Bomb dating and age validation using the spines of spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias)

Bomb radiocarbon has previously been used to validate the age of large pelagic sharks based on incorporation into vertebrae. However, not all sharks produce interpretable vertebral growth bands. Here we report the first application of bomb radiocarbon as an age validation method based on date-specific incorporation into spine enamel. Our results indicate that the dorsal spines of spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias, recorded and preserved a bomb radiocarbon pulse in growth bands formed during the 1960s with a timing which was very similar to that of marine carbonates. Using radiocarbon assays of spine growth bands known to have formed in the 1960s and 1970s as a dated marker, we confirm the validity of spine enamel growth band counts as accurate annual age indicators to an age of at least 45 year. Radiocarbon incorporation into northeast Atlantic dogfish spines occurred in similar years as those in the northwest Atlantic and northeast Pacific, although the amount of radiocarbon differed in keeping with the radiocarbon content of the different water masses. Published reports suggesting that Pacific dogfish are longer lived and slower growing than their Atlantic counterparts appear to be correct, and are not due to errors in interpreting the spine growth bands. Radiocarbon assays of fin spine enamel appears to be well suited to the age validation of sharks with fin spines which inhabit the upper 200 m of the ocean.     

Reassessment of spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias age and growth using vertebrae and dorsal-fin spines

Male and female spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias were collected in the western North Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Maine between July 2006 and June 2009. Squalus acanthias ranged from 25 to 102 cm stretch total length and were caught during all months of the year except January. Age estimates derived from banding patterns visible in both the vertebrae and second dorsal-fin spines were compared. Vertebral growth increments were visualized using a modified histological staining technique, which was verified as appropriate for obtaining age estimates. Marginal increment analysis of vertebrae verified the increment periodicity, suggesting annual band deposition. Based on increased precision and accuracy of age estimates, as well as more biologically realistic parameters generated in growth models, the current study found that vertebrae provided a more reliable and accurate means of estimating age in S. acanthias than the second dorsal-fin spine. Age estimates obtained from vertebrae ranged from <1 year-old to 17 years for male and 24 years for female S. acanthias. The two-parameter von Bertalanffy growth model fit to vertebrae-derived age estimates produced parameters of L∞ = 94·23 cm and k = 0·11 for males and L∞ = 100·76 cm and k = 0·12 for females. While these growth parameters differed from those previously reported for S. acanthias in the western North Atlantic Ocean, the causes of such differences were beyond the scope of the current study and remain to be determined.     

Age and growth studies of chondrichthyan fishes: the need for consistency in terminology, verification, validation, and growth function fitting

Validated age and growth estimates are important for constructing age-structured population dynamic models of chondrichthyan fishes, especially those which are exploited. We review age and growth studies of chondrichthyan fishes, using 28 recent studies to identify areas where improvements can be made in describing the characteristics of ageing structures (both traditional and novel) utilized to estimate ages of sharks, rays, and chimaeras. The topics identified that need consistency include the: (1) terminology used to describe growth features; (2) methods used to both verify and validate age estimates from chondrichthyan calcified structures, especially edge and marginal increment analyses; and (3) the functions used to produce and describe growth parameters, stressing the incorporation of size at birth (L ₀) and multiple functions to characterize growth characteristics, age at maturity and longevity.     

Assessing the validity of stylets as ageing tools in Octopus pallidus

A method to age octopus was determined through the quantification of growth increments within the stylet structure (highly reduced internal shells). To validate the periodicity of the increments, stylets were analysed from known-age laboratory-raised Octopus pallidus. The animals, which ranged from 3 to 8 months old, were exposed either to a simulated natural or to constant temperature regime. Transverse stylet sections were embedded in thermo-plastic cement and ground until a thin section was achieved. A pre-hatch region and first post-hatch increment was identified in the stylet microstructure. The number of increments, across all ages and temperature treatments, was in remarkably close agreement to age (number of days), clearly demonstrating that stylet increments are deposited daily throughout the lifecycle of O. pallidus. Morphometric analyses of the stylet indicated that increments were laid down regularly during stylet growth and that stylets grew in concert with body size, further supporting daily periodicity. This study successfully validates daily increments in stylets and thus demonstrate a method to age octopus, therefore, potentially having critical implications for future octopus research and the effective management of stocks worldwide.     

