scholarly journals Morphometric Patterns and Blood Biochemistry of Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from Human-Modified Landscapes and Natural Landscapes in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Hector R. Benatti ◽  
Hermes R. Luz ◽  
Daniel M. Lima ◽  
Vinicius D. Gonçalves ◽  
Francisco B. Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris ◽  
Natural Landscapes ◽  
The World ◽  
Free Ranging

The capybara, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, is the largest extant rodent of the world. To better understand the correlation between size and body mass, and biochemical parameters of capybaras from areas with different degrees of anthropization (i.e., different food supplies), we sampled free-ranging capybaras from areas of natural landscapes (NLs) and human-modified landscapes (HMLs) in Brazil. Analyses of biometrical and biochemical parameters of capybaras showed that animals from HMLs were heavier (higher body mass) than those from NL, a condition possibly related to fat deposit rather than body length, as indicated by Body Condition Index (BCI) analyses. Biochemical parameters indicated higher serum levels of albumin, creatine kinase, cholesterol, fructosamine and total protein among capybaras from HMLs than from NLs; however, when all adult capybaras were analyzed together only cholesterol and triglycerides were positively correlated with body mass. We propose that the biochemical profile differences between HMLs and NLs are related to the obesity condition of capybaras among HMLs. Considering that heavier animals might live longer and reproduce more often, our results could have important implications in the population dynamics of capybaras among HMLs, where this rodent species is frequently represented by overgrowth populations that generate several levels of conflicts with human beings.

scholarly journals Changes in anthropometric and metabolic parameters in pregnancy and neonatal physical development during last decades

Medicina ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gražina Drąsutienė ◽  
Janina Tutkuvienė ◽  
Jolita Zakarevičienė ◽  
Diana Ramašauskaitė ◽  
Žaneta Kasilovskienė ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
The Body ◽  
Anthropometric Parameters ◽  
Changes In Pregnancy ◽  
In Pregnancy

Objective. To evaluate changes in anthropometric and biochemical parameters in pregnancy and their dynamics during last two decades and to determine the association between anthropometric and biochemical parameters, their influence on fetal and neonatal development. Material and methods. In 1985–2005, anthropometric (height, body mass, weight gain during pregnancy, pelvic measurements, skinfold thicknesses, passive body mass) and biochemical (cholesterol, triglyceride, protein, and iron levels) parameters, their correlation, changes in pregnancy were examined; also the correlations between these parameters and neonatal body mass indices were evaluated. In 1986–1987, 383 pregnant women were examined, in 1998 – 130, and in 2003–2005 – 133. Results. During 20 years, the height of examined women increased on an average of 2.5 cm; they became thinner; body mass index decreased. The body composition became similar to “cylinder” shape due to decreased thickness of adipose tissue in the limbs. The dimensions of bony pelvis – external conjugate and bicristal diameters – decreased. Primiparous women became older (1995 – 22.5 years of age, 2004 – 27.6). At the beginning of investigation, the weight gain was on an average of 21.9% of body mass before pregnancy (13.3 kg) and at the end – 23.9% (14.2 kg). The values of anthropometric parameters vary in a consistent pattern during pregnancy: the lower body mass and body mass index at the beginning of pregnancy, the higher weight gain at the end of pregnancy. Blood serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and especially iron were decreased during the study. Conclusions. An inverse correlation between body mass index and lipid metabolism in pregnancy was revealed: the higher body mass index was at the beginning of pregnancy, the lower increase in lipid concentration was during pregnancy. At the beginning of investigation as well as after 20 years, women with low body mass index showed the most significant anthropometric and lipid metabolic changes in pregnancy.

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.

Monitoring green sea turtles in Brazilian feeding areas: relating body condition index to fibropapillomatosis prevalence

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (8) ◽  
pp. 1879-1887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silmara Rossi ◽  
Angélica María Sánchez-Sarmiento ◽  
Robson Guimarães dos Santos ◽  
Roberta Ramblas Zamana ◽  
Fabiola Eloisa Setim Prioste ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Green Sea Turtles ◽  
Green Turtles

AbstractFibropapillomatosis (FP) can be an important conservation threat to green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) due to its widespread distribution and complex aetiology. Thus, understanding the impacts of FP in sea turtle populations is a research priority towards conservation efforts. The body condition index (BCI), based on straight carapace length (SCL) and body mass (BM), is an accurate indicator of body-nutritional condition that can be used in routine green turtle health evaluations. This study aimed to compare BCI in FP-free (N = 369) and FP-affected (N = 518) green turtles from Brazilian feeding areas. Body condition indices were evaluated in terms of the South-west Atlantic Fibropapillomatosis Score – FPSSWA (mild, moderate and severe), study sites (five Brazilian states), origin (intentional capture, fishery, stranding and afloat) and sex (when known). Curved and straight carapace lengths, and body mass were recorded in order to calculate BCI. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in BCI among green turtles from different study areas (P = 0.02), and lower BCI values in FP-free than in FP-positive individuals (P < 0.0001). With regards to origin, the highest BCI was found in the intentional capture group (N = 245; 1.47 ± 0.16), followed by fishery (N = 180; 1.46 ± 0.20). Analysis according to sex revealed a higher mean BCI among females than males (P < 0.017). This study provides relevant data on the health and nutritional status of green turtles along the Brazilian coast, in important feeding areas for this species.

MEASURING FAT CONTENT USING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY TO ESTABLISH A BODY CONDITION INDEX IN FREE-RANGING BLANDING'S TURTLES (EMYDOIDEA BLANDINGII) IN ILLINOIS

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin M. Newman ◽  
Matthew C. Allender ◽  
Dan Thompson ◽  
Gary A. Glowacki ◽  
Marina Ivančić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Emydoidea Blandingii ◽  
Free Ranging

scholarly journals A Body Condition Index Based on Body Mass and External Measurements of Live Leach's Storm-petrels.

2000 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuaki NIIZUMA ◽  
Akinori TAKAHASHI ◽  
Norio TOKITA ◽  
Shin-ichi HAYAMA
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Body Condition Index

“Utopia First!” A Machiavellian Conception of Solidarity in More's Utopia

Moreana ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (Number 209) (1) ◽  
pp. 79-93
Author(s):  
Marie-Claire Phélippeau
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Farm Work ◽  
The World ◽  
Social Difficulties ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Democratic Elections ◽  
Communal Organization

This paper shows how solidarity is one of the founding principles in Thomas More's Utopia (1516). In the fictional republic of Utopia described in Book II, solidarity has a political and a moral function. The principle is at the center of the communal organization of Utopian society, exemplified in a number of practices such as the sharing of farm work, the management of surplus crops, or the democratic elections of the governor and the priests. Not only does solidarity benefit the individual Utopian, but it is a prerequisite to ensure the prosperity of the island of Utopia and its moral preeminence over its neighboring countries. However, a limit to this principle is drawn when the republic of Utopia faces specific social difficulties, and also deals with the rest of the world. In order for the principle of solidarity to function perfectly, it is necessary to apply it exclusively within the island or the republic would be at risk. War is not out of the question then, and compassion does not apply to all human beings. This conception of solidarity, summed up as “Utopia first!,” could be dubbed a Machiavellian strategy, devised to ensure the durability of the republic. We will show how some of the recommendations of Realpolitik made by Machiavelli in The Prince (1532) correspond to the Utopian policy enforced to protect their commonwealth.

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