A comparison of techniques used to estimate body condition of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina)

• Published in: Wildlife Research
• Main Authors: Tierney, M, Hindell, MA, Lea, MA, Tollit, D
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: CSIRO Publishing 2001
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences; Environmental Science and Management; Wildlife and Habitat Management; Bia; Elephant Seals; Mirounga leonina; Southern Elephant Seals
• Online Access: http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/144.htm; https://doi.org/10.1071/WR00066; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/22722

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 differen...