Evaluation of Body Condition in the Northwest Atlantic Harp Seal (Phoca groenlandica)

1993 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 1372-1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregor Gilpin Beck ◽  
Thomas G. Smith ◽  
Michael O. Hammill
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Core Mass ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Phoca Groenlandica ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Body Component ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Dorsal Position

We evaluated body condition in 315 harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) obtained between 1988 and 1991. Total percent lipid of blubber did not vary between the five body sites and three depths sampled. In nine winter specimens, blubber, carcass, viscera, and skin contributed 89.5, 8.7, 0.9, and 0.9% of total body lipid. Pregnant females in winter had higher percent lipid in muscle than males, but no difference was observed in percent lipid in liver or blubber or in liver mass. Those females obtained 1 mo postpartum had the highest percent lipid in muscle and liver, the heaviest livers, but the lowest blubber lipid content. Sculp mass (skin with attached blubber) increased from autumn through late winter, with pregnant females having heavier sculps than males in winter. Both sculp and core mass varied on a seasonal and annual basis in males and females. Blubber was most variable dorsally between 40 and 70% of length, measured from the snout, and thickest at 50%, coincident with the position of maximum girth. Blubber thickness measured over the sternum was significantly less variable than at the 50% dorsal position. The direct measurements of body component masses may be necessary to detect subtle differences in body condition.

scholarly journals Long-term trends in the body condition of parents and offspring of Tengmalm’s owls under fluctuating food conditions and climate change

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Kouba ◽  
Luděk Bartoš ◽  
Jitka Bartošová ◽  
Kari Hongisto ◽  
Erkki Korpimäki
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Snow Cover ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
The Body ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Tengmalm's Owl

AbstractPhysical condition is important for the ability to resist various parasites and diseases as well as in escaping predators thus contributing to reproductive success, over-winter survival and possible declines in wildlife populations. However, in-depth research on trends in body condition is rare because decades-long datasets are not available for a majority of species. We analysed the long-term dataset of offspring covering 34 years, male parents (40 years) and female parents (42 years) to find out whether the decline of Tengmalm’s owl population in western Finland is attributable to either decreased adult and/or juvenile body condition in interaction with changing weather conditions and density estimates of main foods. We found that body condition of parent owl males and females declined throughout the 40-year study period whereas the body condition of owlets at the fledging stage very slightly increased. The body condition of parent owls increased with augmenting depth of snow cover in late winter (January to March), and that of offspring improved with increasing precipitation in late spring (May to June). We conclude that the decreasing trend of body condition of parent owl males and females is important factor probably inducing reduced adult survival and reduced reproduction success thus contributing to the long-term decline of the Tengmalm’s owl study population. The very slightly increasing trend of body condition of offspring is obviously not able to compensate the overall decline of Tengmalm’s owl population, because the number of offspring in turn simultaneously decreased considerably in the long-term. The ongoing climate change appeared to work in opposite ways in this case because declining depth of snow cover will make the situation worse but increased precipitation will improve. We suggest that the main reasons for long-term decline of body condition of parent owls are interactive or additive effects of reduced food resources and increased overall predation risk due to habitat degradation (loss and fragmentation of mature and old-growth forests due to clear-felling) subsequently leading to decline of Tengmalm’s owl study population.

Biology and population dynamics of the black-flanked rock-wallaby (Petrogale lateralis lateralis) in the central wheatbelt of Western Australia

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Willers ◽  
Peter Mawson ◽  
Keith Morris ◽  
Roberta Bencini
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Resource Competition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
The Body ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Males And Females

Through a mark–recapture study, we explored aspects of the biology and population dynamics in the largest known population of the black-flanked rock-wallaby (Petrogale lateralis lateralis) at Mt Caroline Nature Reserve, in the Western Australian wheatbelt in 2007–10. The body condition index of males and females varied significantly over time but fluctuated similarly for both sexes. Males and females followed a pattern of best condition in early summer, declining through autumn and reaching their poorest condition in early spring. Body condition was closely related to rainfall in the period ~3–6 months before trapping sessions. Births occurred throughout the year with two reproductive peaks, in autumn and late winter/spring. Reproductive rates averaged over 90% annually, except in 2007 when they averaged 76%. Significantly fewer females bred during 2007, and those females were in poorer body condition. Females with a higher body condition index were more likely to reproduce (P = 0.003) but body condition did not influence the sex of offspring. The sex ratio of offspring did not differ significantly from parity and did not support either the Trivers–Willard or local resource competition hypotheses. This information should help to predict population trends and develop appropriate conservation strategies for this threatened species.

