P. Rothery et al., ESTIMATING FETAL GROWTH-RATE FROM CROSS-SECTIONAL SAMPLES OF FIELD DATA WITH APPLICATION TO PILOT-WHALES, Applied Statistics, 44(2), 1995, pp. 163-172
A method is developed for estimating foetal growth rate from cross-sec
tional samples of field data, using a model for the distribution of fo
etal lengths at various times of the year to allow for a seasonal patt
ern in conception rates. The method is applied to data from catches of
pilot-whales off the Faroes taken over a 3-year period. This indirect
approach provides an estimate of gestation length which is shorter th
an previously suggested.