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Harp seal ageing techniques-teeth, aspartic acid racemization, and telomere sequence analysis
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 04:40 authored by Garde, E, Frie, AK, Dunshea, G, Hansen, SH, Kovacs, KM, Lydersen, CLower jaws (containing the teeth), eyes, and skin samples were collected from harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) in the southeastern Barents Sea for the purpose of comparing age estimates obtained by 3 different methods, the traditional technique of counting growth layer groups (GLGs) in teeth and 2 novel approaches, aspartic acid racemization (AAR) in eye lens nuclei and telomere sequence analyses as a proxy for telomere length. A significant correlation between age estimates obtained using GLGs and AAR was found, whereas no correlation was found between GLGs and telomere length. An AAR rate (kAsp) of 0.00130/year ± 0.00005 SE and a D-enantiomer to L-enantiomer ratio at birth (D/L0 value) of 0.01933 ± 0.00048 SE were estimated by regression of D/L ratios against GLG ages from 25 animals (12 selected teeth that had high readability and 13 known-aged animals). AAR could prove to be useful, particularly for ageing older animals in species such as harp seals where difficulties in counting GLGs tend to increase with age. Age estimation by telomere length did not show any correlation with GLG ages and is not recommended for harp seals. © 2010 American Society of Mammalogists.
History
Publication title
Journal of MammalogyVolume
91Issue
6Pagination
1365-1374ISSN
0022-2372Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Alliance Communications Group Division Allen PressPlace of publication
810 East 10Th Street, Lawrence, USA, Ks, 66044Repository Status
- Restricted