Utility of telomere length measurements for age determination of humpback whales
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Utility of telomere length measurements for age determination of humpback whales. / Olsen, Morten Tange; Robbins, Jooke; Bérubé, Martine; Rew, Mary Beth.
In: N A M M C O. Scientific Publications, Vol. 10, 2014.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Utility of telomere length measurements for age determination of humpback whales
AU - Olsen, Morten Tange
AU - Robbins, Jooke
AU - Bérubé, Martine
AU - Rew, Mary Beth
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
U2 - 10.7557/3.3194
DO - 10.7557/3.3194
M3 - Journal article
VL - 10
JO - N A M M C O. Scientific Publications
JF - N A M M C O. Scientific Publications
SN - 1560-2206
ER -
ID: 131251377