The structure of the otoliths of Tilapia guineensis (Dumeril) and their use in age determination

The morphological features of the saccular otoliths of Tilapia guineensis are given. Procedure for treating the otoliths for observation of growth rings is described. Growth rings observed on the otoliths are interpreted as being either daily growth markings, or weekly marks. The distribution of the growth marks is used in estimating the age of the fish.     

Expression of genetic and environmental variation during ageing

Summary To test for different gene activity during ageing, an experiment was set up to determine whether or not genetic variation and genetic correlations between fitness traits at different ages change in a systematic way through time. Additive genetic and environmental variance components as well as genetic correlations between different age periods were calculated for the fitness trait number of adult offspring in a population of Drosophila melanogaster. Genetic correlations between age periods were all positive and, hence, did not support the theory postulating that genes with beneficial effects on early fitness have pleiotropic unfavourable effects on late fitness. The environmental variation as well as the additive genetic variance showed a clear increase with age. The increase of environmental variation is probably a result of the individuals' increasing difficulties in coping with environmental stress due to physiological deterioration with age. Increased additive genetic variation may be explained by more and more genes being turned on with age. Alternatively, it could be caused by accumulation of deleterious mutations with different effects and may reflect the individuals' capacity of DNA repair.     

Expression of genetic and environmental variation during ageing

Summary A selection experiment with Drosophila melanogaster was carried out to test some theories of ageing by calculating genetic parameters for a reproductive fitness trait at different ages. Successful selection for increased lifespan showed that longevity is a trait under genetic control. Positive genetic correlations between early and late fitness were found. These results do not support the pleiotropy theory of ageing which predicts a negative genetic correlation. Both environmental and additive genetic variation clearly increased with age. Increased environmental variation probably reflects the individuals' difficulties in coping with environmental stress. The increase in additive genetic variation supports the mutation accumulation theory of ageing, as well as other theories that postulate increased additive genetic variation with age.     

Allometric scaling of isokinetic peak torque: the Nebraska Wrestling Study

Allometric scaling has been used increasingly in the exercise sciences to control statistically for body size differences in physical performance variables. The purpose of this study was to use multivariate allometric scaling to examine the influence of fat-free mass (FFM) on age-related differences in strength in young club (8-13 years) and high-school (14-18 years) wrestlers. The dependent variables were log-transformed values of isokinetic peak torque for leg extension and flexion at 0.52, 3.14, and 5.24 rad x s(-1)(30, 180, and 300 x s(-1)). The independent variables used in the multiple regression analyses were log-transformed values for FFM, age, and the FFM versus age interaction. The resulting regression equations were of the form: log Y = log a + b1 log X1 + b2 log X2 + bn log Xn. The initial multiple regression analyses showed significant interaction effects (P < 0.05) for all dependent variables, therefore separate regression analyses were performed for the younger and older groups of wrestlers. The results indicate that for the younger wrestlers there were increases in isokinetic peak torque at all velocities across age after controlling for FFM. The FFM scaling exponents ranged from 0.94 to 1.31. All exponents included 1.0 in the 95% confidence interval, except for extension at 3.14 rad x s(-1). For the high-school wrestlers, both FFM and age were significant for the extension data, but only FFM was significant for the flexion data. All FFM exponents included 1.0 in the 95% confidence interval. These results indicate that the relationship between FFM and peak torque differed across age. In addition, with the exception of the flexion data for the high-school wrestlers, within each group increases in isokinetic peak torque occurred across age, independent of increases in FFM. The causes of the age effect for strength are speculative, but it may be due to developmental changes in neuromuscular function, alterations in the distribution of muscle mass as a percentage of FFM and/or the distribution of FFM across body segments.     

The leopardChimaera, a new species of chimaeroid fish from New Zealand (Holocephali, Chimaeriformes, Chimaeridae)

A new species ofChimaera is described from three specimens collected from deep water fishing grounds off the North Island of New Zealand at depths ranging from 327–1020 m. This species is distinguished from all other members of the genus by gray coloration with chocolate brown reticulations and spots covering the body and fins, as well as additional external features such as rounded pelvic fins, first dorsal fin with distinct white margin, preopercular and oral lateral line canals sharing a common branch, and morphology of pelvic claspers in males bifid, the distal 1/3 divided, with pale colored fleshy, distal lobes. Comparisons are made toC. monstrosa andC. owstoni, the two most similar species in the genus. this represents the first species ofChimaera to be described from New Zealand.     

