Effect of body size, body mass, and body condition on reproduction of female South African fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) in Namibia

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 1418-1424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Guinet ◽  
Jean Paul Roux ◽  
Marielle Bonnet ◽  
Valérie Mison
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Implantation Rate ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Nutritional Conditions ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation

The relationships between female reproductive parameters (fertility, pregnancy, and lactation status) and body mass, body condition, and body length in South African fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) were investigated over 4 years. Ovulation rate in every year was 100% despite interannual differences in female body condition index (BCI). The overall pregnancy rate was 79%. The proportion of pregnant females was related to BCI but not to body mass or body length. In good years, BCI decreased through the first part of the reproductive cycle to a minimum at implantation and increased again through pregnancy. In 1989, BCI declined over the whole reproductive cycle, and there was a higher proportion of nonpregnant females and failures of lactation. Thus, poor nutritional conditions may affect reproductive success through failure to rear a pup, and pup production the following year may also be reduced. This lower rate of pregnancy is partly explained by an increase in the incidence of spontaneous abortions, but other parameters such as a lower implantation rate are also likely to be involved.

Effect of body size, body mass, and body condition on reproduction of female South African fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) in Namibia

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 1418-1424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Guinet ◽  
Jean Paul Roux ◽  
Marielle Bonnet ◽  
Valérie Mison
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
South African ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Fur Seals

Are roads and traffic sources of physiological stress for the Florida scrub-jay?

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gina M. Morgan ◽  
Travis E. Wilcoxen ◽  
Michelle A. Rensel ◽  
Stephan J. Schoech
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Physiological Effects ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Florida Scrub ◽  
The Road ◽  
Threatened And Endangered Species ◽  
Chronic Stressor

Context Anthropogenic disturbances induce physiological and behavioural responses in numerous species. The negative effects of human disturbance are of special concern to threatened and endangered species. Aims The present study aims to compare physiological stress measures and reproductive success of Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) living near roads with jays that live away from roads. Specifically, it aims to test whether roads are stressful. Methods We assessed physiological measures that can serve as indicators of ‘stress’ to determine whether a highway that bisects our study site had physiological effects on adult male Florida scrub-jays. We captured male breeders from three territory types, including scrub habitat that (1) bordered a highway with a grassy shoulder that created an ‘edge’ habitat (roadside), (2) bordered human-maintained habitat (a plowed firebreak of sand with adjacent pasture) that served as a control for the edge-effect of the road (pasture) and (3) contained only natural scrub habitat (interior). We measured baseline concentrations of the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT), body mass, and a suite of longitudinal body measures to generate a body condition index in males from each territory type over three breeding seasons. Key results Roadside jays had greater body mass than did interior and pasture jays, although there were no differences in overall baseline CORT concentrations or body condition among territory classes. There was no difference in clutch initiation date or size and nestling and independent-young survival. Conclusions Our results suggest that the road through our study site has physiological effects on Florida scrub-jays; however, there is mixed evidence as to whether it acts as a chronic stressor. Implications Our findings provide evidence that roads and road-associated disturbance has neutral or potentially beneficial physiological effects of roads on Florida scrub-jays. Knowledge of these effects of roads and disturbance on jays will hopefully provide additional opportunities to improve conservation of this species.

Fetal growth and the condition of pregnant northern fur seals off western North America from 1958 to 1972

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (11) ◽  
pp. 2125-2131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew W. Trites
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Gulf Of Alaska ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
The North ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Northern Fur Seals ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
The North Pacific

Annual estimates of the condition of pregnant northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) and the size of their fetuses were determined from over 2600 samples collected in the North Pacific from 1958 to 1972. A condition index related the observed mass of pregnant females (adjusted for fetal mass) to their predicted mass (calculated from body length). It showed that females carrying male fetuses were in poorer condition than those carrying female fetuses. It also showed that the mean condition of pregnant females improved from 1958 to 1964, but dropped sharply in 1965. Body condition remained poor until 1972, when it plunged again. Fetal mass declined throughout the 1960s, unlike body length, which changed very little. It is suggested that fetal growth, particularly mass, is a sensitive indicator of feeding conditions during the last trimester of pregnancy while pregnant females are in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. It is further speculated that the condition index for adults reflects overall feeding conditions experienced throughout the annual migration.

scholarly journals Lactation and gestation in dairy cows: flexibility avoids nutritional extremes

