Comparing three body condition indices in amphibians: a case study of yellow-bellied toad Bombina variegata

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodica Plăiaşu ◽  
Tibor Hartel ◽  
Raluca Ioana Băncilă ◽  
Dan Cogălniceanu ◽  
Joost Smets
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bombina Variegata ◽  
Condition Indices ◽  
Three Body

AbstractBody condition is important because it is correlated with population and habitat quality parameters. Since the direct measurements are either lethal or unreliable, a wide range of non-lethal body condition indices has been proposed. The aim of our study was to apply and compare three body condition indices (Fulton's index, relative body condition mass index and residual index) using body size indicator – body mass data for 24 populations of the yellow bellied toad (Bombina variegata). The condition index should be independent of body size indicator, in this case snout vent length (SVL). Therefore we tested all three indices for the statistical independence of SVL and for the normality of distribution. Fulton's index violated the independence assumption, whereas the relative body condition mass index did not have a normal distribution. Residual index was found both independent of SVL and normally distributed. Moreover, the residual index highlighted biological significant differences on the basis of altitude and season. Our results recommend the residual index as a useful tool in amphibian monitoring and conservation.

scholarly journals Deriving condition indices from standard fisheries databases and evaluating their sensitivity to variation in stored energy reserves

2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (10) ◽  
pp. 1900-1917 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Tara Marshall ◽  
Coby L Needle ◽  
Nathalia A Yaragina ◽  
Adnan M Ajiad ◽  
Evgeny Gusev
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Energy Reserves ◽  
Stored Energy ◽  
Stock Level ◽  
Length Relationship ◽  
Condition Indices

To evaluate interstock differences in condition, it would be advantageous to develop stock-level condition indices from standardized databases on weight and length. This study describes a method for estimating stock-level condition when individual-level observations on length and weight are not easily accessible. For each year in a 56-year time series (1946–2001) for Northeast Arctic cod (Gadus morhua), pseudo-observations of weight and length were generated by pairing the Norwegian and Russian values for weight-at-age provided annually to the assessment working group with estimates of length-at-age derived from the same databases. A weight–length relationship fit to each year was then used to predict weight-at-length, i.e., girth, for a range of standard lengths (30–120 cm). This index was uncorrelated with both the liver condition index and the abundance of Barents Sea capelin (Mallotus villosus), suggesting that at the stock level, the girth of cod is not necessarily indicative of the magnitude of stored energy reserves. Partitioning body size into length-at-age and girth revealed long-term trends in body size. In particular, large/old cod showed substantially higher values of both length-at-age and girth that could be the result of long-term increases in fishing mortality.

scholarly journals Habitat and Sex Differences in Physiological Condition of Breeding Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax Trailliiextimus)

The Auk ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 1261-1270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer C. Owen ◽  
Mark K. Sogge ◽  
Michael D. Kern
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Physiological Condition ◽  
Food Limitation ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Total Leukocyte Count ◽  
Insect Communities ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Empidonax Traillii ◽  
Condition Indices ◽  
Beta Hydroxybutyrate

Abstract The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus; here- after “flycatcher”) is a federally listed endangered species that breeds in densely vegetated riparian habitats dominated by native and exotic plants, including introduced monotypic saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima). Some workers have theorized that saltcedar is unsuitable habitat for the flycatcher, primarily because it generally supports a smaller and less diverse invertebrate community (the flycatcher's food base) than native habitats (e.g. Salix spp.). However, differences in insect communities between native and saltcedar habitats are not proof that saltcedar habitats are inferior. The only way to evaluate whether the habitats differ in dietary or energetic quality is to document actual food limitation or its manifestations. Measurements of an individual's body condition and metabolic state can serve as indicators of environmental stressors, such as food limitation and environmental extremes. We captured 130 flycatchers breeding in native and saltcedar habitats in Arizona and New Mexico and measured 12 variables of physiological condition. These variables included body mass, fat level, body condition index, hematocrit, plasma triglycerides, plasma free fatty acids and glycerol, plasma glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate, plasma uric acid, total leukocyte count, and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. We found substantial sex-based differences in the condition of male and female flycatchers. Ten of the 12 measures of physiological condition differed significantly between the sexes. In all cases where male and female condition differed (except mass), the differences suggest that males were in poorer condition than females. We found few habitat-based differences in flycatcher condition. Only 3 of the 12 physiological condition indices differed significantly between habitats. Our data show that, at least in some parts of the flycatcher's range, there is no evidence that flycatchers breeding in saltcedar habitats exhibit poorer nutritional condition or are suffering negative physiological affects. Diferencias entre Hábitats y Sexos en la Condición Fisiológica de Individuos Reproductivos en Empidonax traillii extimus

scholarly journals Intensive vehicle traffic impacts morphology and endocrine stress response in a threatened amphibian

