K ETOS
No. 5 / March 2019
JDC MAGAZINE
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"If I compare on scales what I learned observing nature, and what I got from books, the second would remain so light !" Konrad Lorenz
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In this issue SCIENCE
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DOLPHIN ON THE ORIZON!!
NATURE
How can you recognize them?
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IN THE DEEP BLUE Live in the abyss
CURIOSITY
18
TARANTO Myths and legends
10 THINGSTOKNOW
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10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT Sea turtles
JDC NEWS
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NEW CONNECTION
OPEN SPACE
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READERS’ MAIL YOUR SHOTS
Edited by: Carmelo Fanizza JDC Chairman and founder Vittorio Pollazzon Head of team and Contributor Stefano Bellomo Head of team and Contributor Francesca C. Santacesaria Editor and Contributor Aldo Rizzo Contributor Pasquale Bondanese Contributor Roberto Crugliano Contributor Alessandro Console
Graphic designer Elena Montrasio Editor
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ON
How
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DOLPHIN
SCIENCE
N THE HORIZON!!
w can you recognize them? We often meet people asking what species of dolphin we have observed during our research at sea, and it is easy for us to list the names of different species of dolphins or whales. The result? Perplexed faces staring back at us. At times, enthusiastic about their experience, people tell us about the trips or the occasions they encountered a dolphin, and we Immediately ask them, "What was the species?". Their answer, "A dolphin!". Scenes like this make us smile, but it’s completely normal for a lot of people not to know that there are many different types of dolphins and whales.
In the world there are 81 different species of cetaceans, grouped in two suborders: the mysticetes (whales with baleen) and the odontocetes (cetaceans with teeth). Whales and dolphins live in the oceans and sees worldwide, some species live
in rivers while others feed in the depths of the sea; some prefer the warmth of tropical waters, other the cooler temperatures near the Poles; many whales and dolphins seasonally love to travel. All species have specific physical characteristics, ecological needs and different behaviours that make them recognizable and identifiable through careful observation. Admiring these animals in the wild can be exciting and educational, if done consciously. Imagine if a sea lover said, "Today I saw a Risso’s dolphin, a very rare species!". It would be really nice! Today we would like to provide you with the basic knowledge that will allow you to distinguish, even by yourself, the different species who live in the Italian seas. So, take your binoculars, camera and notebook and get ready to discover these wonderful creatures! 7
Out of the 21 species reported in the Mediterranean Sea, 12 can be observed in the Italian sea. The species are divided in: regular species (regularly present in the Mediterranean area) and occasional species (which occasionally appear in the Mediterranean, especially in the western part). The regular species are: Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Shortbeaked Common dolphin (Delphinus delphi), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), Sperm whale (Physester macrocephalus), Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), Pilot whale (Globicephala melas), Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris). The occasional species are: Common Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Killer whale (Orcinus orca), False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) and Rough-thooted dolphin (Steno bredanensis).
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Many species that can confuse the non -expert observer. To be able to tell them apart, we need to know which details to observe, especially considering that often, in the wild, the time we have to observe them is quite short. First of all, it is important to
it can be more than two meters high, and it is always tilted to the left, whereas in the fin whale the spout can reach 4 meters in height, and it is straight and narrow. Subsequently, the attention must be placed on their dorsal fin (dimension, shape and position) and on their back (color, streaks, individual marks): these are the only parts of the body
determine the dimensions of the animal, if possible, refer to objects of known dimensions or define dimensional categories (eg:> 4; 4-10m;> 10m). This way it becomes easy to understand if it is a small or a large cetacean. In the case of large whales, pay attention to size and shape of their spout. In sperm whales, for example,
that normally emerge as they swim, and allow us to determine the various species. Another factor that can help us in the observation is the number of individuals in a group: this is not easy to calculate, but it certainly allows us to improve our knowledge on the species. Also, pay attention to the location where you spot them: each of these
SCIENCE However, the situation has significantly changed in the last decades, with a drastic reduction of the available habitats for these species, caused by the incessant human impact and with the consequent exclusion of cetacean populations from traditionally optimal areas.
species has specific ecological needs, which determine their geographical distribution. Research carried out on the Italian seas have revealed the existence of significant differences in terms of depth of occurrence of each species: fin whales and pilot whales mostly live in deep waters, generally above 2,000 m; sperm whales, striped and Risso's dolphins are found more frequently close to the continental slope; common dolphins generally live between the continental slope and the continental shelf; bottlenose dolphins are neritic (coastal) animals, with a marked preference for waters less than 100 m deep.
