01979nas a2200157 4500008004100000245014900041210006900190520137800259100002301637700001901660700001701679700002401696700002501720700002201745856005401767 2020 eng d00aMorphological Evidence for the Sensitivity of the Ear Canal of Odontocetes as shown by Immunohistochemistry and Transmission Electron Microscopy0 aMorphological Evidence for the Sensitivity of the Ear Canal of O3 a

Tthe function of the external ear canal in cetaceans is still under debate and its morphology is largely unknown. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses using antibodies specific for nervous tissue (anti-S100, anti-NSE, anti-NF, and anti-PGP 9.5), together with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and various histological techniques, were carried out to investigate the peripheral nervous system of the ear canals of several species of toothed whales and terrestrial cetartiodactyla. this study highlights the innervation of the ear canal with the presence of lamellar corpuscles over its entire course, and their absence in all studied terrestrial mammals. Each corpuscle consisted of a central axon, surrounded by lamellae of Schwann receptor cells, surrounded by a thin cellular layer, as shown by IHC and TEM. These findings indicate that the corpuscles are mechanoreceptors that resemble the inner core of Pacinian corpuscles without capsule or outer core, and were labelled as simple lamellar corpuscles. They form part of a sensory system that may represent a unique phylogenetic feature of cetaceans, and an evolutionary adaptation to life in the marine environment. Although the exact function of the ear canal is not fully clear, we provide essential knowledge and a preliminary hypothetical deviation on its function as a unique sensory organ.

1 aDe Vreese, Steffen1 aAndré, Michel1 aCozzi, Bruno1 aCentelleghe, Cinzia1 avan der Schaar, Mike1 aMazzariol, Sandro uhttp://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61170-401862nas a2200193 4500008004100000245009400041210006900135260001600204490000600220520123800226100002301464700002501487700002701512700001901539700002001558700001701578700001901595856005401614 2018 eng d00aMarine mammal acoustic detections in the Greenland and Barents Sea, 2013 – 2014 seasons0 aMarine mammal acoustic detections in the Greenland and Barents S cJan-12-20180 v83 a

While the Greenland and Barents Seas are known habitats for several cetacean and pinniped species there is a lack of long-term monitoring data in this rapidly changing environment. Moreover, little is known of the ambient soundscapes, and increasing off-shore anthropogenic activities can influence the ecosystem and marine life. Baseline acoustic data is needed to better assess current and future soundscape and ecosystem conditions. The analysis of a year of continuous data from three passive acoustic monitoring devices revealed species-dependent seasonal and spatial variation of a large variety of marine mammals in the Greenland and Barents Seas. Sampling rates were 39 and 78 kHz in the respective locations, and all systems were operational at a duty cycle of 2 min on, 30 min off. The research presents a description of cetacean and pinniped acoustic detections along with a variety of unknown low-frequency tonal sounds, and ambient sound level measurements that fall within the scope of the European Marine Strategy Framework (MSFD). The presented data shows the importance of monitoring Arctic underwater biodiversity for assessing the ecological changes under the scope of climate change.

1 aDe Vreese, Steffen1 avan der Schaar, Mike1 aWeissenberger, Jürgen1 aErbs, Florence1 aKosecka, Monika1 aSolé, Marta1 aAndré, Michel uhttp://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-34624-z01828nas a2200145 4500008004100000245010000041210006900141260001600210300001400226490000700240520133800247100002901585700002501614856004301639 2018 eng d00aFirst record of humpback whale songs in Southern Chile: Analysis of seasonal and diel variation0 aFirst record of humpback whale songs in Southern Chile Analysis  cJan-07-2018 a718 - 7330 v343 a

Although humpback whales have been well‐studied on their Hawaiian breeding grounds, it is difficult to track individual animals over long distances without tags, particularly when they move offshore. Here, singing humpback whales were localized in three dimensions on the Pacific Missile Range Facility off Kauai, Hawaii, located between 20 km and 80 km offshore, from January 2011 through June 2014. Detailed behavioral analyses were conducted on the resulting tracks. One hundred and eight individual tracks were identified and metrics of these tracks were examined. Using these metrics, the tracks were classified into four behavior categories, described herein as Directed Travel, Repeated Stationary Dives, Mill, and tracks with Combinations of behavioral states. Some diel and seasonal patterns were identified, with Mill tracks occurring more at night than the other behaviors, Repeated Stationary Dive tracks occurring more during the day, and Directed Travel occurring only at the start and end of the breeding season. These results provide detailed insights into the movement of singing humpback whales, particularly in offshore waters where they may be migrating into or out of breeding grounds. This also contributes valuable information on the baseline behavior of humpback whales on a US Navy training range.

1 aEspañol-Jiménez, Sonia1 avan der Schaar, Mike uhttp://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/mms.v34.3