NAUUP – AQUAICBAS
Aquatic Activities UPArchive for April 11, 2008
Isabel Gonçalves (CMA/ICBAS) retoma o seu trabalho com cetáceos desta vez na Bahia (Brasil)
Isabel Gonçalves, licenciada em Ciências do Meio Aquático (ICBAS-UP), após ter concluído o seu estágio em Fernando de Noronha, retorna ao Brasil desta vez, no âmbito do seu Mestrado:
Estágio Lic:”Aspectos da Ocupação da Baía dos Golfinhos rotadores Stenella longirostris (Gray, 1828) e do seu Comportamento Reprodutivo Fernando de Noronha (Brasil)”.
Tese Mestrado:” Estrutura Espacial dos Grupos de Boto-Cinza (Sotalia guianensis) no Porto de Ilhéus – Bahia (Brasil)”
Espécie: Physalia physalis:Portuguese man-of-war: What kind of Animal is it?
ortuguese man-of-war
Physalia (Portugese man-o-war or Bluebottle)
Floating animal showing large flotation bladder and the specialised ‘polyps’ and trailing tentacles which hang beneath the bladder. Lower photo shows and enlarged section of the body beneath the water. Photos: Bill Rudman
Physalia is a Cnidarian [or Coelenterate] – a group of animals which includes the sea anemones, corals and jellyfish. One thing they all have in common are specialised stinging cells or nematocysts, which are often used to catch their prey. In Physalia they are used to catch fish, and to ensure the fish do not escape, the poison in the stinging cells is quite powerful. This is why they give us such a painful sting.
Physalia is a siphonophore, a specialised group of cnidarians in which each ‘animal’ is really a colony of highly specialised individuals. In Physalia, one individual forms a gas-filled float and the other individuals are specialised for feeding and digestion, or for reproduction, or to form the extremely long tentacles which contain the nematocysts which sting and capture their prey. In the lower photo part of the long stinging tentacles can be seen as a string of beads, each ‘bead’ containing a nematocyst. Other flask-like structures are the ‘mouths’ which secrete digestive juices and envelop captured food.
Bluebottles are found throughout the world and are usually only noticed when they are blown on to beaches during summer, upsetting our holiday plans. They can form great populations of animals in the open ocean and these ‘blue fleets’ often contain two other colonial cnidarians, Porpita and Velella. Porpita has a small transparent circular disc and many small tentacles radiating out around the edge, and Velella, whose common name is the ‘by-the wind-sailor’, has a more oval shaped disc with a prominent sail arranged obliquely along the disc.
A number of molluscs including the nudibranchs Glaucus atlanticus, Glaucilla marginata and the Violet Snails Janthina, are specialised feeders on Physalia and the other floating cnidarians.
Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2002 (April 23) Physalia (Portugese man-o-war or Bluebottle). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=physalia
source:
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Physical Description
The Portuguese man-of-war is a floating hydrozoan. It is actually a colony consisting of four types of polyps: a pneumatophore, or float; dactylozooids, or tentacles; gastrozooids, or feeding zooids; and gonozooids which produce gametes for reproduction. Nematocysts (stinging cells) are located in the tentacles. Their action is based on their individual osmotic and hydrostatic pressure. Sensory cells are numerous and are located in the epidermis of the tentacles and the region around the mouths. Generally, the sensory cells are receptors for touch and temperature.
The stinging cells, or nematocysts, are the characteristic food-getting mechanisms of jellyfish and their close relatives. P. physalis has two sizes of nematocysts, some small and others are large. These nematocysts retain their potency long after an individual has been washed up along the shore, as many hikers along beaches have discovered to their dismay and discomfort.
Oil Drilling to Hit Heart of Endangered Right Whale Habitat in Bering Sea
ANCHORAGE, Alaska— The Bush administration Tuesday took the first step toward opening up 5.6 million acres in the Bering Sea to oil and gas leasing. The proposal, published in Tuesday’s Federal Register by the Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service, would allow oil development in an area north of the Aleutian Islands near Bristol Bay that has been designated critical habitat for the North Pacific right whale.
The whale, once ranging from California to Alaska and across the North Pacific to Russia and Japan, was decimated by commercial whaling and is now the most endangered large whale in the world. Perhaps fewer than 50 individuals remain in a population that visits the Bering Sea each summer to feed. [...+ ]
source: ENN
NSF Announces Green Gasoline & Fuels Breakthroughs
NSF Announces Green Gasoline & Fuels Breakthroughs
Breakthrough research sponsored by the National Science Foundation into the development of green gasoline, green diesel and green jet fuel based on the conversion of biomass from feedstock such as switchgrass, fast-growing poplar trees, corn stalks, wood waste and residues and other non-food plant sources is bearing fruit.
The latest breakthroughs are detailed in, “Breaking the Chemical and Engineering Barriers to Lignocellulosic Biofuels: Next Generation Hydrocarbon Biorefineries,” a report sponsored by the NSF, the Dept. of Energy and the American Chemical Society, suggesting that they may brought into widespread use in five to ten years.[...+ ]
Source ENN
Jobs: Marine Science Educator II: Mote Marine Laboratory
Marine Science Educator II
Mote Marine Laboratory
Center for School and Public Programs
Sarasota, FL
Mote Marine Laboratory has an opening for a dedicated and enthusiastic marine science educator to work within a creative, collaborative, and committed education work group. The Marine Science Educator II will work closely with the School and Public Programs Coordinators, under the supervision of the Center Director, to teach and assist in the development of on-site and outreach educational programs based at Mote field stations around Florida. Programs can occur on land, boats, and in the water. This position will play a central role in coordinating custom school programs with our partner schools and in the development of Mommy and Me programming for 2-5 year olds.
