Publications
Peer reviewed scientific publications and key reports from the Sea Search group . Research also available on Researchgate profiles
Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals:
Please note that all these papers are available on the ResearchGate profiles of Simon Elwen and Tess Gridley and Gui Frainer. We have provided PDF copies here for many of the papers, if they’re not here, check Researchgate or email us!!
In The Review Process
Gridley, T.*, Barnes, A., Blumberg., L, Creighton, A, Dines, S, Donovan, A., Elwen, S. H., Farley, E., Frainer, G., Friedman. J., Gardner, B., Hofmeyer, G.J.G., Jenkinson, I., Kieswetter, N., Kotze, J., Mendes, L., Nadin, C., Oelofse, G., Pieterse, J.H.J., Probert, R., Seakamela, S.M., Simpson, G.J.G., Steyl, J.C.A <IN REVIEW> Novel rabies outbreak in a marine mammal – the Cape fur seal. PREPRINT HERE
Sarigoel, F., A.J. Welch, R. Reisinger, S.H. Elwen, P. Tixier A. Irvine, C. Guinet, G. Lauriano, P.J. N. de Bruyn, A.R. Hoelzel (In review). Killer whale genomes suggest admixture and sex-biased genetic dispersal over a broad geographic range. Molecular Biology and Evolution.
James, B.S, T. Gridley, B. McGovern, J.L. Fearey and S.H. Elwen. (In review). Homophily drives use of a risky shallow-water environment by common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Namibia. – Submitted to Animal Behaviour.
Prosdocimi, L., Morais, M. Tiwari, M., Formia, A., Ferreira-Airaud, B., Katherine, M., Gonder, K., Honarvar, S., Mianseko, N., Elwen, S.H., Braby, R.; Nel, R., Snover, M.; Casale, P., Santos, A.S. & Bolten A.B. <SUBMITTED> Leatherback sea turtles in the Southeast Atlantic Ocean: Multiple threats analysis.
Gridley, T., Elwen, S.H., Frainer, G., Atkins, S., Gennari, E., Vermeulen, E., James, B.S., Dines, S. F. (submitted). Using acoustic signatures to understand the endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) . Scientific Reports
Published
2026
Seyboth, E. , C Wilkinson, SH Elwen, A Barnes, E Vermeulen 2026 Whale killers on the coast of South Africa: killer whale predation on a humpback whale super-group African Journal of Marine Science, 1-7 PDF HERE
James, B.S., T. Gridley, M. Radford, J. Paterson, J-P Roux, S. H. Elwen (2026) Recovery of large baleen whales in the South-East Atlantic: Recent increased presence of blue (Balaenoptera musculus) and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). African J of Marine Science. 48(2). https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2026.2626591
Paynee, D., E. Vermeulen, G. Penry, S.H. Elwen, C. Matthee, S. Andreotti and P. Bloomer (2026). Low genetic diversity and regional isolation of South Africa’s inshore Bryde’s whales. Conservation Genetics 27 (2), 26
Paynee, D., P. Bloomer, G. Penry, , S.H. Elwen, A. Natoli, V. Dhanalakshmy, T. Cardoso, E. Vermeulen 2026. “Unravelling Taxonomic Complexity in Elusive Cetaceans: Mitogenome Insights into Evolutionary History and Cryptic Diversity of Bryde’s Whales. Ecology and Evolution16, no. 5: e73614. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73614.