Implantation date, growth rate, and allometric relationships in foetal Northwest Atlantic harp seals (Phoca groenlandica)

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 501-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Chabot ◽  
Garry B Stenson
Keyword(s):  
Standard Length ◽  
Reliable Estimate ◽  
Allometric Relationship ◽  
Core Mass ◽  
Northwest Atlantic ◽  
Total Body Mass ◽  
Phoca Groenlandica ◽  
Length Relationship ◽  
Total Body ◽  
The Relationship

Using a sample of 150 female and 141 male foetal Northwest Atlantic harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) collected between October and February of 1980-1995, we determined that the allometric relationship between total body mass and standard length did not differ between sexes and did not differ from the relationship calculated for foetal harp seals from the study of Stewart and co-workers (R.E.A. Stewart, B.E. Stewart, D.M. Lavigne, and G.W. Miller. 1989. Can. J. Zool. 67: 2147-2157). Combining the data for foetuses from both studies, the exponent of the mass-length relationship was 2.75, significantly different from 3. Except for very small foetuses (<20 cm) standard length and mass1/2.75 increased linearly as gestation progressed. Equations are provided to estimate standard length and total mass of foetuses in the period August-February and to estimate sculp mass, core mass, and axillary girth from length for the period October-February. The most reliable estimate of implantation date (day 223, 11 August) was obtained by regressing sampling date1/2 on mass1/2.75.

TOTAL BODY BONE MINERAL CONTENT AND DENSITY IN MALES AND FEMALES AGED 10???80 YEARS

1992 ◽  
Vol 24 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S11 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Fehling ◽  
R. J. Stillman ◽  
K. A. Boileau ◽  
M. H. Slaughter ◽  
J. L. Clasey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Mineral Content ◽  
Bone Mineral ◽  
Mineral Content ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Total Body Bone Mineral ◽  
Body Bone

Comparing three body condition indices in amphibians: a case study of yellow-bellied toad Bombina variegata

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodica Plăiaşu ◽  
Tibor Hartel ◽  
Raluca Ioana Băncilă ◽  
Dan Cogălniceanu ◽  
Joost Smets
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bombina Variegata ◽  
Condition Indices ◽  
Three Body

AbstractBody condition is important because it is correlated with population and habitat quality parameters. Since the direct measurements are either lethal or unreliable, a wide range of non-lethal body condition indices has been proposed. The aim of our study was to apply and compare three body condition indices (Fulton's index, relative body condition mass index and residual index) using body size indicator – body mass data for 24 populations of the yellow bellied toad (Bombina variegata). The condition index should be independent of body size indicator, in this case snout vent length (SVL). Therefore we tested all three indices for the statistical independence of SVL and for the normality of distribution. Fulton's index violated the independence assumption, whereas the relative body condition mass index did not have a normal distribution. Residual index was found both independent of SVL and normally distributed. Moreover, the residual index highlighted biological significant differences on the basis of altitude and season. Our results recommend the residual index as a useful tool in amphibian monitoring and conservation.

scholarly journals The helminth community of a population ofRattus norvegicusfrom an urban Brazilian slum and the threat of zoonotic diseases

Parasitology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (6) ◽  
pp. 797-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ticiana Carvalho-Pereira ◽  
Fábio N. Souza ◽  
Luana R. N. Santos ◽  
Ruth Walker ◽  
Arsinoê C. Pertile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Urban Slum ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Helminth Community ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Eleven Species

