A method for detecting the fatness of Chinese pangolins

Abstract

A method for measuring the body condition of Chinese pangolins involves measuring the depth of the abdominal concavity of the Chinese pangolin as a first test result; measuring chest and abdominal circumferences, and calculating the difference between the two as a second test result; measuring chest and abdominal widths, and calculating the difference between the two as a third test result; and determining the Chinese pangolin's physique based on the first, second, and third test results, thereby assigning a BCS-5 score to the Chinese pangolin's body condition. Combining the abdominal concavity depth, the difference between chest and abdominal circumferences, and the difference between chest and abdominal width as test results with the BCS-5 score provides an accurate and comprehensive assessment standard, offering a reference for rescue efforts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a fatness detection method, in particular to a fatness detection method for a Chinese pangolin, and belongs to the technical field of wild animal protection research. Background Art

[0002] The Chinese pangolin, a Class I protected species in China, has seen a sharp decline in its wild population, putting it on the brink of extinction. Along with seven other pangolin species, it is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List. In recent years, with growing awareness of conservation and improvements in artificial rescue methods for Chinese pangolins, the success rate of rescue has significantly increased, with more injured Chinese pangolins being successfully released back into the wild after rescue and rehabilitation.

[0003] Generally speaking, most Chinese pangolins rescued to the shelter appear weak, have lost weight, and are frail. Rescuers will feed and rescue the Chinese pangolins reasonably based on their weight, body condition, and fatness. However, at this stage, it is difficult for rescuers to accurately assess the fatness of the Chinese pangolins in the first place. They can only estimate it based on the ratio of weight, chest circumference, and body length. However, there are certain errors in the estimation results, which is not conducive to the effective feeding and rescue of Chinese pangolins. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of the background technology, the present invention provides a method for detecting the fatness of Chinese pangolins. It uses the depth of abdominal depression, the difference between chest circumference and abdominal circumference, and the difference between chest width and abdominal width as detection results, combined with the BCS-5 score, to provide an accurate and complete evaluation standard, providing a reference for rescue work.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a method for detecting the fatness of Chinese pangolins, comprising the following steps:

[0006] Step 1: After anesthetizing and restraining the Chinese pangolin, it was placed on a CT mobile table for CT scanning. Scanning images of the Chinese pangolin were obtained in three different directions: coronal, sagittal, and transverse. The depth of the abdominal depression of the scanned images was measured using the analysis software RadiantViewer as the first detection result;

[0007] Step 2: Measure the chest circumference and abdominal circumference of the Chinese pangolin, and calculate the difference between the chest circumference and the abdominal circumference as the second test result;

[0008] Step 3: Perform another CT scan of the Chinese pangolin, use the analysis software RadiantViewer to measure the chest width and abdominal width of the scanned image, and calculate the difference between the chest width and abdominal width as the third test result;

[0009] Step 4: Determine the Chinese pangolin's physique based on the first, second, and third test results. The specific criteria are as follows:

[0010] Standard 1: For the first test result, if the depth of abdominal concavity is ≤ –2mm, it is considered obese; if the depth of abdominal concavity is less than or equal to –2mm, it is considered normal; if the depth of abdominal concavity is greater than or equal to 2mm, it is considered thin;

[0011] Standard 2: For the second test result, if the difference between chest circumference and abdominal circumference is ≤ –20mm, it is considered obese; if –20mm is less than the difference between chest circumference and abdominal circumference and less than 20mm, it is considered normal; if the difference between chest circumference and abdominal circumference is ≥20mm, it is considered thin;

[0012] Standard 3: For the third test result, if the difference between chest width and abdominal width is ≤–2mm, it is considered obesity.

[0013] -2mm< If the difference between chest width and abdominal width is less than 2mm, it is normal; if the difference between chest width and abdominal width is greater than or equal to 2mm, it is thin;

[0014] Step 5: The Chinese pangolin's body condition is scored using the BCS-5 score based on the criteria in Step 4. The specific scoring criteria are as follows:

[0015] ① When the Chinese pangolin meets criteria 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously and is obese, it is judged to be severely obese and the BCS score is 5 points;

[0016] ② If a Chinese pangolin meets criterion 1 for obesity and any one of criteria 2 and 3 is normal, or if a Chinese pangolin meets criterion 1 for normal and any one of criteria 2 and 3 is obese, it is considered obese and has a BCS score of 4.

