Body measurements of west African dwarf sheep as parameters for estimation of live weight

The relationships between live weight and eight body measurements of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep were studied using 210 animals under on farm condition. Data obtained on height at withers (HW), heart girth (HG), body length (BL), head length (HL), head width (HDW), loin girth (LG), length of hindquarter (LHQ) and width of hindquarter (WHQ) were fitted into linear, allometric and multiple regression models to predict live weight from the body measurements. Results revealed that body measurements of WAD sheep were generally higher in the rams than in the ewes. Coefficient of determination (R(2)) values computed for the body measurements were generally higher (0.87-0.99) using allometric regression model than linear regression model (0.44-0.94). Heart girth (HG) and WHQ depicted the highest relationship to live weight in linear and allometric models compared to other body measurements. Based on stepwise elimination procedure, HG, HL and WHQ were better in predicting live weight in multiple linear regression models. The magnitude of correlation coefficient (r) indicate that WHQ shows the highest correlation with live weight (r = 0.96) compared to HG (r = 0.94).     

To catch a buffalo: field immobilisation of Asian swamp buffalo using etorphine and xylazine

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the efficacy of a mixture of etorphine and xylazine to safely immobilise wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in the field. METHODS: Body mass was estimated (to calculate mass-specific dosages) by deriving a predictive relationship between morphometric measurements (body length, height) and mass based on a dataset collected in Vietnam, because the study animals could not be weighed in the field. RESULTS: Mass-specific dosages varied between 0.02 and 0.03 mg/kg for etorphine and between 0.14 and 0.22 mg/kg for xyalazine; induction times varied between 10 and 33 min, mean recumbency time was 68 min, and the mean time to standing was 10 min (range: 10-17 min). CONCLUSIONS: The mixture of ethorphine and xylazine was effective for immobilisation of this species and appeared to have a relatively large safety margin, based on the mass-specific dosages used. The allometric relationships described here should prove useful for those working with wild swamp buffalo.     

Age- and sex-dependent regression models for predicting the live weight of West African Dwarf goat from body measurements

The relationships between live weight and eight body measurements of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were studied using 211 animals under farm condition. The animals were categorized based on age and sex. Data obtained on height at withers (HW), heart girth (HG), body length (BL), head length (HL), and length of hindquarter (LHQ) were fitted into simple linear, allometric, and multiple-regression models to predict live weight from the body measurements according to age group and sex. Results showed that live weight, HG, BL, LHQ, HL, and HW increased with the age of the animals. In multiple-regression model, HG and HL best fit the model for goat kids; HG, HW, and HL for goat aged 13–24 months; while HG, LHQ, HW, and HL best fit the model for goats aged 25–36 months. Coefficients of determination (R ²) values for linear and allometric models for predicting the live weight of WAD goat increased with age in all the body measurements, with HG being the most satisfactory single measurement in predicting the live weight of WAD goat. Sex had significant influence on the model with R ² values consistently higher in females except the models for LHQ and HW.     

The growth of turkeys 2. Body components and allometric relationships

ABSTRACT

1. The relationships between the main components of the body and body protein among males and females of BUT 6 (BUT) and Hybrid Converter (HYB) turkey strains were examined.

2. The weights of breast meat, breast skin, drumstick meat, drumstick skin, thigh meat, thigh skin and wing-plus-skin as well as the head, neck, feet, blood, heart, liver and gizzard were measured at different stages of growth after which all components of each bird were minced together in order to determine the feather-free body protein weight of each bird sampled. Using the weights of the components and the protein content of each bird the allometric relationships between the components and body protein were determined and then compared for each strain x sex combination.

3. By excluding the breast weights at day-old and at 7 d, the remaining points produced an acceptable allometric relationship (R² = 0.992). Thigh weight could be predicted for all strain x sex combinations using one allometric equation, as could drumstick skin weight. Breast and thigh skin weights differed between males and females. Females of the HYB strain exhibited heavier drumstick and wing-plus-skin weights at a given body protein weight than the other three strain x sex combinations. These differences in both the constant term and regression coefficient in the allometric equations between genotypes are probably due to differences in the amount of lipid that is deposited in these tissues.

