scholarly journals Utility of telomere length measurements for age determination of humpback whales

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Tange Olsen ◽  
Jooke Robbins ◽  
Martine Bérubé ◽  
Mary Beth Rew ◽  
Per J Palsbøll
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Quantitative Pcr ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Biological Variability ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Length Measurements ◽  
Free Ranging

This study examines the applicability of telomere length measurements by quantitative PCR as a tool for minimally invasive age determination of free-ranging cetaceans. We analysed telomere length in skin samples from 28 North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), ranging from 0 to 26 years of age. The results suggested a significant correlation between telomere length and age in humpback whales. However, telomere length was highly variable among individuals of similar age, suggesting that telomere length measured by quantitative PCR is an imprecise determinant of age in humpback whales. The observed variation in individual telomere length was found to be a function of both experimental and biological variability, with the latter perhaps reflecting patterns of inheritance, resource allocation trade-offs, and stochasticity of the marine environment.

scholarly journals Validation of the use of vertebrae and dorsal-fin spines for age determination of spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) in the western North Atlantic Ocean

2021 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-49
Author(s):  
Kelsey C. James ◽  
Lisa J. Natanson ◽  
Christopher Flight ◽  
Cindy Tribuzio ◽  
John Hoey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
North Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Squalus Acanthias ◽  
Spiny Dogfish ◽  
Dorsal Fin ◽  
Fin Spines

scholarly journals Universal assay for measuring vertebrate telomeres by real-time quantitative PCR

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie F Hudon ◽  
Esteban Palencia Hurtado ◽  
James D. Beck ◽  
Steven J. Burden ◽  
Devin P. Bendixsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Dna Repeats ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Computational Tool ◽  
Telomeric Dna ◽  
Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Length Measurements

Telomere length dynamics are an established biomarker of health and aging in animals. The study of telomeres in numerous species has been facilitated by methods to measure telomere length by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). In this method, telomere length is determined by quantifying the amount of telomeric DNA repeats in a sample and normalizing this to the total amount of genomic DNA. This normalization requires the development of genomic reference primers suitable for qPCR, which remains challenging in non-model organism with genomes that have not been sequenced. Here we report reference primers that can be used in qPCR to measure telomere lengths in any vertebrate species. We designed primer pairs to amplify genetic elements that are highly conserved between evolutionarily distant taxa and tested them in species that span the vertebrate tree of life. We report five primer pairs that meet the specificity and reproducibility standards of qPCR. In addition, we demonstrate how to choose the best primers for a given species by testing the primers on multiple individuals within a species and applying an established computational tool. These reference primers can facilitate the application of qPCR-based telomere length measurements in any vertebrate species of ecological or economic interest.

scholarly journals Method Specific Calibration Corrects for DNA Extraction Method Effects on Relative Telomere Length Measurements by Quantitative PCR

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e0164046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luise A. Seeker ◽  
Rebecca Holland ◽  
Sarah Underwood ◽  
Jennifer Fairlie ◽  
Androniki Psifidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Dna Extraction ◽  
Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Extraction Method ◽  
Relative Telomere Length ◽  
Dna Extraction Method ◽  
Length Measurements ◽  
Method Effects

High-latitude-area composition of humpback whale competitive groups in Samana Bay: further evidence for panmixis in the North Atlantic population

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 1065-1066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip J. Clapham ◽  
David K. Mattila ◽  
Per J. Palsbøll
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
West Indies ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Atlantic Population ◽  
The North ◽  
Skin Biopsies ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
Molecular Determination

Competitive groups of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, were observed in Samana Bay, Dominican Republic, West Indies. Photographs of ventral fluke patterns were used to identify individuals, and skin biopsies were taken for molecular determination of sex. Nine groups contained two or more whales previously identified from different high-latitude areas. In seven groups, males from different feeding grounds were observed to compete with each other, and in six cases the group's female was from a different area than at least one of her male escorts. These results provide further support for the hypothesis that the western North Atlantic population of this species can be considered a single panmictic unit.

