Fish 475: Marine Mammalogy29 March 2010

Course website:http://faculty.washington.edu/glennvb/fish475

Welcome!

Courtesy of Richard Bucich

Course staff

Glenn R. VanBlaricomAssociate Professor

Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences,

UW College of the Environment

Office: Rm 220A FSHVoice: 206-543-6475Fax: 206-616-9012

glennvb@u.washington.edu

Kristina VanBlaricom (both)

Course staff

Kerensa King Teaching Assistant

(Monday lab section)& Doctoral Student

Washington Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit

School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences,UW College of the Environment

Office: Rm 134B FSHVoice: 206-685-4195Fax: 206-616-9012

kerensa@u.washington.edu

www.ens-newswireVancouver Aquarium

Course staff

Kailey GentherTeaching Assistant

(Thursday lab section)& Masters Student

School of Marine AffairsUW College of the Environment

Office: Rm 260D FSHVoice: 206-221-5453Fax: 206-616-9012

ireland8@u.washington.edu

Donna Hauser

Uko Gorter/American Cetacean Society

Course staff

Sophie PierszalowskiUndergraduate Teaching Assistant

(Our first one ever!)

School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences,

UW College of the Environment

Office: Rm 260D FSHVoice: 206-221-5453Fax: 206-616-9012

penny2@u.washington.edu

Image collected under the auspices of NOAA marine mammal research permit #782-1719

Sally Mizroch (both)

General approach

• Focus on the big picture: This is a very large field, and there is way too much interesting detail to cover in one academic term;

• Primary emphasis on ecology, with diversions into anatomy, physiology, behavior, and communications at times;

• Strong emphasis on exposure to and practice of technical writing: WE CAN ALL USE THE PRACTICE!

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Course web site: http://faculty.washington.edu/glennvb/fish 475

Contents:

Home page:• Class meeting times and assigned

classrooms;• Announcements for the class;• Photos and videos of interest.

Syllabus:

• Course description;• Grading policy and protocol;• Required readings;• Contact data for instructional staff;• Office hours of instructional staff.

Amanda Bradford

Course web site: http://faculty.washington.edu/glennvb/fish 475

Contents (continued):

Lecture & Laboratory Files:

• .pdf versions of all presentation files and related supporting materials for lectures and labs will be posted on the website, usually at least one day before each lecture or lab.

Schedule:• Lecture schedule, with dates for

examinations and due dates for assignments;

• Laboratory schedule, with dates for field trips and due dates for assignments.

Amanda BradfordAmanda Bradford

Course web site: http://faculty.washington.edu/glennvb/fish 475

Contents (continued):

Examination preparation:

• Midterm examinations & keys,2007 through 2009;

• Final examinations & keys,2007 through 2009.

Amanda BradfordAmanda Bradford

Course text

Hoelzel, A.R. 2002. Marine Mammal Biology. An Evolutionary Approach.Blackwell Science Ltd., Oxford, U.K. 432 pages.

Now available for sale at the UW Bookstore;One copy on reserve at the Odegaard Undergraduate Library

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Writing assignments

Research proposal:

• To be discussed in detail in this week’s lab sessions.

Critical reviews of published work:

• Two papers to be critically reviewed in writing, one that will be assigned, and one that you will select.

“Low stakes” writing:

• Four spontaneous assignments during lectures, always on a Friday. One paragraph minimum, one page maximum, full credit for honest effort to address the question posed.

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Examinations

• Midterm: 3 May 2010 (Monday), 11:30 am–12:20 pm, rm 107 FSH

• Final: 9 June 2010 (Wednesday), 2:30-4:20 pm, rm 107 FSH

• Examinations & keys from 2007 through 2009 (midterms and finals) are posted on the course website.

Amanda Bradford

Laboratories

Two primary emphases:

Seeing the animals:

Alive in captivity;Alive in the field;In skeletal form;In soft-tissue dissection.

Methods for studying the animals:

Survey methods;Population dynamical study methods;Other methods (TBA).

Amanda Bradford

Laboratories

Amanda Bradford

Scheduling notes forlab sessions:

1. This week’s sessions willmeet in rm 107 FSH (where we are now);

2. Field trip to Pt. Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on Sunday 11 April – details to be provided;

2. Field trip to Friday Harbor on Sunday 23 May – detailsto be provided. Date may change!

Hints for success

1. SHOW UP!

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Hints for success

1. SHOW UP!2. Take the reading and writing

assignments seriously.

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Hints for success

1. SHOW UP!2. Take the reading and writing

assignments seriously.3. Read the stuff on the course

website – check it regularly as it changes!

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Hints for success

1. SHOW UP!2. Take the reading and writing

assignments seriously.3. Read the stuff on the course

website – check it regularly as it changes!

4. View the field trips as opportunities, not as obligations.

Kristina VanBlaricom

Hints for success

1. SHOW UP!2. Take the reading and writing

assignments seriously.3. Read the stuff on the course

website – check it regularly as it changes!

4. View the field trips as opportunities, not as obligations.

5. Work together to prepare for exams.

Kristina VanBlaricom

Hints for success

1. SHOW UP!2. Take the reading and writing

assignments seriously.3. Read the stuff on the course

website – check it regularly as it changes!

4. View the field trips as opportunities, not as obligations.

5. Work together to prepare for exams.

6. Talk to the instructional staff.Courtesy ofKristin Laidre

Multiple evolutionary pathways and timelines:the problem of generalizing about marine mammals

Text reading reference: Sections 1.1 & 1.2

General morphological patterns: Streamlining

Text reading reference: Sections 3.1 & 3.2

Streamlining

Streamlining

Optimal shape for minimization of drag:

Length of body =3x to 7x maximum diameter(ideal is thought to be 4.5x)

All whale artwork shown in this lecture courtesy of Uko Gorter Illustrations and the American Cetacean Society

Other consistent features relating to drag reduction

Loss or modification of rear limbs:

Loss:

Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, & porpoises)

Sirenians (manatees and dugongs)

Modification:

Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, fur seals, and walrus)

Sea otters

Other consistent features relating to drag reduction

Loss or modification of pelage (fur):

Loss:

CetaceansSirenians

Reduction:

SealsSea Lions

Modification:

Sea ottersFur sealsPolar bears

Modificiation of cranial morphology;Simplification of dentition

Modificiation of cranial morphology;Simplification of dentition

Forward expansion of

maxilla, mandibles, and related bones

Modificiation of cranial morphology;Simplification of dentition

Forward prolongation of

maxilla, mandibles, and related bones

Simplification and reduction of

dentition

Modificiation of cranial morphology;Simplification of dentition

Forward prolongation of

maxilla, mandibles, and related bones

Simplification and reduction of

dentition

Modification of cranial

morphology

Modificiation of cranial morphology;Simplification of dentition

Forward prolongation of

maxilla, mandibles, and related bones

Simplification and reduction of

dentition

Modification of cranial

morphology

Incorporation of posterior

mandible into acoustic reception

systems

Elaboration of thermoregulatory morphology

Kristin Laidre

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre

Elaboration and modification of sensory capabilities

Amanda Bradford

Courtesy of Kristin Laidre