The relationship between early growth and survival of hatchling saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in captivity.

ABSTRACT: Hatchling fitness in crocodilians is affected by "runtism" or failure to thrive syndrome (FTT) in captivity. In this study, 300 hatchling C. porosus, artificially incubated at 32°C for most of their embryonic development, were raised in semi-controlled conditions, with growth criteria derived for the early detection of FTT (within 24 days). Body mass, four days after hatching (BM4d), was correlated with egg size and was highly clutch specific, while snout-vent length (SVL4d) was much more variable within and between clutches. For the majority of hatchlings growth trajectories within the first 24 days continued to 90 days and could be used to predict FTT affliction up to 300 days, highlighting the importance of early growth. Growth and survival of hatchling C. porosus in captivity was not i

SUBMITTER: Brien ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4069027 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature