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Telomeres as age markers in vertebrate molecular ecology
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 11:12 authored by Dunshea, GJ, Duffield, D, Gales, N, Mark HindellMark Hindell, Wells, RS, Jarman, SNChronological age is a fundamental and yet elusive variable in studies of many wild animals. Telomeres are nucleoprotein structures on the ends of chromosomes that change size throughout the life of many animals and because of this property have been advocated as a means to estimate age. In this review, we assess the existing and potential application of using telomeres for age estimation. We argue that there are conceptual and statistical inconsistencies in previous studies and that the basis for telomere change over time is not well understood and affected by several intrinsic and extrinsic process unrelated to chronological time. Furthermore, these processes are likely to vary spatially and temporally for animal populations. We conclude that the current data suggest telomeres should not be used for age estimation. If telomere-based age estimation is to be used, more work in understanding variability in key processes affecting telomere dynamics and rigorous substantiation via blind testing is needed.
Funding
Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment
History
Publication title
Molecular Ecology ResourcesVolume
11Pagination
225-235ISSN
1755-098XDepartment/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.Place of publication
United KingdomRights statement
The definitive published version is available online at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/Repository Status
- Restricted