Poster Title
P-40 Modeling Morphometrics of West Indian Manatees (Trichechus Manatus) to Estimate Body Mass
Abstract
Currently, there is not a way to estimate West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) weight. This project parameterizes multiple models that calculate manatee mass from morphometric measurements, such as length and girth. It uses already obtained data which include multiple morphometric measurements, as well as weight. The accuracy of each model is approximated using half of the data to parameterize equations and the other half to validate. This allows for a comparison of each equation to determine which most accurately computes manatee weight. Such a model has multiple applications in cases where manatee weight would be advantageous over other measurements but is cumbersome to harness.
Start Date
2-28-2020 2:30 PM
P-40 Modeling Morphometrics of West Indian Manatees (Trichechus Manatus) to Estimate Body Mass
Currently, there is not a way to estimate West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) weight. This project parameterizes multiple models that calculate manatee mass from morphometric measurements, such as length and girth. It uses already obtained data which include multiple morphometric measurements, as well as weight. The accuracy of each model is approximated using half of the data to parameterize equations and the other half to validate. This allows for a comparison of each equation to determine which most accurately computes manatee weight. Such a model has multiple applications in cases where manatee weight would be advantageous over other measurements but is cumbersome to harness.
Acknowledgments
J.N. Andrews Honors Scholar and Undergraduate Research Scholar
Mentor: Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske, Biology