Recently a new strategy for age-at-death estimation has been developed. In Stephanie Calce’s 2012 article, ‘A New Method to Estimate Adult Age-at-death Using the Acetabulum,’ she redesigns the previous attempts made by Rissech et al. (2006). Her technique simplifies Rissech et al. seven traits by condensing them into three easily identifiable traits. The aim of this paper is to determine that Calce’s original intent to create a more user-friendly and comprehensible scoring method was successful. My focus is to reveal if Calce’s technique is effective between different populations or whether interpopulation variation renders it an unstable approach to age estimation. I tested Calce’s forensic method of aging human skeleton’s on a random sample of skeletons of known age from the Hamann-Todd collection. In the test, Calce’s method proved to work well. As it is simpler than previously proposed methods, investigators should consider adopting it under appropriate circumstances. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Abstract Crater counting is a method which allows us to estimate the surface ages of the planetary bodies, from which the sampling and sample delivery to laboratories on Earth are difficult or impossible. Because the number of craters on a surface unit increases over the time the surface has been exposed to space, old, geologically stable units have more craters than young and active units. When the crater production rate as a function of time is known, the absolute age of the surface unit can be determined based on its crater density. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the role of small impact craters in crater counts to find out how modern very high-resolution space images can be utilized in age determination of planetary surfaces. The thesis focuses on how reliable crater count based datings are, if only small craters and counting areas are used in age determination. The research is carried out by utilizing crater counts on the outflow channels of Dao, Niger, Harmakhis and Reull Valles, which all are located in the eastern rim region of the Hellas impact basin, on the southern hemisphere of Mars. Crater counts are performed mainly based on the images of ConTeXt Imager (CTX) and High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) aboard Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). The results show that small craters are a very valuable tool to get information about the surface age. Instead of the size-range of counted craters, or the size of counting areas, results are dependent on the variability and scale of the surface modification history. The more variable or larger scale the modification history is, the larger surface area and wider crater diameter range are typically needed to achieve comprehensive age estimations. The crater counts on the eastern Hellas outflow channels support the earlier theories according to which the valles formed during a relatively short time interval, ~ 3.4–3.7 Ga ago. The existence of terrace structures and smaller tributary channels indicate that the outflow channels were filled by several pulses of liquids. The major fluvial activity ended no later than ~ 0.8–1.9 Ga ago, and it was probably controlled by the activity of nearby highland volcanoes. Soon after the declined fluvial activity, the outflow channels were covered by ice-rich deposits. The major reason for this was probably the changed climatic conditions, although in places e.g. impact cratering seems to have contributed to the emplacement of the deposits. The region as a whole was also resurfaced several times because of changes in local climate conditions. The most significant of the resurfacing processes seem to be the episodes of thin ice-rich mantling deposits, the most recent of which dominated the regional modification less than 10 Ma ago. In addition, the region has experienced eolian activity during the last 1 Ma. / Original papers The original publications are not included in the electronic version of the dissertation. Kostama, V.-P., Kukkonen, S., & Raitala, J. (2017). Resurfacing event observed in Morpheos basin (Eridania Planitia) and the implications to the formation and timing of Waikato and Reull Valles, Mars. Planetary and Space Science, 140, 35–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2017.04.001 Kukkonen, S., & Kostama, V.-P. (2018). Modification history of the Harmakhis Vallis outflow channel, Mars, based on CTX-scale photogeologic mapping and crater count dating. Icarus, 299, 46–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2017.07.014 Kukkonen, S., & Kostama, V.-P. (2018). Usability of small impact craters on small surface areas in crater count dating: Analysing examples from the Harmakhis Vallis outflow channel, Mars. Icarus, 305, 33–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2018.01.004 Kukkonen, S., & Kostama, V.-P. (2018). Mapping and dating based evolution studies of the Niger Vallis outflow channel, Mars. Planetary and Space Science, 153, 54–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2017.12.012 Korteniemi, J., & Kukkonen, S. (2018). Volcanic Structures Within Niger and Dao Valles, Mars, and Implications for Outflow Channel Evolution and Hellas Basin Rim Development. Geophysical Research Letters, 45(7), 2934–2944. https://doi.org/10.1002/2018gl077067 http://jultika.oulu.fi/Record/nbnfi-fe201902226008