AbstractUrban slums provide suitable conditions for infestation by rats, which harbour and shed a wide diversity of zoonotic pathogens including helminths. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with the probability and intensity of infection of helminths of the digestive tract in an urban slum population ofRattus norvegicus. Among 299 rats, eleven species/groups of helminths were identified, of whichStrongyloidessp.,Nippostrongylus brasiliensisand, the human pathogen,Angiostrongylus cantonensiswere the most frequent (97, 41 and 39%, respectively). Sex interactions highlighted behavioural differences between males and females, as eg males were more likely to be infected withN. brasiliensiswhere rat signs were present, and males presented more intense infections ofStrongyloidessp. Moreover, rats in poor body condition had higher intensities ofN. brasiliensis. We describe a high global richness of parasites inR. norvegicus, including five species known to cause disease in humans. Among these,A. cantonensiswas found in high prevalence and it was ubiquitous in the study area – knowledge which is of public health importance. A variety of environmental, demographic and body condition variables were associated with helminth species infection of rats, suggesting a comparable variety of risk factors for humans.

PREDICTING EMPTY BODY COMPOSITION OF CATTLE FROM CARCASS WEIGHT AND RIB CUT COMPOSITION

1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. ALHASSAN ◽  
J. G. BUCHANAN-SMITH ◽  
W. R. USBORNE ◽  
G. C. SMITH ◽  
G. C. ASHTON
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Body Protein ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Body Component ◽  
Total Body Composition ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Body Energy

Data collected on 43 steers (25 predominantly Hereford breeding (H) and 18 predominantly Angus breeding (A)) were used to generate equations to predict total body composition of Angus and Hereford steers from measurements obtained at slaughter. Empty body fat (ether extract, EBF), kg was predicted from 9–11 rib cut fat (ether extract, RF), kg and warm carcass weight (WCW), kg by the following: H — steers, EBF = − 11.49 + 44.08 RF + 0.22 WCW (R2 = 0.96, CV = 10.07%) and A — steers, EBF = − 49.30 + 31.30 RF + 0.50 WCW (R2 = 0.94, CV = 9.40%). Total empty body energy (EBE) (Mcal) was predicted from 9–11 rib cut energy (RE, Mcal) and WCW (kg) by the following: H — steers, EBE = − 252.6 + 28.85 RE + 4.26 WCW (R2 = 0.94, CV = 10.15%) and A — steers, EBE = − 434.3 + 25.48 RE + 5.64 WCW (R2 = 0.94, CV = 8.02%). Prediction of EBF and EBE from RF and RE, respectively, differed (P = 0.05) between breeds whereas prediction from WCW did not. For all steers, EBF, kg and EBE, Mcal, respectively, were predicted from WCW, kg, by the following: EBF = − 63.71 + 0.704 WCW (r2 = 0.91, CV = 12.44%) and EBE = − 537.7 + 7.377 WCW (r2 = 0.92, CV = 10.0%). Body protein (BP), kg was predicted from WCW, kg by the following: H — steers, BP = 23.31 + 0.154 WCW (r2 = 0.83, CV = 6.04%) and A — steers, BP = 11.32 + 0.195 WCW (r2 = 0.93, CV = 5.29%). Prediction of BP was not significantly improved by the inclusion of 9–11 rib protein in the equation with WCW. Prediction of body water and ash from weights of rib cut water and ash, respectively, and warm carcass weight were unacceptable. Non-linear relationships between rib cut component weights and corresponding empty body weights as well as between WCW and empty body component weights were generally not significant (P = 0.05). Inclusion of kidney and pelvic fat weight in these equations did not greatly improve their accuracy.

scholarly journals Thyroid hormone concentrations associated with age, sex, reproductive status and apparent reproductive failure in the Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T R Robeck ◽  
R S Amaral ◽  
V M F da Silva ◽  
A R Martin ◽  
G A Montano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Reference Intervals ◽  
Amazon River ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Inia Geoffrensis ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Group Sex