Oryx ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 182-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Cayuela ◽  
Ludivine Quay ◽  
Adeline Dumet ◽  
Jean-Paul Léna ◽  
Claude Miaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
The Body ◽  
Amphibian Conservation ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Vehicle Traffic ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Bombina Variegata ◽  
The Individual

AbstractAmphibians are considered to be the most threatened group of vertebrates. Among the multiple factors involved in their decline, habitat loss and alteration as a result of human activities is a major threat. At the individual level the effects of habitat alteration are potentially multiple, including a range of morphological and physiological responses. Analysing and understanding these responses is therefore a critical challenge for amphibian conservation. We examined the influence of intensive vehicle traffic (motorbikes and trucks on unpaved pathways) on the body size and condition and on the production of glucocorticoids (i.e. corticosterone) in the yellow-bellied toad Bombina variegata. In particular, we tested the hypothesis that intensive vehicle traffic has a negative influence on body size and body condition, and postulated that it also increases corticosterone production. Using morphometric data and saliva samples collected from four populations in France, we found that intensive vehicle traffic is associated with a decrease in body size and body condition in both males and females. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that corticosterone production was lower in both sexes in populations experiencing intensive vehicle traffic. We suggest that measures should be applied to reduce vehicle traffic intensity on unpaved pathways during toad breeding activity. This is critical for B. variegata, for which man-made ruts and residual puddles could mitigate the loss of natural habitats.

scholarly journals Multi-Criteria Approach for Prioritizing and Managing Public Investment in Urban Spaces. A Case Study in the Triple Frontier

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3345
Author(s):  
Noé Villegas Flores ◽  
Yelinca Saldeño Madero ◽  
Camilo Alberto Torres Parra ◽  
Isidoro Fasolino ◽  
Hugo Alexander Rondón Quintana
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Public Investment ◽  
Urban Infrastructure ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Significant Degree ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Public Works ◽  
Urban Spaces

The aspirations of public administrations to meet quality parameters and standards in urban spaces have fostered new strategies and tools that allow users to give safety and well-being. The participation and interaction of different actors during decision-making in the context of allocation of public resources implies a significant degree of complexity when prioritizing actions in public works. The objective of the study focuses on obtaining an urban street condition index (USCI) that allows an efficient diagnosis of urban infrastructure. The study provides an innovation component for decision-making through the construction of guidelines to prioritize spending on investment in urban infrastructure. The case study has been developed in three countries, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina (Triple Border) with the aim of drawing management guidelines during the process in public entities. The results for Brazil and Argentina present streets with satisfactory USCI. Paraguay reflects a significant lack of urban infrastructure and compliance of accessibility regulations. Regarding the city of Foz de Iguazú, it has been observed that 50% of the roads require prevailing actions to improve the mobility of the roads; 40% of these reflect reduced mobility and deterioration of urban components, configured as an urgent action, and only 10% of the roads studied reflect adequate mobility conditions.

scholarly journals Energy content of anchovy and sardine using surrogate calorimetry methods

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Campanini ◽  
Marta Albo-Puigserver ◽  
Sara Gérez ◽  
Elena Lloret-Lloret ◽  
Joan Giménez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Condition Monitoring ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Bomb Calorimetry ◽  
Condition Indices ◽  
Monitoring Protocols

AbstractEuropean anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) are crucial species for the marine ecosystem of the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. They account for a high percentage of fish landings and they represent an important economic income. Concerns over their stock status are rising in recent years as biomass, growth, reproductive capacity and body condition of both species are declining. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a continuous and fast body condition monitoring scheme. Energy storage variability has important implications for both fish recruitment and population structure. Direct condition indices, such as bomb calorimetry, are highly reliable for measuring the energy content, but extremely time-consuming. Alternatively, fatmeter analysis and relative condition index (Kn) have been proposed as effective indirect methods. The aim of this study is to test the application of fatmeter as a surrogate of bomb calorimetry to infer the energy content of both small pelagic fishes. For the validation, fatmeter values were compared with both energy density (ED; via bomb calorimetry) and Kn values. Individuals of both species were sampled monthly in Barcelona harbor for a year in order to assess seasonal variations in energy content. Our results highlight that fatmeter measurements are strongly correlated with calorimetry for sardine, while a weaker but significant correlation was found for anchovy. The observed differences between the two species are related to their breeding strategies. Based on this study, fatmeter analysis appears to be a faster and suitable method to evaluate the energy content of both species routinely., In addition, we provide a linear model to infer ED from fatmeter values of both small pelagic fish. Eventually, these findings could allow for the avoidance of bomb calorimetry and could be used to implement body condition monitoring protocols, and to boost continuous large-scale monitoring.