Age and growth of the sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus, in Hawaiian waters through vertebral analysis

Age and growth estimates were determined for the sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus, from Oahu, Hawaii in the central Pacific Ocean. Age estimates were obtained through vertebral centra analysis of 187 sharks. We verified our age estimates through marginal increment analysis of centra and oxytetracycline marking methods of at liberty sandbar sharks. Sizes of sampled sharks ranged from 46 to 147 cm pre-caudal length. Four growth models were fitted to length-at-age data; two forms of the von Bertalanffy growth model, the Gompertz growth model, and a logistic growth model. Males and females exhibited statistically significant differences in growth, indicating that females grow slower and attain larger sizes than males. Growth parameter estimates revealed slower growth rates than previously estimated (based on captive specimens) for Hawaiian sandbar sharks. The von Bertalanffy growth model using empirical length-at-birth provided the best biological and statistical fit to the data. This model gave parameter estimates of L _∞ = 138.5 cm PCL and k = 0.12 year⁻¹ for males and L _∞ = 152.8 cm PCL, k = 0.10 year⁻¹ for females. Male and female sandbar sharks mature at approximately 8 and 10 years of age, respectively.     

大渡河流域黄石爬鮡的年龄与生长

2012年7月和2013年6月从大渡河支流脚木足河采集黄石爬(鱼兆)(Euchiloglanis kishinouyei)383尾,以脊椎骨作为主要年龄鉴定材料,对其年龄结构和生长特性进行了研究.黄石爬(鱼兆)体长92～190 mm,其中110 ～ 140mm个体占渔获物总量的74.41％;体重14.70 ～ 119.80 g,其中20～60 g个体占渔获物总量的84.86％;由3～ 13龄11个年龄组组成,5～8龄鱼占渔获物总量的84.07％;种群雌雄性比为1∶1.06.体长(L)与脊椎骨半径(Ro)回归方程为L=67.038+ 50.783Ro(n=325,R2=0.758,P＜ 0.01).雌雄个体体长和体重生长无显著差异,据体长(L,单位mm)与体重(W,单位g)关系式W=3×10-5L2.9279(n=383,R2=0.807 1,P＜0.01),黄石爬(鱼兆)为等速生长类型.据体长、体重生长方程Lt=208.42[1-e-0.089(t+1.20)]、Wt=184.82[1-e-0.089(t+1.20)]2.9279,体长和体重生长速度方程分别为dL/dt=18.549 4 e0089(t+ 1.20)和dW/dt=48.161 0 e-0.089(t+1.20)[1-e-0.089(t+ 1.20)] 1.9279,体长和体重生长加速度方程分别为d2L/dt2=-1.650 9 e-0.089(t+1.20)和d2W/dt2=4.286 3 e-0.089(t+1.20)[1-e-0.089(t+1.20)]0.9279[2.927 9 e-0.089(t+1.20)-1],黄石爬(鱼兆)属于生长缓慢,生命周期较长的鱼类.生长拐点年龄为10.87,落后于性成熟年龄(♀6龄,♂5龄),属于性成熟后生长仍然较快的类型.产卵群体主要以补充群体(5、6龄)和低龄剩余群体(7、8龄)为主,资源已经受到严重破坏,需加大保护力度.     

Mineralized cartilage in the skeleton of chondrichthyan fishes

The cartilaginous endoskeleton of chondrichthyan fishes (sharks, rays, and chimaeras) exhibits complex arrangements and morphologies of calcified tissues that vary with age, species, feeding behavior, and location in the body. Understanding of the development, evolutionary history and function of these tissue types has been hampered by the lack of a unifying terminology. In order to facilitate reciprocal illumination between disparate fields with convergent interests, we present levels of organization in which crystal orientation/size delimits three calcification types (areolar, globular, and prismatic) that interact in two distinct skeletal types, vertebral and tessellated cartilage. The tessellated skeleton is composed of small blocks (tesserae) of calcified cartilage (both prismatic and globular) overlying a core of unmineralized cartilage, while vertebral cartilage usually contains all three types of calcification.     

