James Cook University
The Sea Turtle Directory
Country: Australia
Organization / Project Name: Body fat measurements with bioelectrical impedance analysis
Website: https://www.jcu.edu.au/
Email: sara.kophamel@my.jcu.edu.au
Description: We have developed a method to measure body fat in cheloniid sea turtles, called bioelectrical impedance analysis. A bioelectrical impedance analyser is a portable and inexpensive device that is commercially available, is commonly used for human medical research, and is now suitable for use in sea turtle field-based projects. This device uses electrodes that are attached to the flippers and that pass an unnoticeable electric current through the turtle's body. The device then measures the resistance of the turtle's body to that current, which can then be translated into body fat estimates (% and kg). This project consisted in validating and calibrating the device on green turtles (Chelonia mydas), however the device is suitable for use in all cheloniid turtle species. We recommend using the device on foraging and nesting turtles, as well as in rehabilitation centres. For further details, please check the following publications and resources: - Adipose tissue estimation of foraging and nesting green turtles Chelonia mydas using bioelectrical impedance analysis https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v51/p127-142/ - Video explaining the project: http://data.qld.edu.au/public/Q5842/20230313-SaraKophamel-57356c003ef211edb8ac1b9d2e027409-ProjectOverview.mp4 - Field-based adipose tissue quantification in sea turtles using bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy validated with CT scans and deep learning https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ece3.9610 - A Standardized Protocol for Measuring Bioelectrical Impedance in Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/722451 - Importance of health assessments for conservation in noncaptive wildlife https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cobi.13724 - PhD thesis with comprehensive information about the use of bioelectrical impedance analysis on sea turtles https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/78072/
Species of focus: Green turtles (Chelonia mydas)
Volunteer program: No
Tourist activities (Y/N): No
Primary Areas of Work: Nesting beach monitoring, In water research, Rescue and rehabilitation, Stranding response
Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/SaraK0P