Probert, R., S Elwen, S. Dines, T Gridley (2026) New Insights: Impacts of Fireworks on Marine Species in Cape Town, South Africa The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life IV, 1-9
Probert, R., S Elwen, T Gridley (2026). Assessing the short-term impacts of in-air firework sounds on marine species in Cape Town, South Africa. Scientific Reports 15(1) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-16417
2025
James, B.S, T. Gridley and S.H. Elwen (In press). First confirmed stranding of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) in Africa (Namibia), and its likely death by ship strike. Scientific Society of Swakopmund Reports
VanCompernolle, M., … lots of co-authors … SH Elwen…, Ana M. M. Sequeira. 2025 Vulnerability of marine megafauna to global at‐sea anthropogenic threats. Conservation Biology. PDF here
Elwen, S.H., R. Hannén, S. Benjamin, C. Velasquez Rojas, R. Probert, T. Gridley (2025). Underwater behavior of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding in super-groups, from video footage. Marine Mammal Science. PDF here
Seyboth, E. K. Findlay, A, Vogel, D. Abras, D. Hurwitz, E. Vermeulen, T. Gridley, J. Tresfon and S.H. Elwen (2025). An update on the occurrence of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) super-groups on the west coast of South Africa. Marine Mammal Science. PDF HERE
Elwen. SH. U. Khan, A. Kreiner, A.K. van der Plas, M.R. Wilhelm, D. Barnes, K. Howell and T.Pelembe. (2025). Blue Carbon Potential in an eastern boundary Upwelling Zone – A case study in Namibia. Deep Sea Research II. PDF HERE.
Martin, M., T. Gridley, Elwen, S. H., & Charrier, I. (2025). Report of Two Rare Cases of Allonursing and Fostering in the Cape Fur Seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) in Namibia. Marine Mammal science. PDF HERE
Abernethy, RB. S.H Elwen (2025) Heaviside’s dolphin Cephalorhynchus heavisidii (book chapter). Coastal Dolphins and Porpoises, 369-394. (oddly i don’t have a pdf 🙁 )
2024
Dines, S., Probert, R., Gullen, A.., Elwen, S.H., Frainer., G., Gridley, T. Hermie The Humpback Dolphin – A Longitudinal Case Study Characterising The Acoustic Behaviour Of An Endangered Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin (Sousa plumbea) JASA Express Letters 4(12) DOI: 10.1121/10.0034740 PDF here
Ramilo-Henry, M., SH Elwen, A Barnes, V Ward, T Gridley (2024) Prevalence and source of entanglements in Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) in South Africa. Regional Studies in Marine Science. DOI: 10.1016/j.rsma.2024.103850
Martin, M., J. Stow , T. Gridley, A. Immerz, Elwen, S. H., & Charrier, I. (2024). Use of acoustic signals in Cape fur seal mother-pup reunions: individual signature, signal propagation and pups’ home range. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.246917 pdf here
Frainer, G. and S.H. Elwen – 2024 – Pygmy Right Whale Caperea marginata (Gray, 1846). Handbook of the Mammals of Middle and South America. Cetacea and Sirenia PDF HERE
Frainer, G. – 2024 – Southern right whale dolphin Lissodelphis peronni (Gray, 1846). Handbook of the Mammals of Middle and South America. Cetacea and Sirenia
Frainer, G. and N. Dellabianca – In Press – Hourglass dolphin Sagmatius cruciger (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824). Handbook of the Mammals of Middle and South America. Cetacea and Sirenia
Serpa,N., G Frainer, B dos Santos, GA Bortolotto, IB Moreno (in review) Behavioral repertoire of Lahille’s bottlenose dolphins during the “cooperative fishing” with artisanal fishers Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
Osiecka, A.N. J. Fearey, A. Ravignani, L. S. Burchardt 2024. Isochrony in barks of Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) pups and adults. Ecology and Evolution 2024(14):e11085 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11085
