Indexes of Condition for Small Mammals

Estimates of body condition in mammals may be constructed from measures of skeletal size and body mass. We illustrate the methodology for doing this using data from two populations of feral house mice (Mus domesticus) in Australia, and point out an erroneous method that has commonly been used in the literature. Indices of condition for individual house mice were not correlated with the fat content of their carcasses. Indices of condition for house mice have a relatively low repeatability because of variation from day to day in body mass and because of variation in length measurements taken by different observers. Bias in measurements among observers must be eliminated to make indices of condition from live animals useful.

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Evaluating body condition in small mammals

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z01-073 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 79 (6) ◽

pp. 1021-1029 ◽

Cited By ~ 110

Author(s):

A I Schulte-Hostedde ◽

J S Millar ◽

G J Hickling

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Isotope Dilution ◽

Condition Index ◽

Dry Mass ◽

Fat Content ◽

Body Water ◽

Deer Mice ◽

Fitness Consequences ◽

Neotoma Cinerea

Body condition (energy reserves) can have important fitness consequences. Measuring condition of live animals is typically done by regressing body mass on measures of body size and using the residuals as an index of condition. The validity of this condition index was evaluated by determining whether it reflected measured fat content of five species of small mammals (yellow-pine chipmunks (Tamias amoenus Allen), bushy-tailed wood rats (Neotoma cinerea Ord), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus Ord), red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi Vigors), and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus Ord)). We also determined whether body water could predict fat content, enabling the use of hydrogen-isotope dilution for estimating condition. For all five species, condition estimates weakly predicted fat content and more accurately predicted variation in lean dry mass and water content. The relationship between body water and fat content was inconsistent among the five species, discouraging against the general use of isotope dilution in these animals. Although ecologically important, these indices are best interpreted as explaining variation in all constituents of body composition.

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Effects of voluntary activity and genetic selection on aerobic capacity in house mice (Mus domesticus)

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1998.84.1.69 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 84 (1) ◽

pp. 69-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 130

Author(s):

John G. Swallow ◽

Theodore Garland ◽

Patrick A. Carter ◽

Wen-Zhi Zhan ◽

Gary C. Sieck

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Aerobic Capacity ◽

Genetic Selection ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

House Mice ◽

Mus Domesticus ◽

Voluntary Activity ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Running Wheels

Swallow, John G., Theodore Garland, Jr., Patrick A. Carter, Wen-Zhi Zhan, and Gary C. Sieck. Effects of voluntary activity and genetic selection on aerobic capacity in house mice ( Mus domesticus). J. Appl. Physiol. 84(1): 69–76, 1998.—An animal model was developed to study effects on components of exercise physiology of both “nature” (10 generations of genetic selection for high voluntary activity on running wheels) and “nurture” (7–8 wk of access or no access to running wheels, beginning at weaning). At the end of the experiment, mice from both wheel-access groups were significantly lighter in body mass than mice from sedentary groups. Within the wheel-access group, a statistically significant, negative relationship existed between activity and final body mass. In measurements of maximum oxygen consumption during forced treadmill exercise (V˙o 2 max), mice with wheel access were significantly more cooperative than sedentary mice; however, trial quality was not a significant predictor of individual variation in V˙o 2 max. Nested two-way analysis of covariance demonstrated that both genetic selection history and access to wheels had significant positive effects on V˙o 2 max. A 12% difference inV˙o 2 max existed between wheel-access selected mice, which had the highest mass-correctedV˙o 2 max, and sedentary control mice, which had the lowest. The respiratory exchange ratio at V˙o 2 max was also significantly lower in the wheel-access group. Our results suggest the existence of a possible genetic correlation between voluntary activity levels (behavior) and aerobic capacity (physiology).