In fact, all species of cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea and in the Gulf of Taranto are subject to several threats caused by humans. Many of these species are increasingly at risk of extinction. The most dangerous threats to their survival are caused by chemical pollution of various nature and sound (especially the prospecting for the search for hydrocarbons); collisions with boats and fishing equipment, over-exploitation of fish stocks and habitat degradation. In recent years, among the causes of death, the impact of plastic pollution on these species has become increasingly dangerous.
The percentage of sightings of the different species in our research area is divided as follows: 59% Striped dolphins, 25% Bottlenose dolphins, 10% Risso's dolphins, 5% Sperm whale, 1% Common dolphin. Over the years, occasional sightings of Fin whales and Pilot whales has occurred. To help you with their identification, you can find here the main characteristics of each species. Stefano Bellomo 9
Name
>3om
>200m
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN Tursiops truncatus
Dimension
Max 3,5 m
G lig bo te
Max 2,7 m STRIPED DOLPHIN Smaller in Stenella coeruleoalba Mediterranean Sea
Bl co ba th
Max 2,7 m SHORT-BEAKED Smaller in COMMON DOLPHIN MediterraDelfinus delphis nean Sea
D da th
FIN WHALE Balaenoptera physalus
Max 27 m
D
RISSO’S DOLPHIN Grampus griseus
Max 4 m
G bo th w
PILOT WHALE Globicephala melas
Max 7 m
Bl
Max 20 m
D w pa
>500m
>80
SPERM WHALE Physeter macrocephalus 10
Livery
Main features
Ecology
Longevity
Groups, integrated by females Grey body, with a Robust and muscoled body. and juveniles, usually range ghter color on Dorsal fin differently marked from a few individuals to Up to 52 year oth sides and whiuseful for photoidentification about 20 animals. Coastal e on the abdomen species
lack or bluish grey oloration on its ack, and white in he ventral part
Dorsal region is ark and white in he ventral part
Black line going from the eye to the anal region on each side, and another one from the eye to the pectoral fin.
Live in big groups, with hundreds of individuals. Very acUp to 58 year robatics animals: jump up to 7 meters above the sea surface
The sides are creamcoloured, or yellow, and they form a V shape in the center of the body
Live in big groups, with hundreds of individuals. It has been calculated that, in the Up to 35 year last 40 years, their population has been reduced by half
Low dorsal fin turned backDark grey or brown wards. Flattened head in the shape of V.
Grey when they’re orn and, with age, hey gradually turn white
lack
Dark grey, with white on the lower art of the mouth.
Live in groups from 3-7 individuals to hundreds. Pelagic Up to 90 year cetacean. Prey planktonic animals
Globular head. Numerous scars and scratches on the live in groups of 3 to 50 indibody and on the dorsal fins of viduals, however, at times, mature individuals. Indivigroups of some thousands. dual identification possible.
Up to 30 year
Extremely social animals that live in compact groups, comGlobular shape of the head. posed on average of about 12 On the belly a characteristic individuals. They prefer the Up to 60 year white stain in the shape of an pelagic habitat where they anchor mainly feed on squid and pelagic fish. Huge and square head. Spout is slanted towards the left and forward. Triangular caudal fin clearly visible when immersed
Groups composed by females and their offspring. Young males and adult males are usually solitary. The number of individuals per group is usually around 7.