Biometry based ageing of nestling Indian Spotted Owlets ( Athene brama brama)

Biometric analysis helps in sex differentiation, understanding development and for studies of avian biology such as foraging ecology, evolutionary ecology, and survivorship. We suggest that biometry can also be a reliable, practical and inexpensive tool to determine the age of nestlings in the field by non-invasive methods. As an example we studied the biometry of wing, culmen, talon, tarsus and body mass of nestling southern Indian Spotted Owlets (Athene brama brama). Based on the growth pattern analysis using logistic growth model, discriminant analysis and CHAID (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection) based decision tree, we show that biometry of nestling Spotted Owlets is an easy, reliable and inexpensive method to determine nestling age and to assess growth rate and relative nutritional status. These biometric parameters also allow us to predict their ability to initiate first flight from the nest site. This method is described here for the first time and we postulate that such charts can be devised for other avian species as well, so as to assist conservation biologists and bird rescuers.     

嘉陵江大鳍鳠的年龄和生长的研究

1986年5月至1987年12月,在嘉陵江水系采集大鳍鳠标本926尾,鉴定了826尾鱼的年龄,用比较对照法证明了所鉴定年龄的有效性。分析了渔获物的年龄组成。用电子计算机计算了棘切片“半径”与体长的相关关系式,优选出最适的生长方程,并进行了生长推算。根据体长、体重生长方程计算了各龄理论体长、体重值、生长指标和年增积量。讨论了大鳍鳠年轮形成的原因和与年轮形成有关的物质基础,并肯定了用鳍棘脱钙切片的方法研究小型(鱼危)类的年龄和生长是可靠易行的。     

大渡河上游麻尔柯河高原鳅的年龄与生长

研究了采自大渡河上游麻尔柯河及其支流则曲的129尾麻尔柯河高原鳅(Triplophysa markehenensis)的年龄结构和生长特性。结果表明,耳石和脊椎骨都可作为年龄鉴定的材料,其中耳石是进行年龄鉴定的最适材料,脊椎骨则可作为辅助材料;背鳍条不适合用于年龄鉴定。这批麻尔柯河高原鳅的年龄范围为2～8龄,以3～6龄居多,占总数的83.5%;体长体重呈幂函数关系:W=0.000015L2.951931;Von Bertalanffy生长方程为:Lt=173.1241[1-e-0.1597(t+0.5328)],Wt=60.7531[1-e-0.1597(t+0.5328)]2.9519;体重生长曲线的拐点为t=6.25,拐点时体长为114.5mm,体重为17.9g。关键词:耳石;脊椎骨;年龄;生长     

珠江水系倒刺鲃生长的初步研究

对采集于珠江水系西江及北江流域的倒刺(Spinibarbus denticulatus denticulatus)样本进行了年龄鉴定和性腺组织学观察,并对鳞长、卵径等进行了测定。结果表明,倒刺鳞片的年轮特征为疏密切割型,新年轮出现时期主要在4~6月。体长和体重呈幂函数关系,西江和北江可分别用公式WX=2.498 4×10-2L2.999 6(r=0.956 1)和WB=1.373 3×10-2L2.815 9(r=0.925 3)表示。根据生长阶段分析,雌性倒刺的性成熟年龄为5龄,5龄以前为幼鱼生长阶段,5~10龄为成鱼生长阶段。雄性倒刺的性成熟年龄为3龄。3龄以前为幼鱼生长阶段,3龄以上为成鱼生长阶段。倒刺的繁殖季节为4~6月份。     

Life in the Supralittoral Fringe: Microhabitat Choice, Mobility and Growth in the Tropical Perwinkle Cenchritis (=Tectarius) muricatus (Linneaus, 1758)

