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Age determination from counts of growth layer groups (GLGs) in tooth dentine is a common method for aging marine mammals. Using known-aged animals, we validated this method for acid etched… Click to show full abstract
Age determination from counts of growth layer groups (GLGs) in tooth dentine is a common method for aging marine mammals. Using known-aged animals, we validated this method for acid etched teeth of California sea lions (CSLs), Zalophus californianus. Between 1991 and 2013, the upper left canine (n = 33) was collected opportunistically during necropsy from animals tagged or branded as pups that later died. Overall, 55%-61% of age estimates by GLG counting were within 1 yr of the known-age in the sample of 1-30-yr-old CSLs. Accuracy of age estimates was found to be dependent on age of the CSLs, however. 71%-79% of age estimates were within 1 yr of the known-age in CSLs <10 yr old. These findings support the validity of counting GLGs to estimate age for CSLs <10 yr old to within 1 yr of accuracy.
Journal Title: Marine Mammal Science
Year Published: 2019
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