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Epiphyseal fusion in brown bears: a population study of grizzlies (Ursus arctos horribilis) from Montana and Wyoming

Epiphyseal fusion in brown bears: a population study of grizzlies (Ursus arctos horribilis) from Montana and Wyoming
Epiphyseal fusion in brown bears: a population study of grizzlies (Ursus arctos horribilis) from Montana and Wyoming
This contribution presents results of a study of the timing of appendicular epiphyseal fusion in brown bears (Ursus arctos) based on the visual examination of 86 modern skeletons of grizzlies (U. a. horribilis) of known age and sex from the greater Yellowstone area, in the States of Wyoming and Montana (US). The timing of fusion in brown bears was compared with the (scant) information available for the black bear (Ursus americanus); both similarities and differences were found. It is still inconclusive whether the discrepancies stem from the methods of study (visual examination vs. X-rays) or whether they reflect real difference in fusion ages. It is suggested that data derived from U. arctos can be used profitably to investigate mortality patterns of extinct bears such as the cave bear Ursus spelaeus.
bears, ageing, epiphyseal fusion
1047-482X
416-423
Weinstock, J.
edcdb255-f6d0-4a66-8c47-28b70d79896e
Weinstock, J.
edcdb255-f6d0-4a66-8c47-28b70d79896e

Weinstock, J. (2009) Epiphyseal fusion in brown bears: a population study of grizzlies (Ursus arctos horribilis) from Montana and Wyoming. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 19 (3), 416-423. (doi:10.1002/oa.980).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This contribution presents results of a study of the timing of appendicular epiphyseal fusion in brown bears (Ursus arctos) based on the visual examination of 86 modern skeletons of grizzlies (U. a. horribilis) of known age and sex from the greater Yellowstone area, in the States of Wyoming and Montana (US). The timing of fusion in brown bears was compared with the (scant) information available for the black bear (Ursus americanus); both similarities and differences were found. It is still inconclusive whether the discrepancies stem from the methods of study (visual examination vs. X-rays) or whether they reflect real difference in fusion ages. It is suggested that data derived from U. arctos can be used profitably to investigate mortality patterns of extinct bears such as the cave bear Ursus spelaeus.

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More information

Published date: May 2009
Keywords: bears, ageing, epiphyseal fusion

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 79966
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/79966
ISSN: 1047-482X
PURE UUID: c339dbcc-3a96-41db-a241-c6ae86b05382

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 23 Mar 2010
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 00:34

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