Quantitative magnetic resonance: a rapid, noninvasive body composition analysis technique for live and salvaged bats

Quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR) is a new technology for measuring body composition of live, nonanesthetized animals (fat mass, lean mass, and total body water) in 4 min or less. We conducted a validation study to compare QMR body composition analysis of 3 species of bats (mass range 5.77-31.30 g) with traditional chemical extraction. In addition to scans of live animals, we tested the effectiveness of QMR for salvaged specimens (bats killed by wind turbines) and the effects of carcass temperature. Our analysis indicates that QMR body composition analysis is effective for live and salvaged animals. Frozen carcasses could not be analyzed, but results were not dramatically affected for specimens at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C. QMR analysis eliminates the need to euthanize animals to determine body composition precisely, allows rapid and efficient data collection, and makes it possible to follow individuals longitudinally through time. DOI: 10.1644/10-MAMM-A-051.1.