Dolphins research - Call for applications: Internships 2010
Bruno Diaz
on behalf of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI
(www.thebdri.com), I am pleased to announce that our centre is
currently accepting internships applications for the year 2010 (a
minimum of 60 days of participation from February to November) in
Sardinia Island, Italy. The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute
BDRI carries out field research projects and provide scientific and
volunteer support.
BDRI's researchers are engaged in the conduction of a long term study
about the ecology and behaviour of wild unrestrained bottlenose
dolphins and the potential effects of human activities (fisheries,
aquaculture and tourism) in their distribution and behaviour. An
internship period with the BDRI offers an invaluable exposure to boat
based field work,marine mammals research, intensive training and
mentoring in marine biology. Undergraduate and postgraduate students
could present their BDRI's personal research project as their Thesis
if requested with the application.
Internships can be used for academic or vocational purposes, but
students are solely responsible for making all arrangements for
receiving relevant credit(s) as a result of completing the internship.
Interns can expect to participate in and learn a variety of facets of
marine mammal research as research assistants in two diverse research
projects:
1. Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins societies project: We will take
and analyse identification photos, study group structure and
composition to refine details of dolphin societies and responses to
human activities at sea. Volunteers assist with data collection
onboard helping to locate, photograph and keep track of bottlenose
dolphin groups. Back at the lab volunteers restock field supplies,
analyse photos and transcribe data collected.
2. Mediterranean bottlenose dolphin's repertorie and communication
use: Knowledge of how individuals within a population communicate and
what they are communicating can generate information ranging from
measures of habitat use, social relevance, geographical variation,
cultural transmission to genetic fitness that can be applied to
conservation. Bottlenose dolphins are extremely vocal mammalian
species and vocal communication plays an important role in mediating
social interactions. Although many vocalizations have been before
described in the literature, their association with specific
behaviours linked with human activities provides additional contextual
information about their potential use as communication signals.
There is no compensation for these internship positions and successful
applicants will be responsible for their own transportation expenses
to and from the research camp (Sardinia, Italy). The BDRI covers 60%
of the associated costs during the internships period and the selected
internships will pay the 40% of the total costs. BDRI will provide
housing, training, use of materials, field work, electricity, gas,
boat trips, etc.
There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are
accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Apply early! Start and
end dates are flexible. Positions are open until filled. Successful
candidates will be ready and willing to learn, self-motivated, and
flexible. Prior field research experience is recommended but not
required.
Please download the internships general information at:
www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/internships.pdf
and the application from:
www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/applicationinternships.rtf
Send cover letter or inquiries by email to the Research Chief, Bruno
Diaz Lopez, at in...@thebdri.com. Please indicate in your cover letter
the dates you are available.
Selected scientific publications by BDRI:
1. Diaz Lopez B. & Shirai, J.A.B., in press. Mediterranean common
bottlenose dolphin's repertoire and communication use. In: Dolphins:
Anatomy, Behavior, and Threats, F. Columbus (Ed.), Nova Science
Publishers, New York.
2. Diaz Lopez B., 2009. The bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus
foraging around a fish farm: Effects of prey abundance on dolphins'
behaviour. Current Zoology (Acta Zoologica Sinica) 55(4):243-248.
3. Diaz Lopez B., Bunke, M. and Shirai, J.A., 2008. Marine aquaculture
off Sardinia Island (Italy): ecosystem effects evaluated through a
trophic mass-balance model. Ecological Modelling 212: 292-303.
4. Diaz Lopez, B., Shirai, J.A.; Bilbao Prieto, A. & M?ndez Fern?ndez,
P., 2008. Diving activity of a solitary wild free ranging bottlenose
dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Marine Biological Association
U.K. 88(6): 1153-1157.
5. Diaz Lopez B. and Shirai, J.A., 2008. Marine aquaculture and
bottlenose dolphins social structure. Behavioural Ecology and
Sociobiology 62(6): 887-894.
6. Diaz Lopez B. and Shirai, J.A., 2007. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops
truncatus) presence and incidental capture in a marine fish farm on
the noth-eastern coast of Sardinia (Italy)" Journal of Marine
Biological Association U.K, 87, 113-117.
7. Diaz Lopez, B., 2006. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Predation on a Marine Fin Fish Farm: Some Underwater Observations".
Aquatic Mammals 32(3): 305 - 310 pp.
8. Diaz Lopez, B., 2006. Interactions between Mediterranean bottlenose
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and gillnets off Sardinia. ICES Journal
of Marine Science 63:944-951 pp.
9. Diaz Lopez, B., 2005. Interactions between bottlenose dolphins with
trammel nets in the Sardinia Island. International Council for
Exploration of the Sea Document CM 2005/X 1.
10. Diaz Lopez, B., 2005. Interaction between bottlenose dolphins and
fish farms: could there be an economic impact? International Council
for Exploration of the Sea Document CM 2005/X
11. Diaz Lopez, B., Marini, L., Polo, F., 2005. The impact of a fish
farm on a bottlenose dolphin population in the Mediterranean Sea.
Thalassas 2005, 21(2): 53-58.
Dr.Bruno Diaz Lopez
Chief Researcher / Marine Zoologist
Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI
V.Armando Diaz Nº4 07020 Golfo Aranci (SS) Italy
www.thebdri.com
in...@thebdri.com
tel.+ 39 346 081 5414
tel. + 0789 183 1197