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Zhang Y, Bi J, Ning Y, Feng J. Methodology Advances in Vertebrate Age Estimation. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:343. [PMID: 38275802 PMCID: PMC10812784 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Age is a core metric in vertebrate management, and the correct estimation of the age of an individual plays a principal role in comprehending animal behavior, identifying genealogical information, and assessing the potential reproductive capacity of populations. Vertebrates have a vertebral column and a distinct head containing a developed brain; they have played an important role in the study of biological evolution. However, biological age estimations constantly exhibit large deviations due to the diversity of vertebrate taxon species, sample types, and determination methods. To systematically and comprehensively understand age estimation methods in different situations, we classify the degree of damage to vertebrates during sample collection, present the sample types and their applications, list commonly applied methods, present methodological recommendations based on the combination of accuracy and implementability, and, finally, predict future methods for vertebrate age assessments, taking into account the current level of research and requirements. Through comprehensive data gathering and compilation, this work serves as an introduction and summary for those who are eager to catch up on related fields and facilitates the rapid and accurate selection of an evaluation method for researchers engaged in related research. This is essential to promote animal conservation and guide the smooth implementation of conservation management plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Zhang
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (Y.Z.); (J.B.)
- Jilin Provincial International Cooperation Key Laboratory for Biological Control of Agricultural Pests, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Jinping Bi
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (Y.Z.); (J.B.)
- Jilin Provincial International Cooperation Key Laboratory for Biological Control of Agricultural Pests, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Yao Ning
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (Y.Z.); (J.B.)
- Jilin Provincial International Cooperation Key Laboratory for Biological Control of Agricultural Pests, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (Y.Z.); (J.B.)
- Jilin Provincial International Cooperation Key Laboratory for Biological Control of Agricultural Pests, Changchun 130118, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
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de L. Bionda C, Babini S, Martino AL, Salas NE, Lajmanovich RC. Impact assessment of agriculture and livestock over age, longevity and growth of populations of common toad Rhinella arenarum (anura: Bufonidae), central area of Argentina. Glob Ecol Conserv 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2018.e00398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
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Altunışık A, Eksilmez H. Demographic life history traits in a population of a critically endangered species, Darevskia dryada (Darevsky & Tuniyev, 1997). ANIM BIOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1163/15707563-17000092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Knowing the age structure of endangered species is important in order to contribute to future conservation studies for such species. In this context, we investigated age structure, age at sexual maturity, potential reproductive lifespan and longevity in a population of the Charnali lizard, Darevskia dryada, an endangered species from Turkey. The results show that the Charnali lizard has a longer life span than other lizards of the genus Darevskia that live in the same region. We estimated that these lizards attain their sexual maturity at the age of one or two years and the potential reproductive life span for males and females is six and five years, respectively. As in many other lizards, the Charnali lizard exhibited a low-level male-biased sexual dimorphism in terms of increased size. We believe that this study, in which prior information related to the Charnali lizard is shared, will contribute to future conservation activities for this critically endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Altunışık
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Biology Department, Rize, Turkey
| | - Halit Eksilmez
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Biology Department, Rize, Turkey
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Amat F, Meiri S. Geographical, climatic and biological constraints on age at sexual maturity in amphibians. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blx127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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Song JY, Matsui M, Matsuki T, Nishikawa K, Koo KS, Oh HS. Life History of a Unique Asian Plethodontid Salamander, Karsenia koreana. Zoolog Sci 2017; 34:122-128. [PMID: 28397601 DOI: 10.2108/zs160158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Using preserved specimens, we studied the basic life history of the topotypic population of the unique Asian plethodontid salamander, Karsenia koreana. Of 51 individuals examined, 11 males and 13 females were judged as mature from the development of gonads. The ovarian eggs were large (diameter 3.7-4.8 mm) and yellow to orange in color, and the clutch size was about 8-10. These values approximate those of actually spawned eggs recently reported. Skeletochronological analyses revealed the average age of males (5.3 years) to be lower than females (7.3 years). The age at maturity and maximum observed longevity were four and nine years in males and five and 10 years in females, respectively. In the growth curves estimated by a von Bertalanffy growth model, the growth coefficient and asymptotic SVL did not differ between the sexes, although males (40.6 mm) were smaller than females (45.3 mm) in the average snout-vent length. The time and place of courtship behavior, oval development, hatching, and especially, whether the species shows aquatic larval stage or direct development, are important topics to be resolved in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Young Song
- 1 National Park Research Institute, Korea National Park Service, Danguro 171, Wonju 26441, South Korea
| | - Masafumi Matsui
- 2 Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida Nihonmatsu, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Takashi Matsuki
- 2 Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida Nihonmatsu, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,3 National Park Division, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan, Godochosha No. 5, Kasumigaseki 1-2-2, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8975, Japan
| | - Kanto Nishikawa
- 2 Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida Nihonmatsu, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Kyo-Soung Koo
- 4 Department of Biology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si, Kangwon-do, 200-701, South Korea
| | - Hong-Shik Oh
- 5 Department of Biology Education, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-121, South Korea