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Condition-dependent behaviour among damselfly populations

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z04-036 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 82 (4) ◽

pp. 653-659 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Dirk Johannes Mikolajewski ◽

Frank Johansson ◽

Tomas Brodin

Keyword(s):

Muscle Mass ◽

Body Mass ◽

Body Condition ◽

Good Condition ◽

Fat Content ◽

Energy Gain ◽

Larval Behaviour ◽

Lestes Sponsa ◽

Dependent Behaviour

Body condition is predicted to influence behaviours such as activity, which in turn affects energy gain and survival. In this study we investigated (i) whether populations of the damselfly Lestes sponsa (Hansemann, 1823) differ in body condition and activity among lakes, and (ii) which body condition factors affect behaviour. We estimated last instar larval behaviour (measured as activity), body condition (measured as size, body mass, muscle mass, fat content, and time to emergence), and fish presence/absence in eight lakes. Body condition of larvae differed among lakes but the presence/absence of fish in lakes had no effect on body condition. Activity did not differ among lakes and was not affected by the presence/absence of fish in lakes. Activity was negatively related to size, body mass, muscle mass, and fat content, and positively related with time to emergence, suggesting that final-instar larvae in good condition are favouring development over growth to emerge earlier. This study highlights the importance of differences in condition among populations and among individuals.

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Effects of radio collars on wild mice, Mus domesticus

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z90-239 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 68 (7) ◽

pp. 1607-1609 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Odile Pouliquen ◽

Michelle Leishman ◽

Trevor D. Redhead

Keyword(s):

Adverse Effects ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Small Mammals ◽

House Mice ◽

Mus Domesticus ◽

Wild Animals ◽

Wild Mice ◽

Wild House Mice

Experiments were conducted in the laboratory and in the field to test the effects of radio collars (1.7–1.9 g) on wild house mice (Mus domesticus). There was a decrease in the activity of the collared animals in the laboratory immediately after collar attachment. There were no adverse effects on social interactions in the laboratory, nor on survival for 4–5 days in the field. Provided that the collar is well adjusted, there should be no need to keep wild animals captive for more than 1 h after collar attachment. These results are consistent with those of other researchers on the effect of transmitters on some species of small mammals.

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The impact of late-career job loss and genetic risk on body mass index: Evidence from variance polygenic scores

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-86716-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lauren L. Schmitz ◽

Julia Goodwin ◽

Jiacheng Miao ◽

Qiongshi Lu ◽

Dalton Conley

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Complex Traits ◽

Job Loss ◽

Past Research ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Polygenic Scores ◽

Show Evidence ◽

Using Data ◽

The Impact

AbstractUnemployment shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic have reignited concerns over the long-term effects of job loss on population health. Past research has highlighted the corrosive effects of unemployment on health and health behaviors. This study examines whether the effects of job loss on changes in body mass index (BMI) are moderated by genetic predisposition using data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS). To improve detection of gene-by-environment (G × E) interplay, we interacted layoffs from business closures—a plausibly exogenous environmental exposure—with whole-genome polygenic scores (PGSs) that capture genetic contributions to both the population mean (mPGS) and variance (vPGS) of BMI. Results show evidence of genetic moderation using a vPGS (as opposed to an mPGS) and indicate genome-wide summary measures of phenotypic plasticity may further our understanding of how environmental stimuli modify the distribution of complex traits in a population.

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Potential impacts of poison baiting for introduced house mice on native animals on islands in Jurien Bay, Western Australia

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr15126 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 61 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Clifford Bennison ◽

J. Anthony Friend ◽

Timothy Button ◽

Harriet Mills ◽

Cathy Lambert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Western Australia ◽