Up to 70 year
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Unreachable and fantastic, deep marine environments have always represented mysterious places for us human beings, bringing about curiosity and a desire for discovery. To date, despite various technologies and numerous efforts, the depths we know only amount to the 0.001%. 70% of our planet’s surface is occupied by oceans and seas. Due to its physical and chemical properties, the sea is the most favorable environment for the development of life. With an average depth of about 3,680 meters, over 50% of the surface of the oceans lies below a depth of about 3,000 meters. For years, humans have wondered if these extreme habitats could welcome any kind of life. In the XIX century, Edward Forbes, professor of Natural History at the University of Edinburgh, formulated the "azoic hypothesis", according to which extreme pressure conditions and the presumed absence of oxygen would not allow the maintenance of life below a depth of 600 m. Subsequently, scientific evidence showed that oxygen is abundant even at greater depths, and pointed out that the deep environment welcomes a rather high biodiversity, both on a level of micro, and macro-organisms. These studies strongly refuted Forbes' theory and led scientists to discover these "unreachable" environments. 12
In the
LIFE IN THE ABYSS? Too much pressure? Hydrostatic pressure in the sea grows at one atmosphere for every 10 meters. At the deepest point in the ocean, 11.022 m., in the Mariana’s Trench, the pressure reaches about 1.100 atmospheres! Strong currents break and modify the characteristics of the deep environment with variable intensity and direction.
Brrr! So cold! Temperatures, normally below 4 ° C, can range from -2 to over 400 ° C near the hydrothermal vents (fractures on the bottom of the ocean that release geothermally heated water. The oxygen concentrations are close to saturation level, but there are hypoxic and anoxic areas as well. The Black Sea, 2
for example, shows permanently oxygen-free conditions at depths greater than 250m. At a depth of about 5001000 meters, the light disappears completely, therefore the deep environments are dark and unable to process the photosynthesis. The light plays an indirect effect: the superficial phytoplankton enters the deep ecosystem through the trophic network.
e deep blue...
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The ecological peculiarities and severity of the abyssal ecosystem have required profound adaptations for the species that live in these environments.
Melanocetus johnsonii
FIREFLIES IN THE ABYSSES. A luminous dot in the darkness of the abyss, usually hides a fish waiting for its prey. The light emitted by these abyssal fish is due to the phenomenon of bioluminescence. In most cases, bioluminescence is linked to symbiosis with luminous bacteria. In the Melanocetus johnsonii, which belongs to the family of the Melanocetidae, or in the Bufoceratias weedi in the family of the Ceratiidae, this system is characterized by the presence, generally only in females, of a rod on top of the head, called "illicium". At the apex of the rod, a "lantern" is used as a bait to attract prey. Bioluminescence is an excellent communication tool, and it is also used as a sexual appeal. Moreover, if a predator is swimming in the surroundings, the photophores can be activated or deactivated, thus making the animals invisible. 14
ADAPTATION TO PRESSURE. Among the main organisms that inhabit the deep system are the invertebrates. Thanks to their exoskeleton, they are able to better withstand the strong pressures. One can meet, for example, thee Geryon longipes, a crab that lives at a depth of over 2,000 meters, or the shrimp Acanthephyra eximia. Together with the Mediterranean Chalinura, a teleost of bentopelagic habitat, they are the main "scavengers" of these environments, feeding on organic detritus. There are "Euribate" species, that present adaptations to live both at high and low pressures. Among them are the polychaetes of the species Notomastus latericeus and Hydroides norvegica, whose distributions range from
NATURE
Siboglinidae spp
Idiacanthus antrostomus
Geryon longipes
20 to 5,000 meters, or the pogonophore of the Siboglinidae family that lives from 20 to 8,000 meters. ADAPTATION FOR HUNTING. Generally, food is scarce at great depths, therefore every opportunity to feed must be taken advantage of. For this reason, many deep-sea fish have sharp teeth, like, for example, the Melanocetus johnsonii, the Chauliodus macouni and the Idiacanthus antrostomus.Others, like the Eurypharynx pelecanoides, have evolved very large mouths, through which they can filter large amounts of water to feed on plankton. ADAPTATION TO THE DARK. Some deep-water fish present telescopic eyes with an extraordinarily
sensitive retina, making them able to capture even the weakest light emitted in the dark. This phenomenon happens with the Rhynchohyalus natalensis species, or the Argyropelecus hemigymnus individuals belonging to the Opisthoproctidae family or in Gigantura, better known as "telescope fish". COLORS IN THE ABYSSES.