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Nishikawa K, Dujsebayeva T, Matsui M, Yoshikawa N, Tominaga A. Historical Demography of an Endangered Salamander, Ranodon sibiricus (Amphibia, Urodela, Hynobiidae): A Reassessment. Zoolog Sci 2017; 34:18-25. [PMID: 28148215 DOI: 10.2108/zs160099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Chinese populations of the endangered Siberian salamander Ranodon sibiricus are reported to have diverged only about 120 years ago, and to have the lowest genetic diversity of any amphibian. However, these conclusions require verification, as the main range of the species is in Kazakhstan. Moreover, the generation time used for estimating divergence time has a weak ground. In order to clarify these problems, we investigated the molecular phylogenetic relationship and historical demography of the species covering its whole distribution range using the mitochondrial DNA region reported for Chinese population (1072 bp sequences of the control region), while conducting skeletochronological analysis to estimate accurate generation time. As a result, the range expansion was estimated at 88,000-50,000 YA, based on the generation time of 6-10 years. Degree of intraspecific genetic differentiation is actually very small, but, as a single species, is not so small as had been reported for Chinese population alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanto Nishikawa
- 1 Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida Nihonmatsu-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tatjana Dujsebayeva
- 2 Institute of Zoology MES RK, Akademgorodok, al-Farabi Av., 93, Almaty 050060, Republic of Kazakhstan.,3 Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan, Beibitshilik Street, 18, Office 406, Astana 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Masafumi Matsui
- 1 Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida Nihonmatsu-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Natsuhiko Yoshikawa
- 4 Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research, National Museum of Nature and Science, 4-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0005, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tominaga
- 5 Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Education, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
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Skutschas P, Stein K. Long bone histology of the stem salamander Kokartus honorarius (Amphibia: Caudata) from the Middle Jurassic of Kyrgyzstan. J Anat 2015; 226:334-47. [PMID: 25682890 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Kokartus honorarius from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) of Kyrgyzstan is one of the oldest salamanders in the fossil record, characterized by a mixture of plesiomorphic morphological features and characters shared with crown-group salamanders. Here we present a detailed histological analysis of its long bones. The analysis of a growth series demonstrates a significant histological maturation during ontogeny, expressed by the progressive appearance of longitudinally oriented primary vascular canals, primary osteons, growth marks, remodelling features in primary bone tissues, as well as progressive resorption of the calcified cartilage, formation of endochondral bone and development of cartilaginous to bony trabeculae in the epiphyses. Apart from the presence of secondary osteons, the long bone histology of Kokartus is very similar to that of miniaturized temnospondyls, other Jurassic stem salamanders, miniaturized seymouriamorphs and modern crown-group salamanders. We propose that the presence of secondary osteons in Kokartus honorarius is a plesiomorphic feature, and the loss of secondary osteons in the long bones of crown-group salamanders as well as in those of miniaturized temnospondyls is the result of miniaturization processes. Hitherto, all stem salamander long bong histology (Kokartus, Marmorerpeton and 'salamander A') has been generally described as having paedomorphic features (i.e. the presence of Katschenko's Line and a layer of calcified cartilage), these taxa were thus most likely neotenic forms. The absence of clear lines of arrested growth and annuli in long bones of Kokartus honorarius suggests that the animals lived in an environment with stable local conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Skutschas
- Vertebrate Zoology Department, Biological Faculty, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
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Simon E, Puky M, Braun M, Tóthmérész B. Assessment of the effects of urbanization on trace elements of toe bones. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2012; 184:5749-5754. [PMID: 21960362 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2378-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2010] [Accepted: 09/16/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Amphibians, particularly frogs and toads, are increasingly used as bioindicators of contaminant accumulation in pollution studies. We developed an analytical technique to analyse their elemental contents based on a small amount of toe bone samples. This method is environment-friendly as, unlike traditional methods, it is not necessary to kill animals during sampling. Using this technique, we explored the effects of urbanization on the elemental contents of toe bones. Bufo bufo specimens were collected from an urban and two rural ponds. The ratios of Ca and P at the ponds were: 20.5% Ca and 14.6% P at the urban pond and 30.4% and 29.6% Ca, 22.4% and 21.7% P at the rural ponds, respectively. For the other elements, the following percentage ratios were found: 0.7% B, 0.3% Mg and 0.06% Zn at the urban pond and 1.1% and 0.4% B, 0.4% Mg and 0.05% Zn at the rural ponds, respectively. Canonical discriminant analysis indicated the separation of the urban and the rural ponds based on the elemental concentrations of toe bones. Significant differences were found between the concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, B and Zn at the urban and the rural ponds (p < 0.05). Anthropogenic activity was found to have effects on the elemental contents of toe bones in the urbanized area. Our study also demonstrated that the developed method was appropriate for the elemental analysis of small samples to assess the effects of urbanization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edina Simon
- Department of Ecology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, P.O. Box 71, 4010, Hungary.
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Matsuki T, Matsui M. A skeletochronological study of breeding females in a population of Japanese clouded salamanders (Hynobius nebulosus). Zoolog Sci 2011; 28:175-9. [PMID: 21385057 DOI: 10.2108/zsj.28.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The age structure of breeding females of Hynobius nebulosus has not been studied sufficiently. We estimated the ages of 76 individuals from a population in Kyoto by using skeletochronology. The mean age and snout-vent length (SVL) of this population were 4.6 years and 55.7 mm, respectively. It was estimated that the youngest females breed two years post hatching at a mean SVL of 46.5 mm, but a larger number of individuals begins breeding at three years and a mean SVL of 52.2 mm. Because most males also start to breed at three years, there seems to be no gender difference in the timing of sexual maturation. The age of the oldest female was estimated to be 11.8 years. It is possible that the life history of H. nebulosus is characterized by early maturation and arrested growth, and short longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Matsuki
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida , Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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YAMAMOTO T, OTA H, CHIBA S. The Age Structure of a Breeding Population of Hynobius lichenatus (Amphibia, Caudata). CURRENT HERPETOLOGY 2011. [DOI: 10.5358/hsj.30.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Lee JH, Min MS, Kim TH, Baek HJ, Lee H, Park D. Age structure and growth rates of two Korean salamander species (Hynobius yangiandHynobius quelpaertensis) from field populations. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2010. [DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2010.525810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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