Changes In Body Proportions Research Articles

Changes in Morphometric Parameters in Selected Early Ontogenic Stages of Three Fish Species from the Genus Leuciscus (Teleostei, Cyprynidae)

Observations were conducted of the changes in the measurements of selected morphometric characters in embryos and larvae of three closely-related fish species (dace, Leuciscus leuciscus (L.), ide, Leuciscus idus (L.), European chub, Leuciscus cephalus (L.)). It was confirmed that individual development immediately following hatching is fast with rapid changes in body proportions that stem from the development of particular systems. It was also observed that in dace and ide the values of the biometric characters observed were very similar, as were the trends of these changes. Although chub differed insignificantly from the other two species, statistically significant relative values and the character of growth were noted especially with regard to the lowest height of the tail fold, head depth, body depth, and yolk sac length. Differences in body proportions can be explained by the different maintenance strategies of these species during the earliest stages of ontogenesis.

Proportional Growth Assessment of Spitian Boys of the Himalayas

The present cross sectional study on changes in body proportions of different parts during growing years has been conducted on Spitian boys, ranging in age from 5 to 20 years. Anthropometric data for height, weight, biacromial and bicristal diameters and skinfolds at triceps and subscapular was collected on 636 subjects during 1996-1998 from various areas of Spiti valley. The altitudes of different areas from where the data was collected range between 3500 -4200 metres above mean-sea-level . The age trends of proportional body weight in relation to height among Spitian boys expressed as Z-scores have been found to be positive up to 7 years of age and negative thereafter. The major difference between the biacromial and bicristal diameters is t hat while the relative bicristal diameter keeps on decreasing till the age of 14 years, the relative biacromial diameter stops decr easing at 11 years of age and gains thereafter. This seems to be the reason behind the differential growth of these two measures and t he establishment of the masculine body form.

Shell form, growth and life span of Astarte arctica and A. borealis (Mollusca: Bivalvia) from the subtidal zone of northeastern Sakhalin

This study investigates changes in body proportions during ontogenesis of the bivalves Astarte arctica and A. borealis from the subtidal zone of northeastern Sakhalin. Marked differences in the shell form of bivalves were found. The shell of A. arctica is convex and compact, shell length and height are comparable, and shell width is more than 50% of shell height. A. borealis has a slightly elongate and flattened shell, its width is less than 50% of its height. Shell proportions can provide a reliable criterion for differentiating the species. Mollusks grow at nearly the same rate but attain different maximum sizes. Linear growth is described by Bertalanffy’s equation: Lt = 48.2[1 − e −0.4850(t − 0.4396)] for A. arctica and Lt = 53.1[1 − e−0.4106(t − 0.4253)] for A. borealis. In northeastern Sakhalin, the life span of A. arctica is 7 years and of A. borealis, 8 years. By life span, the two bivalve species from Sakhalin slightly differ from their counterparts in other regions, particularly the arctic seas.

Patterns of Growth and Body Proportions After Total-Body Irradiation and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation During Childhood

Patterns of growth and body proportions were studied in 75 children receiving total-body irradiation (TBI) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) before onset of puberty. Of the 19 patients receiving GH, only data obtained before onset of GH were included. Thirty-two patients reached final height (FH). Median change in height SD score (SDS) between SCT and FH was -1.7 in boys and -1.1 in girls. Peak height velocity (PHV) was decreased in the majority of the patients (median PHV 5.7 cm/y in boys and 5.3 cm/y in girls), even though it occurred at appropriate ages. Changes in body proportions were analyzed by linear mixed-effects models. Decrease in sitting height SDS did not differ between boys and girls. In boys, decrease in leg length SDS was of comparable magnitude, whereas, in girls, decrease in leg length was less pronounced, leading to a significant decrease in SDS for sitting height/height ratio in girls only. The sex-specific effects of several variables on height SDS were analyzed by linear mixed-effects modeling, showing a slightly faster decrease in younger children and a more pronounced decrease during puberty in boys compared with girls. We conclude that 1) younger children are more susceptible to growth retardation after TBI and SCT, 2) pubertal growth is more compromised in boys, and 3) leg growth is relatively less affected in girls, possibly due to a high incidence of gonadal failure in girls.