In nature, color is a factor of primary importance for the individuals, closely related to their environment and lifestyle. In most animals with visual perception, the use of color is the basis of a wide range of inter and intraspecific relationships. We think of mimicry for dangerous situations; or the use of 15
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Acanthephyra eximia
Hydroides norvegica
Argyropelecus hemigymnus
Notomastus latericeus
Eurypharynx pelecanoides
Rhynchohyalus natalensis
Chauliodus macouni
Bufoceratias weedi
NATURE flashy liveries to get noticed during courtship, as well as showy aposematic colors, often associated with poisons and irritants, in order to discourage predators. In conditions of reduced or absent light, the mechanism of vision is not very efficient and does not play a major role in the life of a relationship. In fact, the species that live in deep marine environments display very modest colors, from gray species, or with dull colors, to totally transparent species.
These are some of the adaptations that animals use to live in these prohibitive conditions and that allow them to conquer extreme ecological niches. Recent studies have led to the recognition of more than 20,000 organisms, in particular amphipods and isopods, some of which are new to science. However, despite all the efforts, only 0.001% of the biodiversity of the deep environments has been studied. These environments remain a mystery, and yet, to safeguard the health of the oceans, it is necessary to fid a way to know even the most extreme habitats. Therefore, a first concrete action, before undertaking any management and / or conservation measures, is to direct our research efforts to the study of marine ecosystems, especially those that are still little known.
Bathynomus giganteus
ARE THEY GROWING TOO MUCH? A peculiarity that makes the deep ocean system extraordinary and mysterious is the phenomenon of abysmal gigantism. It concerns mainly some species of crustaceans that live at depths higher than 3,000 meters, and are larger than individuals of the same species living in shallow waters. In 1984, the Gigantapseudes dactylus was found and described; this is the largest representative of the amphipods order, and reached a length of about 28 cm. Another example is the Bathynomus giganteus, an isopod crustacean that can reach 50 cm in length and 2 kg in weight, unlike the coastal specimens that do not exceed one or a few cm in length. It is hypothesized that this phenomenon is due to two main factors: low temperatures and high hydrostatic pressures, which would cause a reduction in metabolic speed, with a consequent increase in body size. However, the biological mechanism remains unclear. Roberto Crugliano 17
Walking down the streets of the city of Taranto, a very unique theme appears, repeated in several different contexts. Manholes, walls, even the bottle labels of the local beer, and the symbol of the city, they all display the same image: a boy riding on a dolphin’s back. Taranto, the ancient Greek colony, the city of the two seas, links its origins to the presence of dolphins in its waters. These majestic and fascinating creatures have enriched the imaginary world of narrators since before the birth of Christ, thus giving birth to numerous myths and legends about the origin of the city of Taranto.
Myth or legend? THE MYTH. The term derives from the Greek word “mythos”, which means word, speech, or story. Myth, intended as a story, is a fantastic narration embedded with sacred meaning. Its aim is to describe the origin of cultures, peoples, phenomena and the world itself. Myth is the product of the collective memory of a people in which the space-time dimension is lost and the protagonists are heroes, divine beings with human features who perform extraordinary actions. 18
THE LEGEND. The term Legend derives from the Latin word “legenda”, which means "things that must be read". In ancient times, it recounted the story of the life of a saint or their miracles, to be read especially on the occasion of his festivity. Later, the word legend evolved to take on the meaning of a story in which there is a mix of real historical and fantastic elements.
CURIOSITY
TARAS AND THE MYTH According to Greek mythology, Taras was the son of the nymph Satyria and of Poseidon, god of the sea. About 2000 years before Christ, Taras, at the head of its fleet, landed at the mouth of a watercourse that to today still keeps his name, and is in fact called Tara river.
