Use of skeletochronological analysis to estimate the age of leatherback sea turtles Dermochelys coriacea in the western North Atlantic
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Summary
DOI: 10.3354/esr00202
DescriptionAlthough growth rate and age data are essential for leatherback management, estimates of these demographic parameters remain speculative due to the cryptic life history of this endangered species. Skeletochronological analysis of scleral ossicles obtained from 8 captive, known-age and 33 wild leatherbacks originating from the western North Atlantic was conducted to characterize the ossicles and the growth marks within them. Ages were accurately estimated for the known-age turtles, and their growth mark attributes were used to calibrate growth mark counts for the ossicles from wild specimens. Due to growth mark compaction and resorption, the number of marks visible at ossicle section tips was consistently and significantly greater than the number visible along the lateral edges, demonstrating that growth mark counts should be performed at the tips so that age is not underestimated. A correction factor protocol that incorporated the trajectory of early growth increments was used to estimate the number of missing marks in those ossicles exhibiting resorption, which was then added to the number of observed marks to obtain an age estimate for each turtle. A generalized smoothing spline model, von Bertalanffy growth curve, and size-at-age function were used to obtain estimates of age at maturity for leatherbacks in the western North Atlantic. Results of these analyses suggest that median age at maturation for leatherbacks in this part of the world may range from 24.5 to 29 yr. These age estimates are much greater than those proposed in previous studies and have significant implications for population management and recovery
Document Information
Document Type
Journal article
Document Format
Acrobat Portable Document Format
Publication Date
2009-07-13
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Item Identification
Title: | Use of skeletochronological analysis to estimate the age of leatherback sea turtles Dermochelys coriacea in the western North Atlantic |
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Status: | Completed |
Publication Date: | 2009-07-13 |
Abstract: |
Although growth rate and age data are essential for leatherback management, estimates of these demographic parameters remain speculative due to the cryptic life history of this endangered species. Skeletochronological analysis of scleral ossicles obtained from 8 captive, known-age and 33 wild leatherbacks originating from the western North Atlantic was conducted to characterize the ossicles and the growth marks within them. Ages were accurately estimated for the known-age turtles, and their growth mark attributes were used to calibrate growth mark counts for the ossicles from wild specimens. Due to growth mark compaction and resorption, the number of marks visible at ossicle section tips was consistently and significantly greater than the number visible along the lateral edges, demonstrating that growth mark counts should be performed at the tips so that age is not underestimated. A correction factor protocol that incorporated the trajectory of early growth increments was used to estimate the number of missing marks in those ossicles exhibiting resorption, which was then added to the number of observed marks to obtain an age estimate for each turtle. A generalized smoothing spline model, von Bertalanffy growth curve, and size-at-age function were used to obtain estimates of age at maturity for leatherbacks in the western North Atlantic. Results of these analyses suggest that median age at maturation for leatherbacks in this part of the world may range from 24.5 to 29 yr. These age estimates are much greater than those proposed in previous studies and have significant implications for population management and recovery |
Other Citation Details: |
Avens L, Taylor JC, Goshe LR, Jones TT, Hastings M (2009) Use of skeletochronological analysis to estimate the age of leatherback sea turtles Dermochelys coriacea in the western North Atlantic. Endang Species Res 8:165-177. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00202 Published in ESR Vol. 8, No. 3. Online publication date: July 13, 2009 Print ISSN: 1863-5407; Online ISSN: 1613-4796 Copyright 2009 Inter-Research. |
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): | 10.3354/esr00202 |
Document Information
Document Type: | Journal article |
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Format: | Acrobat Portable Document Format |
Status Code: | Published |
Distribution Information
Distribution 1
Start Date: | 2009-07-13 |
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End Date: | Present |
Download URL: | http://www.doi.org/10.3354/esr00202 |
Distributor: |
Catalog Details
Catalog Item ID: | 67631 |
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GUID: | gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:67631 |
Metadata Record Created By: | Lee M Weinberger |
Metadata Record Created: | 2022-08-07 21:23+0000 |
Metadata Record Last Modified By: | Lee M Weinberger |
Metadata Record Last Modified: | 2022-08-10 12:48+0000 |
Metadata Record Published: | 2022-08-10 |
Owner Org: | SEFSC |
Metadata Publication Status: | Published Externally |
Do Not Publish?: | N |
Metadata Last Review Date: | 2022-08-10 |
Metadata Review Frequency: | 1 Year |
Metadata Next Review Date: | 2023-08-10 |