@article{martinelli_nelson_duke_christiansen_westmoreland_harms_harrison_2024, title={Use of computed tomography to determine body surface area and <i>K</i>-constant in Atlantic Stingrays for chemotherapeutic dosing}, volume={12}, ISSN={["1548-8667"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1002/aah.10236}, DOI={10.1002/aah.10236}, abstractNote={Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to use body surface area (BSA) obtained via computed tomography (CT) to calculate a species‐specific shape constant ( K ) and provide a formula for BSA based on body weight (BW) in Atlantic Stingrays Hypanus sabina . Ultimately, this information can be used to more accurately calculate chemotherapeutic doses and other metabolic‐related measures. Methods Six deceased Atlantic Stingrays of unknown age and with a range of sizes were collected during a natural mortality event and underwent CT scans. Following the scans, three‐dimensional surface models were created from the imaging data to measure BSAs and derive a BSA formula based on BW. Nonlinear regression analysis of BSA versus thawed BW was performed, and a species‐specific formula was derived. Result Body surface area (mean ± standard deviation) was 2015.01 ± 1115.02 cm 2 (median = 1841.40 cm 2 ; range = 844.2–4043.12 cm 2 ). The calculated K ‐constant was 14.9 for the six Atlantic Stingrays, and the CT‐derived BSA formula was as follows: BSA (cm 2 ) = 14.9 × (BW, g) 2/3 . Conclusion These results provide a method for calculating BSA in Atlantic Stingrays. The CT‐derived BSA formula can be used for allometric dosing of chemotherapeutic agents and other drugs in a clinical setting; in a broader sense, the formula can be applied to studies of nutrition, metabolic rate, and physiology.}, journal={JOURNAL OF AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH}, author={Martinelli, Laura and Nelson, Nathan and Duke, Elizabeth and Christiansen, Emily F. and Westmoreland, Lori S. and Harms, Craig A. and Harrison, Tara M.}, year={2024}, month={Dec} }