Amino acid composition of early stages of cephalopods and effect of amino acid dietary treatments on Octopus vulgaris paralarvae

During the present study, we aimed to provide a first look at the amino acid composition of the early stages of cephalopods and follow possible effects of certain dietary treatments. Amino acid profiles of cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, squid Loligo vulgaris and octopus, Octopus vulgaris hatchlings and wild juveniles of L. vulgaris and O. vulgaris were analysed. Cephalopod hatchlings showed high fractions of non-protein nitrogen (NPN), from 25% to 38% of the dry weight. Lysine, leucine and arginine represented half of the total content of essential amino acids (EAA), and glutamate and aspartate represented also nearly half of the non-essential amino acids (NEAA). In O. vulgaris, a general tendency for a decrease in the level of EAA from mature ovary and eggs to hatchlings was observed. Hatchlings after 4 days of fasting lost 28% of their dry weight and the level of EAA and NEAA decreased in both the total content and free forms. Free proline after 2 days of fasting and free tyrosine at 4 days of fasting were not detected. Comparison of the total EAA profiles of preys showed few differences between enriched Artemia nauplii and hatching crab zoeae ( Pagurus prideaux and Maja squinado). The enriched Artemia nauplii EAA profiles showed no differences with the EAA profiles of O. vulgaris paralarvae during first 10 days of culture, except for histidine. Present results confirm the positive capacity for amino acid uptake from seawater by early stages of cephalopods. In the three species analysed, radiolabelled phenylalanine was incorporated in inverse relation to body size. After 10 days of culture, O. vulgaris paralarvae showed a tendency to increase the levels of total and free amino acids in the groups receiving a daily amino acids solution. At 20 days of age, the O. vulgaris cultures that received the amino acids solution had survivals that on average were three times that of the control group. However, the supposed beneficial effects of the amino acids solution remained unclear, as the dry weight of these paralarvae was equal or lower to that of paralarvae from the control group. In wild O. vulgaris juveniles, the percentage of protein and total amino acids increased with the dry weight of the individuals. These juvenile biochemical changes were associated with strong morphometric changes in body proportions after settlement with the development of the muscular, protein-rich arm crown.

Analyzing the process of domestication: Hagoshrim as a case study

Abstract Recent excavations at the Neolithic site of Hagoshrim, northern Israel, have yielded a large assemblage of skeletal fragments, representing mostly caprines, cattle and pigs. The three layers of the site's occupation span approximately 2000 years of a crucial period in the domestication of these taxa in the southern Levant, including Pre-Pottery Neolithic C (Layer 6, 7562 ± 85 BP and 7735 ± 55 BP) and the Pottery Neolithic cultures, Jericho IX (Layer 5, 6725 ± 120 BP) and Wadi Raba (Layer 4, 6505 ± 120 BP). Therefore, this site provides an outstanding opportunity to study the process of domestication in a comparative manner, both across taxa and through time. We used kill-off patterns, size reduction and changes in body proportions, and introduced statistical methods to discern the different stages of the domestication process for each taxon. Pig remains reflect simultaneous changes at the end of the 7th millennium BP: kill-off patterns, size and proportions of cranial and post-cranial elements all change between Layer 5 and 4 with no significant changes between Layer 6 and 5. Gradual changes—both between Layer 6 and 5 and between Layer 5 and 4—were found only for cattle, while caprine remains exhibit no changes throughout the site's occupation. These results can be explained in light of the differences between the taxa in terms of their life history strategies, among other things, that can be viewed as pre-adaptations to domestication.

Aspects of Metamorphosis and Habitat Use in the Conger Eel, Conger oceanicus

The early life history of the conger eel, Conger oceanicus, has been the focus of only a few studies. These have emphasized larval development and distribution; little is known about its metamorphosis and settlement. To quantify changes in body proportions, dentition, and pigmentation of metamorphosing C. oceanicus during these transitions, we collected leptocephali, glass eels, elvers, and juveniles during 1993, 1996, and 1998 (n = 166) in coastal ocean and estuarine waters in southern New Jersey. We developed a staging scheme based on morphology, pigmentation, and dentition that categorized the developmental state from the leptocephalus to the juvenile stage. Our study demonstrated that, although the early life history of C. oceanicus occurs over large spatial scales (10,000s of km2), metamorphosis can take place over only a few 10s of km2. We conclude that selected body proportions (e.g., percent preanal length) are better indicators of developmental state than total length for metamorphosing C. oceanicus. Our results also suggest that certain metamorphic stages are associated with specific habitats. Further, the spatial differences in morphology, dentition, and developmental stage across the ocean to estuary transect suggest that oceanic individuals are earlier in development than those caught within the estuary and that many aspects of metamorphosis (e.g., changes in body morphology, dentition, and habitat use) co-occur with their migration into estuaries.

