Certainty of the uncertain - a review of age determination methods in sea turtles
Rigby, J.; Kalisch, L.; Lloyd, J.R.; Forster, O.; Köhnk, S. (2025). Certainty of the uncertain - a review of age determination methods in sea turtles. Olive Ridley Project technical report number ORP-2025-07. Olive Ridley Project: Baa-Atoll. 18 pp.
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| Keywords |
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| Author keywords |
DNA Methylation, Radiometric Dating, Skeletochronology, Telomere Length Analysis, Green Turtle, Loggerhead, Leatherback |
| Authors | | Top |
- Rigby, J.
- Kalisch, L.
- Lloyd, J.R.
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| Abstract |
Accurate age estimations have important implications for the evaluation of the reproductive output and potential of populations, as well as their existing population structure. Both factors are crucial considerations for the implementation of conservation and management strategies in endangered species. Sea turtles are enigmatic species with life history stages largely evading direct human observation, which poses significant challenges for demographic evaluation and the designation of conservation strategies. In this review different methods for sea turtle age estimation are presented and compared to evaluated accessibility and applicability for life history studies. While the methods vary greatly in complexity, sample requirements and costs involved, no single method with sufficient accuracy is available at the moment. |
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