4. Sexes differed in the allometric relationships for head, feet, heart and liver, while breeds differed in gizzard weight. A common relationship between the four genotypes could be used to predict the weight of blood in the carcass.

5. The allometric equations fitted to the data in this trial enable the accurate prediction of the weights of the different physical components given the weight of body protein.     

Size Allometry in Mink (Mustela vison) Selected for Feed Efficiency

Objectives were to analyse absolute and relative size of mink at maturity, and to test effects of selection line, sex and interaction on size. For male and female mink selected for high or low feed efficiency, size at 30 weeks was analyzed for body weight, carcass weight, pelt weight, subcutaneous fat weight, and pelt length. For absolute size, an ANOVA model included effects of line, sex, and interaction. For relative size, two models were used: an allometric model and an extended allometric model, which included effects of line, sex, and interaction.

For the ANOVA model, sexes differed for each variable; females were less than males. As a percentage of body weight, however, carcass weight was larger in females than males, whereas fat weight was smaller in females than males. For the extended allometric growth model, sexes differed for carcass weight and subcutaneous fat weight; females fattened faster than males.     

Growth and development of chicks of two species of partridge: the grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and the chukar (Alectoris chukar)

1. In two partridge species, the grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and chukar (Alectoris chukar), from hatching up to 120?d, the growth rate and development of body mass, wing, tarsus, and bill length were measured and fitted by Gompertz equations.

2. As a typical precocial species, partridges hatched with relatively well developed legs and bills, and wing growth followed a gradual development of thermoregulation.

3. Gompertz growth constants for body mass growth were 0·039 and 0·038 for grey partridges and chukars, respectively.

4. The allometric relationship between tarsus length and body mass followed a geometric similarity (1/3 power) in both grey partridges and chukars.     

Body condition scoring (BCS) in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and comparison to pre-existing body condition index (BCI) for snakes

In the veterinary profession, the body condition score (BCS) plays an important role in the assessment of patients. It is a subjective, tactile method of evaluating body fat and muscle mass and is used in numerous species. Recognizing obesity (or the contrary, emaciation) is important for veterinarians treating reptiles and could be facilitated by a BCS. An existing form of body condition assessment already used is the body condition index (BCI), where the residuals from a regression of body mass on body length are calculated. Therefore, the goal of this study was to provide practitioners with a BCS system for corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and to test it against the BCI. A total of 22 corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus), stationed at the “Auffangstation für Reptilien” in Munich (reptile rescue centre, RRC), were subject of this study. Each had the following measurements taken: body weight (BW), snout–tail tip length (STL), snout–vent length (SVL) and circumference in the middle (C). Manual palpation of spine, area between vertebral spinous and transverse process, ribs and neck of each snake was performed by three veterinarians and assigned to specific scores by each examiner. A BCS (mean of examiners’ scores) was given to each snake according to manual palpation. The BCS system was chosen to be out of 5 in 0.5-point steps with 2.5 considered as ideal BCS. In the studied snakes, the BCS ranged from 1.5 to 3.5, with a median of 2.5. The median BW was 309 g (75–967 g), the median STL was 123 cm (79–153 cm), the median SVL was 104 cm (73–133 cm) and the median C was 7.5 cm (4.3–11 cm). BCS and BCI were positively correlated. A BCS includes a manual palpation of the animal and thus gives the examiner additional information to the objectively measured/calculated index.     

Ontogenetic Scaling of the Hindlimb Muscles of the Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)

The greater rhea (Rhea americana) is the largest South American bird. It is a cursorial, flightless species with long powerful legs and reduced forelimbs. The goal of this study was to explore how hindlimb muscles scale with body mass during postnatal growth and to analyze whether the specialized locomotion of this species affects the growth of muscle masses. The mass of 19 muscles and body mass were weighed in 21 specimens ranging from 1‐month‐old individuals to adults. Seventeen muscles scaled with positive allometry with respect to body mass, whereas two muscles scaled isometrically . The predominance of positive allometric growth in hindlimb muscles results in a limb with massive and powerful muscles specialized to support a large body mass and to attain relatively high running speeds. Analysis of muscle mass scaling is a simple and useful way to compare possible differences between locomotor styles, and it is valuable in studies that reconstruct the paleobiology of extinct taxa.     

