Dolphins Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

We previously reported a solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for determination of the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA) in both seawater and phytoplankton by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with the purpose of sample desalting without DA pre-concentration. In the present study, we optimized the SPE procedure with seawater and phytoplankton samples directly acidified with aqueous formic acid without addition of organic solvents, which allowed sample desalting and also 20-fold pre-concentration of DA in seawater and phytoplankton samples. In order to reduce MS contamination, a diverter valve was installed between LC and MS to send the LC eluant to waste, except for the 6-min elution window bracketing the DA retention time, which was sent to the MS. Reduction of the MS turbo gas temperature also helped to maintain the long-term stability of MS signal. Recoveries exceeded 90% for the DA-negative seawater and the DA-positive cultured phytoplankton samples spiked with DA. The SPE method for DA extraction and sample clean-up in seawater was extended to mammalian fluids and tissues with modification in order to accommodate the fluid samples with limited available volumes and the tissue extracts in aqueous methanol. Recoveries of DA from DA-exposed laboratory mammalian samples (amniotic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, placenta, and brain) were above 85%. Recoveries of DA from samples (urine, feces, intestinal contents, and gastric contents) collected from field stranded marine mammals showed large variations and were affected by the sample status. The optimized SPE-LC-MS method allows determination of DA at trace levels (low pg mL −1 ) in seawater with/without the presence of phytoplankton. The application of SPE clean-up to mammalian fluids and tissue extracts greatly reduced the LC column degradation and MS contamination, which allowed routine screening of marine mammalian samples for confirmation of DA exposure and determination of fluid and tissue DA concentrations in experimental laboratory animals.

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- Analytical Chemistry, Phytoplankton, Dolphins, Whales
- by Aizhan Aimbetova
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- Animal Welfare, Swimming, Dolphins, Health Services

Amaç: 2007 - 2015 yılları arasında arazide karşılaşılan, hakkında kısıtlı da olsa veriler edinilen memelilere ilişkin bilginin paylaşılması mevcut çalışmanın amacını teşkil etmektedir. Bu veriler, fotoğraflar, kısmen düzenli olarak kaydedilmiş veriler ve kısa notlar olarak sunulmuştur. Bildiriye numaralandırılmış bir isim verilmesi sayesinde çalışmaların tekrarlı hale getirilmesi amaçlanmaktadır.
Gereçler ve Yöntemler: Çalışma kapsamında, karşılaşılmış 9 memeli organizmanın (Sciurus vulgaris, Sus scrofa, Vulpes vulpes, Martes sp., Tursiops truncatus, bir Chiroptera üyesi, Erinaceus concolor, Lutra lutra ve Meles meles), 3 ilde (Aydın, Denizli ve Muğla) bulundukları yerler harita üzerinde gösterilmiş, karşılaşma tarihleri, koordinatları, bulunuş şekilleri ve birey sayıları kaydedilmiştir. Ayrıca her organizmaya ait görsellerle çalışma zenginleştirilmiştir. İhbarlarla gelen bilgiler sayesinde veriler desteklenmiştir. Aktif saha çalışmalarının gerçekleştirilmesinde hem profesyonel fotoğraf makinalarından hem de fotokapan kullanım yöntemlerinden yararlanılmıştır.
Sonuç: Çalışmanın çıktıları değerlendirildiğinde, türlerin bulunuşlarının zorluğu dikkat çekmektedir. Ayrıca Meles meles gibi bazı türlerin ölü olarak bulunması gibi sorunların varlığı göze çarpmaktadır. Bu bakış açısı geliştirildiğinde, ülkemizde yapılacak kapsamlı mamalojik çalışmaların önemi ön plana çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışmalara ait sonuçların, söz konusu organizmalarla iç içe yaşam süren yöre insanları ile paylaşılması bilim insanlarının yükümlülüğüdür.

- by Özgen Yılmaz
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- Conservation Biology, Biology, Ecology, Mammalogy

The bycatch of small cetaceans in commercial fisheries is a global wildlife management problem. We used data from skippers' logbooks and independent observers to assess common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) bycatch patterns between 2003 and 2009 in the Pilbara Trawl Fishery, Western Australia. Both datasets indicated that dolphins were caught in all fishery areas, across all depths and throughout the year. Over the entire datasets, observer reported bycatch rates (n = 52 dolphins in 4,124 trawls, or 12.6 dolphins/1,000 trawls) were ca. double those reported by skippers (n = 180 dolphins in 27,904 trawls, or 6.5 dolphins/1,000 trawls). Generalised Linear Models based on observer data, which better explained the variation in dolphin bycatch, indicated that the most significant predictors of dolphin catch were: (1) vessel-one trawl vessel caught significantly more dolphins than three others assessed; (2) time of day-the lowest dolphin bycatch rates were between 00:00 and 05:59; and (3) whether nets included bycatch reduction devices (BRDs)-the rate was reduced by ca. 45%, from 18.8 to 10.3 dolphins/1,000 trawls, after their introduction. These results indicated that differences among vessels (or skippers' trawling techniques) and dolphin behavior (a diurnal pattern) influenced the rates of dolphin capture; and that spatial or seasonal adjustments to trawling effort would be unlikely to significantly reduce dolphin bycatch. Recent skipper's logbook data show that dolphin bycatch rates have not declined since those reported in 2006, when BRDs were introduced across the fishery. Modified BRDs, with top-opening escape hatches from which dolphins might escape to the surface, may be a more effective means of further reducing dolphin bycatch. The vulnerability of this dolphin population to trawling-related mortality cannot be assessed in the absence of an ongoing observer program and without information on trawler-associated dolphin community size, broader dolphin population size and connectivity with adjacent populations.