On the river banks, Taras began to offer sacrifices to thank his father for his good journey and to propitiate the construction of a new city. Suddenly, he noticed a dolphin jumping out of the water. The young man interpreted the apparition as a sign of good luck and encouragement to found a city there. He called it Saturo, as a tribute to his mother Satyria, or his wife Satureia, a place that still bears the name. The myth say that one day Taras disappeared into the river and became a hero for the will of his father.
THE LEGEND OF PHALANTHOS The Partheniae, illegitimate children of Spartan and Perioeci women, were destined to live marginalized lives, in a state of subordination with respect to the Spartans. To obtain from the
aristocracy the rights that had been denied to them, the Partheniae, led by Phalanthos, organized a riot. They were defeated, forced to leave the city and search for new lands. Before leaving, Phalanthos consulted the Dephi Oracle to find a response about his own future. The Oracle declared, "When you will see rain coming down from the clear sky, you will conquer the territory and the city".
The crossing at sea was full of ad-
versities: cross winds pushed them towards the Aegean sea, where they suffered a shipwreck. There, a dolphin came to save Phalanthos. On the ashore, Phalanthos coordinated the rescue and the ship was repaired as best as possible. For a long time, the Partheniae sailed aimlessly, until one day, exhausted, Phalanthos fell asleep on his wife’s knees. Her name was Etra, or "clear sky". Thinking of her husband's misfortunes, the woman began to cry. Her tears woke up Phalanthos, who, remembering the Oracle, thought the time had come to found a city: Taranto, in remembrance of Greek hero Taras. Vittorio Pollazon Aldo Rizzo 19
10 1.
THINGS T0 KNOW ABOUT...
Sea turtles
TURTLE OR TORTOISE?
When referring to this kind of reptiles, the term "turtle" is commonly used both for aquatic and terrestrial species (marine and freshwater), placing all animals within the same category. “Turtle�, however, only refers to the species that have adapted to live in an aquatic environment, with a lowprofile carapace, and mostly carnivorous. In the course of evolution, the arms of aquatic species have adapted to swimming: freshwater turtles grew a skin membrane between their claws, whereas sea turtles turned arms into fins. On the contrary, when referring to typically herbivorous terrestrial species, with powerful claws and raised carapace, we use the term tortoise.
2.
7 AND A HALF SPECIES
There are 7 different species of sea turtles in the world: the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), the common turtle (Caretta caretta), the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), the Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), the olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) and the flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus). In the course of evolution some of their body traits changed, thus allowing them to populate the temperate waters of every ocean. In recent years the scientific community has opened the discussion on the turtle Chelonia mydas agassizii. This turtle lives in the Pacific Ocean, from the Galapagos to Mexico, it has a black and rounded carapace, and the male has a very pronounced caudal dimorphism. The question is: is this a subspecies of the green turtle, or an existing eighth species?
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10 THINGSTOKNOW RUBRICA
3.
A LIFE BETWEEN LAND AND SEA
The very long journey of a turtle begins on land when, as soon as it hatches, it crawls out of its nest and, driven by instinct, follows the light of the moon and reaches the sea. In the first days of their life, turtles feed on the egg white left on their body and swim towards the open sea where they will live for the first few years. The journey continues until they reach sexual maturity, at about 20 years of age. At this point, they return close the coast to reproduce and repeat the process every to 2 to 3 years. Once the eggs are fertilized, the female turtles return to land to nest. With a considerable effort, they lay about 100 eggs per nest before going back out to the sea. Only one turtle out of 100 will be able to reach adulthood. 21
5.
4.
TRATTIENI IL RESPIRO
No gills but lungs. Sea turtles have lungs, so they need to emerge to the surface in order to breathe. Studies showed that sea turtles can also absorb up to 70% of the oxygen they need through their skin. They are equipped, in fact, with anal pockets that allow the absorption of the oxygen dissolved in the water. They can also absorb oxygen thanks to their esophagus, rich in vascular cavities. These traits have turned them into expert divers: they can lie on the seabed for more than 5 hours! Unfortunately, they cannot withstand as much when they get caught in fishing nets. In these situations, as they try to escape, they consume larger amounts of oxygen and die by drowning.
