APPLICATION OF BODY CONDITION INDICES FOR LEOPARD TORTOISES (GEOCHELONE PARDALIS) Laura Lickel, BS,* and Mark S. Edwards, Ph. California Polytechnic State University, Animal Science Department, San Luis Obispo CA 93407-0255 USA Abstract Indirect methods of assessing chelonian body condition using combinations of body mass and shell measurements have been explored: 1,2,4-9 however, there is little published data on tracking captive chelonian health and growth using a body condition index (BCI). 10 Two published BCI formulas were compared for application with a captive colony of leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis). Eighteen, 5 year-old leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis), hatched at the Department of Herpetology, Smithsonian National Zoological Park (Washington, DC) and transferred to the Animal Science Department, California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo, CA) were included in this study. Animal husbandry, diets and enclosures are described elsewhere. 3 Body weight and selected morphometrics are recorded weekly. Body weight (BW, g) was quantified to 0.1g (Delta Range SB32001DR, Mettler-Toledo, Inc., 1900 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240). Shell measurements included: straight carapace length (SCL), the maximum straight line length between the anterior to posterior edges of the carapace to 0.1 cm (Figure 1); plastron width (PW), the width along the plastral suture between the pectoral and abdominal scutes measured with 150mm dial calipers (General Tools Mfg. Co. LLC, New York, NY 10013) to 0.01cm (Figure 2); and carapace height (CH), the height at the greatest point of the third vertebral scute measured with a 40cm metal combination square (Johnson Level & Tool Mfg. Co. Inc., 6333 West Donges Bay Rd., Mequon, WI 53092-4456) to 0.1 cm (Figure 3). Eighteen consecutive wks of data from all animals is presented here. Use of the animals indicated in this study, protocol #903, has been reviewed and approved by the California Polytechnic State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. A body condition index simulating a physical density value described as a ratio of body mass to estimated shell volume (SV) in g/cm 3 proposed for use in free-ranging adult desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) is calculated as: 4 [Formula A] BCI = body mass, g carapace length x width x height, cm 3 Formula A, without the need for complicated regression equations, can be used to rapidly assess nutritional and hydration status of desert tortoises under field conditions. When applied to desert tortoises through 2 years of above average rainfall, prime BCI (defined as the highest BCI during the study period) averaged 0.64 g/cm. 4 Overall, this value did not vary with age, sex, or body size differences. 4 The authors believed it to be useful as an initial condition indicator in the field. 4,8 However, this formula is limited by the assumption that the shell conforms to a
rectangular prism 8 (Figure 4). The unoccupied space within the rectangular prism fitted with a domed carapace, overestimates SV, decreasing the BCI below 1. Applying measurements from this group of leopard tortoises, using Formula A, the mean BCI was 0.60 ± 0.02 g/cm 3, a value similar though slightly lower than observed in desert tortoises (Figure 5). 3 A single, 10 yr old female leopard tortoises had a mean BCI of 0.51 ± 0.03 g/cm 3. An alternate equation [Formula B] was investigated for free-ranging Namaqualand speckled padlopers (Homopus signatus signatus). 7 This equally practical equation considers the domed carapace shape by using half of an ellipsoidal volume calculation (Figure 8). [Formula B] BCI = 6 x body mass, g π x SCL x PW x CH, cm 3 Over a 5 yr period, springtime BCI for wild Namaqualand speckled padloper males, females, and juveniles using Formula B was 1.05, 1.08, and 1.02, respectively 7. In the same study, seasonal fluctuations were substantial (up to 18% change in females). It was suggested the increase in female BCI in spring may have been associated with springtime nesting. 7 Application the formula to previous studies of desert tortoises and pond turtles produced similar body densities of 1.17 and 1.13 g/cm 3, respectively. Evaluation of Formulas A and B in other chelonian species has been suggested 7. Using Formula B, with measurements from this group of leopard tortoises, mean BCI = 1.15 ±.05 g/cm 3. The individual 10 yr old female had a mean BCI = 0.97 ± 0.05 g/cm 3 using Formula B. A relationship of 1g of body mass per cm 3 is rational, as the density of water is 1g/cm 3. To the authors knowledge, these body condition indices have not been evaluated in conjunction with other direct or indirect measurements of body composition. The values produced using Formulas A and B are relative, and should not be used as true indications of body condition. Further evaluation of these formulas through body composition studies would provide crucial information for their evaluation and practical use with tortoises. Acknowledgments The authors wish to express their sincere appreciation to the following: the Smithsonian National Zoological Park for donation of animals to the California Polytechnic State University teaching and research program; PMI Nutrition International / Mazuri for their contributions supporting the California Polytechnic State University Comparative Animal Nutrition program; the California Polytechnic State University Mathematics Department for assistance with equation analysis, and the California Polytechnic State University Animal Science students that provide daily expert animal care.