朝鲜鹌鹑的生长发育性能研究

选择300只10日龄的朝鲜鹌鹑(公、母各半),在相同的饲养管理条件下饲养4周,系统测定了各周的体重和体斜长、胸骨长、胸宽、胸深、胫长等体尺指标,并拟合了公、母鹑体重的Logistic生长曲线。结果表明,朝鲜鹌鹑公、母鹑38日龄体重为109.38 g和117.92 g,母鹑的生长速度明显高于公鹑,所拟合的公、母鹑体重的生长曲线方程分别为yt=122.5/[1+e-0.1200×(t-20.0921)](R2=0.9914)和yt=134.5/[1+e-0.1154×(t-21.0727)](R2=0.9933),鹑群生长发育均匀整齐。     

Morphological characteristics of blood cells in monitor lizards: is erythrocyte size linked to actual body size?

Blood cell morphology and count are not uniform across species. Recently, between‐species comparisons revealed that the size of red blood cells is associated with body size in some lizard taxa, and this finding was interpreted in the context of the metabolic theory. In the present study, we examined the numbers and the size of blood cells in 2 species of monitor lizards, the mangrove‐dwelling monitor (Varanus indicus) and the savannah monitor (V. exanthematicus), and we compared these traits in individuals of different body size. The results revealed that during the course of ontogeny, the size of red blood cells increases with body mass. Because the mass‐specific metabolic rate decreases with body size and the cell volume‐to‐surface ratio decreases with the cell size, changes in the erythrocyte size might be the result of oxygen transport adjustment.     

水貂皮初加工前后几项测试值及其相关分析

通过对 10 0只金州黑色标准水貂的体重、生皮重、干皮重、体长、生皮长、干皮长等 6项性状数据的测试 ,得出了水貂皮初加工过程出现的毛皮减重、伸展等多项指标 ,初步探讨了各项测试值之间的相关规律 ,并初次建立了体重、体长与干皮长的线性回归方程 ,为估测和比较皮张尺码 ,评估生产水平提供了科学依据。     

Indexing cardiovascular and respiratory variables: allometric scaling principles

ObjectivesTo describe the allometric scaling principles underlying appropriate indexing of cardiovascular and respiratory measurements obtained in adult mammals, and to propose guidelines for indexing experimental cardiovascular and respiratory data.Database usedPubMed, using the terms ‘allometry’, ‘allometric’, ‘indexing’, ‘cardiovascular’ and ‘respiratory’.ConclusionsIndexing of cardiopulmonary variables is commonly used in attempts to account for the effects of body size on measurements and to standardize them. Some cardiopulmonary variables have been indexed using various functions of body mass in a process that often ignores the underlying relationship between the variable of interest and body size, as described in the allometry literature. This can result in a failure to ideally reduce the effect of body size on measurements in a manner that highlights differences. We review how commonly measured cardiopulmonary variables are related to body mass in mammalian species according to the allometry literature, and offer suggestions on how this information can be used to appropriately index cardiopulmonary variables in a simple and informative manner.     

Relationships between kidney mass and body size in some Anseriformes

Relationships between kidney mass (KM) and body mass (BM), body length (BL), and sternum length (SL) were studied in adults of both sexes of 4 Mergini anseriforms: Clangula hyemalis (n = 74), Melanitta fusca (n = 29), M. nigra (n = 15), and Somateria mollissima (n = 8). The following indices were established for the four species and for the Mergini tribe: KM/BM (as per cent body mass), KM/BL, and KM/SL. Additionally, allometric equations describing the relationships studied were developed for the tribe using mean kidney weights and body parameters of males and females of the species examined. The KM/BM indices for several anseriform tribes (i.e. Anserini, Anatini, Aythyini and Mergini), differing in food and feeding modes, were determined, based on the literature data and those obtained in this study. In addition, an allometric equation describing the kidney weight-body weight relationship in the Anseriformes order was developed as log KM = 0.797 log BM-1.346 (n = 22). The relative kidney size in the sea duck species studied showed significant intra- and interspecific differences. In addition, clear between-tribes differences in KM/BM were revealed. The highest value (1.57%) of the index is typical of the Mergini, grouping diving carnivorous sea ducks, while the lowest index (0.65%) is typical of the Anserini, a tribe which groups non-diving herbivorous birds.     

