Estimating body mass of pumas (Puma concolor)

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian D. Jansen ◽  
Jonathan A. Jenks

Context Body mass of animals has been estimated using body measurements and formulas have been developed for some species of large ungulates and carnivores. Pumas (Puma concolor) are often captured for sport and research in remote and rugged terrain and equipment needed to weigh a captured animal is not often carried because of the remoteness. Aims We investigated whether body measurements were related to body mass for pumas, to develop an equation that would accurately estimate body mass of pumas within desired tolerances (~10 kg). We also used our model to predict the body mass of pumas captured in other locales, to investigate the effectiveness of our model on other populations. Methods We used multiple regression to determine the relationships between body measurements and body mass for 58 pumas in the Black Hills. We then applied our top equation to eight pumas that we captured in areas outside the Black Hills study population. Key results We found that a model using body length (cm) and head and chest circumferences (cm) explained 89% of the variation in body mass; sex and age-class information did not contribute significantly to the model. Our top equation was as follows: body mass (kg) = –61.07 + 0.21 × body length (cm) + 0.56 × head circumference (cm) + 0.83 × chest circumference (cm). The 95% prediction interval for our top model was –6.3–6.3 kg. We found the difference between predicted and actual body mass of pumas from other populations was –0.40 kg ± 1.45 (s.e.). Conclusions We found the relationship between body measurements and body mass to be similar, despite the differences in location and environments. Implications This model could be used by researchers and sport hunters to estimate the mass of a pumas that were not weighed with a scale.

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Päivi Mäntysaari

The relationship between heart girth, wither height, body length and body weight in 3- to 9.5-month-old pre-pubertal Finnish Ayrshire heifers gaining 600-650 g/d was analysed (experiment I). Regression analysis showed that heart girth was the trait most highly correlated to body weight (R2 = 0.969). Including body length or wither height as a second term in the regression, increased R2 values only slightly. When the relationship between heart girth and body weight was used to predict the body weight of heifers reared at two feeding levels (experiment II), the precision of prediction was affected by the plane of nutrition. Actual body weight for a given heart girth was slightly higher on the high than on the low feeding level. It is, nevertheless, concluded that the equations presented in the paper can be used to estimate accurately the body weight of pre-pubertal (95-140-cm heart girth) Ayrshire heifers gaining 550-700 g/d.


2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 75-82
Author(s):  
V. Djermanovic ◽  
S. Mitrovic ◽  
N. Djordjevic ◽  
M. Novakovic

The investigation included 5 stallions (average age of 10.40 years) and 33 mares (average age of 10.33 years) with pedigree of the English Thoroughbred horse breed that are used for breeding on the Stud Farm Ljubicevo - Serbia. The investigation of some significant properties relating to the exterior (at stallions) and reproductive ones (at mares) were carried out in the year 2009. The following average exterior (body) measures of the stallions: the body mass (474.80 kg), withers height (160.46 cm), trunk or body length (161.88 cm), breast circumference (187.96 cm) and tibia circumference (19.22 cm) were within the standards of this horse breed of the age. The gestation period at mares, regardless the sex of a colt, averagely lasted 337.70 days. With the mares having had a male colt, the gestation lasted a little bit longer (338.92 days) than with the mares having had female colts (336.90 days). The difference in the gestation duration (2.02 days) was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Between the age of the mares and the gestation duration (regardless the sex of a colt) it was found a positive slight correlation (rp=0.320). Furthermore, between the age of the mares and the gestation duration it was found medium (rp=0.453) correlation at male colts, and quite poor correlation (rp=0.202) at female colts. Found coefficients of the phenotype correlation were not statistically confirmed (P>0.05).


Author(s):  
D. T. Gauld ◽  
J. E. G. Raymont

The respiratory rates of three species of planktonic copepods, Acartia clausi, Centropages hamatus and Temora longicornis, were measured at four different temperatures.The relationship between respiratory rate and temperature was found to be similar to that previously found for Calanus, although the slope of the curves differed in the different species.The observations on Centropages at 13 and 170 C. can be divided into two groups and it is suggested that the differences are due to the use of copepods from two different generations.The relationship between the respiratory rates and lengths of Acartia and Centropages agreed very well with that previously found for other species. That for Temora was rather different: the difference is probably due to the distinct difference in the shape of the body of Temora from those of the other species.The application of these measurements to estimates of the food requirements of the copepods is discussed.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 288
Author(s):  
Wojciech Rusek ◽  
Joanna Baran ◽  
Justyna Leszczak ◽  
Marzena Adamczyk ◽  
Rafał Baran ◽  
...  

