Document Type
Poster Presentation
Publication Date
4-24-2026
Year of Award
2026
Date Assignment Submitted
2026
Abstract
As a part of an ongoing archaeological research project, our goals aim to determine a general range of the age and size of sharks from South Inlet Park based on vertebrae recovered from an archaeological excavation. On these vertebrae are distinct ring structures which represent growth periods to identify the estimated age and size of the sharks when they were alive. Beginning this project, we cataloged different shark vertebrae and took measurements for comparison. Current findings have already narrowed down the two major types of vertebrae: lamnoid and scyliorhinoid and present the possibilities of species which have those vertebrae. As this project is ongoing, we are currently testing different methods to thin section shark vertebrae to reveal ring structures. This project can also offer insight into our success with thin sectioning, as the project experimented with multiple methods.
Publisher
Lynn University
Conference/Symposium
Lynn University Student Research Symposium
Contest
Poster Presentations: Natural Science category
City/State
Boca Raton, FL
Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Instructor
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. April Watson
Recommended Citation
Drons, Lily; Perez, Destiny; and Watson, April A., "Reading the Rings: Experimental Techniques in Shark Vertebral Analysis" (2026). Student Publications and Presentations. 225.
https://spiral.lynn.edu/studentpubs/225