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MASCHIO O FEMMINA?
In the animal world, sex determination can depend on many factors. In some species, like humans, sex is determined by a different chromosome set. To be clear, it depends on the presence of the X and Y chromosomes and on their number. In other species, the chromosome set is identical for male and female, and the sex is determined by environmental factors. This is the case of turtles, for which sex is determined by temperature! What happens is that the eggs laid first, which sit on the bottom of the nest at colder temperatures, will become males. Those laid later, closer the surface where the sand is heated by the sun, will become females. With the increasing temperatures, linked to climate change, the risk is that most baby turtles will be born as female and that they won’t find partners to reproduce with!
10 THINGSTOKNOW
7. 6.
A GIANT TURTLE
The leatherback turtle is one of the giants of the sea, and is the largest turtle in the world. Its carapace, covered with a material that resembles leather, reaches over 2 meters in length and more than 600 kg in weight!! A powerful and fast swimmer (100 m in 10 seconds), the leatherback turtle is one of the animals that most suffer because of plastic pollution in our seas. In fact, its love for jellyfish as its favorite food often causes it to mistake plastic bags for these planktonic animals. The leatherback turtle is listed at critical risk of extinction in Mediterranean Sea!
Leatherback turtle
AN INTEGRATED GPS
At around 20 years of age, female sea turtles swim back to land to lay their eggs. The beach they choose for nesting is not at all random; in fact, it is the same beach where she was laid as an egg. The mother turtle returns to that beach, certain that it is the best and most suitable place for the birth of her youngsters. You will wonder, how can they find it again, after so many years? After all, there are no road signs, maps or directions in the sea. To find the right place, sea turtles have developed a "sixth sense": an integrated GPS that takes advantage of the geomagnetic field of the Earth! When the tiny turtles are born, they memorize the magnetic field of their native beach and, once they grow up, they use this information to be able to return easily to that very place.
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In Italy, the number of specimens found alive and in difficulty and recovered is greater than 200 turtles per year. 24
10 THINGSTOKNOW
8.
UNDER THE SUN
During our navigation, we often encounter sea turtles basking in the sun. They don’t do it to relax or to sunbathe; they do it for their health. For sea turtles, like for all reptiles, their body temperature depends on the temperature of the surrounding environment. They are, in fact, heterothermic animals. To keep a constant body temperature, it is important that they alternate moments in which they warm up under the sun's rays, and moments when they swim in the depths of the sea! The sun is also important for their immune system and their digestion.
9.
ARE YOU CRYING?
If someday you will have a close encounter on land with a turtle, you will have the impression that its eyes are wet with tears. The turtle won’t be crying because it’s sad, but for a very important reason. Tears are produced by the salt glands that serve to regulate the amount of ingested salt, which is abundant both in their food and in the large amounts of water that they accidentally drink. Crying allows them to expel the excess salt and liquids!
10.
HUMAN IMPACT
Sea turtles have lived in the oceans for over 110 million years, but are now faced with unprecedented difficulties. The problem is not limited to plastic pollution, which plays an important role, considering that more than 90% of the turtles treated in recovery centers ingested plastic fragments that ended up in their stomach. These animals, as mentioned above, are extremely sensitive to temperature changes, and are now faced with global warming. Furthermore, fishing activities have a dangerous impacts on these animals; the hooks and the nets in which they are often entangled are lethal for them. Coastal erosions also represent a major problem: data recorded at the end of the 1990s show that, in Italy, about 80% of coastal dunes have been lost. This means that the female turtles that, after 20 years, try to return to the same beach on which they were born, will not be able to find it ever again. Francesca Santacesaria 25
New connection “It is the province of knowledge to speak and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen.� Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
There's strength in numbers. Sharing knowledge allows us to learn, improve and develop new skills. For this reason it is essential in the scientific community to write, publish and read scientific papers. Researchers from all over the world, communicating uniquely, always remain connected and updated. In this way, new bonds are established and bring benefit to the whole
analyze hundreds, if not thousands, of photos. The revolution of this new tool is the ability to process large quantities of photos simultaneously, with an extremely low error rate, without human intervention.
community. Last November, in Scientific Reports, journal of the Nature group, was published a work made by CNR (Research National Council) in collaboration with our team and the University of Bari. Thanks to the combination of our different skills we have developed the first automatic photo-identification algorithm of this species" Rosalia Maglietta
The article had a great impact on the scientific community and has gone around the world, leading us to what happened during this month.