2023
Tyack PL, Akamatsu T, Boebel O, Chapuis L, Debusschere E, Jong C de, Erbe C, Evans K, J. G, Gridley T, Haralabus G, Jenkins R, Miksis-Olds J, Sagen H, Thomsen F, Thomisch K, Urban E 2023 Ocean Sound Essential Ocean Variable Implementation Plan. DOI:10.5281/zenodo.10067187.ii PDF
Da Silva, C., T Samaai, S Kerwath, L Adams, K Watson, A Bernard, G van der Heever, A Angel, S Schoombie, G Frainer, ML Franken, A Rees, A Paterson (2023). Leaping into the future: Current application and future direction of computer vision and artificial intelligence in marine sciences in South Africa Research Outcomes and Ideas.. DOI:10.3897/rio.9.e112231 PDF and the Gui’s GITHUB here
Probert, R., James, B. S., Elwen, S. H., Gridley, T. (2023). Vocal cues to assess arousal state of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) involved in public presentations. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens. J Zool Bot Gard 4:711–727 https:// doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4040050 PDF
Martin, M., Stow,J. Gridley, T., Elwen, S. H., & Charrier, I. (2023). Geographical variation in Cape fur seals’ in-air vocalizations across Southern Africa (Namibia and South Africa). Bioacoustics. 32(5) 580-600 DOI:10.1080/09524622.2023.2229290 PDF
Martin, M., Gridley, T., Elwen, S. H., & Charrier, I. (2023).Inter-site variability in the Cape fur seal’s behavioural response to boat noise exposure. Marine Pollution Bulletin 196 (2023) 115589 PDF
Frainer, G., E. Dufourq, J. Fearey, S. Dines, R. Probert, S.H. Elwen, T. Gridley (2023). Automatic Detection and Taxonomic Identification of Dolphin Vocalizations using Convolutional Neural Networks for Passive Acoustic Monitoring. Ecological Informatics PDF.
Feist, Franziska & F Terranova, G. Petersen, E. Tourtigues, M. Friard, M. Gamba, K. Ludynia, T. Gridley, L. Pichegru, N. Mathevon D. Reby and L. Favaro. (2023). Effect of Environmental Variables on African Penguin Vocal Activity: Implications for Acoustic Censusing. Biology. 12. 1191. 10.3390/biology12091191. PDF
Rachel Probert, Angie Gullan, Diana Rocha, Sasha Dines & Tess Gridley (2023). Evidence of signature whistles produced by Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Mozambique, Bioacoustics, https://doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2023.2229290. PDF
Elwen, S., Fearey, J., Ross-Marsh, E., Thompson, K., Maack, T., Webber, T., & Gridley, T. (2023). Cetacean diversity of the eastern South Atlantic Ocean and Vema Seamount detected during a visual and passive acoustic survey, 2019. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 103, e41. PDF
Martin, M., Gridley, T., Elwen, S. H., & Charrier, I. (2023). Good fences make good neighbours: territorial male Cape fur seals use spatial acoustic map of neighbours. Behaviour, 160(6), 499-514. PDF
Buhrmann,C.A., T. Gridley, L.K. Oellermann (2023). Diagnosing gastric ulcers in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) using gastroscopy and cytology. Zoo Biology. 2023;1–7. DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21767 PDF
2022
Martin, M. T. Gridley, S.H. Elwen, I. Charrier (In review). Early onset of postnatal individual vocal recognition in a highly colonial mammal. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 289(1988):20221769 DOI:10.1098/rspb.2022.1769 PDF on Researchgate HERE
Frainer, G., S.H. Elwen, S.F.Dines, B.S. James, E. Vermeulen, G. Penry, A. Vargas-Fonseca, S. Atkins, D. Conry and T. Gridley 2022. Rostrum abnormalities in the endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) in South Africa. Integrative Zoology 2022; 0: 1–14. doi: 10.1111/1749-4877.12685 PDF HERE
Towner, A., A. Kock, C. Stopforth. D. Hurwitz, S.H. Elwen. (2022). 
Direct observation of killer whales predating on white sharks and evidence of a flight response. Ecology. Watch YOUTUBE VIDEO HERE!
