Quantification of bone surface textures: exploring a new method of ontogenetic ageing

Identifcation of ontogenetic age classes plays an important role in the felds of zoology, palaeontology and archaeology, where accurate age classifcations of (sub)fossil remains are a crucial component for the reconstruction\nof past life. Textural ageing\xe2\x80\x94the identifcation of age-related...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Analytical Science and Technology
Main Authors: Rooij, J. (Jimmy) de, Vintges, Marleen Q., Zuidwijk, Thim, Heerkens, Carel T. H., Schulp, A. (Anne)
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2023
Subjects:
General Physics and Astronomy
General Environmental Science
General Biochemistry
Genetics and Molecular Biology
General Materials Science
General Chemistry
Roughness
Surfaces
Taphonomy
Topography
Bone
Ontogeny
Digital microscopy
Canada
Branta canadensis
Canada Goose
Online Access:https://repository.naturalis.nl/pub/800368
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40543-023-00413-1
Description
Summary:Identifcation of ontogenetic age classes plays an important role in the felds of zoology, palaeontology and archaeology, where accurate age classifcations of (sub)fossil remains are a crucial component for the reconstruction\nof past life. Textural ageing\xe2\x80\x94the identifcation of age-related bone surface textures\xe2\x80\x94provides a size-independent\nmethod for age assessment of vertebrate material. However, most of the work so far is limited to qualitative results.\nWhile qualitative approaches provide helpful insights on textural ageing patterns, they are heavily subject to observer\nbias and fall short of quantitative data relevant for detailed statistical analyses and cross-comparisons. Here, we present a pilot study on the application of 3D surface digital microscopy to quantify bone surface textures on the long\nbones of the grey heron (Ardea cinerea) and the Canada goose (Branta canadensis) using internationally verifed\nroughness parameters. Using a standardised measuring protocol, computed roughness values show a strong correlation with qualitative descriptions of textural patterns. Overall, higher roughness values correspond to increased numbers of grooves and pits and vice versa. Most of the roughness parameters allowed distinguishing between diferent\nontogenetic classes and closely followed the typical sigmoidal animal growth curve. Our results show that bone\ntexture quantifcation is a feasible approach to identifying ontogenetic age classes.

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