So far, the photo ID was created manually or with programs that allowed you to analyze one photo at a time. Extremely limiting for who had to 26
From March 6th to 9th, Dr. Karin Hartman, researcher and founder of Nova Atlantis, has been visiting us. She has been studying Risso’s dolphin
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JDC NEWS
on the Azores for 20 years. The Risso’s dolphin in the Mediterranean are an extremely rare and little known species, whereas in the waters surrounding the Azores constitute a population of over 12oo individuals. During the last years, Dr. Hartman studied the behavior, the social organization, the methods for determining the sex and the age of these animals, and started to work on the identification of the different individuals. Happily or unhappily, the large number of sightings and individuals, have made possible the collection of a huge amount of photographic data. These ar impossible to process manually.
of each individual, his gender and the social structure of the group. Information that allows us to revolutionize our research and to understand these fascinating animals. Now the objective is to approve the data collection systems: in this way we will able to compare information and to understand the similarities and differences between the Mediterranean and Atlantic Risso’s dolphin.
We want to have a greater awareness of the species in order to protect and preserve it in the best way. Francesca Santacesaria
And that's why she decided to meet us. While she learned and understood the functioning of our algorithm, we understood how to determinate the age 27
Reader’s Mail To readers of Ketos Magazine. To sea and nature lovers like me. I want to tell about the internship experience that i lived with the "Jonian Dolphin Conservation" staff and in the company of the Cetaceans.
a drooping dorsal fin, a sign that their age did not exceed three days of life. I also learned to distinguish males from females, in mating periods, observing how females signal estrus with an elegant pink belly color.
I am a student of natural sciences at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and I spent about a month learning the sighting techniques, observing and classifying the behavior of these animals in their natural habitat.
It was very constructive and interesting to understand the photoidentification techniques by which it is possible to recognize each individual.
During the twenty survey that I spent on board of "Taras" and "Extraordinaria" catamarans, we sighted dolphins 19 times. The species that I have observed are 3: the striped dolphin; the Bottlenose Dolphin and finally, the extraordinary sighting of 7 Sperm Whales, the largest predators in the world, including a calf accompanied by its mother. The most frequent species was the Striped dolphin, who gave me the opportunity to study behavior classified into four major categories: traveling, socializing, resting and feeding. It was an honor to be able to witness how these animals use the Gulf of Taranto habitat not only to feed but also to reproduce and raise their offspring: some claf of Striped dolphin presented 28
Thanks to the knowledge learned in this period and to my previous knowledge, it was easy to understand the fundamental role that these animals, so intelligent and empathetic, have not only locally but globally. Through their superficial biological activity, they "fertilize" the microalgae that are at the base of the trophic chain and are able, thanks to the photosynthesis process, to subtract CO2 from the atmosphere. With this meaning, safeguarding these animals and their environment also means helping the fight against global warming. In conclusion this is an experience that I recommend to everyone, with the hope that one day I will be able to transform my passion into my work.
Andrea Grieco
OPEN SPACE SPAZIO APERTO
YOUR SHOTS Enjoy nature. Exploring with respect so that we can understand. Observe the world with different eyes. Be in close contact with dolphins, symbol of freedom. This is what our reader– you– lived on board of our catamaran and told to us with these photos.
Share your photo and experience with us by email at lia@joniandolphin.it
Ph: Andrea Grieco
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1 Marianna Licciardello
2 &3 Nicla Marzano
4 &5 Andrea Grieco
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