Schall, E., Djokic, D, Ross-Marsh, E., Oña, J., Denkinger, J., Ernesto Baumgarten, J., Rodrigues Padovese, L., Rossi-Santos, M.R., Carvalho Goncalves, M.I., Sousa-Lima, R.S., Hucke-Gaete, R., Elwen, S.H., Buchan, S., Gridley, T., I Van Opzeeland. 2022. Song recordings suggest feeding ground sharing in Southern Hemisphere humpback whales. Scientific Reports. PDF
Fearey J, Elwen S.H., Distiller, G. & Gridley T. (2022). Methodological considerations for using naturally distinctive vocalisations in mark capture-recapture frameworks. Marine Mammal Science. DOI: 10.1111/mms.12941 PDF
Towner, A., RGA Watson, AA Kock , Y. Papastamatiou, M. Sturup, E. Gennari , K. Baker, T. Booth, M. Dicken, W Chivell, S.H. Elwen, T. Kaschke, D. Edwards and M.J. Smale. (2022). Fear at the top: killer whale predation drives white shark absence at South Africa’s largest aggregation site. African Journal of Marine Science 2022, 44(1): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2022.2066723 PDF
Shabangu, F.W. G. J. Hofmeyr, R. Probert, M. Connan, C.A. Buhrmann & T. Gridley 2022. In-air acoustic repertoire and associated behaviour of wild juvenile crabeater seals during rehabilitation. Bioacoustics. https://doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2022.2108145
Martin, M., T. Gridley, S.H. Elwen, I Charrier (2022) Mutual mother-pup vocal recognition in the highly colonial Cape fur seal: evidence of discrimination of calls with a high acoustic similarity. Animal Cognition. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-022-01627-3 PDF
Osiecka, AN., T Gridley, J Fearey 2022. Temporal patterns in Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) mother and pup attraction calls. Belgian Journal of Zoology 152
Neveceralova, P, E. Carroll, D. Steel, E. Vermeulen, S.H. Elwen, J. Zidek, J.K Stafford, W. Chivell and P. Hulva, (2022). Citizen science noninvasive genetics reveals population changes in a whale breeding ground. Global Ecology and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02141 PDF
Martin, M., T. Gridley, S.H. Elwen, I Charrier (2022) Assessment of the impact of anthropogenic airborne noise on the behaviour of Cape fur seals during the breeding season in Namibia. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.550:151721. DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2022.151721 PDF
James, B.S., T. Gridley, B McGovern, J.L. Fearey, S.H. Elwen (2022). Dorsal fin mark changes for assigning sexes to individual bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Marine Mammal Science. DOI: 10.1111/mms.12923 PDF
Ross-Marsh, EC, Elwen, S.H., Fearey, J., Thompson, K, Maack, T. Webber, T and T Gridley (2022) Detection of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) non-song vocalisations around the Vema Seamount, Southeast Atlantic. JASA. PDF
Martin, M., T. Gridley, S.H. Elwen, I Charrier (2022) Feel the beat: Cape fur seal males encode their arousal state in their bark rate. The Science of Nature. PDF
Gordon, T., Chapuis, L.,William, B., Dines, S., Gridley, T., Frainer, G., Fearey, J., Maulana, P. B., Prasetya, M. E., Jompa,J., Smith, D. & Simpson, S., (2022). HydroMoth: testing a prototype recorder for low-cost passive acoustic monitoring in aquatic ecosystems. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation.
Becker, F., Shabangu, F, Gridley, T., Wittmer, H, Marsland, S, (2022). Sounding out a continent: Seven decades of bioacoustics research in Africa. Bioacoustics. PDF
2021
Martin, M., T. Gridley, S.H. Elwen, I Charrier (2021) Micro-geographic variations and intra-species acoustic partitioning of the vocal repertoire of an extremely colonial pinniped species, the Cape fur seal. Royal Society Open Sci. 8: 202241. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.202241
Fearey, JL, Elwen, SH , Dines S, James, B.S. and T. Gridley (2021) Using Signature Whistles to Investigate Population Dynamics of a Threatened Population of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of the Namibian Scientific Society V68.
Probert, R., A. Bastian, S.H. Elwen, B.S. James, T. Gridley. (2021) Vocal correlates of arousal in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) in human care. PLOS ONE.
