An aspect of growth analysis of weight in savannah baboon.

Two approaches on growth analysis were discussed for the longitudinal growth data in body weight for the savannah baboon. A relative measure of maturity was proposed for setting up empirical growth models of body weight from birth to adulthood. A generalized logistic type growth model was suitable for the growth of body weight of the male savannah baboon and a Gompertz type growth model was better for female than a generalized logistic type model. Based upon the average weights, some characters of growth curves were statistically estimated for the average male and female. The ages of onset and completion of adolescence were defined mathematically rather than biologically. The growth models were linearized for comparing and predicting sample growth curves by transforming the time scale. The relative amounts of information per observation were shown in the figure which might be useful for designing an observation scheme in longitudinal growth study.