Rhodamine B ◽

Native Species ◽

House Mice ◽

Mus Domesticus ◽

Target Species ◽

Island Populations ◽

Delivery Technique ◽

Poison Baiting ◽

Competition For Resources

Context House mice (Mus domesticus) are present on Boullanger and Whitlock islands, Western Australia, and could potentially threaten populations of the dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) and grey-bellied dunnart (Sminthopsis griseoventer) through competition for resources. A workshop in 2007 recommended a study to assess the feasibility of eradicating house mice from the islands by using poison baits and of the risk posed to non-target native species. Aim We aimed to assess the risk to non-target native species if poison baiting was used to eradicate house mice on Boullanger and Whitlock islands. Methods Non-toxic baits containing the bait marker rhodamine B were distributed on Boullanger Island and on the mouse free Escape Island to determine the potential for primary poisoning. Acceptance of baits by mammals was measured through sampling and analysis of whiskers, and by reptiles through observations of dye in faeces. To determine the potential for secondary exposure to poison, the response of dibblers to mouse carcasses was observed using motion-activated cameras. Bait acceptance was compared using two methods of delivery, namely, scattering in the open and delivery in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes. A cafeteria experiment of bait consumption by dibblers was also undertaken using captive animals held at the Perth Zoo. Ten dibblers were offered non-toxic baits containing rhodamine B in addition to their normal meals; consumption of bait and the presence of dye in whiskers were measured. Key results Bait acceptance on the islands was high for house mice (92% of individuals) and dibblers (48%) and it was independent of bait-delivery technique. There was no evidence of bait acceptance by grey-bellied dunnarts. Dibblers may consume mice carcasses if available; however, no direct consumption of mice carcasses was observed with movement sensor cameras but one dibbler was observed removing a mouse carcass and taking it away. During the cafeteria experiment, 9 of 10 captive dibblers consumed baits. Conclusions This investigation demonstrated that dibblers consume baits readily and island populations would experience high mortality if exposed to poison baits. Poison baiting could effectively eradicate mice from Boullanger and Whitlock islands but not without mortality for dibblers. Implications Toxic baits could be used to eradicate mice from Boullanger and Whitlock islands, provided that non-target species such as dibblers were temporarily removed from the islands before the application of baits.

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

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr11029 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 301 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

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.

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54 Body Mass Index vs Weight-for-Length in Infancy and Cardiometabolic Outcomes at Age 8-10 Years

Paediatrics & Child Health ◽

10.1093/pch/pxab061.043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. e39-e39

Author(s):

Jean-Baptiste Roberge ◽

Soren Harnois-Leblanc ◽

Vanessa McNealis ◽

Andraea van Hulst ◽

Tracie A Barnett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Predictive Ability ◽

Subject Area ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Growth Monitoring ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Eta Squared ◽

Z Scores ◽

Using Data

Abstract Primary Subject area Public Health and Preventive Medicine Background The WHO provides body mass index (BMI) curves for infants 0 to < 2 years old, but how these compare to the recommended method (weight-for-length [WFL]) in predicting later adiposity and cardiometabolic measures is uncertain. Objectives Our project aimed to: 1) confirm that WFL and BMI in infancy are associated with adiposity and cardiometabolic measures at 8-10 years old; and 2) compare the predictive ability of the two methods. We hypothesized that both methods would perform similarly. Design/Methods WFL and BMI Z-scores (zWFL and zBMI) at 6, 12, and 18 months of age were computed using data extracted from health booklets, used among participants in a prospective cohort study investigating the natural history of obesity and cardiovascular risk in youth (n = 464). Outcome measures at 8-10 years included adiposity, lipid profile, blood pressure, and insulin dynamics. The relationships between zWFL, zBMI, and each outcome were estimated using multivariable linear regression models. Outcome prediction at 8-10 years was compared between the two methods, using eta-squared and Lin’s concordance correlation. Results zWFL and zBMI were associated with all measures of adiposity at 8-10 years. Associations with other cardiometabolic measures were less consistent. For both zWFL and zBMI across infancy, eta-squared were highly similar and the Lin’s coefficients were markedly high (> 0.991) for all outcomes. Conclusion zBMI measured in infants appeared to be equivalent to zWFL for predicting adiposity and cardiometabolic measures in childhood. This lends support to the sole use of zBMI for growth monitoring and screening of overweight and obesity from birth to 18 years.

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