Workshop on Age Estimation in Monodontids 26-27 November 2011

The goal of this 2-day workshop which is scheduled to be held in the Tampa Convention Centre, Tampa,  Florida, is to pursue methods to increase the accuracy and precision of age estimation, with the focus on monodontids, by a critical review of traditional and newer techniques.
Methods for age estimation using Growth Layer Groups (GLGs) in teeth of most marine mammals have long been accepted and deposition rates have been established by direct means or by similarity to other species. Notable exceptions include the beluga whale and narwhals. For these species, there is a need to develop methods to increase both the accuracy and precision in age estimates. Especially for narwhals, non-traditional methods may be necessary, such as Aspartic (Amino) Acid Racemization using eye lens and or fatty acids species. Other innovative methods being tested for ageing are based on genetic material, such as from a skin biopsy. While these methods have higher levels of uncertainty and lack the robust validation of tooth aging, they may have application in specific circumstances.

Invited speakers will include experts on age estimation in belugas and narwhals, on Amino Acid Racemization, on fatty acid analysis as it pertains to age estimation, and on additional methods that have shown promise in other mammalian species. Abstract submissions are also welcomed for 10-20 minute presentations providing new or helpful information from other species, including terrestrial mammals, or various techniques which may better inform age estimation in monodontids.  It is intended that the presentations will provide the basis for a publication by the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO).

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