Re: paleonet Length as a proxy for age

["Matthew C. Mihlbachler" <mihlbach@xxxxxxxx>]

Crown height is commonly used as a proxy for age among fossil and 
living mammals with hypsodont dentition, though this is an inverse 
relationship and is a function of wear not growth. Its works pretty 
well for hypsodont animals that have a relatively constant rate of 
dental wear, but less well for more brachydont species. I have many 
references if you need/want any.

Matthew C. Mihlbachler
American Museum of Natural History
Division of Paleontology
Central Park West @ 79th St.
New York, NY 10024
phone: 212 769 5747
fax: 212 769 5842
email: mihlbach@amnh.org



>Hi
>I am presently working on a growth series analysis for a group of 
>animals who's growth strategy is still unknown. I was hoping to use 
>the length of a specific character as a proxy for age. I understand 
>that this is traditional practice in paleontology, and I would like 
>to document other instances in which the length of a feature was 
>used to indicate its age.
>
>Does anyone have any examples of instances where length was used as 
>an age indicator? this would be particularly interesting if i could 
>include examples from various groups of fossils (vertebrates, 
>invertebrates, plants...).
>
>Thanks for the help,
>
>Marc
>
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