scholarly journals Biometric Analysis of Cranial and Somatic Features in the Pannonian Root Vole

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 576
Author(s):  
Ivan Baláž ◽  
Filip Tulis ◽  
Michal Ševčík
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feeding Ecology ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Cranial Base ◽  
Biometric Analysis ◽  
Root Vole ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Hind Foot ◽  
Glacial Relict

The Pannonian root vole Alexandromys oeconomus ssp. mehelyi represents a rare glacial relict, whose occurrence is nowadays bound to several areas in Europe. Four somatic and 25 craniological features were analysed, based on 355 measured specimens. Sex is a significant factor affecting the average value of all four somatic features, where all of them achieve higher values in males than in females. While body length and tail length were also affected by seasons, body weight and the length of the hind foot were stable features present across the seasons. In cranial features, the largest variability in the adult population is characterised by neurocranium breadth (LaN), total length of the cranial base (LB), and skull (LCr); whereas the smallest variability of the cranial dimensions is reflected in the values of the greatest palatal breadth (PS) and postorbital breadth (Io). Calculating the weight from cranial remains may be used to estimate the size of the prey and to determine vole biomass consumed by predators, such as raptors, highlighting the utility of studying feeding ecology.

scholarly journals Reproduction and growth in a Neotropical arboreal mouse: Oecomys rutilus (Sigmodontinae: Cricetidae) in French Guiana

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
François Catzeflis
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
French Guiana ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Crystalline Lens ◽  
Postnatal Growth ◽  
Morphometric Measurements ◽  
Daily Growth ◽  
Foot Length ◽  
Average Litter Size ◽  
Hind Foot

Abstract: Postnatal growth and development of the small Neotropical mouse Oecomys rutilus (Sigmodontinae: Cricetidae) were investigated from birth to day 143, in the laboratory. Morphometric measurements at age of 3 days, of both sexes combined, revealed body weight to be 3.4 ± 0.3 g, mean tail length as 27.4 ± 1.1 mm, and mean hind foot length as 9.3 ± 0.7 mm. Body weight was found to increase steadily until at least 69 days, whereas the instantaneous growth rates of other measurements declined earlier: the daily growth of hind foot length declined to a minimum at age of 24 days, and the growth of tail and of ear declined by the age of 33 days. Average litter size for 12 captive births was 2.5, ranging from 2 to 3. The preserved eye crystalline lens was weighted in 23 captive-born animals of known age, allowing a rough estimate of the age of reproduction in wild-caught animals. Based on the inferred relation between eye-lens weight and age, the youngest reproductive (pregnant) wild-caught females had an estimated age of 90 and 95 days.

Somatic characteristics and reproduction potential of snow vole and Tatra vole (Rodentia) in Slovakia

Biologia ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Baláž ◽  
Michal Ambros
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
The Body ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Foot Length ◽  
Chionomys Nivalis ◽  
Reproduction Season ◽  
Hind Foot

AbstractSomatic features (morphometric or meristic features, i.e., body weight, length of body, tail, hind foot and ear) and reproduction characteristics (number of embryos in uterus, reproduction potential, duration of reproduction season) are the basic attributes of the biology of a species. In the present paper, biometry of somatic characteristics and reproduction potential of two mountain vole species, the Tatra vole (Microtus tatricus) and the snow vole (Chionomys nivalis) which originate from various sites of Slovakia, were investigated. Among somatic features, the body length, tail length, hind foot length, length of ear and body weight were assessed. The highest variability was found in body length and the lowest one in the hind foot length. These characteristics were evaluated separately for sub-adult and adult individuals, and males and females. Values of somatic features and body weight of both species are larger in males than in females. Throughout the life of these rodents, the ratio between the length of tail and length of body does not vary considerably. The reproductive potential of the two species is, compared to other small mammals, very low and the length of reproductive season is shorter in the extreme conditions of the mountain environment. Thanks to a sufficient data set, it was possible to evaluate the influence of altitude on somatic features as well as on reproduction potential of M. tatricus and it was found that the average values of somatic features and body weight increased with increasing altitude.

scholarly journals Improved Trapping and Handling of an Arboreal, Montane Mammal: Red Panda Ailurus fulgens

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 921
Author(s):  
Damber Bista ◽  
Sonam Tashi Lama ◽  
Janno Weerman ◽  
Ang Phuri Sherpa ◽  
Purushotam Pandey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Success Rate ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
Field Identification ◽  
Red Panda ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Chest Girth ◽  
Ailurus Fulgens

