Evaluation of body mass index (BMI) as a prognostic indicator from two rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) mass strandings in Florida

Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) are a common mass stranding species in Florida. These large stranding events typically include a small number of sick or injured individuals and a much larger number of healthy individuals, making rapid triage essential. Little data exist on rehabilitation outcomes, and historically, successful outcomes are limited. Furthermore, very little data exist on the feeding habits and dietary needs of this species. This study compared morphology and body mass index (BMI) in two rough-toothed dolphin mass stranding events in Florida: August 2004 (n = 36) and March 2005 (n = 32). The two groups were significantly different in morphologic measurements, with age and gender adjusted intake BMI significantly (p &lt; 0.01) different (2004 = 0.34 + 0.02; 2005 = 0.41 + 0.02) between groups. Ten animals from the 2005 had weights tracked throughout the rehabilitation process and demonstrated an initial drop in BMI followed by an increase and a plateau prior to re...糙齿海豚（Steno bredanensis）是佛罗里达州常见的集体搁浅物种。此类大规模搁浅事件通常仅包含少量患病或受伤个体，其余绝大多数均为健康个体，因此快速分诊工作至关重要。目前关于该物种的康复预后相关数据极少，且历史上成功康复的案例寥寥无几。此外，针对其摄食习性与日粮需求的研究数据同样极为匮乏。本研究针对佛罗里达州两起糙齿海豚集体搁浅事件（2004年8月，样本量n=36；2005年3月，样本量n=32）中的个体形态学特征与身体质量指数（BMI）展开对比分析。两组个体的形态学指标存在显著差异；经年龄与性别校正后的摄入相关BMI同样具有统计学差异（p<0.01）：2004年组为0.34±0.02，2005年组为0.41±0.02。2005年搁浅事件中的10只个体在整个康复过程中均被追踪体重变化，结果显示其BMI先出现下降，随后逐步上升并趋于平稳，直至重新……