FatMeter and morphological data used in study to predict body composition (as water content) for Steller sea lions

This study tested the efficacy of data obtained from a FatMeter – a hand-held device that uses low-level microwave emissions - to estimate lipid stores in 8 trained Steller sea lions. FatMeter technology is currently used in the commercial fish industry to estimate lipid content, and this study will determine how accurately it can estimate relative body composition of Steller sea lions, which (combination of) anatomical sites provide measures that yield the highest accuracy, and whether additional morphological measures can improve the effectiveness of this technique. Data was collected during natural seasonal changes in body condition, as well as before and after experimentally induced episodes of nutritional stress. The datasets include 2 Excel files that are saved in csv format. The main file contains records for each of the 23 trials. Each record consists of measures of absolute and relative measures of total body water, morphological measures (mass, length, and girth at 5 locations), and 20 FatMeter readings (10 each when animal wet and dry) at dorsal and lateral locations at the same 5 anatomical sites as the girth measurements. The second data file contains blubber depth measurements taken at these same 10 locations for the same 23 trials. Overall, the FatMeter measurements showed great promise for providing a quick estimate of body composition in sea lions. Measurements at two locations, particularly when combined, could significantly predict relative body water content across different nutritional states. However, as with all new technology, there needs to be continued refinement and testing before implementation in field studies. The eventual goal is to provide a quick, reliable tool that can be used to evaluate the physiological status of Steller sea lions and other pinnipeds in the field. This will facilitate science-based management of Steller sea lions, particularly in reference to fishery management issues. This data was collected as part of NPRB project 1817.

本研究测试了FatMeter——一款采用低强度微波发射技术的手持设备——所采集数据的有效性，该设备可用于估算8头经过训练的北海狮（Steller sea lion）的脂质储备。FatMeter技术目前已应用于商业渔业以估算脂质含量，本研究旨在明确该技术对北海狮相对身体组成的估算精度，确定哪些解剖部位组合可提供最高准确度的测量结果，以及额外的形态学测量指标能否提升该技术的效能。
数据采集覆盖了自然状态下身体状况的季节性变化，同时涵盖实验诱导营养应激事件发生前后的测量数据。本数据集包含2个以CSV格式保存的Excel文件。主文件包含23次试验的全部记录，每条记录涵盖总体水的绝对与相对测量值、形态学测量指标（体重、体长以及5个部位的围度），以及在与围度测量相同的5个解剖部位的背侧与外侧位置采集的20组FatMeter读数（动物体表湿润与干燥状态下各10组）。
第二个数据文件包含对应23次试验中上述10个部位的脂肪层厚度测量数据。总体而言，FatMeter测量结果展现出快速估算海狮身体组成的巨大应用潜力。在2个部位开展的测量（尤其是组合使用时），可显著预测不同营养状态下的相对身体含水量。然而，与所有新兴技术一样，该技术在应用于野外研究前仍需持续优化与测试。
本研究的最终目标是开发一款快速、可靠的工具，用于野外评估北海狮及其他鳍足类动物的生理状态。这将有助于基于科学依据开展北海狮的管理工作，尤其是在渔业管理相关议题中。本数据集作为NPRB项目1817的一部分采集所得。