- by Nitin Jha
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- Conservation Biology, Animal Behavior, Marine Ecology, Fisheries

As a top predator, Sotalia fluviatilis may be at risk from pollutants from outfalls. Abstract Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) concentrations on liver and kidney of Sotalia fluviatilis (Cetacea: Delphinidae) stranded in the coast of Ceara´, Brazil, were studied from 1996 to 1999. Pb levels were usually lower than the detection limit (0.1 mg/ g). Concentrations of Cd were significantly higher in kidney than liver, averaging 0.8 mg/g. Mercury accumulation took place mainly in liver with an average concentration of 4.6 mg/g. Both metals were significantly higher in larger mature individuals, but differences between sexes were not significant. The detection of Cd, Hg and Pb in tissue samples of S. fluviatilis off the coast of Ceara´indicated that heavy metals are locally available in the water, and bioaccumulation may be occurring through the food web. Contamination levels were not considered critical, but could be related to Ceara´'s growing industrial development. The associated risks of pollution outfalls may pose a threat to marine organisms in a near future, especially for top predators such as S. fluviatilis. #

During diving, marine mammals must rely on the efficient utilization of a limited oxygen reserve sequestered in the lungs, blood and muscles. To determine the effects of exercise and apnea on the use of these reserves, we examined the physiological responses of adult bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) trained to breath-hold on the water surface or to dive to submerged targets at depths between 60 and 210 m. Changes in blood lactate levels, in partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide and in heart rate were assessed while the dolphins performed sedentary breath-holds. The effects of exercise on breath-hold capacity were examined by measuring heart rate and post-dive respiration rate and blood lactate concentration for dolphins diving in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. Ascent and descent rates, stroke frequency and swimming patterns were monitored during the dives. The results showed that lactate concentration was 1.1+/-0.1 mmol l(-1) at rest and increased non-linearly with the ...

- by D. Noren
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- Carbon Dioxide, Energy Metabolism, Biological Sciences, Diving

Optimization of acid digestion method for mercury determination in marine biological samples (dolphin liver, fish and mussel tissues) using a closed vessel microwave sample preparation is presented. Five digestion procedures with different acid mixtures were investigated: the best results were obtained when the microwave-assisted digestion was based on sample dissolution with HNO3-H2SO4-K2Cr2O7 mixture. A comparison between microwave digestion and conventional reflux digestion shows there are considerable losses of mercury in the open digestion system. The microwave digestion method has been tested satisfactorily using two certified reference materials. Analytical results show a good agreement with certified values. The microwave digestion proved to be a reliable and rapid method for decomposition of biological samples in mercury determination.

- by Nicola Cardellicchio
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- Liver, Dolphins, Bivalvia, Mercury

TARTALOMJEGYZÉK ELŐSZÓ 7 MARÓTH MIKLÓS: A csoda Aristotelés Poétikájában 9 BAJNOK DÁNIEL: Terata rhétorika. "Csodák" az attikai szónoklásban 17 NÉMETH GYÖRGY: Vasevő egerek 30 HAMVAS ENDRE ÁDÁM: Az isteni Zósimos: A kiválóságról, avagy a vizek megalkotásáról. Első gyakorlat 41 GRADVOHL EDINA: Egy folyékony "csodaszer" 59 SCHILLER VERA: A világot rendbe hozó csodák a görögrómai vallásgyakorlatban 68 TAKÁCS LÁSZLÓ: A csoda (miraculum) a korai császárkor irodalomkritikájában 79 CZEROVSZKI MARIANN: "Omnia iam fient, fieri quae posse negabam". Az adynaton Ovidius száműzetési elégiáiban 89 GESZTELYI TAMÁS: Opera mirabilia az Idősebb Pliniusnál 103 DARAB ÁGNES: Az élővilág csodálatos élete. A delfinmateria 113 NAGYILLÉS JÁNOS: "a superis demissa putant." Lucanus és a csoda 132 CSÍZY KATALIN: Iulianus életének csodás eseményei 144 ÓBIS HAJNALKA: "Fiunt ergo etiam nunc multa miracula". Csoda, nyilvánosság, emlékezet Augustinusnál 156 BOROS ISTVÁN: A csoda "új teremtés". Adalék a csoda teológiai értelmezéséhez Nyssai Szent Gergely nyomán 169 PATAKI ELVIRA: A kettészelt köpenyen túl: Szent Márton ruhacsodái és a szövet poétikája Venantius Fortunatus eposzában 178 M. NAGY ILONA -BÉNYEI ÁGNES: A keresztény miraculum leírásának középkori latin kifejezései és magyar recepciójuk (az Árpád-házi Szent Margitra vonatkozó források alapján) 218 SIMON LAJOS ZOLTÁN: Édenkertleírások a neolatin költészetben 246 LÁZÁR ISTVÁN DÁVID: A csodák szerepe Szántó (Arator) István írásaiban 265 SESZTÁK ISTVÁN: A csoda kérdése a katolikus teológiában 275 FÖLDVÁRI KATALIN: "…Ihme niemand zu helffen gewust" Toposzok és a csodák igazolása osztrák mirákulumos könyvekben 282 IVANCSÓ ISTVÁN: A "Krisztus-eseménynek" mint emberi szemmel a legnagyobb csodának megjelenítése a görög katolikus egyház liturgikus szövegeiben 298 A KÖTET SZERZŐI 315 113

- by Ágnes Darab
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- Human-Dolphin Interaction, Pliny the Elder, Dolphins
- by Roger Byard
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- Australia, Forensic Medicine, Dolphins, Clinical Sciences

Quantifying the vocal repertoire of a species is critical for subsequent analysis of signal functionality, geographic variation, and social relevance. However, the vocalizations of free-ranging common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) have not previously been described from New Zealand waters. We present the first quantitative analysis of whistle characteristics to be undertaken on the New Zealand population. Acoustic data were collected in the Hauraki Gulf, North Island from 28 independent dolphin group encounters. A total of 11,715 whistles were collected from 105.1 min of recordings. Seven whistle contours were identified containing 29 subtypes. Vocalizations spanned from 3.2 to 23 kHz, with most whistles occurring between 11 and 13 kHz. Whistle duration ranged from 0.01 to 4.00 s (mean ± SD; 0.27 ± 0.32). Of the 2,663 whistles analyzed, 82% have previously been identified within U.K. populations. An additional six contours, apparently unique to New Zealand Delphinus were also identified. Data presented here offer a first insight into the whistle characteristics of New Zealand Delphinus. Comparisons with previously studied populations reveal marked differences in the whistle frequency and modulation of the New Zealand population. Interpopulation differences suggest behavior and the local environment likely play a role in shaping the vocal repertoire of this species.

