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Indices of condition in tropical ruminants *
Author(s) -
SINCLAIR A. R. E.,
DUNCAN P.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2028.1972.tb01174.x
Subject(s) - wildebeest , bone marrow , biology , condition index , kidney , reproduction , zoology , endocrinology , ecology , immunology , national park
Summary Bone marrow dry weight expressed as a percentage of its fresh weight was found to be a good indication of its fat content in wildebeest, kongoni, and buffalo. The calculated regression equations were similar enough to suggest a more general formula for the larger ruminants. Bone marrow fat is mobilized after the kidney fat and hence is a better measure of condition when an animal is under more extreme stresses. Fluctuations in kidney fat reflect physiological events related to reproduction. Visual estimates of bone marrow were found to reflect true differences in fat content, and the method is useful when marrow samples cannot be collected readily. It is pointed out that estimates of condition of naturally dying wild animals must be obtained before primary and secondary causes can be identified.