2001 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher H. Knight
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Nutritional Conditions ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Intensively Managed

The modern dairy cow has been selectively bred to produce large amounts of milk. Partly as a result, food consumption is considerably less than milk energy output in early lactation. It is only at 2 months or more postpartum that intake increases to the point where positive energy balance is regained, the initial production being achieved by a substantial mobilisation of body reserves. These reserves are laid down before parturition, but it is certainly not the case that the pregnant cow will accumulate adipose tissue recklessly; in the last third of pregnancy well-fed cows in good body condition exhibit reduced, not increased, appetite. There is a fine balancing act to perform. Excessive body condition at parturition quickly leads to metabolic problems such as ketosis, but cows who subsequently become too thin have increased risk of metabolic diseases such as mastitis and lameness. The biological mechanisms regulating output of milk are reasonably well understood, those controlling appetite less well so, and there has been little attempt at systematic integration of the two. The transition from pregnancy to lactation represents a major challenge to homeostasis, made more complicated in multiparous cows by the fact that much of gestation is concurrent with lactation. Herein lies the potential for nutritionally-entrained flexibility. In the wild, concurrent pregnancy and lactation only occur when nutritional conditions are favourable. If conditions are poor, rebreeding will be delayed and lactation will continue, at an energetically-sustainable level, for much longer than its ‘normal’ duration. In this way the twin energetic burdens of pregnancy and lactation are separated, and extremes are avoided. Given the increasing public concern about stresses suffered by intensively-managed dairy cows, this case may be one where commercial dairying could learn useful lessons from nature.

scholarly journals An alternative method for determining the body condition index of the free-living South American coati

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 561-569
Author(s):  
Filipe Martins Santos ◽  
David Risco ◽  
Nayara Yoshie Sano ◽  
Gabriel Carvalho de Macedo ◽  
Wanessa Teixeira Gomes Barreto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Chest Girth ◽  
Biometric Measurements

Assessing and monitoring the welfare of free-living mammals is not a usual process due to the logistical complications associated with their capture and sedation, collection and storage of biological samples and their release. In this context, non-invasive methods for monitoring wildlife constitute a good alternative approach for in situ conservation. Body condition index, as a measurement of health status, has been used in free-living mammals; its low value may be associated with negative effects on reproduction and survival. The present study aimed to generate an alternative and reliable non-invasive method and then determine the body condition index, based on previously-collected biometric measurements, without the need to capture and immobilise the animals. A total of 178 free-living Nasua nasua Linnaeus, 1766 were trapped, weighed and measured. Statistical methods were used, based on Boosted Regression Trees (BRT) using body mass, biometric measurements (body length, height and chest girth) and gender as explanatory variables. To assess the agreement between the real Body Condition Indices (BCIs) and the predicted values of BCIs, we explored the correlation between each model using the Bland-Altman method. This method showed a strong agreement between the predictive BRT models proposed (standardised residuals from a linear regression between body length and chest girth) and standardised residuals (linear regression between body mass and body length). The results obtained herein showed that BRT modelling, based on biometrical features, is an alternative way to verify the body conditions of coatis without the need to capture and immobilise the animals.

Body Mass, Wing Length, and Condition of Wintering Ducks Relative to Hematozoa Infection

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph P. Fleskes ◽  
Andrew M. Ramey ◽  
Andrew B. Reeves ◽  
Julie L. Yee
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Wing Length ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Central Valley ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Northern Pintail

Abstract Waterfowl managers lack information regarding factors that may be reducing the positive response of waterfowl body condition to habitat improvements. Protozoan blood parasites (i.e., hematozoa) are commonly found in birds and have been related to reduced body mass, wing length, and body condition. We studied relationships between 12 measures of hematozoa infection and body mass, wing length, and body mass divided by wing length (i.e., body condition index) of the five most common duck species (northern pintail [Anas acuta], mallard [A. platyrhynchos], green-winged teal [A. crecca], American wigeon [A. americana], northern shoveler [A. clypeata]) wintering in the Central Valley of California during October 2006–January 2007. After accounting for variation due to species, age–sex cohort, Central Valley region, and month, wing length, body mass, and body condition index were found to be negatively related to infection by Leucocytozoon and by “any hematozoa” but not related to infection by only Plasmodium or Haemoproteus, or coinfections of greater than one genus or parasite haplotype (albeit few ducks had Plasmodium or Haemoproteus infection or coinfections). Evidence of a negative relationship with infection was stronger for body mass and body condition index than for wing length and indicated that the relationships varied among species, age–sex cohorts, regions, and months. Compared with uninfected ducks, hematozoa-infected duck body mass, wing length, and body condition index was −1.63% (85% CI = −2.79% to −0.47%), −0.12% (−0.41% to 0.17%), and −1.38% (−2.49% to −0.26%), respectively. Although seemingly small, the −1.63% difference in body mass represents a large percentage (e.g., 38% for northern pintail) of the observed increase in wintering duck body mass associated with Central Valley habitat improvements. Because infection prevalence and relationship to body condition might change over time because of climate or other factors, tracking hematozoa infection prevalence might be important to inform and accurately assess the effect of conservation programs designed to improve waterfowl body condition.