- by Manue Martinez
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- Zoology, Acoustics, Dolphins, Marine Mammal Science
- by Michael Richlen
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- Biology, China, Biological Sciences, Dolphins

This article presents the results of surveys with postsecondary students in the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic and St. Vincent in the Caribbean on the topics of whaling and consumption of associated food products. Results are analyzed to predict future trends in whaling activities in both locations. Whaling faces both cultural and environmental challenges to its continuance. Perceptions and opinions of today's educated youth are arguably the best indicator of future trends in whaling nationsat least those trends that are within the control of culture and society. The results of this survey support a challenge to the conventional theory that whaling is a dying form of artisanal food production by showing that the food products obtained through whaling remain popular with the participants in both locations. These students exhibit varying degrees of familiarity with, and willingness to participate in, whaling activities.

- by Russell Fielding
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- Conservation, Food Systems, Survey, Caribbean

A dead adult female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was recovered from west Florida with a series of rhomboid plaques across the body which showed multiple organ inflammation, vasculitis, neutrophilic infiltration and bacilli consistent with acute bacterial sepsis.
Histologic examination of skin lesions revealed necrosis compatible with infarcts but no evidence of bacilli. Aerobic bacterial culture isolated Photobacterium damselae from spleen, kidney, and blood and Edwardsiella hoshinae from blood. Photobacterium has been known to cause fatal septicemia in the aquaculture industry, and Edwardsiella sp. has been cultured from a cetacean with fatal septicemia.
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from spleen and blood samples. The disease in cetaceans has two forms; dermatological (treatable in cetaceans) and septicemic(usually fatal in cetaceans) (Dunn et al 2001). E. rhusiopathiae is zoonotic to humans.
Due to its zoonotic potential, we recommend that all apparent dermatological cases be assessed for systemic infection of Erysipelothrix sp. and the potential role of other pathogenic bacteria to aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment implementation, as well as to minimize risk to humans handling affected animals.

- by Kane Rigney and +1
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- Dolphins, Sepsis, Bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus

The early radiation of cetaceans coincides with the origin of their defining ecological and sensory differences . Toothed whales (Odontoceti) evolved echolocation for hunting 36-34 million years ago, whereas baleen whales (Mysticeti) evolved filter feeding and do not echolocate . Echolocation in toothed whales demands exceptional highfrequency hearing , and both echolocation and ultrasonic hearing have also evolved independently in bats . The motor protein Prestin that drives the electromotility of the outer hair cells (OHCs) is likely to be especially important in ultrasonic hearing, because it is the vibratory response of OHC to incoming sound waves that confers the enhanced sensitivity and selectivity of the mammalian auditory system . Prestin underwent adaptive change early in mammal evolution and also shows sequence convergence between bats and dolphins [9, 10], as well as within bats . Focusing on whales, we show for the first time that the extent of protein evolution in Prestin can be linked directly to the evolution of high-frequency hearing. Moreover, we find that independent cases of sequence convergence in mammals have involved numerous identical amino acid site replacements. Our findings shed new light on the importance of Prestin in the evolution of mammalian hearing.

- by Stephen Rossiter
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- Phylogenetics, Molecular Evolution, Speech & Hearing Sciences, Marine Mammals

To understand the cause of death of 405 marine mammals stranded on Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts between 2000 and 2006, a system for coding final diagnosis was developed and categorized as (1) disease, (2) human interaction, (3) mass-stranded with no significant findings, (4) single-stranded with no significant findings, (5) rock and/or sand ingestion, (6) predatory attack, (7) failure to thrive or dependent calf or pup, or (8) other. The cause of death for 91 animals could not be determined. For the 314 animals that could be assigned a cause of death, gross and histological pathology results and ancillary testing indicated that disease was the leading cause of mortality in the region, affecting 116/314 (37%) of cases. Human interaction, including harassment, entanglement, and vessel collision, fatally affected 31/314 (10%) of all animals. Human interaction accounted for 13/29 (45%) of all determined gray seal Halichoerus grypus mortalities. Mass strandings were most likely to occur in northeastern Cape Cod Bay; 97/106 (92%) of mass stranded animals necropsied presented with no significant pathological findings. Mass strandings were the leading cause of death in 3 of the 4 small cetacean species: 46/67 (69%) of Atlantic white-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus, 15/21 (71%) of long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas, and 33/54 (61%) of short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis. These baseline data are critical for understanding marine mammal population health and mortality trends, which in turn have significant conservation and management implications. They not only afford a better retrospective analysis of strandings, but ultimately have application for improving current and future response to live animal stranding.

- by Andrea Bogomolni
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- Biology, Group Behavior, Environmental Monitoring, Biological Sciences

Tissues and organs from Stenella coeruleoalba stranded along the Apulian coasts (southern Italy) during the period April-July 1991 were analyzed for their mercury and selenium content. Analysis showed considerable variations in the mercury concentration in the examined organs and tissues. The highest concentrations of mercury were found in the liver (from 2.27 to 374.50 mg g À1 wet wt.). After the liver, lung, kidney, muscle and brain were the most contaminated, while the lowest mercury contamination was found in the melon. As mercury, the liver also showed the highest selenium levels. Liver samples were also analyzed for their methyl mercury contents. The role of selenium in detoxification process of methyl mercury has been discussed. Mercury concentrations related to geographic variations and pollution of the marine environment have been examined. The possible implications between mercury accumulation and dolphin death have also been discussed. #

- by Nicola Cardellicchio
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- Geography, Content Analysis, Environmental Pollution, Multidisciplinary

The Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) is an endemic species of the tropical-temperate Atlantic Ocean with widespread distribution. Although this species has been the subject of a large number of studies throughout its range, it remains in the "data deficient" category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Chemical pollution by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has been listed as one of the major threats to this species, however, there is no information on a wide scale. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the contamination status of spotted dolphins on the metapopulation level as well as determine spatial and temporal variations in POP concentrations and bio-accumulation. A total of 115 blubber samples collected from a large part of the Atlantic basin were analysed for PCBs, DDTs, PBDEs, chlordanes, HCB and mirex. Although PCBs and DDTs were the predominant compounds in all areas, inter-location differences in POP con...