AbstractThis study was conducted to characterize immunoreactive thyroid hormone concentrations in wild Amazon river dolphins, also called boto (Inia geoffrensis) by age group, sex, pregnancy and lactation status, and to determine if thyroid hormone concentration differences could be detected between pregnant females with and without successful parturition outcomes. Radioimmunoassays were used to analyse total T3 and total T4 in 182 serum samples collected from 172 botos living in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, in the Brazilian Amazon from 2003 through 2015. Age significantly affected tT3 and tT4 concentrations in males, with values in immature males and females being significantly lower than those in adult males, whereas no age effects were noted between immature females and adult non-pregnant, non-lactating females. Significant sex differences were noted in tT3 concentrations between immature males and females and in tT4 concentrations between adult males and females. These resulted in significant differences in the tT3:tT4 ratio between males and females within the immature and adult groups. Lactating and non-pregnant adult females had significantly higher tT3 concentrations than pregnant females, and this difference was primarily driven by a 12% drop in tT3 concentrations during the last two-thirds of pregnancy. No differences in thyroid hormone concentrations were detected between females diagnosed as pregnant and later found to have or not have a live calf. These results are the first to define thyroid hormone reference intervals and normal physiological variations in a wild population of river dolphins.

Body condition in Svalbard reindeer and the use of blood parameters as indicators of condition and fitness

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (9) ◽  
pp. 1566-1578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jos M Milner ◽  
Audun Stien ◽  
R Justin Irvine ◽  
Steve D Albon ◽  
Rolf Langvatn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Blood Parameter ◽  
Ecological Fitness ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
Fat Thickness

Body condition is an important determinant of ecological fitness but is difficult to measure in field studies of live animals. Live mass and subcutaneous fat are often used as proxies for body condition and related to fitness. We investigated the relationship between blood-chemistry parameters and live mass and back-fat thickness and assessed their usefulness as predictors of ecological fitness in a wild arctic ungulate population, Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus). Female reindeer were sampled in late winter between 1995 and 2002 and concentrations of blood parameters were related to subsequent survival and successful calving. There was marked annual variation in all blood parameters, live mass, and back-fat thickness, reflecting variation in weather and food availability. At the individual level, variation in blood-parameter concentrations was not closely related to variation in live mass or back-fat thickness, instead reflecting shorter term nutritional status. Blood parameters could therefore provide useful additional information, enhancing the predictive power of fitness models based on live mass. The urea:creatinine ratio significantly improved adult survival models, while β-hydroxybutyric acid and creatinine concentrations were significant predictors of calving success. The applications for blood parameters in ecological investigations look promising and should be tested more widely in other field studies.

scholarly journals Relationships between fat depots and body condition score or tail fatness in the Rasa Aragonesa breed

1989 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Teixeira ◽  
R. Delfa ◽  
F. Colomer-Rocher
Keyword(s):  
Body Fat ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Total Fat ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Fat Depot ◽  
The Individual

ABSTRACTThe relationships between body fat depots and body condition score (BCS) were determined in 52 adult Rasa Aragonesa ewes aged 10 (s.d. 2) years and ranging in BCS from 1·5 to 4·5. BCS of each ewe was assessed by three people, the repeatability within individuals being 90% and between individuals 80%. The ewes were weighed before slaughter. After slaughter the omental, mesenteric, kidney and pelvic fat were separated and weighed. The fat of the left side of the carcass was separated into subcutaneous and intermuscular depots. The relationship between live weight and BCS was semilogarithmic and those between fat depots and BCS were logarithmic. Regression analysis was also used to describe the relationships between the various fat depots and BCS or live weight. Of the variation in total fat weight, proportionately 0·90 was accounted for by variations in BCS, while 0·84 was accounted for by variations in live weight. For individual fat depots proportionately 0·86 to 0·90 of the variation was accounted for by variation in BCS and 0·69 to 0·79 by variation in live weight. BCS was a better predictor than live weight of the weight of both total body fat and the individual fat depots.A curvilinear regression between BCS and live weight showed that the increases in live weight for a unit change in BCS was 7, 10, 12 and 16 kg for each one point increase in BCS from 1 to 5 respectively.The tail fat depot (tail fatness score) was assessed in the same ewes by score on a three-point scale. Of the variation in the weight of individual fat depots, proportionately 0·79 to 0·86 was accounted for by variation in tail fatness score. Thus the tail fatness score could be used as an additional method of assessing body condition in the Aragonesa breed.

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