
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Tierney, Megan 
A1  - Hindell, Mark 
A1  - Lea, Mary-Anne 
A1  - Tollit, Dominic 
T1  - A comparison of techniques used to estimate body condition of southern elephant seals (<emph type="2">Mirounga leonina</emph>)
JF  - Wildlife Research
JO  - Wildl. Res.
Y1  - 2001
VL  - 28
IS  - 6
SP  - 581
EP  - 588
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/WR00066 
N2  - The total body water (TBW) and body condition of 86 female southern elephant seals was estimated from tritiated water (HTO) dilution space analysis. HTO blood samples were analysed using two distillation methods (direct serum counts and evaporative freeze capture) that yielded significantly different estimates. Evaporative freeze capture is recommended for use because it is faster, cheaper, and provides a more precise TBW estimate of dilution space. Estimates of TBW were then compared with those derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and morphometric models. There were significant, positive relationships between TBW and BIA variables, but the level of accuracy was inadequate for BIA to be more useful than the other methods trialled. Morphometric models accurately estimated TBW (kg). Models developed from surface area (SA) (TBW = &#91;SA * 82.58&#93; &#8211; 86.94) and from a combination of mass (M), length (L), and girth (G) (TBW = &#91;(M * 0.72) + (L * 5.49) + (G * 134.94) + 164.36)&#93; provided the most accurate TBW estimates. In contrast, condition indices did not give accurate or reliable estimates of relative body condition. 
ER  -

