Evaluating body condition in small mammals

• DOI: 10.1139/z01-073
• Publication Date: 2011-04-24T08:22:59Z
• Authors: A I Schulte-Hostedde; J S Millar; G J Hickling
• Keywords: Isotope dilution; Deer mouse

Body condition (energy reserves) can have important fitness consequences. Measuring of live animals is typically done by regressing body mass on measures size and using the residuals as an index condition. The validity this was evaluated determining whether it reflected measured fat content five species small mammals (yellow-pine chipmunks (Tamias amoenus Allen), bushy-tailed wood rats (Neotoma cinerea Ord), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi Vigors), meadow (Microtus pennsylvanicus Ord)). We also determined water could predict content, enabling use hydrogen-isotope dilution for estimating For all species, estimates weakly predicted more accurately variation in lean dry content. relationship between inconsistent among discouraging against general isotope these animals. Although ecologically important, indices are best interpreted explaining constituents composition.