Male mating success is related to body condition and stress-induced leukocyte response in an anuran with scramble competition

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 391-398
Author(s):  
M.S. Gastón ◽  
M. Vaira
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Scramble Competition ◽  
The Body ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Index Value ◽  
Leukocyte Response

Competition among males can be a decisive factor for successful mating in anuran explosive breeders with a male-biased population sex ratio. The Yungas Red-belly Toad (Melanophryniscus rubriventris (Vellard, 1947)) is an explosive breeder where males exhibit a classic scramble competition. We studied the body size, body condition, and stress-induced leukocyte response of M. rubriventris males under natural scenarios of scramble competition. We hand-captured adult males (categorised as single, in pairs, or in mating balls) and determined their body mass and length, body condition, and their leukocyte profile. We found that males in pairs had significantly higher body mass than single males and those in mating balls. We found the highest percentage of individuals with better body condition within the paired males who showed significantly higher body condition index value than singles or those in mating balls. Amplectant males (those collected in pairs or in mating balls) had a significantly lower proportion of lymphocytes and higher neutrophil–lymphocyte ratios than singles. Amplectant males showed significantly higher proportions of neutrophils or eosinophils than singles. Our results suggest that M. rubriventris males with better body condition can be more successful in acquiring mates, although scramble competition among males can trigger a stress response.

Prenatal investment in the subantarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus tropicalis

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 601-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Yves Georges ◽  
Christophe Guinet
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
Maternal Body ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
Maternal Resources ◽  
Arctocephalus Tropicalis

We investigated prenatal investment in a large sexually dimorphic mammal, the subantarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus tropicalis, on Amsterdam Island in the Indian Ocean. Pups' sex ratio and body mass, body length, and body condition at birth were studied in relation to timing of birth and maternal characteristics (body length and body condition) during three consecutive breeding seasons. Pups' sex ratio did not differ from unity throughout the pupping period. The sex of the pup was related to neither maternal body length (i.e., maternal age) nor maternal body condition when mating occurred or at parturition (1 year later), which suggests that the sex ratio was not biased toward one sex during gestation. Newborn male pups were heavier and longer than female pups in all years. Longer mothers tended to arrive later in the season regardless of their body condition, and gave birth to heavier pups whatever the sex of the pup. Mothers in good condition gave birth to heavier male pups than mothers in poor condition, but no significant differences were found for female pups, suggesting that the costs of carrying male foetuses is higher than that of carrying female foetuses. Differences in allocation of maternal resources between male and female pups may be due to sex-related differences in body composition, since male pups were heavier than female pups for a given body length at birth. Thus, male and female foetuses may use maternal resources differently, with males growing in length whereas females appear to grow in body mass. The mothers we monitored over 2 consecutive years gave birth to pups that were similar in quality (in terms of birth mass) over years regardless of the sex of the previous pup and the mother's body length, suggesting that individual reproductive value is independent of maternal age. Furthermore, maternal body condition was not affected by the sex of the foetus, suggesting that there is no differential reproductive cost in carrying a male or a female foetus. Interannual differences in pup body size at birth suggest that environmental conditions such as prey availability during the last stages of gestation, and consequent maternal body condition, are important components of maternal investment in fur seals.

scholarly journals Body mass as an estimate of female body condition in a hibernating small mammal

2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-42
Author(s):  
Caitlin P. Wells ◽  
James A. Wilson ◽  
Douglas A. Kelt ◽  
Dirk H. Van Vuren
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Structural Size ◽  
Demographic Traits ◽  
Fat Stores ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Reproduction Stage