It is sometimes essential to have an animal in the hand to study some of their ecological and biological characteristics. However, capturing a solitary, cryptic, elusive arboreal species such as the red panda in the wild is challenging. We developed and successfully tested a protocol for tracking, trapping, immobilization, and handling of red pandas in the wild in eastern Nepal. We established a red panda sighting rate of 0.89 panda/day with a capture success rate of 0.6. We trapped and collared one animal in 3.7 days. On average, we took nearly 136 (range 50–317) min to capture an animal after spotting it. Further processing was completed in 38.5 (21–70) min. Before capture, we found it difficult to recognize the sex of the red panda and to differentiate sub-adults above six months from adults. However, body weight, body length, tail length, shoulder height, and chest girth can be used for diagnosis, as these attributes are smaller in sub-adults. Our method is a welfare-friendly way of trapping and handling wild red pandas. We report new morphometric data that could serve as a guide for field identification.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 quarantine on dietary habits and physical activity in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manar Abduljalil Bakhsh ◽  
Jomana Khawandanah ◽  
Rouba Khalil Naaman ◽  
Shoug Alashmali
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments around the world to impose strict hygiene and national lockdown measures, which in turn has changed the dietary and lifestyle habits of the world’s population. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate whether dietary and physical activity behaviors of Saudi Arabia’s adult population changed during the COVID-19 quarantine. Methods An electronic questionnaire which assessed changes in body weight, dietary habits, and physical activity of Saudi Arabia’s adult population (n = 2255) during the COVID-19 quarantine was distributed on social media between June and July 2020. To test the differences between changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors in relation to changes in body weight a Chi-square test was used. Results Over 40 and 45% of participants reported eating and snacking more, respectively, which led to weight gain in around 28%. Most participants reported that they consumed home-cooked (73%) and healthy meals (47%), while only 7% reported that they consumed foods from restaurants. Feelings of boredom and emptiness (44%) and the availability of time for preparing meals (40%) were the main reasons for changing dietary habits. Honey (43%) and vitamin C (50%) were the most consumed immune-boosting food and dietary supplement, respectively. COVID-19 also had a negative impact on physical activity, lowering the practice in 52% subjects, which was associated with significant weight gain (p < 0.001). Conclusion Assessing the changes to the population’s dietary habits and physical activity during the lockdown will help predict the outcome of the population’s future health and wellbeing after the pandemic.

Growth performance, correlation and regression estimates of seven-chicken strains in South-Western Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-48
Author(s):  
A. J. Atansuyi ◽  
U. C. Ihendu ◽  
C. A. Chineke
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
The Body ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Indigenous Chicken ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Study Results

This study was conducted to determine the growth performance, correlation and regression estimates of seven-chicken strains in South-western Nigeria using a total of 300 day-old chicks. The birds were divided into seven groups based on their strain. The seven strains are Normal feather (NF), Fulani ecotype (FE), Frizzle feather (FF), naked neck (NN) and Transylvania indigenous strains while Hubbard and Marshal were meat-type exotic chickens. There were forty- five (45) unsexed day-old chicks in each strain except the Frizzle feather that were 30 in number. Completely randomized design (CRD) was used for the trial that lasted for 8 weeks. The birds were fed experimental diets ad libitum throughout the period of the study. Results showed that there were significant differences (p<0.05) in the initial and final weights of the birds. It was observed that exotic strains weighed heavier (3569.73gHB) than their indigenous counterparts (1391.11gNF). However, the Fulani ecotype weighed heaviest (1840.99g) among Nigeria indigenous strains during the experimental period. This showed that FE strains are generally heavy breed chicken and could be incorporated into a meat producing indigenous chicken if improved upon. The result of the correlation coefficients showed that a very strong, positive and highly significant (P<0.001) relationship existed between body weights and linear body measurements as most of the values are (>0.40). All the body parameter examined had significant (p<0.01) and direct relationship with the body weight. Shoulder-to-tail length (STL) had the highest coefficient of 0.98.The high correlation estimates obtained in this study could be as a result of pleiotropy, heterozygosity or linkage of genes in the birds. The three functions were highly significant (p<0.05) for all the parameters studied. This shows that the functions well described the parameters. On the basis of coefficient of determination (R ), the body weight of poultry birds at any age can be predicted most accurately with BRG using cubic function.

scholarly journals A Novel Metric System to Quantify Antibiotic Consumption in Paediatric Population: A Hospital Based, Biphasic Pilot Study

Discoveries ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. e119
Author(s):  
Shah Newaz Ahmed ◽  
◽  
Ratinder Jhaj ◽  
Ritendra Patidar ◽  
Mahendra Dangi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Paediatric Population ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
The Body ◽  
World Health ◽  
Defined Daily Dose ◽  
Standard Unit

