Skip to main content
Dryad

Data and code from: A framework for estimating age and growth using sibship relationships inferred from genomics data

Lewandoski, Sean1; Brunner, Samantha2; Flinn, Shane2; Fong, Steven R.2; Robinson, John D.2; Homola, Jared2; Scribner, Kim2

Published Jul 03, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.d7wm37qfv

Data files

Jul 03, 2026 version files 685.86 KB

Click names to download individual files

Abstract

Pedigree reconstruction based on genomics data offers a novel approach for estimating age and growth in wild populations. However, frameworks that use reconstructed pedigrees to parameterize growth models have not been available. We developed a sibship age and growth framework and evaluated the approach using simulation and an empirical application to sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) age and growth analysis. Simulation research revealed that the framework may be widely applicable to semelparous fishes. Applicability to iteroparous fishes was constrained to scenarios in which the percentage of multiage sibling groups was low. Age assignment using the framework was unbiased for sibling groups first captured at younger ages. Age assignment for sibling groups first captured at older ages were biased low due to the hierarchical approach we adopted to estimate sibling group age-at-first-capture. However, this did not result in biased growth parameter estimates. Additionally, model output allowed for identification of unreliable age assignments. Finally, the empirical application provided evidence that the framework could address knowledge gaps that have been challenging to address with established age and growth methods.