ARTICLE
TITLE

Two techniques of age estimation in cetaceans: GLGs in teeth and earplugs, and measuring the AAR rate in eye lens nucleus

SUMMARY

The ages of three species of cetaceans were estimated by counting the growth layer groups (GLG) and measuring the aspartic acid racemization rate (kAsp) by what is referred to as the Aspartic Acid Racemization (AAR) technique. Data on kAsp and the D/L ratio of aspartic acid at birth [(D/L)0] in North Atlantic common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) are presented along with data on fin whales (B. physalus) and harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) already published by Nielsen et al. (2012). The kAsp specific for minke whales was 1.40 x 10-3 yr-1 (SE ± 0.00005) and the (D/L)0 was 0.0194 (SE ± 0.0012). The correlation of GLG age and D/L ratio for all three species was highly significant; however, the correlation coefficient varied greatly (fin whales: R2 = 0.59, p <0.0001; minke whales: ­R2=0.96, P <0.0001; harbour porpoises: ­R2=0.36, P <0.0001). Asymptotic body length for all three species was estimated by a von Bertalanffy growth model on both the GLG and AAR techniques, and showed no difference.

 Articles related

Yani Hadiroseyani,L.S. Harti,Sri Nuryati    

Ectoparasitic monogenean infestation is one of fish diseases which may cause mass mortality, therefore controlling the parasites is one of the important factors to ensure the success of aquaculture activities. Salt addition is one of disease curative and... see more


S. A. Hsu, M. F. Martin, B. W. Blanchard    

The Shore Protection Manual published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1984 provides hurricane wave prediction techniques. On 27 September, 1998, Hurricane Georges moved into the northeast Gulf of Mexico. During this period, a network of 5 surface ... see more


Xavier Bonnet,Serge Akoka,Richard Shine,Léandre Pourcelot    

The number of eggs released at ovulation may be greater than the number of offspring born, if some of these ovulated eggs and/or embryos disappear during gestation. Although this process can potentially exert significant effects on reproductive output, l... see more


Gabriele Meroni,Stefano Morandi,Milena Brasca,Piera Anna Martino    

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a newly described species of Staphylococcus regarded as the main causative agent of canine pyoderma [1]. S. pseudintermedius infection was recently described in humans. An important feature of this pathogen is the high ... see more


Cristiano Bozza,Lucia Consiglio,Nicola D’Ambrosio,Giovanni De Lellis,Chiara De Sio,Seigo Miyamoto,Ryuichi Nishiyama,Chiara Sirignano,Simona Maria Stellacci,Paolo Strolin,Hiroyuki K.M. Tanaka,Valeri Tioukov    

Nuclear emulsions are currently being used in the field of muography, more specifically muon radiography of volcanic edifices and fault regions. The peculiar features of such detector for cosmic muons demand appropriate data processing and analysis techn... see more