Changes in body proportion of roe deer with age

The aim of the present study was to estimate the development of body and some body parts and internal organs of roe deer, from 1 year of age (fawn) to 2-3 years of age (Buck). Average body mass of fawn was 16.6 kg and of buck 26.4 kg. Body mass of buck was by 1.6 times greater than body mass of fawn. Similar growth intensity was established for body parts (thighs shoulders, loin and back). The proportion of parts in body and carcass mass was same in fawn and buck. The mass of internal organs (liver, lungs, heart and spleen) increased with age, but proportion in regard to body mass was same in case of fawn and buck. During the first three years of age, no significant changes in body proportion of roe deer were registered.

The Changes in Body Proportions of Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus Gilbert) at Different Periods of its Ontogeny in Alaska Bay

The Changes in Body Proportions of Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus Gilbert) at Different Periods of its Ontogeny in Alaska Bay

Regularities of Changes in Body Proportions of Bream (Abramis brama L., Cyprinidae) at Stages and Transitions of the Late Ontogenesis

Regularities of Changes in Body Proportions of Bream (Abramis brama L., Cyprinidae) at Stages and Transitions of the Late Ontogenesis

Secular change in long bone length and proportion in the United States, 1800-1970.

We examine secular change in long bone lengths and allometry of Americans dating from the mid-19th century to the 1970s. Skeletal samples were derived from the Huntington Collection, Terry Collection, World War II casualties, and the Forensic Anthropology Data Bank. Regression of bone length on year of birth allowed evaluation of the secular change in bone length. Size was computed as the geometric mean of all bone lengths, and shape as the ratio of each bone to size. These variables were then regressed on year of birth, allowing evaluation of allometric secular change. The results revealed a pattern of change that can be summarized as follows: male secular change is stronger than female, lower limb bone secular change is more pronounced than upper limb bone change, and distal bones change more than proximal bones, particularly in the lower limb. In males, white changes are uniformly higher than black but these differences do not rise to the level of statistical significance. Environmental forces, such as nutrition and disease, are the usual causes of secular changes in overall size. This paper shows that long bone proportions also respond to these same environmental factors. Moreover, the changes in body proportion are likely to be due to allometric consequences of growth changes that occur early in life. Am J Phys Anthropol 110:57-67, 1999.

The measurement of neonates.

Accurate measurements of both healthy and premature neonates are possible but rarely performed. Routine anthropometry is often not performed at all or with large measurement errors due to inadequate training of personnel or inappropriate equipment. Sick neonates are often considered unsuitable for anthropometry and growth is wrongly equated with weight gain. Gain in length may be disturbed by poor health and permanent extrauterine growth retardation and changes in body proportions induced in some survivors of neonatal intensive care. Drug treatments may have profound effects on length gain and the relationship of length to weight.

Complex statistical characterization of women's body measurements

670 young Estonian female students of the Tartu University (aged 18-22 years) were examined anthropometrically (37 body measurements and 10 skinfolds). By means of multidimensional statistical analysis we found that the woman's body as a whole is a linearly well-correlated system. The leading measurements are height and weight, which account for 50% of the variability of all the other measurements, while individual variability makes up 50%. There are no other body measurements besides weight and height that can give a reliable description of the general build of a woman's body. Variations in body height-weight sizes lead to systematic changes in the length, breadth and depth measurements, circumferences and body proportions. Comparative changes of body proportions in the general contingent and in the groups of purely pyknic and leptosomic women are based on the corresponding values of their body height and weight. These findings lead to the conclusion that the anthropological whole body primary model may be a classification of women's body height and weight.

ACROMEGALOID CHANGES OF BODY PROPORTIONS DURING TWO YEARS OF GROWTH HORMONE (HGH) TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH ULLRICH-TURNER-SYNDROME (UTS)

The typical feature of acromegalic patients are large hands, feet, ears and wide noses. We have performed various anthropological measurements at yearly intervals in 23 children with UTS (aged 7 to 15.5 years). The patients received therapy with hGH (±18 - 24 U/m2/week) and Oxandrolone (0.1 mg/kg/day). Thus, we were able to investigate whether high doses of hGH may artificially cause changes of body proportions. During therapy, body height increased significantly, i.e. the differences of body height compared to normal decreased by 0.3 SDS. The length of hand and feet, however, increased markedly more, i.e. the difference towards normal decreased by 0.65 (hand) and 0.73 (foot). The same trend proceeded throughout the second year . Resumee: More attention should be paid to changes of body proportions particularly of hands and feet during treatment with high doses of hGH.