- by Manuel A Carrillo
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- Biology, Brazil, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Pollution

Five white-beaked dolphins Lagenorhynchus albirostris with outwardly vertebral kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis or lordosis were identified during a photo-identification survey of over 400 individuals (2002−2013) in Faxaflói and Skjálfandi Bays, Iceland. In addition, 3 stranding reports from Denmark, The Netherlands and the UK were analysed, providing both external observation and post mortem details of axial deviations of the vertebral column in this species. Two of the free-ranging cases and 2 of the stranded specimens appeared to have an acquired disease, either as a direct result of trauma, or indirectly from trauma/wound and subsequent infection and bony proliferation, although we were unable to specifically identify the causes. Our data represent a starting point to understand vertebral column deformations and their implications in white-beaked dolphins from the eastern North Atlantic. We recommend for future necropsy cases to conduct macro-and microscopic evaluation of muscle from both sides of the deformed region, in order to assess chronic or acute conditions related to the vertebral deformations and cause of death.

- by carl kinze
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- Spine, Biological Sciences, Dolphins, Atlantic Ocean

Passive electroreception is a sensory modality in many aquatic vertebrates, predominantly fishes. Using passive electroreception, the animal can detect and analyze electric fields in its environment. Most electric fields in the environment are of biogenic origin, often produced by prey items. These electric fields can be relatively strong and can be a highly valuable source of information for a predator, as underlined by the fact that electroreception has evolved multiple times independently. The only mammals that possess electroreception are the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and the echidnas (Tachyglossidae) from the monotreme order, and, recently discovered, the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) from the cetacean order. Here we review the morphology, function and origin of the electroreceptors in the two aquatic species, the platypus and the Guiana dolphin. The morphology shows certain similarities, also similar to ampullary electroreceptors in fishes, that provide cues for the search for electroreceptors in more vertebrate and invertebrate species. The function of these organs appears to be very similar. Both species search for prey animals in low-visibility conditions or while digging in the substrate, and sensory thresholds are within one order of magnitude. The electroreceptors in both species are innervated by the trigeminal nerve. The origin of the accessory structures, however, is completely different; electroreceptors in the platypus have developed from skin glands, in the Guiana dolphin, from the vibrissal system.

- by Wolf Hanke
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- Perception, Animal Behavior, Comparative Physiology, Signal Transduction
- by Wayne McFee
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- Persistent Organic Pollutants, MARINE POLLUTION, Mortality, Multidisciplinary

Fish-eating ''resident''-type killer whales ͑Orcinus orca͒ that frequent the coastal waters off northeastern Vancouver Island, Canada have a strong preference for chinook salmon ͑Oncorhynchus tshawytscha͒. The whales in this region often forage along steep cliffs that extend into the water, echolocating their prey. Echolocation signals of resident killer whales were measured with a four-hydrophone symmetrical star array and the signals were simultaneously digitized at a sample rate of 500 kHz using a lunch-box PC. A portable VCR recorded the images from an underwater camera located adjacent to the array center. Only signals emanating from close to the beam axis ͑1185 total͒ were chosen for a detailed analysis. Killer whales project very broadband echolocation signals ͑Q equal 0.9 to 1.4͒ that tend to have bimodal frequency structure. Ninety-seven percent of the signals had center frequencies between 45 and 80 kHz with bandwidths between 35 and 50 kHz. The peak-to-peak source level of the echolocation signals decreased as a function of the one-way transmission loss to the array. Source levels varied between 195 and 224 dB re:1 Pa. Using a model of target strength for chinook salmon, the echo levels from the echolocation signals are estimated for different horizontal ranges between a whale and a salmon. At a horizontal range of 100 m, the echo level should exceed an Orcinus hearing threshold at 50 kHz by over 29 dB and should be greater than sea state 4 noise by at least 9 dB. In moderately heavy rain conditions, the detection range will be reduced substantially and the echo level at a horizontal range of 40 m would be close to the level of the rain noise.

- by Whitlow Au
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- Multidisciplinary, Dolphins, Salmon, Echolocation

The melon, the echolocation organ of the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), was investigated by morphological and high-resolution 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods, in order to characterize structure and composition... more

- by Janet Mann
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- Reproduction, Molecular Ecology, Biological Sciences, Molecular

In Patagonia, in the Península Valdés area (Figure 1), a group of marine mammal eating killer whales has been studied since the mid- 1970s. This group achieved international fame because some individuals developed an inten- tional stranding technique while hunting South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) or elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) on the beach (López & López, 1985; Hoelzel, 1991). They also are sighted from October to December, the period in which the elephant seals are weaned (Ferrari et al., 2013). The diet of these killer whales is unknown for the rest of the year, although some identified individuals from this group have been reported hunting sevengill sharks (Notorhynchus cepedianus) (Reyes & García-Borboroglu, 2004). The total number of killer whales in this area is currently unknown, but it may be around 30 individuals, and only some of them perform the intentional stranding hunting technique (Hoelzel, 1991). Besides these reports, we are not aware of any diet study regarding this particular group of killer whales. It was always hypothesized that Patagonian killer whales fed on dolphins inhab- iting Patagonian gulfs (Garaffo et al., 2007), but there have been no published reports of it up to this date.
This is the first report of attacks and predation on dolphins by this marine mammal eating group and, to our best knowledge, in all Patagonia.

