Analysis of body condition indices reveals different ecotypes of the Antillean manatee.

ABSTRACT: Assessing the body condition of wild animals is necessary to monitor the health of the population and is critical to defining a framework for conservation actions. Body condition indices (BCIs) are a non-invasive and relatively simple means to assess the health of individual animals, useful for addressing a wide variety of ecological, behavioral, and management questions. The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is an endangered subspecies of the West Indian manatee, facing a wide variety of threats from mostly human-related origins. Our objective was to define specific BCIs for the subspecies that, coupled with additional health, genetic and demographic information, can be valuable to guide management decisions. Biometric measurements of 380 wild Antillean manatees captured in s

SUBMITTER: Castelblanco-Martinez DN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8484672 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature