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Dentinal anomalies in teeth of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Scottish waters: are they linked to sexual maturation and environmental events?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 May 2009

P.L. Luque ,
G.J. Pierce ,
J.A. Learmonth ,
M.B. Santos ,
E. Ieno ,
A. López ,
R.J. Reid ,
E. Rogan ,
A.F. González  and
J. Boon
...Show all authors
P.L. Luque*
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Campus Universitario Lagoas-Marcosende, 36200 Vigo, Spain
G.J. Pierce
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
J.A. Learmonth
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
M.B. Santos
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Costero de Vigo, Cabo Estay, Canido, 36200 Vigo, Spain
E. Ieno
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK Highland Statistics Ltd, 6 Laverock Road, Newburgh, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, AB41 6FN, UK
A. López
Affiliation:
CEMMA (Coordinadora para o Estudio dos Mamíferos Mariños), R/Tomás Mirambell 90 Paxón, 36340, Nigran, Pontevedra (Spain)
R.J. Reid
Affiliation:
SAC Veterinary Science Division. Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road Inverness, IV2 4JZ, UK
E. Rogan
Affiliation:
ADC, Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, University College, National University of Ireland, Lee Maltings, Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland
A.F. González
Affiliation:
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain
J. Boon
Affiliation:
Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, the Netherlands
R.J. Law
Affiliation:
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Burnham Laboratory, Remembrance Avenue, Burnham on Crouch, Essex CM0 8HA, UK
C.H. Lockyer
Affiliation:
Age Dynamics, Huldbergs Allé 42, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: P.L. Luque, School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK email: p.lastra@abdn.ac.uk
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Abstract

We examined the tooth ultra-structure of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Scottish waters to determine whether the incidence of mineralization anomalies could be related to certain life history events (e.g. the achievement of sexual maturation) as well as other factors that affect the general health of the individual (e.g. persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations in blubber). Five distinct types of mineralization anomalies were recorded: accessory lines, marker lines, dentinal resorption, cemental disturbance and pulp stones and the occurrence of these anomalies was scored by sex, age and maturity state. Overall, the incidence of mineralization anomalies was high and tended to increase with age. Marker lines and accessory lines were the most commonly recorded anomalies while pulp stones were least frequent. Duplicate teeth (i.e. from the same individual) always showed the same pattern of anomaly occurrence.

Fitted binary generalized linear and additive models indicated that the presence of dentinal resorption, cemental disturbance and marker lines in harbour porpoise teeth increased with age, body length and maturity. Males displayed marker lines more frequently than females. Age was the best predictor of the incidence of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance while age and sex were the best predictors of the incidence of marker lines. The time course of appearance of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance suggests that their occurrence could be related to physiological stress linked to sexual maturation. Marker lines were found within growth layer groups which coincided with the beginning of weaning and sexual maturation, suggesting an association with these two major life history events. Accessory lines were found in most teeth and may be a normal characteristic of porpoise teeth or reflect regular events. Pulp stones appeared only in mature animals. We found no evidence that the presence of anomalies in teeth was significantly related to POP concentrations in the blubber.

Keywords

dentinal anomaliesteethharbour porpoisesScotlandsexual maturationenvironmental events
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 89 , Special Issue 5: Cetaceans , August 2009 , pp. 893 - 902
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009

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