Relationship between telomere length and age in Black-tailed Gull

Abstract

We investigated telomere length of Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris (chick and adult) in Rishiri Island, Hokkaido and Kabushima, Aomori in relation to their age. DNAs were extracted from their bloods and detected telomere length. Telomere lengths were significantly decreased with gulls' age. But coefficient value was too small because of large variability of telomere length in both chick and adult. We suggest that it is difficult for Black-tailed Gull to estimate their age by using telomere length.