[0017] ③ When the Chinese pangolin meets criteria 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously, it is considered normal and the BCS score is 3 points;

[0018] ④ If the Chinese pangolin meets the first criterion for normality and any one of the second and third criteria is considered thin, or if the Chinese pangolin meets the first criterion for thinness and any one of the second and third criteria is normal, it is judged to be thin and the BCS score is 2 points;

[0019] ⑤ When the Chinese pangolin meets criteria 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously, it is judged to be emaciated and the BCS system score is 1.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the present invention collects CT scan images of Chinese pangolins, processes the images, measures the lengths of indicators on key frame images using RadiantViewer software, performs correlation analysis, extracts the depth of abdominal depression, chest width and abdominal width, and manually measures the chest circumference and abdominal circumference. The physical standard of the Chinese pangolin is given by using the abdominal depression depth, the difference between the chest circumference and the abdominal circumference, and the difference between the chest width and the abdominal width as test results. Finally, the BCS-5 is used for scoring based on the physical standard to detect and evaluate the fatness of the Chinese pangolin, providing an accurate and complete evaluation standard, which can provide a reference for rescue work so as to facilitate the implementation of a reasonable rescue plan. The operation is not affected by the curling up of the Chinese pangolin and the opening and closing of scales. It is a non-destructive detection method, is not prone to causing stress, and is convenient for rescue personnel to operate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a flow chart of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 CT scan images of the abdominal depression depth measurements of 10 Chinese pangolins in the embodiment;

[0023] Figure 3 CT scan images of the chest width and abdominal width of 10 Chinese pangolins in the embodiment are measured. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] Reference Figure 1 As shown, a method for detecting the fatness of a Chinese pangolin comprises the following steps:

[0026] Step 1: After anesthetizing and restraining the Chinese pangolin, it was placed on a CT mobile table for CT scanning. Scanned images of the Chinese pangolin were obtained in three different directions: coronal, sagittal, and transverse. The abdominal depression depth of the scanned images was measured using the analysis software RadiantViewer. The transverse section where the Chinese pangolin's umbilicus is located and the coronal section at the highest point where the scales on both sides of the abdomen meet the skin at the cross section were selected. The vertical distance from the umbilicus as the starting point to the selected coronal section, i.e., the abdominal depression depth, was measured as the first test result.

[0027] Step 2: Using a tape measure, measure the chest circumference and abdominal circumference of the Chinese pangolin. The chest circumference is the circumference measured with the transverse plane where the two nipples are located as the center, and the abdominal circumference is the circumference measured with the transverse plane where the pangolin's umbilicus is located as the center. Calculate the difference between the chest circumference and the abdominal circumference as the second test result.

[0028] Step 3: Perform another CT scan on the Chinese pangolin, and use the analysis software RadiantViewer to measure the chest and abdominal widths of the scanned images. The chest width is measured by taking a scanned image of the cross section of the last rib and the xiphoid process of the sternum, and the line connecting the skin on both sides of the cross section perpendicular to the midsagittal plane is the chest width. The abdominal width is measured by taking a scanned image of the cross section of the Chinese pangolin's umbilicus, and the line connecting the skin on both sides of the cross section perpendicular to the midsagittal plane is the abdominal width. The difference between the chest width and the abdominal width is calculated as the third test result.

[0029] Step 4: Determine the Chinese pangolin's physique based on the first, second, and third test results. The specific criteria are as follows:

[0030] Standard 1: For the first test result, if the depth of abdominal concavity is ≤ –2mm, it is considered obese; if the depth of abdominal concavity is less than or equal to –2mm, it is considered normal; if the depth of abdominal concavity is greater than or equal to 2mm, it is considered thin;

[0031] Standard 2: For the second test result, if the difference between chest circumference and abdominal circumference is ≤ –20mm, it is considered obese; if –20mm is less than the difference between chest circumference and abdominal circumference and less than 20mm, it is considered normal; if the difference between chest circumference and abdominal circumference is ≥20mm, it is considered thin;

[0032] Standard 3: For the third test result, if the difference between chest width and abdominal width is ≤–2mm, it is considered obesity.

[0033] -2mm< If the difference between chest width and abdominal width is less than 2mm, it is normal; if the difference between chest width and abdominal width is greater than or equal to 2mm, it is thin;

[0034] Step 5: The Chinese pangolin's body condition is scored using the BCS-5 score based on the criteria in Step 4. The specific scoring criteria are as follows:

[0035] ① When the Chinese pangolin meets criteria 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously and is obese, it is judged to be severely obese and the BCS score is 5 points;

[0036] ② If a Chinese pangolin meets criterion 1 for obesity and any one of criteria 2 and 3 is normal, or if a Chinese pangolin meets criterion 1 for normal and any one of criteria 2 and 3 is obese, it is considered obese and has a BCS score of 4.

[0037] ③ When the Chinese pangolin meets criteria 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously, it is considered normal and the BCS score is 3 points;

[0038] ④ If the Chinese pangolin meets the first criterion for normality and any one of the second and third criteria is considered thin, or if the Chinese pangolin meets the first criterion for thinness and any one of the second and third criteria is normal, it is judged to be thin and the BCS score is 2 points;

[0039] ⑤ When the Chinese pangolin meets criteria 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously, it is judged to be emaciated and the BCS system score is 1.

