title: Multiphasic allometry.
abstract: A multiphasic linear model is presented that describes the allometric relation between body components and permits a smooth transition from one linear segment to the next. Three applications of a diphasic linear model to allometric growth problems were used to illustrate the model. The data sets were selected because a breakpoint exists in the allometric relation. Relations between growth of the alimentary tract and of empty body weight in rabbits, growth of length and of body weight in larval-carp and growth of protein and of fat in pullets were described by a diphasic allometric model. For rabbits and larval-carp, relations were described significantly better by a diphasic instead of a monophasic (simple) allometric model. For situations where response is expected to consist of more than one linear segment, the multiphasic model is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Breeding, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Koops
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grossman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D002645:Chickens; D005399:Fishes; D006128:Growth; D016014:Linear Models; D008954:Models, Biological; D011817:Rabbits