Re: SEMINAR: MBF Presents Dr. Ila France Porcher Friday May 27 1:30 S/A seminar room 103

["Elizabeth A. Babcock" <ebabcock@rsmas.miami.edu>]

FYI. Here is an abstract and bio for Ila France Porcher's talk, sent by Prof. Gruber.

Beth

Field Ethology and Social Biology of Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus, Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
Moorea, French Polynesia: A Multi-Year Observational Study

By Ila France Porcher

Abstract

Underwater observation of at least 581 individually identified blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) over a period of six years, off the north shore of Moorea Island, revealed information relevant to the social biology, ethology, and cognitive potential of the species. Most males were observed to inhabit the outer slope of the barrier reef and were less attached to home range than females, who were more frequently found in the central lagoon. Blacktip reef sharks leave their primary home ranges for variable periods, usually with one or more preferred conspecifics. The tendency to roam was unique to each individual and apparently influenced by reproductive cycle and lunar phase.  Curiously on one occasion the entire colony of blacktip reef sharks including the juveniles and pups left the lagoon and outer slope of the reef, for a period of 10 days then returned. Social bonds form between individuals of the same gender and these groups travel in loose contact, performing repeated cloverleaf and figure-eight patterns which likely bring them into regular contact with each other's scent trails. As recorded in other shark species blacktip reef sharks were observed to swim nose-to-tail or in parallel then continue a circular path which again lead to nose-to-tail swimming with a different individual. Blacktip reef sharks demonstrated social learning--the ability of one individual to learn by imitating another.  Many of the observed behavioral patterns suggested a cognitive factor i.e. self awareness and decision making, The responses of these sharks were consistently flexible, adaptive, and not indicative of simple stimulus-response reactions alone.  These long-term observations and experiments are described in a recently published book, My Sunset Rendezvous by the author

Biographical Sketch
Ila France Porcher
March 13, 2011

Ila France Porcher is an artist, writer, naturalist and self-taught, published ethologist.  She began her career as a successful Canadian wildlife artist working in oils, watercolors, airbrushed acrylics, etchings and prints. Over time she began to document the behavior of the wild animals she observed and painted.   She was especially intrigued by actions suggesting intelligence and cognition. Caring for sick and injured individuals provided Ila further opportunities to study the adaptive behavior of these wild animals who suddenly found themselves under human care.  Ila subsequently moved to Polynesia, where she began to investigate the local wildlife.   Amazingly she focused on sharks since they were the first wild animals who investigated her instead of fleeing. Further, the coral lagoon was only about two meters deep so observations were relatively easy. The behavior of blacktip reef sharks was so fascinating that she launched an intensive study of them, systematically observing and recording their behavior. Over many years and later with the guidance of world class marine ethologist Dr. Arthur A. Myrberg Jr., University of Miami, she learned to interpret their behavior.  Part of her study was subsequently published in the peer-reviewed journal Marine Biology."  But Ila was moved to put on paper their story after most of her beloved sharks were killed for their fins to be processed into soup! Her tribute to these magnificent creatures is entitled My Sunset Rendezvous.

 

 

 

On 5/27/2011 7:51 AM, Sidney Hartley wrote:

 

MBF

 

Presents:

 

Dr. Ila France Porcher

 

“On the ethology and intelligent behaviour of C. melanopterus”

 

 

 

Date:

 

Friday

May 27, 2011

 

 

 

Time: 1:30 pm

 

Location: RSMAS campus, S/A 103

 

Please see special note from Dr. Porcher:

 

When you post the announcement of my presentation, would you please mention that I am there in honour of, or because of, my friendship and collaboration with the late Arthur. A. Myrberg Jr.,  and somehow communicate that my fondest wish is to meet those still there who knew and remember him.

 

 

Sidney L.S. Hartley

University of Miami RSMAS

Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries

S/A 118

Miami Fl 33149

305-421-4176

305-421-4600-fax

 

-- 
Elizabeth A. Babcock, Ph.D.
Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
University of Miami
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy.
Miami, FL 33149

ebabcock@rsmas.miami.edu
+1 305 421 4852