Evaluation of morphological indices and total body electrical conductivity to assess body composition in big brown bats
Acta Chiropterologica
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Abstract
Bat researchers have used both morphological indices and total body electric conductivity (TOBEC) as proxies for body condition in a variety of studies, but have typically not validated these indices against direct measurement of body composition. We quantified body composition (total carcass lipids) to determine if morphological indices were useful predictors of body condition in big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). We also evaluated body composition indirectly by TOBEC using EM-SCAN?? technology. The most important predictors of body composition in multiple regression analysis were body mass-to-forearm ratio (partial r2 = 0.82, P < 0.001) followed by TOBEC measurement (partial r2 = 0.08, P < 0.001) and to a minor extent head length (partial r2 = 0.02, P < 0.05). Morphological condition indices alone may be adequate for some studies because of lower cost and effort. Marking bats with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags affected TOBEC measurements. ?? Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS.
Suggested Citation
Pearce, R., O'Shea, T., Wunder, B., 2008, Evaluation of morphological indices and total body electrical conductivity to assess body composition in big brown bats: Acta Chiropterologica, v. 10, no. 1, p. 153-159, https://doi.org/10.3161/150811008X331171.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Evaluation of morphological indices and total body electrical conductivity to assess body composition in big brown bats |
| Series title | Acta Chiropterologica |
| DOI | 10.3161/150811008X331171 |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2008 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Acta Chiropterologica |
| First page | 153 |
| Last page | 159 |