Body surface area of the Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus).

The body surface area (BSA) of 11 Chacma Baboons has been determined by a coating method using plaster of Paris. The relationship between BSA (Cm2) and mass (g) is adequately described by the simple Meeh formula A = (12.7) M2/3. The inclusion of an additional variable, such as length, is not indicated by the data. The difference in K values between species and individuals is postulated to be determined by variations in body density rather than other factors.