Ageing wild vertebrates from their DNA: an investigation using Humpback Whales as an example

这个项目的目的是使用非致命的、创新的分子技术来估计单独识别的座头鲸的年龄和座头鲸种群的年龄结构。在20世纪的大规模捕鲸活动中，南半球的座头鲸数量正在缓慢恢复。该项目意义重大，因为它将首次提供这些种群年龄结构的比较信息，从而改进对长寿脊椎动物恢复和种群动态的估计。这个项目的结果将彻底改变鲸鱼和海豚的衰老研究，为致命的科学捕鲸提供一个重要的替代方案。

The aim of this project is to estimate the age of individually identified humpback whales and the age structure of humpback whale populations using non-lethal, innovative molecular techniques. Populations of humpback whales in the Southern Hemisphere are slowly recovering from intensive whaling during the 20th century. This project is significant because it will provide the first comparative information on the age structure of these populations, resulting in improved estimation of recovery and population dynamics of long-lived vertebrates. The results of this project will revolutionise research on ageing in whales and dolphins, providing an important alternative to lethal scientific whaling.