needed to increase the sample size and to compare these data with data from previous years and other regions. Thanks a lot for the Grant in Aid of Research which was spent to cover expenses of this work. The final results of this work should be published next spring.
Final Report: Genetic Structure and Genetic Diversity of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Bocas Del Toro Archipelago, Panamá
Dalia C. Barragán Barrera BSc, PhD student, Universidad de los Ande
The goal of this study is to determine the genetic structure and genetic diversity of Tursiops truncatus in Bocas del Toro, and compare these results with sequences of bottlenose dolphin from other areas in Caribbean, to determinate units for management and suggest conservation measures. The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is maybe one of the most known and studied species of cetacean around the world. However, the lack of molecular studies in the Caribbean is hindering adequate management planning regionally and locally, and for this reason it is necessary to determinate which "ecotypes" are found in this area to define reasonable management units. A recent study in the Caribbean has shown the existence of two forms an "inshore ecotype" and a "worldwide distributed form". In Bocas del Toro Archipelago inhabits a small population of bottlenose dolphin which has been affected by noise traffic due to boats traffic not controlled. Previous studies have found that dolphins from this population react negatively to these activities suggesting long-term negative impacts that may result in population decline. Here we use molecular tools to determine the stock structure and the conservation status of this population. Skin samples from individuals were obtained using a remote biopsy system (PAXARMS). DNA was extracted using DNeasy kit (QIAGEN, Valencia, CA, USA), and a 650pb D-loop hypervariable portion of the mtDNA CR was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using two pairs of primers, t-Pro-whale M13Dlp1.5 and Dlp8G. Our results from the mtDNA control region analyses show this population has only one haplotype, not previously described anywhere in the Caribbean. This haplotype is shared between males and females suggesting a high philopatry. The Neighbor-Joining analyses grouped this haplotype in a unique clade with previously described "inshore ecotype" haplotypes from Cuba, Bahamas and Mexico. Our results suggest that bottlenose dolphin population of Bocas del Toro could be the result of a "founder effect" from Caribbean northern populations. Microsatellite analyses are currently underway. These results demonstrate vulnerability of bottlenose dolphins in Bocas del Toro, and the importance to implement strategies for making dolphin-watching a sustainable activity in the Archipelago. I am indebted to Society for Marine Mammalogy and the Rufford Small Grants Conservation Fund for funding this research. Results of this research will be presented as a report for consideration of the scientific committee of the International Whaling Commission in Korea during 2013.
Final Report: Analysis of health aspects of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in southeastern and northeastern Brazilian coast, with special emphasis on anthropogenic interactions
Kátia R. Groch, PhD Student, Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens (LAPCOM), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo
The proposed research aims to investigate the health of the population of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) which seasonally migrate to the southeastern and northeastern Brazilian coast. The main objective is to identify possible nonlethal cutaneous diseases, as well as to quantify the occurrence of anthropogenic interactions, detrimental to the species, such as entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with vessels. The evaluation is based on the analysis of images and skin samples obtained from the whales in the wild, through which the presence of skin marks and cutaneous diseases are investigated. It is expected that the results of this study provide important indicators of the environmental conditions of the habitat used by humpback whales and contribute to the development of management and conservation actions for the species. The grant awarded by the Society for Marine Mammalogy helped to provide field supplies and accommodation during the field work in the Abrolhos bank region, from August to October, 2011. This is an ongoing study which is part of my PhD thesis. Preliminary results were presented at the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, held in 2011. After the analysis of photographs and biopsies are completed, the results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed scientific journal. I wish to thank the SMM for the support to the project.
Final Report: GENETICS ANALYSES AS GUIDELINES FOR CONSERVATION OF ANTILLEAN MANATEE (Trichechus manatus manatus) IN BRAZIL.
Fábia de Oliveira Luna, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco-UFPE/Brazil and Aquatic Mammals Center (CMA-ICMBio/Brazil)
The objective of the project "Genetics analyses as guidelines for conservation of Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Brazil." was to understand genetic diversity and population structure of Antillean manatees in the country to provide beneficial information for its conservation and management. Historically, manatees have been hunted in Brazil since the 16th Century, which has eliminated or severely reduced some populations. Currently, the Antillean manatee is listed as Vulnerable to Extinction (VU) on a global scale of IUCN and as Critically Endangered in Brazil. The actual geographically isolated populations would eventually result in genetically isolated populations with higher conservation risk and inbreeding, and thus reducing genetic diversity of the species. Reduced genetic diversity in a species can decrease fecundity, compromise the ability to evolve or endure environmental change, and may result in extinction. The objective was to investigate the existence of populations structure of Antillean manatees and evaluate the biogeography of the species in Brazilian waters. About 100 individual samples (tissue, blood or bone) were made available from the Aquatic Mammals Center (CMA/ICMBio/Brazil), from which 93 had their DNA extracted and PCR were conducted for 16 microsatellite loci which were analyzed at the Genetic Laboratory - Sirenian Project/USGS, Gainesville, FL/USA. To test the genetic structure of population Arlequin version 3.1 (Excoffier et al. 2005), GenAlEx (Peakall and Smouse 2006) were used to determine the general statistics of genetic diversity for microsatellite loci, and FIS was calculated to determine the degree of consanguinity and check the level of inbreeding within a population. The results of this study are part of the doctoral dissertation of Fabia Luna and is highlighted as a priority for conservation of manatees under the National Action Plan for conservation of sirenians, prepared by ICMBio - Ministry of Environment at the end of 2010. The publications resulting of this study is currently in the writing process and will be sent for publication in 2013. The study was sponsored by SMM Grant Aid of Research - 2011, CMA/ICMBio and Sirenia Project/USGS.