- by Gabriela Bellazzi and +2
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- Dolphins, Orcinus Orca

The characteristics of the whistles of Hawaiian spinner dolphins ͑Stenella longirostris͒ are considered by examining concurrently the whistle repertoire ͑whistle types͒ and the frequency of occurrence of each whistle type ͑whistle usage͒. Whistles were recorded off six islands in the Hawaiian Archipelago. In this study Hawaiian spinner dolphins emitted frequency modulated whistles that often sweep up in frequency ͑47% of the whistles were upsweeps͒. The frequency span of the fundamental component was mainly between 2 and 22 kHz ͑about 94% of the whistles͒ with an average mid-frequency of 12.9 kHz. The duration of spinner whistles was relatively short, mainly within a span of 0.05 to 1.28 s ͑about 94% of the whistles͒ with an average value of 0.49 s. The average maximum frequency of 15.9 kHz obtained by this study is consistent with the body length versus maximum frequency relationship obtained by Wang et al. ͑1995a͒ when using spinner dolphin adult body length measurements. When comparing the average values of whistle parameters obtained by this and other studies in the Island of Hawaii, statistically significant differences were found between studies. The reasons for these differences are not obvious. Some possibilities include differences in the upper frequency limit of the recording systems, different spinner groups being recorded, and observer differences in viewing spectrograms. Standardization in recording and analysis procedure is clearly needed.

- by Whitlow Au and +1
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- Anthropometry, Multidisciplinary, Fourier Analysis, Dolphins

Some moral behaviours, often regarded as reflecting high cognitive abilities (such as empathy, cooperation, targeted helping) are known to only be present in very few species, like great apes, elephants and cetaceans. Prosocial behaviours (producing a benefit for the recipient without necessarily involving a cost for the actor) have been mostly found in primates and, more recently, in elephants. Despite dolphins' reputation for helping their conspecifics, experimental studies about their prosocial and empathic abilities are rare. We conducted Prosocial Choice Tests in six bottlenose dolphins. The subjects had to choose between three objects: choosing the prosocial object induced the simultaneous rewarding of both the subject and a recipient individual; choosing the selfish object induced a reward only for the subject; choosing the null one did not reward anyone. We found prosociality and direct reciprocity in our subjects, and our results suggested that bottlenose dolphins might be able to modulate their prosocial and reciprocal tendencies according to partner-specific information. Subjects seemed to be more prosocial towards the other sex and more reciprocal towards same-sex recipients. This reciprocity might be underpinned by the same features that rule their behaviours in the wild (cooperating with same sex conspecifics). Moreover, an audience effect was reported, as the presence of the subject's young increased subjects' likelihood of prosocial response. Our findings highlighted that prosociality could appear in taxa other than primates, suggesting a convergent evolutionary phenomenon.

- by Mathilde Lalot and +1
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- Animal Behavior, Animal Ethics, Animal Cognition, Marine Mammals

Brachycladiidae Synthesium 18S rDNA ND3 mtDNA Phylogeny Synthesium pontoporiae, exclusive parasite of the endangered dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, is endemic and restricted to the South Atlantic and belongs to the Brachycladiidae family Odhner, 1905. The study of this family has been limited by the difficulty of accessing the parasites from their marine mammal hosts and as a consequence there is a paucity of genetic information available. Herein we present a genetic analysis using 18S rDNA sequences of S. pontoporiae and S. tursionis and the ND3 mtDNA sequence of S. pontoporiae. The genetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences of brachycladiids and acanthocolpids determined two major clusters associated with their definitive hosts, marine mammals and fishes, respectively. Considering the tree topology of brachycladiids ND3 mtDNA gene, two clusters were defined, one with the Synthesium species. This work contributes with fundamental genetic information on S. pontoporiae, and suggests a Brachycladiidae genetic evolution related to their hosts.

- by Alena Mayo Iñiguez
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- Genetics, Microbiology, Parasitology, Medical Microbiology

Spectral parameters were used to discriminate between echolocation clicks produced by three dolphin species at Palmyra Atoll: melon-headed whales ͑Peponocephala electra͒, bottlenose dolphins ͑Tursiops truncatus͒ and Gray's spinner dolphins ͑Stenella longirostris longirostris͒. Single species acoustic behavior during daytime observations was recorded with a towed hydrophone array sampling at 192 and 480 kHz. Additionally, an autonomous, bottom moored High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package ͑HARP͒ collected acoustic data with a sampling rate of 200 kHz. Melon-headed whale echolocation clicks had the lowest peak and center frequencies, spinner dolphins had the highest frequencies and bottlenose dolphins were nested in between these two species. Frequency differences were significant. Temporal parameters were not well suited for classification. Feature differences were enhanced by reducing variability within a set of single clicks by calculating mean spectra for groups of clicks. Median peak frequencies of averaged clicks ͑group size 50͒ of melon-headed whales ranged between 24.4 and 29.7 kHz, of bottlenose dolphins between 26.7 and 36.7 kHz, and of spinner dolphins between 33.8 and 36.0 kHz. Discriminant function analysis showed the ability to correctly discriminate between 93% of melon-headed whales, 75% of spinner dolphins and 54% of bottlenose dolphins.

- by Hans-ulrich Schnitzler and +1
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- Multidisciplinary, Discriminant Analysis, Dolphins, Echolocation

Acoustic parameters for the spinner dolphins' bioacoustic sounds have previously been described. However, the dolphins in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean were only recently studied near the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. Therefore, to contribute to additional knowledge of this cosmopolitan species, this study compares previous results with a Brazilian recording. Despite statistically significant differences, the mean value comparison indicated that Hawaiian and Southwest Atlantic Ocean spinners emit similar whistles. The fact that geographical isolation does not lead the dissemblance nor the similarity of the acoustic variations in this species raises the possibility of other factors influencing those emissions. Here those differences and similarities are discussed , thereby contributing to an understanding of how distinct populations and/or species communicate through different ocean basins.