In hibernating squirrels, the amount of energy stored as fat may influence several important demographic traits, but is difficult to quantify in living animals. Thus, several non-destructive indices of body condition are used, including simple indices that use body mass and scaled indices that correct body mass for structural size. However, the accuracy of these indices for hibernating squirrels is poorly known. We used measurements of total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) from adult female Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels (Callospermophilus lateralis) to characterize body composition (lean mass versusfat mass) and condition (fat stores) at multiple stages in the circannual cycle. Body mass explained a high proportion of the variation in fat mass during the emergence and pre-hibernation stages, but less during the reproduction stage. Contrary to expectation, correcting for structural size did not markedly improve the condition index. Our results suggest that body mass is a good estimate of body condition during the periods of emergence and pre-hibernation fattening, and therefore may be useful to predict important components of fitness such as reproductive success and overwinter survival.

scholarly journals Bone Radiographic Changes in Slaughter Buffalos with Low Body Condition Index

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Antonio Carlos Cunha Lacreta Junior ◽  
Washington Luiz Assunção Pereira ◽  
José Augusto Pereira Carneiro Muniz ◽  
Mariana Avelino de Souza Santos ◽  
Thâmira Mota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Energy Deficit ◽  
Radiographic Examination ◽  
Radiographic Findings ◽  
Cu Deficiency ◽  
Bone Changes ◽  
Plastic Bag ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Radiographic Changes

Background: The largest buffalo herd in Brazil is located on the Island of Marajó, in the State of Pará, northern Brazil. The pastures of the Island of Marajó consist of low quality graminaceous plants, which are generally poor in protein and mineral content. Unbalanced diets associated with low quality pastures are responsible for latent, sub-clinical diseases and metabolic disorders in bovines which affect bone health, especially in periods such as pregnancy and lactation. The purpose of this study was to point out and to describe the radiographic bone changes of buffalos with low body index bred in extensive system and intended for slaughter on the Island of Marajó, Brazil.Materials, Methods & Results: Radiographic examinations of anatomical pieces were obtained from 34 animals of buffalo species, with no distinction of gender, age, or breed. The animals were selected among those that were in the stockyard waiting for slaughtering for the obtainment of the anatomical pieces. For this selection, low physical condition was considered, which mainly included individuals with body condition indexes (ICC) of 1 and 2, on a scale of 1 to 5. From this selection, 98 anatomical pieces were obtained, which included: 28 sets of ribs, 20 femurs, 26 metacarpus, 7 mandibles, 3 radius and ulnas, 4 sets of vertebrae, 4 sets of metacarpus and phalanges, 1 tarsus and 1 set of tarsus and metatarsus. All the pieces were separated, identified, packed in plastic bag and forwarded to the radiographic study. At least one radiographic projection was obtained of each anatomical piece. These were identified, manually processed and stored for subsequent assessment. A single observer, in order to identify and to describe the bone radiographic changes, subjectively performed the radiographic assessment.Discussion: Bone changes were remarkable and in animals of this study, reinforcing the nutritional aspect as being of great importance for the perfect mineral homeostasis and for the osteoarticular system maintenance. Consistent radiographic findings with osteopenia are most often related to nutritional disorders that affect bone metabolism, mainly involving the homeostasis of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). The nutritional hyperparathyroidism, more commonly reported in dogs, cats and exotic animals is a common example of these affections, in which the bone radiopacity reduction is the most evident radiographic aspect. Copper (Cu) deficiency has been correlated with osteochondrosis, epiphyseal fracture of the femoral head and degenerative arthropathy of the hip joint, and erosion of the articular cartilage in a deer (Cervu selaphus). Degenerative arthropathy through radiographs was also found in this study. From the bone radiographic analysis, it is concluded that the osteodystrophic diseases of buffalos raised in pasture system on the Island of Marajó, Pará, Brazil, present a variety of pathological conditions and the most commonly found were: osteoporosis characterized at the radiographic examination for the bone decreased radiopacity, change in bone trabeculae (medullary expansion) and cortical thinning, followed by pathological fractures with high incidence in the ribs. The low body condition, the underdevelopment and cachexia states of the animals in this study indicate the lack of an appropriate prophylactic conduct and a proper feed management. Therefore, the low reserves of P and Cu in the organism may have contributed to the osteoporotic process and, possibly, also to the protein-energy deficit, leading to secondary bone changes and causing a lack of productivity in the herd.

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