This is a full-time, professional position exempt from the Federal wage and hour requirements as described under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Normal working hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm with some evening, and holiday work required. Starting salary is $23,660 with benefits. Applicants should have: 1) a Bachelor’s degree in education, science or related field, 2) one year of education experience, 3) first aid, CPR, and lifeguard certifications. Oral and written fluency in Spanish is preferred. The hiring of a successful candidate for this position is conditional on a background check.
Please submit a resume and cover letter (either electronic or hard-copy) by May 1, 2008 to:
Jim Wharton
Director, Center for School & Public Programs
Mote Marine Laboratory
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34236
jimwharton@mote.org
Direct all inquiries about the position to jimwharton@mote.org.
full time, temporary, non-benefited position during Summer 2008:Camp SEA Lab
Camp SEA Lab Summer Naturalists (Monterey Bay, California)
This is a full time, temporary, non-benefited position during Summer 2008.
Dates of employment begin June 9, 2008 through August 18, 2008.
Deadline to Apply: May 2, 2008
DEFINITION:
Camp SEA Lab operates under the Foundation of California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) and has close ties to several Monterey Bay area universities and institutions. Camp SEA Lab is governed by both the Foundation of CSUMB and an Advisory Board of Directors comprised of members from collaborating institutions.
Camp SEA Lab’s mission is to foster a sense of excitement, scientific understanding, and stewardship of our coasts and oceans. The exceptional environment of the Monterey Bay region, and a host of exemplary marine science and education institutions make it a perfect setting for a science camp program focused on ocean and coastal resources.
Camp SEA Lab programs are designed for youth ages 8-16. Summer programs are delivered in one-week (5-day), outdoor camp sessions including both day camps and residential camps. All Camp SEA Lab staff are engaged in the development and implementation of a safe, educational, and fun program in marine science.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential Job Functions: Camp SEA Lab Naturalists will work closely with the Education Coordinator on a variety of tasks related to the implementation of the Camp SEA Lab vision and programs, while maintaining the safety and well-being of the campers as the priority.
Work hours: Day camp hours are Monday through Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm with hours of work extending from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Residential camp sessions are from 8:00 a.m. Mondays through 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. The instructor and counselors are required to stay overnight in the dormitories with the campers during the weeks of residential sessions.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:
* Knowledge of and familiarity with the marine environment and marine organizations along the central coast.
* Understand the working relationship between Camp SEA Lab and the CSU Monterey Bay campus.
* Ability to understand and implement program safety regulations.
* Demonstrate creativity in programmatic planning and work assignments.
* Ability to work effectively in a dynamic team setting, demonstrating sensitivity to diversity and multiple working styles.
* Maintain positive relationships with Camp SEA Lab partners, and other community stakeholders.
* Lead small and large group activities in marine science and non-competitive games.
* Supervise camper participation in structured and unstructured activities.
* Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of campers.
* Appropriately model behavior and use positive behavior management techniques.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
* Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the Camp SEA Lab and CSU Monterey Bay Vision Statement and the core values of mutual respect, collaboration and service orientation, multiculturalism and diversity.
* Experience in youth focused-programs and delivery of programs.
* Able to traverse a wide range of habitats. Ability to walk at least three miles of rough terrain.
* Knowledge or current pursuit of marine science education.
* Previous experience working with youth in an informal education setting; could include camp, classroom, or other environments.
* Ability to work with diverse and multicultural populations.
* Ability to lift and carry 30-40 pounds and load luggage, tables, chairs, and other equipment.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Demonstrated ability to address the essential functions associated with this position, including the knowledge and abilities identified above. In addition, the successful candidate will meet the all following conditions:
* Minimum age requirement of 21 years of age.
* Possess a valid drivers license and provide a clean DMV driving record.
* Must be insured to drive a vehicle in California and complete defensive driver training.
* Possess enough strength and endurance to maintain constant supervision of campers for all camp sessions.
* Must be able to swim and participate in water-related activities (such as kayaking).
* Successfully pass a fingerprinting and background check through CSU Monterey Bay.
HOUSING:
Camp SEA Lab will provide room, board, and meals during residential camp experiences. Candidate must provide own housing during single day field experiences and training.
PAY:
Day Camp: $80 to $86 per day;
Residential Camp: $100 to $110 per da
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
* Bilingual – Spanish and English
* Basic Lifeguard Certification
* California State Teaching Credential
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Please complete the required on-line Foundation application at
http://uhr.csumb.edu/jobs/db/fp/
;
A completed on-line Foundation application must be received in the Human Resources Office.
A total of 4 positions are available, and positions are open until filled. Job # 2008-299.
For assistance or if you require an accommodation, please call (831) 582-3389, or
California Relay Service (for Hearing Impaired) at (800) 735-2929. You ma