Demographic characteristics of juvenile Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) were examined in relation to physical and biotic factors to develop a hypothesis explaining annual variations in recruitment. Surveys were conducted along the Oregon continental shelf at depths between 50-400 m bimonthly during 1989 and annually (in March) between 1990 and 1993. To determine settlement timing, growth, and mortality, daily growth increments were validated, as was position of the first post-settlement annulus. A method of estimating precision of otolith elemental composition with the electron microprobe was developed; otolith microstructure and microchemistry were used to identify a landmark associated with settlement. Mean density of 0-group settlers varied annually, with 1989 and 1990 high, 1991 and 1992 low, and 1993 intermediate. 0-group abundance was correlated with fall offshore divergence one year before settlement and with southward geostrophic velocity during the summer before settlement. These conditions may be related to production of prey available to pelagic larvae. Density of 0-group Dover sole was highest between 100-119 m, but deeper areas were also utilized in years of highest abundance. Density was not correlated with spawning stock biomass or density of older juveniles. It was correlated with rex sole (Glyptocephalus [Errex] zachirus) density. Growth rate was positively correlated with mean April-October upwelling and was not related to density or mortality of Dover sole. First-year mortality was positively correlated with early settlement of 0-group larvae, possibly due to an advantage of settling and migrating to the primary nursery area well in advance of the spring transition. A multiple regression model predicting density of 1-group Dover sole from three physical environmental factors was applied to an independent time series of Dover sole "age-5" recruitment estimates (Turnock and Methot 1992). The model was a poor predictor of annual recruitment to fisheries but a good predictor of trends based on five-year running averages. Results suggest that multi-year trends in Dover sole recruitment to fisheries can be explained by a small set of density-independent physical factors. / Graduation date: 1995

The corvina reina (Cynoscion albus) is an important part of the artisanal fishery in the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica. Stock assessment on this sciaenid species has been restricted to the use of length-based methods because of the lack of age data. Direct age determination methodologies for tropical species often encounter serious difficulties such as poorly defined hyaline and opaque zones and lack of adequate techniques of ageing. This thesis presents the results of an age-determination study of Cynoscion albus based on otolith surface readings and microincrement analysis. Age estimates were obtained from counts of hyaline zones from surface readings using the light microscope and from microincrement readings from cross sections of the otolith using the scanning electron microscope. Validation of age estimates from surface readings was based on a linear regression of the age estimates from surface readings on age estimates from integrated daily increment readings. Growth of the otolith was studied using linear and multivariate regression methods and the results were used to construct multivariate models for prediction of age. Consistent estimates of age and fish growth parameters were obtained from surface and microincrement analysis. This study showed that Cynoscion albus is a slow-growing fish (K = 0.121) and reaches a large size (L∞ = 127.5 cm) and therefore is likely to suffer overfishing in the Gulf of Nicoya fishery. / Graduation date: 1993

Orientador: Francisco Antonio Bertoz / Banca: Terumi Okada Ozawa / Banca: Eduardo César Almada Santos / Resumo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a morfologia das 3ª e 4ª vértebras cervicais representativa dos estágios correspondentes ao pré-pico, pico e pós-pico de velocidade de crescimento estatural, definidos previamente pelos centros de ossificação do primeiro dedo em radiografias carpais ou do dedo polegar. Foram utilizadas 120 telerradiografias em norma lateral de 106 pacientes selecionados da clínica de ortodontia da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba-UNESP e Profis/HRAC-USP que apresentavam radiografias carpais ou do dedo polegar correspondentes. As telerradiografias foram divididas em três grupos de 40 radiografias de acordo com os estágios maturacionais pré-pico, pico e pós-pico definidos pela imagem do primeiro dedo. A morfologia dos corpos das 3ª e 4ª vértebras cervicais foi determinada por dois examinadores devidamente calibrados em dois tempos