- by Juliana Moron
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- Bioacoustics, Animal Behavior, Animal Ecology, Dolphins

Little is known about the ecology and behavior of southern Australian bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.). This hinders assessment of their conservation status and informed decision-making concerning their management. We used boat-based surveys and photo-identification data to investigate site fidelity, residency patterns, and the abundance of southern Australian bottlenose dolphins in Adelaide's coastal waters. Sighting rates and site fidelity varied amongst individuals, and agglomera-tive hierarchical cluster analysis led to the categorization of individuals into one of three groups: occasional visitors, seasonal residents, or year-round residents. Lagged identification rates indicated that these dolphins used the study area regularly from year to year following a model of emigration and reimmigration. Abundance estimates obtained from multisample closed capture-recapture models ranged from 95 individuals (SE AE 45.20) in winter 2013 to 239 (SE AE 54.91) in summer 2014. The varying levels of site fidelity and residency, and the relatively high number of dolphins found throughout the study area highlights the Adelaide metropolitan coast as an important habitat for bottlenose dolphins. As these dolphins also appear to spend considerable time outside the study area, future research, conservation, and management efforts on this population must take into account anthropogenic activities within Adelaide's coastal waters and their adjacencies.

- by Nikki Zanardo and +1
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- Conservation, Marine Mammals, Dolphins, Marine Mammal Science

In this paper we explore the content of high frequency dolphin click sequence (500kHz frequency sampling) by Gabor scalogram under the recent scattering toolkit. It is demonstrating, for the first time at our knowledge, that some formants may be present into the Tursiops' click sequence. We illustrate this new paradigm on some recent high frequency recordings. Consecutive clicks that contain regions of higher acoustic energies at approximately the same frequency are defined as formants. We then compare some revealed 'phonemes'. This preliminary study demonstrate the need for scaled algorithms capable of ascertaining such high dimensional recordings, which may be essential in order to get deeper knowledge on cetacean communication, and the survey of some endangered species.

- by Marie Trone and +2
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- Communication, Bioacoustics, Dolphins, Gabor Wavelet

The world's river dolphins [Inia, Pontoporia, Lipotes and Platanista) are among the least known and most endangered of all cetaceans. The four extant genera inhabit geographically disjunct river systems and exhibit highly modified morphologies, leading many cetologists to regard river dolphins as an unnatural group. Numerous arrangements have been proposed for their phylogenetic relationships to one another and to other odontocete cetaceans. These alternative views strongly affect the biogeographical and evolutionary implications raised by the important, although limited, fossil record of river dolphins. We present a hypothesis of river dolphin relationships based on phylogenetic analysis of three mitochondrial genes for 29 cetacean species, concluding that the four genera represent three separate, ancient branches in odontocete evolution. Our molecular phylogeny corresponds well with the first fossil appearances of the primary lineages of modern odontocetes. Integrating relevant events in Tertiary palaeoceanography, we develop a scenario for river dolphin evolution during the globally high sea levels of the Middle Miocene. We suggest that ancestors of the four extant river dolphin lineages colonized the shallow epicontinental seas that inundated the Amazon, Parana, Yangtze and Indo-Gangetic river basins, subsequently remaining in these extensive waterways during their transition to freshwater with the Late Neogene trend of sea-level lowering.

- by Robert Brownell
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- Molecular Evolution, Sea Level, Biological Sciences, Phylogeny

This dissertation explores the dolphin release project of South Korea to discuss how the nonhuman agency of dolphins as implicated in biolpolitics, related bodily practices and the meaning of space. Jedol, along with two further Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, captured illegally and performing dolphin shows, were returned to their home-range, the Jeju Islands, through an extensive rehabilitation programme in 2013. This dissertation stands at juncture of scholarly approaches to human-animal relations, employing theories of Foucauldian biopolitics, relational assemblages and performance studies. Based on ethnographic research employing participant observation of scientific dolphin population surveys, dolphin watching tourism and dolphin shows, and interviews with key players involved in the dolphin release project, it examines agency of the dolphins that crossed over the contradictory spaces of dolphinaria and open sea. Critically observing changing embodied performances of dolphins, dolphin trainers, scientists in both the captive and the wild, it explores how humans materially affect dolphins and conversely how dolphins respond to human biopolitics and sometimes overturn it. This dissertation then presents the 'assemblage of captivity' and the 'assemblage of the wild' that exercise in an emergent way whilst human-dolphin relations are continuously (re)negotiated.

- by Jongyoung Nam
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- Animal Geography, Actor Network Theory, Anthrozoology, Gilles Deleuze

