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

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

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/cjz-2019-0193 ◽

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.

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

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315419000730 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (8) ◽

pp. 1879-1887 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

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.

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

Japanese Journal of Ornithology ◽

10.3838/jjo.49.131 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 131-137 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yasuaki NIIZUMA ◽

Akinori TAKAHASHI ◽

Norio TOKITA ◽

Shin-ichi HAYAMA

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Body Condition ◽

Condition Index ◽

Body Condition Index

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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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Rodent helminths in fragmented Atlantic Forest areas in the western region of the state of Paraná

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612021058 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Danise Benatti ◽

Luis Felipe Andrietti ◽

José Flávio Cândido Júnior ◽

Alexandre Vogliotti ◽

Marcela Figueirêdo Duarte Moraes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Body Condition ◽

Condition Index ◽

Ecological Indicators ◽

The Body ◽

Western Region ◽

Body Condition Index ◽

Intensity Of Infection ◽

New Host ◽

The Western Region

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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