diferentes. Concluiu-se que o formato retangular horizontal com borda inferior reta foi representativo do estágio correspondente ao pré-pico, independentemente da vértebra analisada. Já o formato retangular horizontal com borda inferior curva, especialmente se encontrado em C4, ou o formato quadrado com borda inferior reta caracterizou o pico de velocidade de crescimento. O formato quadrado ou, principalmente, o retangular vertical com borda inferior curva determinou o estágio pós-pico de velocidade de crescimento da adolescência. / Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the morphology of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae which represent the prepeak, peak and postpeak stages of statural growth, previously defined by ossification centers of the thumb in hand-wrist or thumb periapical radiographs. The sample was comprised of 120 lateral cephalometric radiographs of 106 patients from the Orthodontics Clinic of the School of Dentistry of Araçatuba - UNESP and from PROFIS /Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies-USP. All patients had hand-wrist or corresponding thumb periapical radiographs available. The lateral radiographs were divided into three groups of 40 radiographs according to the prepeak, peak and postpeak maturational stages, defined by the radiographic image of the thumb. The morphology of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae was determined by two calibrated examiners in two different times. The findings show that the horizontal, rectangular-shaped vertebra with straight lower border represented the prepeak stage, regardless of the analyzed vertebra. The horizontal, rectangular-shaped vertebra with curved lower border, mainly if found in C4, or the square-shaped vertebra with straight lower border was typical of the growth peak. The square-shaped or, mainly, the rectangular-shaped vertebra with curved lower border determined the postpeak stage of adolescent growth spurt. / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-09-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:36:13Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lara_ts_me_araca.pdf: 2110251 bytes, checksum: a0fe3302851e3b4440bd44f9a53c4ff3 (MD5) / O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a morfologia das 3ª e 4ª vértebras cervicais representativa dos estágios correspondentes ao pré-pico, pico e pós-pico de velocidade de crescimento estatural, definidos previamente pelos centros de ossificação do primeiro dedo em radiografias carpais ou do dedo polegar. Foram utilizadas 120 telerradiografias em norma lateral de 106 pacientes selecionados da clínica de ortodontia da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba-UNESP e Profis/HRAC-USP que apresentavam radiografias carpais ou do dedo polegar correspondentes. As telerradiografias foram divididas em três grupos de 40 radiografias de acordo com os estágios maturacionais pré-pico, pico e pós-pico definidos pela imagem do primeiro dedo. A morfologia dos corpos das 3ª e 4ª vértebras cervicais foi determinada por dois examinadores devidamente calibrados em dois tempos diferentes. Concluiu-se que o formato retangular horizontal com borda inferior reta foi representativo do estágio correspondente ao pré-pico, independentemente da vértebra analisada. Já o formato retangular horizontal com borda inferior curva, especialmente se encontrado em C4, ou o formato quadrado com borda inferior reta caracterizou o pico de velocidade de crescimento. O formato quadrado ou, principalmente, o retangular vertical com borda inferior curva determinou o estágio pós-pico de velocidade de crescimento da adolescência. / The purpose of this study was to determine the morphology of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae which represent the prepeak, peak and postpeak stages of statural growth, previously defined by ossification centers of the thumb in hand-wrist or thumb periapical radiographs. The sample was comprised of 120 lateral cephalometric radiographs of 106 patients from the Orthodontics Clinic of the School of Dentistry of Araçatuba - UNESP and from PROFIS /Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies-USP. All patients had hand-wrist or corresponding thumb periapical radiographs available. The lateral radiographs were divided into three groups of 40 radiographs according to the prepeak, peak and postpeak maturational stages, defined by the radiographic image of the thumb. The morphology of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae was determined by two calibrated examiners in two different times. The findings show that the horizontal, rectangular-shaped vertebra with straight lower border represented the prepeak stage, regardless of the analyzed vertebra. The horizontal, rectangular-shaped vertebra with curved lower border, mainly if found in C4, or the square-shaped vertebra with straight lower border was typical of the growth peak. The square-shaped or, mainly, the rectangular-shaped vertebra with curved lower border determined the postpeak stage of adolescent growth spurt.