Evaluation of Body Size and Body Condition Indices in Muskrats

1993 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 854 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Virgl ◽  
Francois Messier
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Indices

A body-condition index for ursids

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (7) ◽  
pp. 1156-1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc R.L Cattet ◽  
Nigel A Caulkett ◽  
Martyn E Obbard ◽  
Gordon B Stenhouse
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
Grizzly Bears ◽  
Polar Bears ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Total Body Mass ◽  
Total Body

In this investigation a body-condition index (BCI) was developed for polar bears (Ursus maritimus), black bears (Ursus americanus), and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), based on residuals from the regression of total body mass against a linear measure of size, straight-line body length (SLBL). Transformation of mass–length data from 1198 polar bears, 595 black bears, and 126 grizzly bears to natural logarithms resulted in a linear relationship between mass and length. However, the relationship in polar bears differed from that in black and grizzly bears. SLBL had a close positive relationship with skeletal (bone) mass in polar bears (n = 31) and black bears (n = 33), validating the use of SLBL as an accurate index of body size. There was no correlation between SLBL and BCI for polar bears (r = 0.005, p = 0.87, n = 1198) or for black bears and grizzly bears (r = 0.04, p = 0.30, n = 721), indicating that the BCI was independent of body size. The BCI had a close positive relationship with true body condition, measured as the standardized residual of the combined mass of fat and skeletal muscle against SLBL, in polar and black bears that were dissected to determine individual tissue masses. The BCI also had a close positive relationship with the standardized residual of fat mass against SLBL. Estimation of BCI values for polar bears, or for black bears and grizzly bears, is facilitated by prediction equations that require measurement of total body mass and SLBL for individual animals.

How does environmental variation influence body mass, body size, and body condition? Roe deer as a case study

Ecography ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Toïgo ◽  
Jean-Michel Gaillard ◽  
Guy Van Laere ◽  
Mark Hewison ◽  
Nicolas Morellet
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Environmental Variation

Assessment of the proportion of chemical fat in the bodies of live sheep

1972 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Guerra ◽  
C. J. Thwaites ◽  
T. N. Edey
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Experimental Animals ◽  
Weight Relationship ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Body Condition Scores

SUMMARYThe ability of subjectively assessed body condition scores, direct measurements of backfat depth, and an objective body condition index (based on the size/weight relationship), to predict the proportion of chemical fat in the body of the live sheep was investigated in three groups of Merino ewes. All three techniques possessed a similar, and practically acceptable ability to predict the proportion of chemical fat in the fleece-free empty body. However, both live weight and fleece-free empty body weight possessed similar predictive powers, and the method of choice in any particular situation could thus be determined by the availability of weighing facilities and the need for speed, objectivity and for minimizing interference with the experimental animals.

Site specific agricultural soil management with the use of new technologies

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Digital Interface ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Soil Variation ◽  
Soil Information ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
Agricultural Areas

<p>The Soil Science Institute of Thessaloniki produces new digitized Soil Maps that provide a useful electronic database for the spatial representation of the soil variation within a region, based on in situ soil sampling, laboratory analyses, GIS techniques and plant nutrition mathematical models, coupled with the local land cadastre. The novelty of these studies is that local agronomists have immediate access to a wide range of soil information by clicking on a field parcel shown in this digital interface and, therefore, can suggest an appropriate treatment (e.g. liming, manure incorporation, desalination, application of proper type and quantity of fertilizer) depending on the field conditions and cultivated crops. A specific case study is presented in the current work with regards to the construction of the digitized Soil Map of the regional unit of Kastoria. The potential of this map can easily be realized by the fact that the mapping of the physicochemical properties of the soils in this region provided delineation zones for differential fertilization management. An experiment was also conducted using remote sensing techniques for the enhancement of the fertilization advisory software database, which is a component of the digitized map, and the optimization of nitrogen management in agricultural areas.</p>

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