Generation length and percent mature estimates for IUCN assessments of cetaceans

We estimated generation length and percent mature for 58 cetacean species to assess their status using criteria developed by the IUCN. We first reviewed the literature and types of data available and then developed a set of simple rules to ensure consistent use of the best available data to estimate these parameters. The method we developed estimated percent mature for the current population and the generation length for the pre-disturbance population using a simple 5parameter demographic model based on age of first reproduction, inter-birth interval, maximum age of reproductive females, calf survival rate, and non-calf survival. When parameter estimates were not available for a species, we used available estimates from congeners. The maximum age of females was estimated based on the relationship between maximum length of females and maximum age of females for all species with data available. Generation length and percent mature were not calculated if data for the first two model parameters were unavailable for any congener (n = 29). Model-based estimates of these parameters were very close to the estimates for 6 species calculated from empirical data.

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