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Assessing current visual tooth wear age estimation methods for Rangifer tarandus using a known age sample from
Grace Kohut1, Robert Losey1,2, Susan Kutz3
1Department of Anthropology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Plos One
|April 2, 2024
Summary
Evaluating visual tooth wear and eruption methods for aging caribou (Rangifer tarandus) is essential. This study found existing methods have variable errors and biases, especially in older individuals, necessitating refinement for accurate population studies.
Area of Science:
- Paleoecology
- Wildlife Biology
- Zooarchaeology
Background:
- Age estimation in animal populations is vital for ecological and paleontological research.
- Visual tooth wear and eruption analysis offers a non-destructive, accessible method for aging animals, applicable even from photographs.
- Rangifer tarandus (caribou/reindeer) is a widely distributed species with several established aging methods based on dentition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the practicality and effectiveness of three existing visual tooth wear and eruption methods for aging Rangifer tarandus.
- To assess these methods based on accuracy, interpretability, user-friendliness, and the specific dental features utilized.
- To identify limitations and potential biases in current aging techniques for caribou populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a large sample of known-age caribou from multiple Canadian herds (Bluenose East, Bluenose West, Dolphin-Union, Qamanirjuaq, Beverly).
- Applied and analyzed three distinct visual tooth wear and eruption aging methods.
- Assessed methods by comparing estimated ages to actual ages, noting error, bias, and suitability for different age classes.
Main Results:
- All three evaluated methods exhibited variable errors and biases in age estimation.
- Two of the methods demonstrated significant biases when applied to older caribou individuals.
- The specific dentition samples and populations used in prior method development limited their applicability to Canadian caribou.
Conclusions:
- Existing visual aging methods for Rangifer tarandus require refinement to improve accuracy and reduce bias, particularly for older animals.
- Methods allowing continuous or discrete age estimation are more flexible for demographic analysis than those relying on age ranges.
- Further development of tooth wear and eruption aging techniques is crucial for advancing zooarchaeological research on caribou and reindeer.
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