Test of a Body Condition Index with Amphibians

Abstract Rodents are small mammals that can be parasitized by various helminths. This study aimed to identify and describe the ecological indicators of infection in rodents captured in fragments of the Atlantic Forest in the western region of Paraná State, Brazil. Sixty-eight specimens of five rodent species were collected, necropsied, and inspected in search of helminths. The parasites were stored in 70% ethanol, morphologically identified, and counted for calculation of infection indicators. Fourteen species of helminths and one species of Crustacea were recorded: ten in Akodon montensis, four in Mus musculus, two in Thaptomys nigrita, two in Oligoryzomys nigripes, and one in Euryoryzomys russatus. The registered species of parasites were: Rodentolepis akodontis, Angiostrongylus sp., Protospirura numidica criceticola, Trichuris navonae, Syphacia alata, Syphacia criceti, Syphacia evaginata, Trichofreitasia lenti, Stilestrongylus aculeata, Stilestrongylus eta, Stilestrongylus gracielae, Stilestrongylus franciscanus, Stilestrongylus moreli, Stilestrongylus sp., and Pentastomida gen. sp. A positive correlation between the intensity of infection of T. navonae and T. lenti was observed with the body condition index of the host A. montensis. For all species, this study represents a new register of locality, and for eight of them a new host.

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Korelasi Antara Resistensi Survival Rate dan Body Condition Index (BCI) dengan Stress Suhu Pada Kerang Hijau di Muara Kamal, Jakarta

Jurnal Ilmiah Satya Minabahari ◽

10.53676/jism.v2i1.22 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 67-76

Author(s):

Yasser Ahmed ◽

Armin Fabritzek ◽

Neviaty P. Zamani ◽

Karen Von Juterzenka ◽

Mark Lenz

Keyword(s):

Survival Rate ◽

Body Condition ◽

Condition Index ◽

Body Condition Index

Pergerakan organisme dipengaruhi oleh penyebaran alami dan aktivitas manusia.Beberapa spesies yang terbawa, memiliki sebaran yang melebihi distribusi batas normal oleh pengaruh tertentu (vector).Penelitian ini melakukan pengujian pada skala laboratorium untuk melihat survival rate yang terkait dengan body condition index selama diberikan stress suhu yang terkait perubahan iklim dan ini juga dapat dijadikan sebagai simulasi transportasi kapal, sehingga dapat diketahui pergerakan organisme.Distribusi organisme tersebut mempengaruhi kemampuan bertahan hidupselama transportasi.Oleh karena itu, perlu dilakukan penelitian dengan mengekspose grup pra-stress dan grup non stress sebelum masuk ke fase stress dan membandingkan survival rate dan body condition index (BCI) pada organisme tersebut. Organisme yang dipilih adalah Kerang Hijau (P. viridis) dengan menggunakan stress suhu.Pengukuran respon variabel dari organisme tersebut yaitu survival rate dan body condition index (BCI).Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa survival rate dan body condition index memiliki korelasi linier.

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Activity-related variation in blood parameters associated with oxygen transport and chronic stress in little penguins

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo07030 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 55 (4) ◽

pp. 249 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Louise Mortimer ◽

Alan Lill

Keyword(s):

Chronic Stress ◽

Body Condition ◽

Carrying Capacity ◽

Condition Index ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Body Condition Index ◽

Stress Indicators ◽

Nutrient Demand ◽

Blood Haemoglobin ◽

Oxygen Carrying Capacity

Some birds facing energy ‘bottlenecks’ display elevated oxidative metabolism and oxygen delivery to tissues and could be particularly susceptible to chronic stress. We examined whether there was evidence for such trends in little penguins (Eudyptula minor) over the period from breeding to the post-moulting stage and particularly during the onshore moult-fast. Penguin parents contribute equally to incubation, brooding and brood provisioning. A few weeks post-breeding, adults undergo a protracted, terrestrial moult-fast and then make brief visits to the colony during the post-moulting stage. Provisioning nestling(s) and moulting could theoretically be particularly energetically and nutritionally demanding. We determined for adults whether mass, a body condition index and blood parameters influencing vascular oxygen carrying capacity (hematocrit, Hct; whole blood haemoglobin, Hb) and indicating chronic stress (leukocyte count, WBC; heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, H/L) varied from August to May in a manner reflecting likely variation in energy and nutrient demand. Female mass and body condition index decreased significantly between the incubation and guard stages, before returning to incubation levels between the guard and post-guard nestling stages. Both parameters declined to their lowest levels between the post-guard and moult stages, before increasing to levels comparable with those during nestling care between the moult and post-moult stages. Blood parameters in both sexes exhibited temporal variation similar to that in female mass and body condition index, declining to their lowest levels during moult and increasing after the moult to levels comparable with those during breeding. Results indicated that the period of most intense provisioning of nestlings was associated with a decrease in blood oxygen carrying capacity, but no pronounced change in chronic stress indicators. However, the penguin’s moult-fast involved a loss of female body condition and, in both sexes, a reduction in body mass, vascular oxygen carrying capacity and possibly specific immune competence. Thus, regulation of human disturbance in accessible little penguin colonies may be particularly important during moult.