Erasmus, V.N., B. Currie, J. Iitembu, J-P. Roux, S.H. Elwen, K. Moses and B Tjizoo (2021) Predatory species left stranded following the collapse of the sardine Sardinops sagax (Pappe, 1854) stock off the northern Benguela Ecosystem: A review. Journal of Marine Systems.
Potts W.M., J.B. Mann-Lang, B.Q. Mann, C.L. Griffiths, C.G. Attwood, A.D. de Blocq, S.H. Elwen, R. Nel, K. Sink and R Thornycroft. (2021). South African marine citizen science – benefits, challenges and future directions Afr. J. Mar. Sci
Curtis, S., Elwen, S.H., Dreyer, N.N. & Gridley, T., (2021). Plastics and pusillus – Investigating the impact of plastic pollution on Cape Fur Seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) at colonies in central Namibia. For Marine Pollution Bulletin
Plön et al., (13 co-authors), (2021). Science alone won’t do it! South Africa’s endangered humpback dolphins Sousa plumbea face complex conservation challenges. Frontiers in Marine Science
Caputo, M, SH Elwen, T Gridley, SA Kohler, J-P Roux, PW Froneman, JJ Kiszka (2021). Trophic interactions and feeding ecology of two delphinids in the Benguela upwelling ecosystem inferred from stable isotopes. Marine Ecology Progress Series PDF
Martin, M., T. Gridley, S.H. Elwen, I Charrier (2021.) Extreme ecological constraints lead to high degree of individual stereotypy in the vocal repertoire of the Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus). Behavioural Ecol. & Sociobiol PDF
Hoezel AR, F Sarigol, T Gridley, SH Elwen. (2021). Natal origin of Namibian gray whale reveals new distance record for in-water migration. Biology Letters PDF
Malinka C.E., P. Tonnesen, CA Dunn, D.E. Claridge, T Gridley, S.H Elwen and P.T. Madsen (2021). Echolocation click parameters and biosonar behaviour of the dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima). Journal of Experimental Biology PDF
Martin, M., Gridley, T., Elwen, S. H., & Charrier, I. (2021). Extreme ecological constraints lead to high degree of individual stereotypy in the vocal repertoire of the Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 75, 1-16. PDF
2020
Gridley, T., Martin, M. J., Swift, R. J., Roux, J.-P., Slater, J. & S.H. Elwen. (2020) Towed passive acoustic monitoring complements visual survey methods for Heaviside’s dolphins Cephalorhynchus heavisidii in the Namibian Islands Marine Protected Area. African Journal of Marine Science 42(4):495-506 DOI: 10.2989/1814232X.2020.1848925 PDF
Martin, M. J., Gridley, T., J-P., Roux, & S.H. Elwen. (2020) First abundance estimates of Heaviside’s (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) and dusky (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) dolphins off Namibia using a novel visual and acoustic line transect survey. Frontiers in Marine Science.PDF
Hawkey, JS., S.H. Elwen, B.S. James, A.S. Prinsloo and T. Gridley (2020) A first look at humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) song structure from western South Africa. African Zoology.