Final Report: Rats (Rattus sp.) In Guafo Island: Their Implication On Marine Mammals Conservation
Mauricio Seguel, Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens GA, USA
The proposed research aims to investigate the health of the population of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) which seasonally migrate to the southeastern and northeastern Brazilian coast. The main objective is to identify possible nonlethal cutaneous diseases, as well as to quantify the occurrence of anthropogenic interactions, detrimental to the species, such as entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with vessels. The evaluation is based on the analysis of images and skin samples obtained from the whales in the wild, through which the presence of skin marks and cutaneous diseases are investigated. It is expected that the results of this study provide important indicators of the environmental conditions of the habitat used by humpback whales and contribute to the development of management and conservation actions for the species. The grant awarded by the Society for Marine Mammalogy helped to provide field supplies and accommodation during the field work in the Abrolhos bank region, from August to October, 2011. This is an ongoing study which is part of my PhD thesis. Preliminary results were presented at the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, held in 2011. After the analysis of photographs and biopsies are completed, the results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed scientific journal. I wish to thank the SMM for the support to the project.
Final report: Morphology, function and evolution of teeth in fossil and modern dolphins
Carolina Loch S. Silva, PhD student, Department of Geology, University of Otago, New Zealand
Teeth are a valuable source of information in studies of mammalian biology, supplying data on the feeding habits, estimations of age, environmental influences and phylogenetic relationships. Teeth provide evidence of life history parameters and are also more frequently preserved as fossils than other skeletal remains. My research involves studies on the morphology, functionality and evolutionary changes of teeth in fossil and modern dolphins. Fossil and extant marine mammal collections were visited and sampled. These include the Smithsonian Institution (Washington DC, USA), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Florianópolis, Brazil), Massey University (Palmerston North and Auckland, New Zealand), Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Wellington, New Zealand) and University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand). Macroscopic (morphological characterization) and microscopic analysis (SEM, nanoindentation, MicroCT and chemical characterization) are being used to elucidate the patterns of form, function and evolution in dolphin teeth and their role in feeding and behavioral/social systems in ancient and living species. These analyses are still ongoing and are part of my PhD thesis to be completed in 2013. Preliminary results have been presented at the 14th Meeting of Experts in Aquatic mammals from South America and at the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. The SMM Grant-in-Aid for Research allowed me to cover part of the expenses of a research visit to the Smithsonian Institution collections, which constitute the largest, richest and most significant collections of marine mammals globally. The SMM grant was also used to purchase computer supplies and software necessary to this study. As a long-term goal, I aim to apply the scientific training and networking I am gathering from an overseas-based PhD to research efforts in general biology and conservation of aquatic mammals in my home country, Brazil.
Final Report: Current and Past se of Trouphic Resources by the South American Fur Seal Arctocephalus Australis (Zimmermann, 1783) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Damián G. Vales, PhD Student, Laboratorio de Mamíferos Marinos, Centro Nacional Patagónico, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (LAMAMA-CENPAT-CONICET, Argentina)
The present research aims to investigate the current and past use of trophic resources by the South American fur seal, as well as the potential link with changes in population abundance of this species in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. This fur seal was led to the brink of extinction due to commercial sealing during 18th century to beginnings of 20th century. After killing ceased, population has been increasing. Nowadays, after commercial fishing has extracted intermediate levels from marine food webs, this species faces up new challenges. During this summer season we sailed to Isla Escondida, I. Rasa and I. Arce. Rookeries on these islands concentrate the largest amount of fur seals in Argentina. In the field, we performed census by direct counts and we took photographs to census later in the laboratory. Due to bad weather conditions, we could only land at Isla Arce. At this island, we sampled dead stranded individuals for stable isotope analyses and collected feces for diet determination. Some of these samples are already processed and results interpretation is still ongoing. Preliminary results have been presented at the 15th Meeting of Experts in Aquatic Mammals from South America. The SMM Grant-in-Aid for Research was used to cover partially boat's fuel to get to the colonies where the fur seals are found. I would like to thank to The Society of Marine Mammalogy for the financial support given to the present project, as well as the trust deposited in our research group Laboratorio de Mamíferos Marinos CENPAT-CONICET.
Final report: Trophic Ecology of Franciscana Dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, from Southernmost Distribution Range
María Natalia Paso Viola, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia" (MACN-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
Feeding habits of the franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, from the southernmost area of its distribution were described for the first time. Stomach contents of specimens incidentally caught in fishing nets along the southern coast of Buenos Aires province in Argentina were analyzed. Different indexes and size of prey consumed were estimated to evaluate size overlapping with fisheries. Samples of muscle of the dolphins were analyzed to stable isotopic determination (δ13C and δ15N). Also, biological parameters of dolphins such as size, age and sexual maturity were associated to diet. Almost all prey found in the diet are of commercial interest but in some cases fisheries targets are larger individuals. The overlapping of target species and prey subject to overfishing could enhance the vulnerability of franciscana by reducing food availability in an area where the diet is less diverse. These results are now being submitted to a peer-reviewed scientific journal. I hope it will be published soon. I wish to thank the SMM for their support to this project.
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