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Reconstructing the reproductive history of female polar bears using cementum patterns of premolar teeth

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Abstract

Premolar teeth collected from 220 adult female polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from western Hudson Bay, Canada, were examined to determine whether past reproductive events are recorded in cementum. The widths of annular cementum growth layer groups (GLGs) were measured and compared as proportional width index (PWI) values to correct for age and body size bias. Known reproductive states (pregnant, with cubs, or with yearlings) were used to confirm and calibrate cementum annuli. Significant differences in PWI were observed between GLGs formed the year females were pregnant versus when accompanied by cubs or yearlings. The probability of a female having produced a cub in adulthood was determined by fitting a logistic regression model between the ΔPWI of females when pregnant and with their cubs. Logistic regression of ΔPWI (β0 = −0.229, β1 = −13.465, G 2 = 46.55, df = 1, P < 0.001) correctly classified the presence or absence of cubs in 72% of GLGs. Cementum width did not vary between different litter sizes. Observations of females with early litter loss suggests that longer periods of lactation contributes to decreased cementum width and therefore cementum may record a minimum age of litter survival. Predictions of litter production rate (0.43 litters/female/year) derived from cementum were similar to field observations; however, age at first parturition was underestimated by 1 year. We conclude that patterns of cementum deposition may be useful to determine individual reproductive histories and establish course estimates of reproductive parameters when regular field observations are not feasible. We also conclude that reproductive parameters derived from cementum are not adequate on their own for monitoring populations which are in decline or under stress and field observation should not be replaced under these conditions.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the many personnel from the Canadian Wildlife Service and Manitoba Conservation who collected data and teeth from the Western Hudson Bay polar bear population since the initiation of the monitoring program. Special acknowledgment to D. Andriashek, W. Calvert, M. Kay, and C. Spencer for their assistance in the laboratory, preparation of samples, and management of the tooth archive and data, and the initial age determination of bears. Additionally, SM is grateful to Canadian Wildlife Service for the access to the archived teeth collection, associated data, laboratory space, and equipment. Additional financial support for this project came from the University of Alberta, Canadian Circumpolar Institute, (SM), and from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (AED). Funding and support of the long-term research in western Hudson Bay has been provided by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Environment Canada, Manitoba Conservation, Manitoba Sustainable Development Innovations Fund, ArcticNet, Care for the Wild International, the Nunavut Wildlife Research Trust Fund, Parks Canada Agency, Polar Bears International, and World Wildlife Fund Canada, and World Wildlife Fund International Arctic Programme.

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  1. Sarah Medill

    Present address: Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut, Box 209, Igloolik, NU, X0A 0L0, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada

    Sarah Medill, Andrew E. Derocher & Ian Stirling

  2. Wildlife Research Division, Science and Technology, Environment Canada, 5320-122 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6H 3S5, Canada

    Ian Stirling & Nick Lunn

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  1. Sarah Medill
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Correspondence to Sarah Medill.

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Medill, S., Derocher, A.E., Stirling, I. et al. Reconstructing the reproductive history of female polar bears using cementum patterns of premolar teeth. Polar Biol 33, 115–124 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-009-0689-z

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