Using osteological measurements to estimate body length in Amazonian manatees

摘要: ABSTRACT Body length is an important parameter in morphological, ecological and behavioral studies of a species contributes to the understanding body condition individuals. This essential for conservation management strategies by informing evaluating growth rates, physical maturity classification individuals into age groups, promoting better accuracy biological parameters species. The aim this study was identify predictors Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis) using metric characters osteological materials. Eleven linear measurements skull, jaw, scapulae humeri were collected from 41 manatee skeletons different classes (calf, juvenile adult). Data analyzed simple regression. condylobasal best predictor (R = 0.943), however, all bones evaluated showed at least one measurement with capacity predict size (R2 > 0.9). Results are useful inferring deposited museums collections, expanding informative potential these