Marine mammal morphometrics: 3D modeling and estimation validation

Techniques of 3D modeling have earned increasing popularity in scientific studies as they offered unprecedented traits representing objects. As with all mathematical models, the model will be useful once its accuracy has been validated direct measurements and robustness predictive capability tested. Although measures body mass volume are essential to comprehend life history animals, such morphometrics, especially total volume, challenging obtain from marine mammals due their elusive nature, aquatic lifestyle, large size. In this study, accurate were directly detected fresh carcasses eleven finless porpoises ( Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri ) used validate models recreated same animals using Blender graphics. Published truncated cones or elliptical shapes, based on 3, 5, 8, 19 girths heights & widths along body, also applied verify accuracy. The Blender-generated produced most estimates compared conventional a mean error only 2.5% measurements. When photogrammetric images available, can predict volumes length alone. Similar was possible height width (5% increments length). However, significant p < 0.001) inaccuracy resulted 8 girth 3 5 measurements, these decreased significantly number measurement sites reduced. Moreover, extrapolated absent, predicted tested trustworthy (overall skill = 0.998, r 0.01). Therefore, we recommend that researchers use either digital 5% sectioning torso free-ranging mammals.