Video Analysis to Monitor Rigor Mortis in Cultured Gulf of Mexico Sturgeon (Ancipenser oxyrynchus desotoi)

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A subjective method was used to evaluate rigor mortis in 50 Gulf sturgeons distributed into 5 weight categories. Duration of rigor increased with fish weight. Onset of rigor ranged from 12 to 24 h. A new method to determine onset and resolution of rigor in cultured Gulf sturgeon was studied using analysis of video images. Insight on the progress of rigor through the fish body is provided. In 10 different time intervals from 0 to 67 h after death, fish were temporarily secured to the edge of a table by the head, with the body free to droop, and video images were taken. Rulers in the background allowed quantification of body position. The extent of deflection of various points along the body length was analyzed. New parameters based on maximum deflection and integral deflections were developed. Rigor in Gulf sturgeon took an average of 24 h to onset and 67 h to resolve and was not a uniform process: the tail reached maximum rigor later than the middle of the fish.