Patterns of trace elements deposition in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) teeth reflect early life history: A pilot study
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Trace element accumulation in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin teeth reveals key life history events. Teeth TEs serve as bioindicators for critical stages like weaning and sexual maturity in marine mammals.
Area Of Science
- Marine biology
- Ecotoxicology
- Conservation science
Background
- Understanding early life history is crucial for vulnerable marine mammal conservation.
- Degraded environments and high variability pose challenges for species management.
- Trace elements (TEs) in teeth may offer insights into dolphin life history.
Purpose Of The Study
- Investigate lifetime trace element accumulation in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin teeth.
- Explore the suitability of teeth TEs as bioindicators for critical life stages.
- Analyze sex-specific and age-related TE accumulation patterns.
Main Methods
- In-situ laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry microanalysis of dolphin teeth.
- Detection and quantification of 26 trace elements.
- Application of generalized linear mixed models for temporal and sex-specific analyses.
Main Results
- Varied TE composition in teeth linked to environmental exposure or species-specific accumulation.
- Nearly half of detected TEs showed sex-specific accumulation patterns.
- Age-related changes in Cu, As, Sr, Ba, and Bi concentrations observed.
- Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios reconstructed weaning at 3-4 years.
- Zn/Ca trends suggested female sexual maturity at 9-11 years.
Conclusions
- Dolphin teeth TEs are valuable bioindicators of critical life stages, including weaning and sexual maturity.
- TE accumulation patterns provide insights into marine mammal development and physiology.
- Further research is needed on TE accumulation mechanisms and ecological impacts in marine mammals.
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