Stoichiometry of a semi‐aquatic plethodontid salamander: Intraspecific variation due to location,size and diet

Ecological stoichiometry provides a framework to investigate an organism's relationship to nutrient cycles. An organism's stoichiometry is thought to constrain its contribution to nutrient cycles (recycling or storage), and to limit its growth and reproduction. Factors that influence the stoichiometry of a consumer are largely unstudied, but what is known is that consumer stoichiometry is influenced by the elemental requirements of the consumer (e.g. for growth, reproduction and cell maintenance) and the availability of elements. We examined whole‐body stoichiometry of larval southern two‐lined salamanders (Eurycea cirrigera) and described the influence of location, body size, stoichiometry of diet items, and environmental nutrient supply on whole‐body stoichiometry. Mean composition of phosphorous was 2.6%, nitrogen was 11.3%, and carbon was 39.6%, which are similar for other aquatic vertebrate taxa. The most significant predictor of whole‐body stoichiometry was the site where the samples were collected, which was significant for each nutrient and nutrient ratio. Body size and stoichiometry of diet items were also predictors of Eurycea cirrigera stoichiometry. Our study suggests that spatial differences in environmental nutrient supply have a stronger influence on consumer whole‐body stoichiometry among similar‐sized larvae compared to life history traits, such as body size or diet.     

Post‐natal Growth of the Gastrointestinal Tract of the Siberian Hamster: Morphometric Analysis

Post‐natal growth of the gastrointestinal tract of the Siberian hamster was studied in newborn and 3‐, 7‐, 14‐, 21‐, 42‐ and 90‐day‐old animals. Morphometric measurements and calculations were carried out: length and internal surface of gastrointestinal tract segments, size (height, width, surface) and density of villi as well as allometric growth rate of the length and internal surface of the segments with respect to the body mass. The fastest growth rate of the gastrointestinal tract segments was noticed during the first 3 days of the post‐natal life. Nevertheless, significant regional differences in their growth rate were found. The increase in the length and internal surface of the large intestine was fastest, while the smallest increase was observed in the oesophagus. All segments of the gastrointestinal tract except oesophagus exhibited a positive allometric relationship to the body mass from birth till final weaning, whereas during the post‐weaning period, the increase was isometric. Thus, at birth, the gastrointestinal tract segments were relatively smaller compared with those observed in adults, but then, the gastrointestinal tract grew faster than the rest of the body and reached its adult proportions just before the transition to solid food. Most probably, reaching the adult structure of the gastrointestinal tract before the final weaning is an essential condition for the proper growth of an organism after the weaning.     

短命植物小车前构件属性特征及其相互关系

以准噶尔荒漠广泛分布的短命植物小车前(Plantago minuta)为研究对象,通过野外调查取样,系统分析了植物构件形态、生物量分配特征及其异速比例关系。结果表明,小车前体型较小,全株生物量仅有0.402 3g;根冠比为0.157,繁殖分配和叶片生物量分别占44.2%和36.9%,生物量分配具有个体大小依赖。小车前形态指标之间、构件生物量之间及二者之间多具有显著相关性(P0.05)和异速比例关系,其中构件生物量间多为等比例关系(异速指数=1),形态指标间多为指数1的异速比例关系,而形态特征与生物量间多为指数1的异速比例关系,本研究部分验证了理论预测。构件水平差异化的异速比例关系体现了小车前不同构件对外界环境和内在发育规律的不同响应和适应特征。     