Research on secular trends in auxology

Current status of research on secular trends in growth and maturation is considered from several perspectives. The need to define secular trends as positive, negative or absent is initially discussed. Positive secular trends, i.e., increases in size and earlier maturation, characterize the majority of the auxological literature. However, some populations have experienced negative secular trends or no trends. Positive secular trends and cessation of secular trends in stature and age at menarche are described for developed countries, followed by a brief discussion of secular changes in body proportions and composition. Data from developing countries illustrate all three types of secular trends. Some segments of the population show positive changes in size and age at menarche, while others show no evidence of secular change or negative secular trends. Finally, comparisons of estimated statures in earlier European populations suggest a negative secular trend, i.e., a decline in estimated stature from about the 11th to the 19th centuries, which is followed by a positive secular trend starting about the mid-19th century.

Cyclomorphosis in Daphnia: an adaptation to avoid invertebrate predation

Seasonal morphological changes in three Daphnia species were followed over a two-year period in two lakes that differ in invertebrate and fish pressure. Whereas the morphology of D. hyalina, the biggest of the three species, varied little from season to season, D. cucullata, the smallest, exhibited the most pronounced seasonal changes in head height/carapace length ratio. The pattern of seasonal changes of body proportions was similar in all size classes and isometric growth of the head was reported for D. cucullata. Unlike the head, tail spine length/carapace length ratio almost did not vary seasonally. Strong negative allometry of tail spine growth was observed. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that helmets and tail spines provide protection against invertebrates in the two smallest, thus most endangered species.

Morphological Drift Accompanying Nascent Population Differentiation in the Ciliate Euplotes vannus

ABSTRACTA rare phenomenon can occur in ciliated protists of the genus Euplotes, which can undergo genetic recombination by the normal outbreeding process of conjugation following mild starvation. Occasionally, the dominant mutation for the autogamy trait arises. Individuals possessing the trait show obligate self‐fertilization upon mild starvation. This yields, after normal asexual division, a population of individuals that are reproductively isolated from the parental outbreeding strain. A morphometric analysis of sympatric autogamous and non‐autogamous populations of Euplotes vannus from Somalia demonstrates that there has been morphological drift in gross body proportions in the autogamous populations. However, the positional patterns of the locomotory organelles on the ventral surface remain unchanged. The changes in body proportions in the autogamous populations are relevant to the mechanics of the conjugation process, which involves fusion of the oral regions of paired cells belonging to complementary mating types.

A biologically-oriented mathematical model (ICP) for human growth.

A new approach to modelling the individual human linear growth curve from birth to maturity is presented in detail. The model, which is also suitable for other measurements, breaks down growth mathematically into three additive and partly superimposed components--Infancy, Childhood and Puberty (the ICP-model). A key feature of this approach is that these components of the human growth curve from birth to adulthood strongly reflect the different hormonal phases of the growth process. As a result, the model provides an improved instrument for detecting and understanding growth failure. The model also sheds light on some central facets of human growth. For instance, the dramatic change in body proportions during the first years of life is found to be related to an enhanced influence of the Childhood component on the legs as compared with the trunk. The size of the Puberty component is shown to be time-invariant and to be superimposed on the decelerating Childhood component during adolescence. Early pubertal maturation is known to give a higher peak velocity than late maturation, so this variation in pubertal gain must be explained by the shape of the Childhood component alone.

Changes in body proportions of Japanese medical students between 1961 and 1986.

Since 1945, the Japanese physique has changed a great deal. Physical examinations of medical students at Kyushu University have been carried out on an annual basis since 1939. We investigated changes in body proportions using data on 813 medical students examined from 1961 to 1986. During these 26 years, standing height has increased by 4.69 cm, arm length by 2.58 cm, and sitting height by 0.79 cm. Thus, the Japanese have grown taller and their extremities are longer, yet the trunk has not changed significantly. This study also shows a 10-year delay in increase in length of the upper extremities.

Growth of the Mountain Brook Lamprey Ichthyomyzon greeleyi Hubbs and Trautman

Larvae, metamorphosing stages and adults of Ichthyomyzon greeleyi, a nonparasitic lamprey, were collected from four streams tributary to the French Broad River in western North Carolina to provide information on seasonal rates of growth, duration of the larval period, timing of metamorphosis and changes in body proportions. Metamorphosis is initiated in mid-Aug. and completed by mid-Dec. The larval period ranges between 5.2-6.2 yr with the oldest individuals being predominately female. Larval growth was most rapid during the spring and summer. Negative growth occurred during the winter among the older age groups. Annual growth increased asymptotically and was similar among three of the four populations. Differences in growth were not demonstrable between male and female larvae. A preponderance of females occurred among larvae with males being the more abundant among metamorphosing animals and adults. The change in sex ratio is attributable to the longer larval life of females. The proportional length of the prebranchial, branchial, trunk and tail regions changed throughout larval life in a pattern similar to that for other lampreys. Oral disc, dorsal-fin height and eye diameter increased through all or most of metamorphosis and the adult period.