Marine Mammal Ecology Laboratory

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Marine Mammal Ecology Laboratory Marine Mammal Ecology laboratory at Florida International University, led by Dr Jeremy Kiszka

NEW PAPER published yesterday in Marine Mammal Science! We examined predation risk experienced by bottlenose dolphins in...
04/07/2026

NEW PAPER published yesterday in Marine Mammal Science! We examined predation risk experienced by bottlenose dolphins in Biscayne Bay. Results suggest that the two dolphin communities living in the bay are not equally exposed to risk: urban dolphins in the northern bay experience a higher prevalence of shark bites. Between 2017 and 2023, predation attempts on dolphins have also slightly increased. Congratulations to Syra Tanchins who brilliantly led and submitted her paper right before graduating for her Master's degree!

Here is the link to the paper: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.70212

Over the past two weeks and as part of our long-term research on bottlenose dolphins in Biscayne Bay, we collaborated wi...
27/06/2026

Over the past two weeks and as part of our long-term research on bottlenose dolphins in Biscayne Bay, we collaborated with Norwegian and Belgian colleagues to collect biopsy samples and use new methods in the lab to expose dolphin blubber tissues to stress and warming temperatures. All sampling was completed and we’re very excited to see the results of this work! The dolphins were very cooperative, and we could also continue to collect photo-identification and behavioral data. Research conducted under a NOAA permit.

NEW PAPER FROM OUR LAB!  Climate change, local harvests and marine contamination: a perspective on cetacean populations ...
24/02/2026

NEW PAPER FROM OUR LAB! Climate change, local harvests and marine contamination: a perspective on cetacean populations and coastal whaling communities published today in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aqc.70343

Our latest paper is out, by postdoctoral researcher Dr. Guillaume Chandelier and our lab principal investigator, Dr. Jer...
11/02/2026

Our latest paper is out, by postdoctoral researcher Dr. Guillaume Chandelier and our lab principal investigator, Dr. Jeremy Kiszka.

How could future climate scenarios affect the distribution of dolphins and porpoises in the North Atlantic by 2100?

In this paper just published in Ecological Indicators, we modeled the current and future distributions of 12 small cetacean species across the North Atlantic using Species Distribution Models (SDMs) under three CMIP6 climate scenarios (SSP1–2.6, SSP2–4.5, SSP5–8.5).

Our projections indicate a consistent poleward redistribution of all 12 species investigated by 2100. However, responses are not uniform: small cetaceans exhibit contrasting species-specific responses. Tropical regions are projected to become progressively less suitable, suggesting potential tropical desertification. In contrast, temperate zones emerge as key climate refugia, supporting an increasing number of species under future warming scenarios.

These results highlight the need to anticipate large-scale marine community reorganization and integrate climate-driven redistributions into ecosystem-based management strategies in the North Atlantic.

Read the full paper here (open access!): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X26000725

NEW PAPER just published! We investigated the diet of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in the Caribbean Sea us...
31/01/2026

NEW PAPER just published! We investigated the diet of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in the Caribbean Sea using stable isotopes. Here is a link to the paper: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.70128 Photo credit: Cédric Million, OMMAG.

New paper alert: published in Aquatic Botany! Nutritional composition of forage resources consumed by Florida manatees v...
06/01/2026

New paper alert: published in Aquatic Botany!

Nutritional composition of forage resources consumed by Florida manatees vulnerable to seagrass decline in the Indian River Lagoon. Congratulations to our very own Aarin-Conrad Allen for leading this work as part of his PhD dissertation and many thanks to Save the Manatee Club for funding this project.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030437702500107X

Last paper of the year for our lab! The paper addresses the following question: can recovering marine mammal populations...
15/12/2025

Last paper of the year for our lab! The paper addresses the following question: can recovering marine mammal populations and sustainable fisheries coexist?

Our results suggest that we don't necessarily have to choose between predators and profit. The restoration of marine mammal populations is not incompatible with optimized fisheries yields. When viewed at the ecosystem scale, we can support conservation success stories while maintaining productive, sustainable fisheries.

Congrats to all the coauthors, particularly Dr. Matt Woodstock for leading this effort (5 years in the making!). Here is the link to the paper (photographs: white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises, by Dr. J. Kiszka). Link to the paper: https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/abs/10.1139/cjfas-2025-0056?journalCode=cjfas

15/12/2025

that one of our research partners, Dr. Jeremy Kiszka at Florida International University (FIU), has teamed up with Fahlo, a company that sells bracelets that let you track tagged animals? Each purchase gives you access to a QR code that allows you to follow a wild tagged dolphin. Through this partnership, bracelet sales are helping to support some of our own dolphin conservation research. Visit Fahlo’s website to learn more. https://myfahlo.com.

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