Whisker growth in Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) and applications for stable isotope studies

Abstract

Whisker growth in Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) and applications for stable isotope studies. Ecosphere 12(11):e03846.

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“…Their sex was recorded and age determined using standard indicators including canine eruption outlined for wild devils by Pemberton 83 . Individuals were categorised as either fully-grown adults (two to four years old) or yearlings (one year old) to account for differences in whisker growth patterns 84 . Juveniles under one year and older devils (five to six years old) were excluded due to low sample size, as the sampling period was outside of the juvenile dispersal season (December to March) and older devils do not persist in populations affected by DFTD.…”

“…Juveniles under one year and older devils (five to six years old) were excluded due to low sample size, as the sampling period was outside of the juvenile dispersal season (December to March) and older devils do not persist in populations affected by DFTD. We used scissors to cut the longest posterior mystacial whisker of each individual as close as possible to the face and recorded its position within the whisker array 84 . As the length of the intradermal section of the whisker was unknown, an estimated length based on averages recorded by Attard et al for each position was added to the measured extradermal length 84 .…”

“…We used scissors to cut the longest posterior mystacial whisker of each individual as close as possible to the face and recorded its position within the whisker array 84 . As the length of the intradermal section of the whisker was unknown, an estimated length based on averages recorded by Attard et al for each position was added to the measured extradermal length 84 . We then used a discrete von Bertalanffy equation 84 – 86 to model the growth pattern of the whisker in order to cut lengths for stable isotope analysis that represented a few days.…”

“…As the length of the intradermal section of the whisker was unknown, an estimated length based on averages recorded by Attard et al for each position was added to the measured extradermal length 84 . We then used a discrete von Bertalanffy equation 84 – 86 to model the growth pattern of the whisker in order to cut lengths for stable isotope analysis that represented a few days. To remove lipids and other contaminants, whiskers were soaked for at least 20 min once in ultrapure water and twice in a 2:1 chloroform:methanol solution, then left to dry overnight.…”