Determination of Age in the Humpback Whale, Megaptera nodosa (Bonnaterre)

1959 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Chittleborough
Keyword(s):  
East Coast ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Similar Distribution ◽  
The West ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sexually Mature ◽  
Rate Of Accumulation

The use of baleen, ear plugs, and ovaries in the determination of age in humpback whales is described. From the evidence of baleen, the majority of humpback whales reach puberty at 4 or 5 years of age. The rate of accumulation of laminations in ear plugs is two laminations per year. The mean rate of ovulation in sexually mature females is 1.1 per year. Age determination upon the same sample of mature females by these two methods gives very similar distribution of ages. The age distribution within separate sexes from samples of mature humpback whales examined on the west and east coasts of Australia in 1957 are compared. The results indicate that the population migrating along the west coast is at present composed of younger individuals than that on the east coast of Australia.

scholarly journals Age determination of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae through blubber fatty acid compositions of biopsy samples

2009 ◽  
Vol 392 ◽  
pp. 277-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
DP Herman ◽  
GM Ylitalo ◽  
J Robbins ◽  
JM Straley ◽  
CM Gabriele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Fatty Acid Compositions

Age determination of harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena (L.), in the western North Atlantic

1977 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Gaskin ◽  
B. A. Blair
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Simple Relationship ◽  
Phocoena Phocoena ◽  
Progressive Reduction ◽  
Opaque Zone ◽  
Translucent Zone ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Calving Season

Age, based on analysis of dentinal growth layers, was determined in a sample of 121 harbour porpoises, Phocoena phocoena (L.), from western North Atlantic waters. One growth layer, consisting of a thick opaque zone and a relatively thin translucent zone, is deposited each year.Mean thicknesses of opaque and translucent zones in males and females were 347 μm, 114 μm, 432 μm, and 125 μm, respectively. Significant reduction in thicknesses of growth layers with age was found in both sexes, the major contribution in both cases being progressive reduction in thickness of the opaque zones. Translucent-zone thickness decreased with age in males, but significantly increased in thickness in females. Formation of the opaque zone occurs from June through February, and formation of the translucent zone from January to early September. This overlap is attributed to the protracted calving season of this population, and precludes any simple relationship between food supply and zonation, as proposed by others. Age–length relationships based on numbers of dentinal layers were calculated for males and females using regression analysis. Best fits of body length (b) against age (expressed by completed dentinal layers) (d) were obtained from the curvilinear equations: d = [b/(−1.30b + 209.35)] −1 for males, and d = [b/(−0.84b + 156.15)] −1 for females.

Comparability of Gestational Age Values Derived from Diaphyseal Length and Foot Length from Known Forensic Foetal Remains

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angie Kay Huxley
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Age ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Human Male ◽  
Foot Length ◽  
University Of Arizona ◽  
Length Measurements ◽  
Forensic Case ◽  
General Correspondence ◽  
The University

A partially macerated human male foetus was submitted to the Human Identification Laboratory at The University of Arizona for the purpose of gestational age determination. This paper compares radiographic diaphyseal length of most long bones to foot length as measured from the forensic case submitted for analysis. The methods included radiography of complete antebrachial and crural segments and foot length measurements. As calculated from ulnar, radial, tibial and fibular diaphyseal length, gestational age was estimated to be between 25 and 28 lunar weeks (between 22 and 25 gestational weeks), while age determined from foot length was between late 23 and early 26 gestational weeks. These results highlight a general correspondence in age estimation between these two techniques. Case history obtained after this analysis confirmed an age of 23 weeks and 6 days based on ultrasonographic criteria. The correspondence between these techniques is significant, since either technique yields approximately the same gestational age. Accuracy of gestational age determination is essential to assess foetal viability. While national laws vary regarding foetal remains, courses of appropriate medicolegal action are contingent upon the determination of foetal viability.

Analysis of Fibronectin and TGF-β1 Immunoexpression to Determination of Wound Vitality in Wistar Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nita Novita ◽  
Hasrayati Agustina ◽  
Bethy S. Hernowo ◽  
Abdul H. Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Scientific Field ◽  
Wound Age ◽  
Forensic Practice ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Completely Randomized Design ◽  
Tgf Β1

Wound examination is indispensable in forensic practice. The scientific field of wound age determination has advanced progressively during recent years.The purpose of this study was to determine the differences of fibronectin and TGF-β1 expression in both antemortem and postmortem wounds. This study was an experimental with completely randomized design.  The skin wounds (vital and postmortem) were taken from fourty Wistar rats and divided into 10 groups of rats. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to determine the differences between antemortem and postmortem wounds. The result showed that in 30 minutes after antemortem wound infliction, all of samples showed weak reactivity for fibronectin and TGF-β1 (100%).  In first hour after wound infliction, 3 samples (75%) showed weakly positive and 1 sample (25%) strongly positive for fibronectin and TGF-β1.  In 2 hour after wound infliction, 1 sample (25%) showed weakly positive and 3 sample (75%) strongly positive for fibronectin and TGF-β1.  In 3 and 4 hour after wound infliction, all of samples strongly positive for fibronectin and TGF-β1.  In postmortem wound, all of samples showed negativity for fibronectin and TGF-β1. In conclusion, fibronectin and TGF-β1 may be useful in the determination of wound vitality. Keywords: wound, fibronectin, TGF-β1, vitality

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document