LITERATURE CITED 1. Bjorndal, KA, Bolten, AB, Chaloupka, MY. 2000. Green turtle somatic growth model: evidence for density dependence. Ecological Applications. 10(1):269-282. 2. Grubb, P. 1971. The growth, ecology and population structure of giant tortoises on Aldabra. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. 260:327-372. 3. Higgins C, Edwards MS. 2009. Application of allometric field metabolic rate equations to predict energy and food requirements of leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis). Proceedings of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association Nutrition Advisory Group. Tulsa OK. 4. Nagy, KA, Henen, BT, Vyas, DB, Wallis, IR. 2002. A condition index for the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Chelonian Conservation Biology. 4(2):425-429. 5. Lambert, MRK. 1995. On geographical size variation, growth, and sexual dimorphism of the leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis, in Somaliland. Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 1(4):269-278. 6. Lambert, MRK, Campbell, KLI, Kabigumila, JD. 1998. On growth and morphometrics of leopard tortoises, Geochelone pardalis, in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, with observations on effects of bushfires and latitudinal variation in populations of eastern Africa. 1998. Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 3(1):46-57. 7. Loehr, VJT, Hofmeyr, MD, Henen, BT. 2007. Annual variation in the body condition of a small, arid-zone tortoise, Homopus signatus signatus. Journal of Arid Environments. 71:337-349. 8. Stevenson, RD, Woods, Jr, WA. 2006. Condition indices for conservation: new uses for evolving tools. Integrative and Comparative Biology. 46(6):1169-1190. 9. Willemsen, RE, Hailey, A. 2002. Body mass condition in Greek tortoises: regional and interspecific variation. Herpetological Journal. 12:105-114. 10. Willemsen, RE, Hailey, A, Longepierre, S, Grenot, C. 2002. Body mass condition and management of captive European tortoises. Herpetological Journal. 12:115-121.
Figure 1. Application of a modified fish board to measure midline straight carapace length (MSCL) of a juvenile leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis) Figure 2. Measurement of plastron width (PW) of a juvenile leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis). Figure 3. Measurement of carapace height (CH) of a juvenile leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis). Figure 4. The relationship of the area of a rectangular prism to the volume of a juvenile leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis) shell. Figure 6. Relationship of a half ellipsoid to the volume of a juvenile leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis).
Figure 5. Mean (± s.d) body condition index of 18, 5 yr old leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis) using two different formulas developed to characterize body condition in tortoises. a,b Formula A (rectangular prism) Formula B (half-ellipsoid) Tortoise ID Mean ± s.d Mean ± s.d. 307094 0.59 0.01 1.12 0.03 307097 0.61 0.01 1.17 0.03 307098 0.61 0.01 1.16 0.02 307099 0.57 0.02 1.09 0.04 307100 0.60 0.02 1.15 0.04 307101 0.61 0.02 1.17 0.04 307102 0.63 0.02 1.21 0.04 307103 0.61 0.02 1.16 0.04 307104 0.59 0.02 1.12 0.03 307105 0.61 0.01 1.16 0.03 307106 0.63 0.01 1.20 0.03 307107 0.61 0.02 1.16 0.03 307109 0.60 0.02 1.14 0.04 307110 0.62 0.02 1.19 0.03 307111 0.59 0.02 1.13 0.04 307112 0.61 0.02 1.17 0.04 307113 0.58 0.01 1.11 0.02 307114 0.57 0.02 1.10 0.04 a Formula A (BCI) = body mass, g / carapace length x width x height, cm 3 b Formula B (BCI) = 6 x body mass, g / π x SCL x PW x CH, cm 3