Longden, E., S.H. Elwen, B. McGovern, B.S. James, C. Embling and T Gridley (2020) Mark-recapture of individually distinctive acoustic labels – a case study with bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). J.Mamm [NOTE that media response to this paper was significant with multiple articles in online, radio and print media, August 2020] PDF
Osieka, A., Fearey, J., Elwen S.H. and T Gridley (2020) Prolonged nursing in Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) at Cape Cross colony, Namibia. African Zoology [There was good media response to the associated press release of this article, in both print and online media]
Ross-Marsh, E.C, S.H Elwen, A.S Prinsloo, B.S James and T Gridley. (2020) Singing in South Africa: Monitoring the occurrence of humpback whale song near the Western Cape. Bioacoustics. PDF
2019
McGovern B., T. Gridley, B.S. James and S.H. Elwen. (2019). Risky Business: repeated live strandings of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) while foraging in a shallow water environment. Marine Mammal Science. PDF
Pfaff, M., J. Turpie, M. Krug, C. Sparks, M. Jury, S. Fawcett, A. Kock, R.J.M. Crawford, S.J. Lamberth, S.H. Elwen, S.P. Kirkman, S.J.P.N. Raemaekers, S A. Shillington, M. Sowman, T. Robinson, L. Van Niekerk, G. Pitcher, E.M. Yeld, P. Ryan, L. Blamey, D.R. Colenbrander, A. Omardien, N. du Plessis, H.N. Walon, E. Day, H. Cawthra, S.E. Kerwath, C. Rautenbach, J. Hermes, M. Rouault, N. Karenyi, R.C. Logston (2019). A synthesis of three decades of socio-ecological change in False Bay, South Africa: setting the scene for multidisciplinary research and management. Elem Sci Anth, 7: 32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.367 PDF
Fearey, J., S.H. Elwen, B.S. James, T Gridley (2019). Identification of potential signature whistles from free-ranging common dolphins (Delphinus spp.), in South Africa. Animal Cognition. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-019-01274-1 PDF
De Rock, P. S.H. Elwen, J-P. Roux, R.H. Leeney, B.S. James, V. Visser, M.J. Martin and T. Gridley (2019). Predicting habitat suitability for cetaceans in Namibia using MinxEnt. Marine Ecology Progress Series. doi: 10.3354/meps12934 PDF
Martin, M.J., S.H. Elwen, R. Kassanjee and T. Gridley (2019). To buzz or burst-pulse? The functional role of Heaviside’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) rapidly pulsed signals. Animal Behaviour. PDF
Elwen, S.H., R.H. Leeney, T. Gridley. (2019). Abundance estimates of an isolated population of common bottlenose dolphins in Walvis Bay, Namibia 2008-2012. African Journal of Marine Science 41(1). 61-70 PDF
2018
Gridley, T., S.H. Elwen, G. Harris, D.M. Moore, A.R. Hoelzel & F. Lampen. (2018). Hybridisation in bottlenose dolphins – A case study of Tursiops aduncus × T. truncatus hybrids and successful back-cross hybridisation events. Plos One. e0201722. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0201722
Martin, M.J., T. Gridley, S.H. Elwen, & F.H. Jensen (2018). Heaviside’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) relax acoustic crypsis to increase communication range. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 285: 20181178. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2018.1178
Iwasa Arai, T., C. Serejo, S. Siciliano, P. Ott, A. Santarosa Freire, S.H. Elwen, E. Crespo, A. Colosio, V. Carvalho, G. Rodríguez-Reyes (2018). The host-specific whale louse (Cyamus boopis) as a tool for interpreting humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) migratory routes. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 505 (p45-51).
Gridley, T. M.F. Pereira Silva, C. Wilkinson, S.M. Seakamela & S.H. Elwen (2018). Song recorded from a super-group of humpback whales on a mid-latitude feeding ground. JASA Express Letters. DOI: 10.1121/1.5032126
2017
Vermeulen, E., T. Bouveroux … (14 total authors) … S.H. Elwen. (2017). Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) movement patterns along the South African coast. Aquatic Conservation. DOI: 10.1002/aqc.2836
Erbs, F., S.H. Elwen and T. Gridley. (2017). Automatic classification of whistles from coastal dolphins of the southern African subregion. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 141 (4). http://dx.doi.org/10.1121/1.4978000
2016
Elwen, S.H., B. McGovern, N. Tregenza and T. Gridley (2016). Impacts of acoustic identity pinger tags on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics. Proc. Mtgs. Acoust. 27, 010040 (2016); http://doi.org/10.1121/2.0000399
Gridley, T., S.H. Elwen, G. Rashley, A. Badenas-Krakauer and J. Heiler. (2016). Bottlenose dolphins change their whistling characteristics in relation to vessel presence, surface behavior and group composition. Proc. Mtgs. Acoust. 27, 010030 (2016); http://dx.doi.org/10.1121/2.0000312
Heiler, J. S.H. Elwen, H.J. Kriesell, T. Gridley (2016). Changes in bottlenose dolphin whistle parameters related to vessel presence, surface behaviour and group composition. Animal Behaviour 117. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.04.014
2015
Van Bressem, M-F….K. du Toit, S.H. Elwen and … K. van Waerebeek (17 Authors). (2015) Epidemiology of lobomycosis-like disease in bottlenose dolphins from South America and southern Africa. Diseases Of Aquatic Organisms. DOI 10.3354/dao02932
Gridley, T., Kriesell, H, Nastasi, A and S.H. Elwen. (2015). The acoustic repertoire of wild common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Walvis Bay, Namibia. Bioacoustics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080
James, B.S., Bester,M.N., Penry, G.S., Gennari, E. and S.H. Elwen. (2015) Abundance and degree of residency of humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) in Mossel Bay, South Africa. African Journal of Marine Science 37.
Vinding, K.V., Bester, M.N, Kirkman, S.P., Chivel, W. and S. H. Elwen. (2015) The use of data from a Platform of Opportunity (Whale Watching) to study coastal cetaceans on the south west coast of South Africa. Tourism in the Marine Environment. V11(1). Pp 33-54. dx.doi.org/10.3727/154427315X14398263718439
Best, P.B.*, Elwen, S.H., Palsbøll, P.J, Thornton, M., Austin, E., and Vinding, K. (2015). Possible non-offspring nursing in the southern right whale, Eubalaena australis. Journal of Mammalogy. DOI:10.1093/jmammal/gyv04
2014
Elwen, S.H., Tonachella, N., Barendse, H., Collins, T., Best, P.B., Rosenbaum, H.C, Leeney, R.H and Gridley, T. (2014) Humpback whales off Namibia: occurrence, seasonality and a regional comparison of photographic catalogues and scarring. Journal of Mammalogy 95(5): 1064-1076. DOI: 10.1644/14-MAMM-A-108
Kriesell, H.J, Elwen, S.H., Nastasi, A. and Gridley, T. (2014). Identification of signature whistles in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Namibia. PLoS ONE. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0106317
2013
Weir, C.R., Collins, T., Cross, T., Gill, A., Elwen, S.H., Unwin, M. and R.J. Parnell (2013). False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) sightings in continental shelf habitat off Gabon and Cote d’Ivoire (Africa). Marine Biodiversity Records 6. e65.
Leeney, R.H., Post, K., Best, P.B., Hazevoet, C.H and S.H. Elwen (2013). Pygmy right whale records from Namibia. African Journal of Marine Science 35(1): 133-139.
Elwen, S.H. Gridley, T., Roux, J-P, Best, P.B and M.J. Smale (2013). Records of Kogiid whales in Namibia including the first record of the dwarf sperm whale (K. sima). Marine Biodiversity Records 6 e45. doi:10.1017/S1755267213000213
Cheney, B., Thompson, P.M, Ingram, S.N., Hammond, P.S., Stevick, P.T., Durban, J.W., Culloch, R.M. Elwen, S.H., Mandleberg, L., Janik, V.M., Quick, N.J., Islas-Villanueva, V., Costa, M., Eisfeld, S.M., Walters, A., Phillips, C., Weir, C.R., Evans, P.G.H., Anderwald, P., Reid, R.J., Reid, J.B., Wilson, B. (2013). Integrating multiple data sources to assess the distribution and abundance of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Scottish waters. Mammal Review 43 pp 71-88. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2011.00208.x
2012
Elwen, S.H, J. Meintjies and J-P. Roux (2012). Death under the surface – Cape fur seal predating on a southren giant petrel in Walvis Bay, Namibia. Ornithological Observations. http://oo.adu.org.za/content.php?id=60
2011
Elwen, S.H, Thornton, M., Kirkman, S.P, Pistorius, P. and C.R. Weir (2011). The first African Marine Mammal Colloquium, South Africa, May 2010. African Journal of Marine Science 33(3) pp 349-351
Elwen, S.H., Findlay, K.P., Kiszka, J. and C.R. Weir (2011). Cetacean research in the southern African subregion: a review of previous studies and current knowledge. African Journal of Marine Science 33(3) pp 469-493
Barendse, J., Best, P.B., Thornton, M., Elwen, S.H., Rosenbaum, H.C., Carvalho, I., Pomilla, C., Collins, T.J.Q. and M.A. Meÿer (2011). Transit station or destination? Attendance patterns, regional movement, and population estimate of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae off West South Africa based on photographic and genotypic matching. African Journal of Marine Science 33(3) pp 353-373.
