A novel technique for aging male African elephants (Loxodonta africana) using craniofacial photogrammetry and geometric morphometrics

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2022

Abstract

Shoulder height, hind foot length, and photogrammetric craniofacial measurements were collected from male African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Etosha National Park, Namibia across a multi-year period in order to estimate ages within this population. Consistent with other populations, we found strong linear relationships between measurements of hind foot length and shoulder height that are traditionally used to infer age in the species. We also determined that photogrammetrically derived estimates of sulcus width, midface width, and craniofacial length effectively predict shoulder and foot metrics and can be used to quantify individual growth rates from photos collected over time. In addition, craniofacial metrics provide further quantifiable information on adults that would make it possible to distinguish elder individuals within the population. Finally, we explored the application of geometric morphometrics for evaluating craniofacial shape changes across male elephant age classes using photographs. Our results demonstrate how the combined use of digital photogrammetry and geometric morphometrics can complement, and in some cases, replace existing elephant aging techniques.

Identifier

85131078513 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Mammalian Biology

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-022-00238-2

e-ISSN

16181476

ISSN

16165047

First Page

591

Last Page

613

Issue

3

Volume

102

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