The littorinid snail, Cenchritis muricatus, inhabits supralittoral vertical rocky walls along Caribbean shores, at times surpassing 14 meters above mean sea level. As the sole macrofaunal representative of this habitat, this marine gastropod presumably experiences extraordinary conditions of thermal load and desiccation. In order to understand the effect of behavioral choices on periwinkle survivorship and growth, snail distribution, microhabitat utilization, and crawling speed were documented in St John (US Virgin Islands). In general, snails rarely inhabited open surfaces; instead, periwinkles were commonly observed in microhabitats that may reduce water and heat stresses (e.g., > 75% in crevices and depressions). Snails found on occasional buttonwood trees (Conocarpus erectus) were larger than elsewhere. Although typically found in repose, C. muricatus crawling speed on moist, shaded, and smooth substrata averaged more than 3 cm^.min^- 1, but did not vary with slope. Repeated mark-recapture of tagged periwinkles exhibited high recovery rates (ca. 35% after 4 yr), absence of mortality, and a projected cessation of growth at 16.5 mm (shell height). Nearly 10% of marked individuals were recaptured every year. Dead, tagged snails were never noted; indeed, seven individuals were only recovered once, a full 4 yrs after release. Site-specific growth rates were absent. Projections using von Bertalanffy growth functions (VBGF) suggest that periwinkles will require 15+ years to achieve the maximum shell height. These VBGF models cannot address extraordinary individuals reaching 22 mm. C. muricatus's remarkable supralittoral distribution may be explained by physiological tolerance, selection of microhabitats, lack of predators and long lifespan.     

Consequences of fission in the coral <Emphasis Type="Italic">Siderastrea siderea</Emphasis>: growth rates of small colonies and clonal input to population structure

Colony age and size can be poorly related in scleractinian corals if colonies undergo fission to form smaller independent patches of living tissue (i.e., ramets), but the implications of this life-history characteristic are unclear. This study explored the ecological consequences of the potential discrepancy between size and age for a massive scleractinian, first by testing the effect of colony origin on the growth of small colonies, and second by quantifying the contribution of ramets to population structure. Using Siderastrea siderea in St. John (US Virgin Islands) as an experimental system, the analyses demonstrated that the growth of small colonies derived from sexual reproduction was 2.5-fold greater than that of small ramets which were estimated to be ≈100 years older based on the age of the parent colonies from which they split. Although fission can generate discrete colonies, which in the case of the study reef accounted for 42% of all colonies, it may depress colony success and reef accretion through lowered colony growth rates.     

Extreme lifespan of the human fish (Proteus anguinus): a challenge for ageing mechanisms

Theories of extreme lifespan evolution in vertebrates commonly implicate large size and predator-free environments together with physiological characteristics like low metabolism and high protection against oxidative damages. Here, we show that the ‘human fish’ (olm, Proteus anguinus), a small cave salamander (weighing 15–20 g), has evolved an extreme life-history strategy with a predicted maximum lifespan of over 100 years, an adult average lifespan of 68.5 years, an age at sexual maturity of 15.6 years and lays, on average, 35 eggs every 12.5 years. Surprisingly, neither its basal metabolism nor antioxidant activities explain why this animal sits as an outlier in the amphibian size/longevity relationship. This species thus raises questions regarding ageing processes and constitutes a promising model for discovering mechanisms preventing senescence in vertebrates.     

How predation shaped fish: the impact of fin spines on body form evolution across teleosts

It is well known that predators can induce morphological changes in some fish: individuals exposed to predation cues increase body depth and the length of spines. We hypothesize that these structures may evolve synergistically, as together, these traits will further enlarge the body dimensions of the fish that gape-limited predators must overcome. We therefore expect that the orientation of the spines will predict which body dimension increases in the presence of predators. Using phylogenetic comparative methods, we tested this prediction on the macroevolutionary scale across 347 teleost families, which display considerable variation in fin spines, body depth and width. Consistent with our predictions, we demonstrate that fin spines on the vertical plane (dorsal and anal fins) are associated with a deeper-bodied optimum. Lineages with spines on the horizontal plane (pectoral fins) are associated with a wider-bodied optimum. Optimal body dimensions across lineages without spines paralleling the body dimension match the allometric expectation. Additionally, lineages with longer spines have deeper and wider body dimensions. This evolutionary relationship between fin spines and body dimensions across teleosts reveals functional synergy between these two traits and a potential macroevolutionary signature of predation on the evolutionary dynamics of body shape.