Dolphins

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. #

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...

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.

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.

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.

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 gradient at the histological and molecular level.

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.

Trujillo, F. & I.C. Avila. 2013. Uso no letal de cetáceos: el turismo de observación de delfines y ballenas como estrategia de conservación en Colombia. Págs: 232- 251. En: Trujillo, F., A. Gärtner, D. Caicedo y M. C. Diazgranados (Eds.). Diagnóstico del estado de conocimiento y conservación de los mamíferos acuáticos en Colombia. Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, Fundación Omacha, Conservación Internacional y WWF. Bogotá, 282 p. ISBN: 978-958-8554-24-2.

Using non-lethal cetacean: the tourism of whale and dolphin watching as a conservation strategy in Colombia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

Situated 150 km North of Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, the Kalpitiya Peninsular is one of the most beautiful coastal areas located in the West coast of Sri Lanka. Kalpitiya peninsular separates the Puttalam lagoon from the Indian Ocean and is a marine sanctuary with a diversity of habitats ranging from bar reefs, flat coastal plains, salt-pans, mangroves swamps, salt marshes and vast sand dune beaches. Given the investment opportunities available, Sri Lanka Tourism launched the Kalpitiya Dutch Bay Tourism Development Zone Project.

You can experience the thrill of sea safaris to the nearby Bar Reef for the best Sri Lanka has to offer in snorkeling and be entertained by the dolphins and whales on your way.

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