The main goal of our study was to determine how the age of children, puberty and anthropometric parameters affect the formation of body composition and faulty body posture development in children. The secondary goal was to determine in which body segments abnormalities most often occur and how gender differentiates the occurrence of adverse changes in children’s body posture and body composition during puberty. The study group consisted of 464 schoolchildren aged from 6–16. Body posture was assessed with the Zebris system. The composition of the body mass was tested with Tanita MC 780 MA body mass analyzer and the body height was measured using a portable stadiometer PORTSTAND 210. The participants were further divided due to the age of puberty. Tanner division was adopted. The cut-off age for girls is ≥10 years and for boys it is ≥12 years. The analyses applied descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation, stepwise regression analysis and the t-test. The accepted level of significance was p < 0.05. The pelvic obliquity was lower in older children (beta = −0.15). We also see that age played a significant role in the difference in the height of the right pelvis (beta = −0.28), and the difference in the height of the right shoulder (beta = 0.23). Regression analysis showed that the content of adipose tissue (FAT%) increased with body mass index (BMI) and decreased with increasing weight, age, and height. Moreover, the FAT% was lower in boys than in girls (beta negative equal to −0.39). It turned out that older children (puberty), had greater asymmetry in the right shoulder blade (p < 0.001) and right shoulder (p = 0.003). On the other hand, younger children (who were still before puberty) had greater anomalies in the left trunk inclination (p = 0.048) as well as in the pelvic obliquity (p = 0.008). Girls in puberty were characterized by greater asymmetry on the right side, including the shoulders (p = 0.001), the scapula (p = 0.001) and the pelvis (p < 0.001). In boys, the problem related only to the asymmetry of the shoulder blades (p < 0.001). Girls were characterized by a greater increase in adipose tissue and boys by muscle tissue. Significant differences also appeared in the body posture of the examined children. Greater asymmetry within scapulas and shoulders were seen in children during puberty. Therefore, a growing child should be closely monitored to protect them from the adverse consequences of poor posture or excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in the body.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dávid Paár ◽  
Antal Kovács ◽  
Miklós Stocker ◽  
Márk Hoffbauer ◽  
Attila Fazekas ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The so-called sports consumption models are looking for the factors that influence the sports spending of households. This paper aims to examine the Hungarian, Polish and German households’ sports expenditures which can be an important indicator of physical activity and sporty lifestyle. Methods Surveying of households in three countries (Hungary, Poland and Germany) has been conducted with a self-designed questionnaire. We have used descriptive and bivariate non-parametric and parametric statistical methods: (1) χ2 test, Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test for checking the relationship between sociodemographic and physical activity variables and (2) independent sample t-test and ANOVA for checking the differences in sports expenditures. Results Our research concluded that men, especially previous athletes, exercise more than women and those who have no history as registered athletes. The choice of sports venues is obviously different between the countries in the sample. Members of the study population spend the most on sports services while they spend the least on sports equipment. German households have the highest spending rates compared to the other two countries. Conclusions Results are in line with our previous research findings and with other literatures. The difference in preferences of sports venues could have the reason of different supply of sports clubs or the different living standards too. It needs further researches to clear it. Material wealth, income level and sport socialisation can be a determining factor regarding the level of sports spending.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Wyszyńska ◽  
Justyna Podgórska-Bednarz ◽  
Justyna Drzał-Grabiec ◽  
Maciej Rachwał ◽  
Joanna Baran ◽  
...  

Introduction. Excessive body mass in turn may contribute to the development of many health disorders including disorders of musculoskeletal system, which still develops intensively at that time.Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between children’s body mass composition and body posture. The relationship between physical activity level of children and the parameters characterizing their posture was also evaluated.Material and Methods. 120 school age children between 11 and 13 years were enrolled in the study, including 61 girls and 59 boys. Each study participant had the posture evaluated with the photogrammetric method using the projection moiré phenomenon. Moreover, body mass composition and the level of physical activity were evaluated.Results. Children with the lowest content of muscle tissue showed the highest difference in the height of the inferior angles of the scapulas in the coronal plane. Children with excessive body fat had less slope of the thoracic-lumbar spine, greater difference in the depth of the inferior angles of the scapula, and greater angle of the shoulder line. The individuals with higher level of physical activity have a smaller angle of body inclination.Conclusion. The content of muscle tissue, adipose tissue, and physical activity level determines the variability of the parameter characterizing the body posture.


