Données préliminaires sur la présence de lignes d'arrêt de croissance périostiques dans la mandibule du marsouin commun, Phocoena phocoena (L.), et leur utilisation comme indicateur de l'âge

Abstract

Sharply defined growth lines are revealed by hematoxylin staining of thin sections of mandibular periosteal bone of the harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena (L.). The comparison of these lines to dentinal growth layer groups (GLG) suggests that they are deposited at the rate of one per annum. In this species, bone growth lines allow more reliable and much more complete age determinations than do dentinal GLG's. The actual longevity of the harbour porpoise, as determined by growth lines in bone, is at least 21 years.