准噶尔荒漠6种类短命植物生物量分配与异速生长关系

类短命植物是我国荒漠植物区系中重要而独特的组成部分。准噶尔荒漠是类短命植物在中亚干旱区分布的最东端。目前关于类短命植物生物量分配及异速生长关系的研究较少。选择了百合科的小山蒜、棱叶韭、粗柄独尾草、黑鳞顶冰花、伊犁郁金香以及菊科的细叶鸦葱共6种植物作为研究对象,对比研究了其生物量分配及异速生长关系的异同。结果表明,6种类短命植物单株总生物量在0.628～21.144 g之间,根冠比在0.355～3.066之间,叶片生物量比例在0.092～0.289之间,繁殖分配比例在0.111～0.649之间。6种植物用于繁殖器官和光合器官的生物量分配各不相同,表明不同科、不同属及同属不同种之间的生物量大小及器官分配比例无一致规律。大部分物种根冠比随个体增大而显著下降,而繁殖分配则呈显著的异速增加的趋势。6种植物器官生物量间(共45对)大部分(40对)表现为等速生长关系(即异速生长指数为1),而且地上与地下生物量间及叶片与地下生物量间还各自具有共同的异速生长指数(分别为0.8764和0.8585),表现出强烈的功能趋同性。但6个物种间没有出现完全一致的相关生长关系,这可能归因于由系统分类地位决定的遗传特性的差异。     

Interspecies variations in plasma half-life of ampicillin, amoxycillin, sulphadimidine and sulphacetamide related to variations in body mass.

The relationships between the half-lives during the elimination phase (t1/2 minutes) of ampicillin, amoxycillin, sulphadimidine and sulphacetamide and body mass (W, kg) between species of mammals and birds were examined using data from the authors' experiments and collected from the literature. Linear regression of the log half-lives of ampicillin, amoxycillin and sulphadimidine following intravenous injection on the log body mass for a variety of species of mammals and birds revealed significant correlations (r = 0.7709, n = 8, r = 0.7712, n = 8, r = 0.7749, n = 10). The interspecies relationships were described by the allometric equations t1/2 = 31.3 W0.16, t1/2 = 32.7 W0.12 and t1/2 = 129.2 W0.28, respectively. These equations may be of value for estimating dose intervals in species for which no relevant pharmacokinetic data are available.     

Sexual size dimorphism in the lizard Oplurus cuvieri cuvieri (Squamata,Opluridae) from Madagascar

Sexual size dimorphism in the medium-sized lizard Oplurus cuvieri cuvieri, which is endemic to the dry deciduous forest of Madagascar, is presented. Adults are sexually dimorphic in body size, head size, and tail length. Males have a greater snout–vent length (SVL), head depth, head width, jaw length, tail length and body mass than females. Juvenile males have greater annual SVL growth rates than juvenile females, contributing to adult sexual size dimorphism. Moreover, the rates of increase in head depth and width differ significantly between the sexes after reaching maturity so that adult males have larger heads for a given body size than adult females. I suggest three proximate mechanisms that may cause sex-related differences in adult head size of O. c. cuvieri based on natural selection; to reduce intersexual food competition, sexual selection involving mate acquisition in males, and ontogenetic change of allometry to improve reproductive output in females.     

人工养殖东北林蛙生长与发育规律的初步研究

2008年4—10月,在黑龙江省佳木斯市某东北林蛙养殖场,对1龄、2龄和3龄人工养殖东北林蛙的体重（Y）、体长（1）、前臂及手长（f）、后肢长（X）和头宽（z）体尺指标进行测量与分析。结果表明：1龄、2龄东北林蛙在7月的绝对生长率最大,3龄东北林蛙在5月和8月的绝对生长率高于其他月;1龄、3龄东北林蛙5月的相对生长率最大,2龄东北林蛙5月和7月的相对生长率大于其他月;不同种源的1龄东北林蛙体重差别显著（P〈0．05）;东北林蛙各体尺指标之间的相关性均显著（P〈0．01）;利用多元线性回归建立了东北林蛙体重与其他体尺指标的最优回归方程为Y=-18．374＋4．417x＋1．246z（R=0．923、R^2=0．853、校正R^2=0．851）。