Sound is the primary sensory modality for dolphins, yet policies mitigating anthropogenic sound exposure are limited in wild populations and even fewer noise policies or guidelines have been developed for governing dolphin welfare under human care. Concerns have been raised that dolphins under human care live in facilities that are too noisy, or are too acoustically sterile. However, these claims have not been evaluated to characterize facility soundscapes, and further, how they compare to wild soundscapes. The soundscape of a wild dolphin habitat off the coast of Quintana, Roo, Mexico was characterized based on Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) recordings over one year. Snapping shrimp were persistent and broadband, following a diel pattern. Fish sound production was pulsed and prominent in low frequencies (100 -- 1000 Hz), and abiotic surface wave action contributed to noise in higher frequencies (15 -- 28 kHz). Boat motors were the main anthropogenic sound source. While sporadic, boat motors were responsible for large spikes in the noise, sometimes exceeding the ambient noise (in the absence of a boat) by 20 dB root-mean-squared sound pressure level, and potentially higher at closer distances. Boat motor sounds can potentially mask cues and communication sounds of dolphins. The soundscapes of four acoustically distinct outdoor dolphin facilities in Quintana Roo, Mexico were also characterized based on PAM, and findings compared with one another and with the measurements from the wild dolphin habitat. Recordings were made for at least 24 hours to encompass the range of daily activities. The four facilities differed in non-dolphin species present (biological sounds), bathymetry complexity, and method of water circulation. It was hypothesized that the greater the biological and physical differences of a pool from the ocean habitat, the greater the acoustic differences would be from the natural environment. Spectral analysis and audio playback revealed that the site most biologically and physically distinct from the ocean habitat also differed greatly from the other sites acoustically, with the most common and high amplitude sound being pump noise versus biological sounds at the other sites. Overall the dolphin facilities were neither clearly noisier nor more sterile than the wild site, but rather differed in particular characteristics. The findings are encouraging for dolphin welfare for several reasons. Sound levels measured were unlikely to cause threshold shifts in hearing. At three of four facilities, prominent biological sounds in the wild site -- snapping shrimp and fish sounds -- were present, meaning that the dolphins at these facilities are experiencing biotic features of the soundscape they would experience in the wild. Additionally, the main anthropogenic sounds experienced at the facilities (construction and cleaning sounds) did not reach the levels of the anthropogenic sounds experienced at the wild site (boat motor sounds), and the highest noise levels for anthropogenic sounds fall outside the dolphins' most sensitive range of hearing. However, there are anthropogenic contributors to the soundscape that are of particular interest and possible concern that should be investigated further, particularly pump noise and periodic or intermittent construction noise. These factors need to be considered on a facility-by-facility basis and appropriate mitigation procedures incorporated in animal handling to mitigate potential responses to planned or anticipated sound producing events, e.g. animal relocation or buffering sound producing activities. The central role of bioacoustics for dolphins means that PAM is a basic life support requirement along with water and food testing. Periodic noise is of highest concern, and PAM is needed to inform mitigation of noise from periodic sources. Priority actions are more widespread and long-term standardized monitoring, further research on habituation, preference, coupling and pool acoustics, implementation of acoustics training, standardization of measurements, and improved information access.

- by Heather Spence
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- Marine Biology, Acoustics, Bioacoustics, Conservation Biology

Los delfines (Delphinoidea) son un grupo de cetáceos odontocetos representados por una gran diversidad de formas de mediano a gran tamaño, de hábitos neríticos y pelágicos. Este grupo incluye a las familias actuales Monodontidae, Phocoenidae y Delphinidae y los extintos Odobenocetopsidae, Kentriodontidae y Albireonidae, cuyos registros más antiguos se encuentran en el Oligoceno tardío de Eurasia. Entre estos, los Delphinidae presentan la mayor diversidad y disparidad morfológica entre las formas actuales, lo cual contrasta con el escaso registro fósil que poseen. Así, en América del Sur se han registrado los géneros actuales Tursiops y Orcinus en el Pleistoceno tardío-Holoceno de Argentina, Delphinus y Stenella en el Plioceno medio de Perú (Sacaco, Formación Pisco, 4-3 Ma), junto con el género extinto Hemisyntrachelus oligodon y una nueva especie de Globicephalinae (Sacaco Sur, Fm Pisco, 5 Ma).

- by Rafael Varas-Malca
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- Marine Mammals, Marine Mammalogy, Vertebrate Paleontology, Cetaceans
- by Zenin Azmiri
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- Conservation Biology, Bangladesh, Mammals, Dolphins

Studies of animal culture have not normally included a consideration of cetaceans. However, with several long-term field studies now maturing, this situation should change. Animal culture is generally studied by either investigating transmission mechanisms experimentally, or observing patterns of behavioural variation in wild populations that cannot be explained by either genetic or environmental factors. Taking this second, ethnographic, approach, there is good evidence for cultural transmission in several cetacean species. However, only the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops) has been shown experimentally to possess sophisticated social learning abilities, including vocal and motor imitation; other species have not been studied. There is observational evidence for imitation and teaching in killer whales. For cetaceans and other large, wide-ranging animals, excessive reliance on experimental data for evidence of culture is not productive; we favour the ethnographic approach. The complex and stable vocal and behavioural cultures of sympatric groups of killer whales (Orcinus orca) appear to have no parallel outside humans, and represent an independent evolution of cultural faculties. The wide movements of cetaceans, the greater variability of the marine environment over large temporal scales relative to that on land, and the stable matrilineal social groups of some species are potentially important factors in the evolution of cetacean culture. There have been suggestions of gene-culture coevolution in cetaceans, and culture may be implicated in some unusual behavioural and life-history traits of whales and dolphins. We hope to stimulate discussion and research on culture in these animals.

- by Hal Whitehead
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- Genetics, Cognitive Science, Animal Behavior, Cognition

Marine mammals include cetaceans, pinnipeds, sirenians, sea otters and polar bears, many of which are charismatic and popular species commonly kept under human care in zoos and aquaria. However, in comparison with their fully terrestrial counterparts their welfare has been less intensively studied, and their partial or full reliance on the aquatic environment leads to unique welfare challenges. In this paper we attempt to collate and review the research undertaken thus far on marine mammal welfare, and identify the most important gaps in knowledge. We use ‘best practice case studies’ to highlight examples of research promoting optimal welfare, include suggestions for future directions of research efforts, and make recommendations to strive for optimal
welfare, where it is currently lacking, above and beyond minimum legislation and guidelines. Our review of the
current literature shows that recently there have been positive forward strides in marine mammal welfare assessment, but fundamental research is still required to validate positive and negative indicators of welfare in
marine mammals. Across all marine mammals, more research is required on the dimensions and complexity of pools and land areas necessary for optimal welfare, and the impact of staff absence for most of the 24-h day, as standard working hours are usually between 0900 and 1700. Behavioural Processes, 156, 16-36. doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2017.09.011

- by Donald M Broom
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- Animal Welfare, Marine Mammals, Dolphins, Whales