Findlay, K.P., Meÿer, M., Elwen, S.H., Kotze, D., Johnson, R., Truter, P., Uamusse, C., Sitoe S., Wilke C., Kerwath S., Swanson, S., Staverees, L., van der Westhuizen, J. (2011) Distribution and abundance of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, off the coast of Mozambique, 2003. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management Special Issue 3 pp 163-174.
Elwen, S.H. and Leeney R.H. (2011). Interactions between leatherback turtles and killer whales in Namibian waters, including predation. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 41(2) pp 205-209
Leeney, R.H., Carslake, D. and Elwen S.H. (2011) Using Static Acoustic Monitoring to describe Echolocation Behaviour of Heaviside’s Dolphins in Namibia. Aquatic Mammals. 37(2) pp 151-160
2010
Elwen S.H. and Leeney, R.H. (2010). Injury and Subsequent Healing of a Propeller Strike Injury to a Heaviside’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii). Aquatic Mammals, 36(4): 382-387
Elwen, S.H., Best, P.B., Thornton, M., Reeb, D. (2010). Near-shore distribution of Heaviside’s (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) and dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) at the southern limit of their range in South Africa. African Zoology 45(1) pp 78-91
2009
Elwen, S.H., Best, P.B., Reeb, D. and Thornton, M. (2009). Diurnal movements and behaviour of Heaviside’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii), with some comparative data for dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus). South African Journal of Wildlife Research 39(2): 143-154
Elwen, S.H, Reeb, D., Thornton, M and Best, P (2009). A population estimate of Heaviside’s dolphins Cephalorhynchus heavisidii in the southern end of their range. Marine Mammal Science 25(1): 107-124.
Even older than that 2009
Elwen, S.H. Meÿer, M.A.M, Best, P.B., Kotze, P.G.H, Thornton, M. & Swanson, S. (2006). Range and movements of a nearshore delphinid, Heaviside’s dolphin Cephalorhynchus heavisidii a determined from satellite telemetry. Journal of Mammalogy. 87(5):866–877
Elwen, S.H. & Best, P.B. (2004). Environmental factors influencing the distribution of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) on the south coast of South Africa I: Broad scale patterns. Marine Mammal Science 20(3): 567-582
Elwen, S.H., & Best, P.B. (2004). Environmental factors influencing the distribution of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) on the south coast of South Africa II: Within bay distribution. Marine Mammal Science 20(3): 583-601
Elwen, S.H., & Best, P.B. (2004). Are there reproductive benefits to southern right whale females (Eubalaena australis) associated with their coastal distribution off South Africa? Marine Ecology Progress Series 269: 289-295
Book chapters & Reviews:
Gridley, T and Elwen , S.H. 2019. BOOK REVIEW of “Ethology and Behavioural Ecology“ (Editor B Wursig). For Marine Mammal Science
Heinrich, S., Elwen S.H. & Brager S. (2010). Patterns of sympatry in Lagenorhynchus and Cephalorhynchus dolphins in different habitats. In: Dusky Dolphins: Master Acrobats on different shores. Eds Würsig B and Würsig, M. pg 313-331. Academic/Elsevier Press