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Genetic variation and natural selection on blue tit body condition in different environments

Genetics Research ◽

10.1017/s0016672398003656 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 73 (2) ◽

pp. 165-176 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

J. MERILÄ ◽

R. PRZYBYLO ◽

B. C. SHELDON

Keyword(s):

Natural Selection ◽

Body Condition ◽

Genetic Variance ◽

Condition Index ◽

The Body ◽

Phenotypic Variance ◽

Body Condition Index ◽

Blue Tit ◽

Feeding Regime ◽

The Poor

An increasing amount of evidence indicates that different forms of environmental stress influence the expression of genetic variance in quantitative traits and, consequently, their evolvability. We investigated the causal components of phenotypic variance and natural selection on the body condition index (a trait often related to fitness in wild bird populations) of blue tit (Parus caeruleus) nestlings under contrasting environmental conditions. In three different study years, nestlings grown under a poor feeding regime attained lower body condition than their full-sibs grown under a good feeding regime. Genetic influences on condition were large and significant in both feeding regimes, and in all three study years. However, although estimates of additive genetic variance were consistently higher in the poor than in the good environment, heritability estimates for body condition index were very similar in both environments due to higher levels of environmental variance in the poor environment. Evidence for weak genotype×environment interactions was obtained, but these contributed little to variance in nestling condition. Directional natural selection on fledging condition of nestlings was detected, and there were no indications of year or environmental effects on the form and intensity of selection observed, in a sample of 3659 nestlings over four years. However, selection on fledging condition was very weak (standardized selection gradient, β=0·027±0·016 SE), suggesting that, in the current population, the large additive genetic component to fledging condition is not particularly surprising. The results of these analyses are contrasted with those obtained for other populations and species with similar life-histories.

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Assessing the importance of nursery areas of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) using a body condition index

Ecological Indicators ◽

10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.06.012 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 81 ◽

pp. 383-389 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Annalucia Cantafaro ◽

Giandomenico Ardizzone ◽

Marco Enea ◽

Alessandro Ligas ◽

Francesco Colloca

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Condition Index ◽

Body Condition Index ◽

Merluccius Merluccius ◽

Nursery Areas ◽

European Hake

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

Neotropical Biology and Conservation ◽

10.3897/neotropical.15.e56578 ◽

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.

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Variation in Species Composition, Size and Fitness of Two Multi-Species Sea Turtle Assemblages Using Different Neritic Habitats

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2020.608740 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Margaret M. Lamont ◽

Darren Johnson

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Species Composition ◽

Body Condition ◽

Sea Turtles ◽

Condition Index ◽

Sea Turtle ◽

Body Condition Index ◽

Turtle Species ◽

Green Turtles ◽

Sand Bottom

The neritic environment is rich in resources and as such plays a crucial role as foraging habitat for multi-species marine assemblages, including sea turtles. However, this habitat also experiences a wide array of anthropogenic threats. To prioritize conservation funds, targeting areas that support multi-species assemblages is ideal. This is particularly important in the Gulf of Mexico where restoration actions are currently ongoing following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. To better understand these areas in the Gulf of Mexico, we characterized two multi-species aggregations of sea turtles captured in different neritic habitats. We described species composition and size classes of turtles, and calculated body condition index for 642 individuals of three species captured from 2011 to 2019: 13.6% loggerheads (Caretta caretta), 44.9% Kemp’s ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii) and 41.4% green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Species composition differed between the two sites with more loggerheads captured in seagrass and a greater proportion of green turtles captured in sand bottom. Turtles in sand bottom were smaller and weighed less than those captured in seagrass. Although small and large turtles were captured at both sites, the proportions differed between sites. Body condition index of green turtles was lower in sand habitat than seagrass habitat; there was no difference for Kemp’s ridleys or loggerheads. In general, smaller green turtles had a higher body condition index than larger green turtles. We have identified another habitat type used by juvenile sea turtle species in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In addition, we highlight the importance of habitat selection by immature turtles recruiting from the oceanic to the neritic environment, particularly for green turtles.

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

Australian Mammalogy ◽

10.1071/am10036 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 117 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

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.

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

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management ◽

10.3996/082016-jfwm-063 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 89-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

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.

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