Background: The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification / Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) system recommended by World Health Organization is accepted worldwide as the standard method of quantification of drug consumption. However, owing to individual variation in body weight, the ATC/DDD system cannot be used for comparison across paediatric population. Objective: This study aimed to develop a novel metric system for standard quantification of antibiotic consumption in paediatric population. Method: The standard unit of drug quantification in adult population is DDD/100 patient days (PD). We conceived a new unit of DDD/1000 kg-days (KD) where KD is the product of the body weight and length of hospital stay of an individual patient. We simulated the quantification and comparison of drugs in a computer model of five virtual paediatric hospitals (H1 to H5, n=100, 200, 100, 100, 100 respectively). We re-applied the metric system on two, real world, hospital-based, time cohorts (TC) (TC18, n=38 and TC19, n=47) of 2 weeks each, in two consecutive years. Results: The body weights (mean±SD) in H1-H5 were 5.7±3.0, 5.7±2.8, 25.3±8.5, 20.6±11.7 and 19.8±11.4 kg, respectively. The antibiotic consumption in terms of DDD/100 PD and DDD/1000 KD in the five hospitals was 1.26, 1.20, 5.52, 4.41 and 2.00, and 2.24, 2.14, 2.22, 2.17 and 1.06 respectively. In TC18 and TC19, the mean body weight, DDD/100 PD and DDD/1000 KD were 12.24±13.17, 30.93, 20.34 and 19.51±12.28, 11.99, 6.23, respectively. Conclusion: DDD/1000 kg-days is a potential standard unit for drug quantification in paediatric population independent of weight distribution and size of the study sample. The universal application and comparison across diverse samples can generate useful information for resource allocation, anti-microbial stewardship, disease burden and drug use, and can help in taking policy decisions to improve healthcare delivery in the paediatric population.

scholarly journals Reproductive parameters as assessment tools for arsenic and chromium induced toxicity in Eudrilus eugeniae

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shefali . ◽  
Jyoti Yadav ◽  
R.K. Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Metal Exposure ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Eudrilus Eugeniae ◽  
Heavy Metal Exposure ◽  
Cocoon Production ◽  
Emergence And Reduction

The present study of 28 days was carried out to assess the effect of arsenic and chromium on biomass gain and reproduction parameters (cocoon and hatchling production) of E. eugeniae. The worms were cultured in substrate having different concentrations of arsenic and chromium alongwith control in triplicates. Dose and time dependent decreased in number of adults, cocoon production and hatchling emergence and reduction in growth was observed. In worms exposed to Cr (0.1 ppm), reduction in population (24.66%), body weight (2.44%), cocoon production (47.14%) and hatchling emergence (39.99%) was observed. While As (0.1 ppm) exposure resulted in reduction of adult population (10.66%), body weight (0.24%), cocoon production (37.05%) and hatchling emergence (28.53%) was observed. Cocoon production was observed to be the most sensitive parameter for heavy metal exposure in all treatments. Chromium was observed to be more detrimental to earthworms when compared with arsenic.

Growth and development of Rattus lutreolus (Rodentia : Muridae) in the laboratory

1979 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 945 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJ Fox
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
Breeding Colony ◽  
Reproductive Maturity ◽  
Stages Of Growth ◽  
Hind Foot ◽  
Developmental Features ◽  
Laboratory Breeding

A laboratory breeding colony of R. l. lutreolus was used to obtain data on the growth in the length of head, hind foot, tail, head and body, and body weight during the first 130 days of life. The development of external body features was compared to that known for other Australian Rattus. The young are blind and naked at birth and are not fully furred until 13 days. Incisors are visible at day 8 (5-11) and erupt about day 12 (8-15) with the eyes opening at 17 days (15-18). Independence was achieved at about 25 days (23-30) with the first signs of reproductive maturity at about 60-70 days. Five stages of growth can be related to developmental features from teeth eruption to puberty and reproductive maturity. The onset of hearing (14-15) days appear to be as important in development as does the opening of the eyes. Body measurements show sigmoid relationships to a linear equivalence of weight (W*0.33), except for head and body length which is linear. R. l. lutreolus belongs to the fast-growing group in Australian murids. Measurements from laboratory-bred animals are in agreement with those for field animals, with head and body length the best single parameter for obtaining approximate ages.

scholarly journals Involvement of theGli3 (Extra-Toes)Gene Region in Body Weight in Mice

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 83-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoît Martin ◽  
Eve Lapouble ◽  
Yohan Chaix
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Increase ◽  
Gene Region ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Extra Digit ◽  
Stable Manner ◽  
Hind Foot ◽  
Body Weight Increase

The mutation extra-toes (Gli3Xt-J) on chromosome (Chr) 13 of the mouse is known to be involved in the development of the skeleton. The only visible manifestation is the presence of an extra digit on each hind foot. Here we report evidence from several experiments that Gli3XtJ/+mice weigh more than littermate Gli3+/+mice, suggesting an effect on body weight ofGli3or of a gene tightly linked to it on Chr 13. Four independent experiments in different environments were conducted on mice with different genetic backgrounds derived from the C3XtEso Gli3Xt-J/+Eso/+linkage testing strain and the JE/Le strain at adult age. The analyses have shown an association between the Gli3Xt-Jallele and a body weight increase of about 6.5%. This effect is genetically dominant. It would appear that if the gene of interest is notGli3itself, it must be very close to this locus. Indeed, the expected size for this fragment is 7.9 ± 5.3 cM. The manifestation of this gene, observed in two animal facilities and on different genetic backgrounds, is consistent with the idea that the effect of the gene(s) is displayed in a stable manner. It accounts for a variation of 6.5% of body weight.

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