[0040] It is worth noting here that when the Chinese pangolin meets the first criterion of obesity, the second and third criteria are both thin, and when the Chinese pangolin meets the first criterion of thinness, the second and third criteria are both obese. These situations do not exist in reality and are therefore not included in the scoring criteria.

[0041] Example

[0042] Ten rescued Chinese pangolins were selected, with a body weight of 1.32 kg to 4 kg. CT scans were performed to measure the depth of the abdominal depression. Figure 2 As shown, and CT scan of chest width and abdominal width measurement, combined with Figure 3 The specific test results are shown in the table below:

[0043]

[0044] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above and that the invention can be implemented in other configurations without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, not the foregoing description, and all variations coming within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. Any reference sign in a claim should not be construed as limiting the claim to which it relates.

[0045] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described in terms of implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method for detecting the fatness of a Chinese pangolin, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step 1: After anesthetizing and restraining the Chinese pangolin, it was placed on a CT mobile table for CT scanning. Scanning images of the Chinese pangolin were obtained in three different directions: coronal, sagittal, and transverse. The depth of the abdominal depression of the scanned images was measured using the analysis software Radiant Viewer as the first test result; Step 2: Measure the chest circumference and abdominal circumference of the Chinese pangolin, and calculate the difference between the chest circumference and the abdominal circumference as the second test result; Step 3: Perform another CT scan of the Chinese pangolin, and use the analysis software Radiant Viewer to measure the chest and abdominal widths of the scanned images. The chest width is measured by scanning the cross section of the Chinese pangolin's last rib and xiphoid process. The chest width is measured by a line connecting the skin on both sides of the cross section perpendicular to the midsagittal plane. The abdominal width is measured by scanning the cross section of the Chinese pangolin's umbilicus. The abdominal width is measured by a line connecting the skin on both sides of the cross section perpendicular to the midsagittal plane. The difference between the chest and abdominal widths is calculated as the third test result. Step 4: Determine the Chinese pangolin's physique based on the first, second, and third test results. The specific criteria are as follows: Standard 1: For the first test result, if the depth of abdominal concavity is ≤ –2mm, it is considered obese; if the depth of abdominal concavity is less than or equal to –2mm, it is considered normal; if the depth of abdominal concavity is greater than or equal to 2mm, it is considered thin; Standard 2: For the second test result, if the difference between chest circumference and abdominal circumference is ≤ –20mm, it is considered obese; if –20mm is less than the difference between chest circumference and abdominal circumference and less than 20mm, it is considered normal; if the difference between chest circumference and abdominal circumference is ≥20mm, it is considered thin; Standard 3: For the third test result, if the difference between chest width and abdominal width is ≤ –2mm, the individual is obese; if –2mm < the difference between chest width and abdominal width < 2mm, the individual is normal; if the difference between chest width and abdominal width is ≥ 2mm, the individual is thin; Step 5: The Chinese pangolin's body condition is scored using the BCS-5 score based on the criteria in Step 4. The specific scoring criteria are as follows: ① When the Chinese pangolin meets criteria 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously and is obese, it is judged to be severely obese and the BCS score is 5 points; ② If a Chinese pangolin meets criterion 1 for obesity and any one of criteria 2 and 3 is normal, or if a Chinese pangolin meets criterion 1 for normal and any one of criteria 2 and 3 is obese, it is considered obese and has a BCS score of 4. ③ When the Chinese pangolin meets criteria 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously, it is considered normal and the BCS score is 3 points; ④ If the Chinese pangolin meets the first criterion for normality and any one of the second and third criteria is considered thin, or if the Chinese pangolin meets the first criterion for thinness and any one of the second and third criteria is normal, it is judged to be thin and the BCS score is 2 points; ⑤ When the Chinese pangolin meets criteria 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously, it is judged to be emaciated and the BCS system score is 1.

2. The method for detecting the fatness of a Chinese pangolin according to claim 1, wherein: When measuring the depth of the abdominal depression in step 1, the cross section of the Chinese pangolin where the umbilicus is located and the coronal plane at the highest point where the scales on both sides of the abdomen and the skin meet at the cross section are selected, and the vertical distance from the umbilicus as the starting point to the selected coronal plane is measured.

3. The method for detecting the fatness of a Chinese pangolin according to claim 1, wherein: In step 2, the chest circumference is the circumference measured with the cross section where the two nipples are located as the center plane, and the abdominal circumference is the circumference measured with the cross section where the pangolin's umbilicus is located as the center plane.

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