2006 ◽  
Vol 66 (1a) ◽  
pp. 85-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. I. Hamann

From December 1995 to November 2000, the seasonal maturation of Glypthelmins vitellinophilum Dobbin, 1958, in its definitive host, the frog Lysapsus limellus Cope, 1862, was studied in a subtropical permanent pond in northeastern Argentina. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the infrapopulation dynamics of the parasite, analyzing the seasonal maturation cycle throughout the years; and 2) to examine the relationship between the intensity of trematode infection in different developmental stages (recruitment, growth and maturation) and the host's body length. Of a total of 1,400 frogs examined over 60 months (5 years), 38% were found to be infected with G. vitellinophilum, and the intensity of infection was 1-15 trematodes per frog. Specimens of G. vitellinophilum were present in L. limellus throughout the years, but did not show a pronounced seasonal maturation cycle. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed with reference to climatic fluctuations and biotic factors. The infective period of the parasite (stage I) occurred in summer, autumn and spring, coinciding with the time each frog cohort appeared. These infections were found principally in small body sizes (classes 1 and 2) of L. limellus. Juvenile and nongravid specimens of worms (stage II and III) were found in frogs of different body sizes throughout the period of investigation. Gravid specimens of the parasite (stage IV) were generally recorded in autumn, winter and spring, mainly in the bodies of larger frogs. The body length of Trematodes in stages I and IV was significantly and positively correlated with that of the frogs.


Author(s):  
Andri Wibowo

Astragalus bone is one of the most important fossil records as it can reconstruct the prehistoric life. Respectively, this study aims to model the body mass, habitat preference, and population density of prehistoric bovid Duboisia santeng (Dubois 1891) in eastern Java island in the early Pleistocene. The astragali from 9 specimens were used to estimate the body mass and population density. Likewise regression models are used to analyze the relationship between astragalus lateral length, width, and body mass compared to the astragalus of extant Bovid species. The result revealed the body mass average was 60.3 kg (95%CI: 58.9-61.7) and this indicates the D. santeng belongs to large herbivores. While the population density was estimated at about 5.39 individuals per km2 (95% CI: 3.18-7.6).


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Peña Dieste Pérez ◽  
Luis M. Esteban ◽  
Ricardo Savirón-Cornudella ◽  
Faustino R. Pérez-López ◽  
Sergio Castán-Mateo ◽  
...  

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study aimed to assess reduced fetal growth between 35 weeks of gestation and birth in non-small for gestational age fetuses associated with adverse perinatal outcomes (APOs). <b><i>Material and Method:</i></b> It is a retrospective cohort study of 9,164 non-small for gestational age fetuses estimated by ultrasound at 35 weeks. The difference between the birth weight percentile and the estimated percentile weight (EPW) at 35 weeks of gestation was calculated, and we studied the relationship of this difference with the appearance of APO. APOs were defined as cesarean or instrumental delivery rates for nonreassuring fetal status, 5-min Apgar score &#x3c;7, arterial cord blood pH &#x3c;7.10, and stillbirth. Fetuses that exhibited a percentile decrease between both moments were classified into 6 categories according to the amount of percentile decrease (0.01–10.0, 10.01–20.0, 20.01–30.0, 30.01–40.0, 40.01–50.0, and &#x3e;50.0 percentiles). It was evaluated whether the appearance of APO was related to the amount of this percentile decrease. Relative risk (RR) was calculated in these subgroups to predict APOs in general and for each APO in particular. Receiver operating characteristic and area under curves (AUC) for the difference in the percentile was calculated, used as a continuous parameter in the entire study population. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The median gestational age at delivery in uncomplicated pregnancies was 40.0 (39.1–40.7) and in pregnancies with APOs 40.3 (49.4–41.0), <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001. The prevalence of APOs was greater in the group of fetuses with a decrease in percentile (7.6%) compared to those with increased percentile (4.8%) (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). The RR was 1.63 (95% CI: 1.365–1.944, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Although the differences were significant in all decreased percentile groups, RRs were significantly higher when decreased growth values were &#x3e;40 points (RR: 2.036, 95% CI: 1.581–2.623, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). The estimated value of the AUC for percentile decrease was 0.58 (0.56–0.61, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Fetuses with a decrease in the EPW between the ultrasound at 35 weeks of gestation and birth have a higher risk of APOs, being double in fetuses with a decrease of &#x3e;40 percentile points.


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