Human consciousness and behaviour have been changing rapidly since the last ice age, never more so than since the industrial revolution. Moreover, there is an acceleration of change. The last century, for instance, has seen an explosive
increase in human population, industrial agriculture, and the use of fossil fuels. Unfortunately, the attempt to produce the worthy Renaissance ideal of “heaven on earth” is simultaneously producing a radical amalgam of negative consequences – one which, one might say, refers more to hell than heaven. What fiery consequences might there be if the Earth returned to the climate of the Cretaceous Period – the period when the fossil fuels that we are now rapidly using up were laid down? The planet’s climate was approximately ten degrees hotter than it is now. What consequences might be caused by sea-level changes
arising from the melting of Antarctica? What consequences caused by multiple global ecosystems not able to adapt quickly enough? What new diseases? Climate change sits within a larger context of ecological crisis: even without global heating, humanity is causing the mass extinction of species on a planetary scale. Moreover, alongside the ecological situation sit such social malaises as severe global income inequalities, militarism, and a host of challenging psychological
conditions. There are, no doubt, many lenses we could use to aptly respond to such pressing issues. The perspective this book takes is that humanity needs to change its dominant worldview. It contends that ‘messing around’ at the surface level – i.e. within the current worldview and its associated structures and activities – is equivalent to rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. We need to go deeper; we need to conduct a kind of psychoanalysis – and corresponding ‘healing treatment’ – at the
socio-cultural level. Humanity needs to somehow regenerate itself – radically, intelligently, urgently, compassionately, naturally. We need to show ourselves that we are worthy of the name "homo sapiens" by stepping firmly into our wisdom. A key context for this book thus comprises leadership regarding the transformation of the contemporary (late modern) worldview to one more suitable to meet these unique, panoramic challenges of the 21st Century. In particular, the book addresses the world of postformal integrative thinking as one of the leading-edges of this transformation. Such a focus is not only relevant for generic theory and philosophy but also for real world applications including the fields of economics and education.

- by Gary P Hampson
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- Climate Change, Transformative Learning, Renaissance Studies, Integral Theory

Rubbettino Estratto dal n. XV, 2008 P. APOLITO Per un lessico iconografico monetale:

- by Pasquale Apolito
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- Iconography, Animal Studies, Numismatics, Dolphins

Unmanned aerial systems (UASs) are powerful tools for research and monitoring of wildlife. However, the effects of these systems on most marine mammals are largely unknown, preventing the establishment of guidelines that will minimize animal disturbance. In this study, we evaluated the behavioral responses of coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) to small multi-rotor UAS flight. From 2015 to 2017, we piloted 211 flights using DJI quadcopters (Phantom II Vision +, 3 Professional and 4) to approach and follow animals over shallow-water habitats in Belize. The quadcopters were equipped with high-resolution cameras to observe dolphins during 138 of these flights, and manatees during 73 flights. Aerial video observations of animal behavior were coded and paired with flight data to determine whether animal activity and/or the UAS's flight patterns caused behavioral changes in exposed animals. Dolphins responded to UAS flight at altitudes of 11–30 m and responded primarily when they were alone or in small groups. Single dolphins and one pair responded to the UAS by orienting upward and turning toward the aircraft to observe it, before quickly returning to their pre-response activity. A higher number of manatees responded to the UAS, exhibiting strong disturbance in response to the aircraft from 6 to 104 m. Manatees changed their behavior by fleeing the area and sometimes this elicited the same response in nearby animals. If pursued post-response, manatees repeatedly responded to overhead flight by evading the aircraft's path. These findings suggest that the invasiveness of UAS varies across individuals, species, and taxa. We conclude that careful exploratory research is needed to determine the impact of multi-rotor UAS flight on diverse species, and to develop best practices aimed at reducing the disturbance to wildlife that may result from their use.

- by Eric Angel Ramos and +1
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- Marine Biology, Conservation, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Marine Mammals
- by Paloma Ladrón de Guevara P.
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- Cetaceans, Dolphins, Whales, Cetáceos

Building a network of freshwater protected areas (FWPAs) critical to river dolphins conservation. In

- by Enzo Aliaga Rossel and +3
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- Amazonia, Dolphins, river dolphin in Southamerica, sotalia

Perairan Indonesia merupakan perairan dengan keanekaragaman hayati yang tinggi di dunia, serta berbagai macam lumba-lumba, lebih dari sepertiga dari seluruh Lumba-lumba terdapat di Perairan Indonesia, termasuk beberapa jenis yang dikegorikan langka dan terancam punah. Setengah dari seluruh lumba-lumba di Indonesia dapat ditemukan di Laut Sawu, Perairan Flores Timur dan sekitarnya, kelompok lumba-lumba tergolong hewan yang berumur panjang dan pertumbuhannya lambat, sehingga rentang terhadap berbagai dampak lingkungan seperti kerusakan habitat, gangguan suara bawah permukaan, polusi laut dan tekanan penangkapan yang berlebihan atas sumberdaya perairan (Dharmadi et al, 2010). Perairan Flores Timur dan sekitarnya pada bulan-bulan di musim angin tenggara (Southeast Monsoon) menjadi daerah lintasan lumba-lumba, pola penyebaran kelompok lumba-lumba dipengaruhi oleh pola aliran arus antar pulau dan aktivitas di kepulauan (Fitriya dan Lukman, 2013). Perairan Perairan Flores Timur dan Selat Sawu merupakan jalur rute migrasi lumba-lumba, diketahui bahwa Perairan Perairan Flores Timur (Selat Lamakera) menyediakan persyaratan untuk kegiatan pencarian makanan oleh megafauna laut dan merupakan Perairan dengan ekosistem yang kompleks dan tingkat kesuburan perairan yang tinggi serta kaya akan nutrisi, sehingga merupakan konsentrasi berbagai jenis ikan dan biota laut lainnya dalam jumlah kelimpahan yang cukup banyak serta kawasan ini

- by Tritejo Jacob
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- Dolphins