Histological methods to estimate skeletal age at death, in forensic cases, are an alternative to the more traditional gross morphological methods. Most histological methods utilize counts of bone type within a given field for their estimation. The method presented in this paper uses the percentage area occupied by unremodeled bone to estimate age. The percentage area occupied by unremodeled bone is used in a linear regression model to predict skeletal age at death. Additionally, this method uses digital software to measure area rather than the traditional technique in which a gridded microscope is used to estimate area. The clavicle was chosen as a sample site since it is not a weight bearing bone and has little muscular insertion. These factors reduce the variation seen as a result of differences in lifestyle or activity pattern.

Incremental growth rings in X-rays of salmon vertebrae have been used since the 1980s to age Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) remains from archaeological sites in the Pacific Northwest. These age estimates, paired with generalized life history patterns, have been used to determine salmon species, season of capture and in turn season of site occupation. This approach relies on a variety of assumptions, the most fundamental of which is that rings represent true years. Archaeologists using vertebral age determination techniques have failed to adequately test this assumption and present their methodologies. This thesis assesses the validity of using incremental growth structures in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) vertebrae to determine the age at death of fish represented in archaeological sites. This project develops criteria and a protocol for the identification of true annuli and tests these identifications on a collection of modern Chinook salmon of known age. Finally, this protocol is applied to archaeological remains of Chinook from Cathlapotle (45CL1). Three collections of modern known age fish (N=121) were used to evaluate and test approaches to aging Chinook salmon with vertebrae. These collections contained juvenile and adult Chinook from throughout Washington and Oregon. I evaluated a variety of methods for viewing rings including magnified surface images, X-ray images and thin sections to determine which is the most accurate, reliable and efficient, also considering the extent of specimen destruction. Rings visible in X-rays were found to reflect the internal structure of vertebrae rather than annular growth. The number of these internal walls did not correspond to the known ages of fish and are therefore not true annuli. Criteria previously described by salmon fisheries biologist were used to isolate annuli (on the centrum surface) on the Hanford reach collection (N=46). In a test for accuracy 39 (85%) were aged correctly. In a test of reliability utilizing five additional readers all but 14 cases showed discrepancies among readers. Results of the test of reliability were not as successful as other researchers in fisheries biology but given the high accuracy rate the method remains valid. The final goal of this project was to determine the feasibility of applying the surface ring method of age determination to archaeological collections. Archaeological salmon vertebrae from Cathlapotle (45CL1) on the lower Columbia River, Washington state were utilized. One hundred salmon vertebrae were selected and classified to species according to Huber et al. (2011); 89 were identified as Chinook. Of these, 39 had sufficient preservation of the surface to view and interpret incremental rings. Three ages were identified 3, 4 and 5 year olds. This ageing protocol can be applied to archaeological Chinook salmon vertebrae to estimate age of ancient Chinook salmon. Additional work is needed on other salmon species to demonstrate the methods validity across all salmonid species. This analysis has great potential for modeling salmon paleo-life history by contributing data from salmon populations prior to the major impacts of the 19th and 20th century. This is particularly valuable for salmon conservation because information on size, the timing and duration of freshwater emigration as well as the age of spawning and death is critical to the management of hatchery and wild salmon populations.

The striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, is an oceanic dolphin found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate waters. Globally populations are threatened through direct fishing, bycatch and pollution. Little is known about the life history of this species in South African waters and it is currently listed as ‘Data Deficient’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Critical to the conservation and management of this species is an understanding of basic life history parameters. For the present study, metadata and tissues from 101 stranded S. coeruleoalba along the south-east coast of southern Africa between 1969 and 2012 were analyzed to examine age and growth, male and female reproduction and sexual dimorphism. Age and growth were determined by counting the number of growth layer groups (GLG’s) present in their teeth. A von Bertalanffy growth curve gave the best fit to the data and indicated that physical maturity was reached around 21 years in males and 18 years in females. Additionally, asymptotic lengths were reached at 231cm and 224cm in males and females, respectively. The maximum ages obtained were 21 years for males and 20 years for females. Length at birth was estimated to be between 116cm and 119cm for males and between 112cm and 114cm for females. The reproductive status of the adult dolphins was assessed by histological and macroscopic analyses of gonadal tissue. Sexual maturity was attained before physical maturity in both sexes. The males reached sexual maturity between 8 and 12 years of age and between 209 and 224cm in total body length. The maximum combined testis weight comprised about 0.24% of the total body weight and sexual maturity was reached between a combined testis weight of 16 and 41g, a mean testis length of 8 and 10cm, and a mean seminiferous tubule diameter of 44 and 70μm. Females attained sexual maturity between 7 and 8 years of age and between 213 and 216 cm in total body length. The ovulation rate was 0.32 per year and the majority of ovulations occurred in the left ovary, with ovulations occurring in the right ovary only in individuals older than 10 years of age. The annual pregnancy rate was calculated to be 26%. Reproductive seasonality could not be established due to the small sample size and the absence of samples throughout the year. However, both conceptions and births appear to occur in both August and December/January. Additionally, testis weight and seminiferous tubule diameters appear to fluctuate throughout the year, which could suggest reproductive seasonality in this species. Sexual size dimorphism in mature adults was evident for a number of external measurements, however, sexual shape dimorphism was not present in this species. Mature males had significantly longer and wider pectoral fins, dorsal fins and flukes than females (p<0.05 in all cases). It was suggested that the larger appendages are required for male on male combat during intraspecific competition for females. Additionally, larger appendages aid in thermoregulation, propulsion and maneuverability. Females had a significantly greater distance between the tip upper jaw and the genital aperture and anus, which was expected due to differences in anatomy between male and female genital openings. Overall, S. coeruleoalba did not exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism and together with the relatively small testes in relation to the total body weight (0.24%) it was proposed that this species demonstrates a less extreme form of polygyny. Additionaly, the results of this study are important to the understanding of the basic biology of the species.

Following the construction of the Pongolapoort Dam in 1974, the potential impacts on the lower Phongolo River and floodplain due to alterations in the natural flow regime have caused concerns. Fish communities and population structures are directly influenced by these alterations. The only protected section of the Phongolo River is a 15 km reach and its associated pans that flow through the Ndumo Game Reserve. Historic data shows that the community and population structure of the fish in the Phongolo Floodplain has changed as a result of irregular flood releases. The Ndumo Game Reserve plays an important role in the conservation of many ecologically and economically important species as the pans inside the reserve serve as a refuge area in which these species can breed to replenish the fish numbers in the Phongolo River. The fish diversity inside the Ndumo Game Reserve is also higher when compared to outside. During the high flow period fish move into the floodplain pans as a result of the higher water level. Oreochromis mossambicus, the most common species found in this area, utilize Nyamiti Pan for breeding but the health of this species is under pressure due to severe infestations of Lernaea cyprinacaea and nematode parasites. Lernaea cyprinacaea is a parasitic copepod associated with the introduced exotic fish species Cyprinus carpio which is found in large numbers in various pans inside Ndumo Game Reserve. The presence of this alien species in the refuge area raises concerns as it competes for the same resources as the economically important native fish species. Nyamiti Pan is largely populated by adult cichlid species between the ages of six and ten years old. The importance of flood releases which simulate natural flow regime is emphasised by the negative impacts irregular floods have on fish health, community and population structure. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015