Accuracy and precision in estimation of age of Norwegian Arctic polar bears (Ursus maritimus) using dental cementum layers from known-age individuals |
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Authors: | Signe N Christensen-Dalsgaard Jon Aars Magnus Andersen Christina Lockyer Nigel G Yoccoz |
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Institution: | 1. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 7485, Trondheim, Norway 2. Department of Biology, University of Troms?, 9037, Troms?, Norway 3. Norwegian Polar Institute, Polarmilj?senteret, 9296, Troms?, Norway 4. Age Dynamics, Huldbergs Allé 42, 2800, Lyngby, Denmark
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Abstract: | Validation of age estimation from tooth cementum growth layers was conducted for 32 polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of known age, by two readers. Both readers correctly estimated age for 24% of the bears, and 50–53% were within the year
of correct age. The age of young animals (age 1–8) was overestimated, while ages for bears over 8 years were underestimated.
Comparison between the readings of the two readers indicated that the precision was low. Further, one of the readers reread
tooth slides earlier prepared and read by another age estimation laboratory. There was a large discrepancy between these readings
indicating a bias in the ages estimated. We conclude that age estimation of polar bears can be difficult, particularly in
populations where individuals may forage throughout the year. As tooth growth layers may deposit differently for bears from
different areas, and as different laboratories may read the same slides according to different criteria, an evaluation of
the methods should be conducted for all populations, based on a significant number of tooth slides, with a broad age range,
from animals of known age. |
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