title: Elemental classification of the tusks of dugong (Dugong dugong) by HH-XRF analysis and comparison with other species.
abstract: The elemental composition was investigated and applied for identifying the sex and habitat of dugongs, in addition to distinguishing dugong tusks and teeth from other animal wildlife materials such as Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) tusks and tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) canine teeth. A total of 43 dugong tusks, 60 dugong teeth, 40 dolphin teeth, 1 whale tooth, 40 Asian elephant tusks and 20 tiger canine teeth were included in the study. Elemental analyses were conducted using a handheld X-ray fluorescence analyzer (HH-XRF). There was no significant difference in the elemental composition of male and female dugong tusks, whereas the overall accuracy for identifying habitat (the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand) was high (88.1%). Dolphin teeth were able to be correctly predicted 100% of the time. Furthermore, we demonstrated a discrepancy in elemental composition among dugong tusks, Asian elephant tusks and tiger canine teeth, and provided a high correct prediction rate among these species of 98.2%. Here, we demonstrate the feasible use of HH-XRF for preliminary species classification and habitat determination prior to using more advanced techniques such as molecular biology.
authors.affiliation: Animal Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
authors.forename: Korakot
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nganvongpanit
authors.affiliation: Animal Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.|Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kittisak
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Buddhachat
authors.affiliation: Animal Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
authors.forename: Promporn
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piboon
authors.affiliation: Animal Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
authors.forename: Thippaporn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Euppayo
authors.affiliation: Phuket Marine Biological Center, Phuket 83000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Patcharaporn
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaewmong
authors.affiliation: Phuket Marine Biological Center, Phuket 83000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Phaothep
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cherdsukjai
authors.affiliation: Phuket Marine Biological Center, Phuket 83000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kongkiat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kittiwatanawong
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence in Elephant Research and Education, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chatchote
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thitaram
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020454:Dugong / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D008297:Male; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / Q000379:methods; D013785:Thailand; D014070:Tooth / Q000737:chemistry