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Felton AM, Spitzer R, Raubenheimer D, Hedwall PO, Felton A, Nichols RV, O'Connell BL, Malmsten J, Löfmarck E, Wam HK. Increased intake of tree forage by moose is associated with intake of crops rich in nonstructural carbohydrates. Ecology 2024:e4377. [PMID: 39046431 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Animals representing a wide range of taxonomic groups are known to select specific food combinations to achieve a nutritionally balanced diet. The nutrient balancing hypothesis suggests that, when given the opportunity, animals select foods to achieve a particular target nutrient balance, and that balancing occurs between meals and between days. For wild ruminants who inhabit landscapes dominated by human land use, nutritionally imbalanced diets can result from ingesting agricultural crops rich in starch and sugar (nonstructural carbohydrates [NCs]), which can be provided to them by people as supplementary feeds. Here, we test the nutrient balancing hypothesis by assessing potential effects that the ingestion of such crops by Alces alces (moose) may have on forage intake. We predicted that moose compensate for an imbalanced intake of excess NC by selecting tree forage with macro-nutritional content better suited for their rumen microbiome during wintertime. We applied DNA metabarcoding to identify plants in fecal and rumen content from the same moose during winter in Sweden. We found that the concentration of NC-rich crops in feces predicted the presence of Picea abies (Norway spruce) in rumen samples. The finding is consistent with the prediction that moose use tree forage as a nutritionally complementary resource to balance their intake of NC-rich foods, and that they ingested P. abies in particular (normally a forage rarely eaten by moose) because it was the most readily available tree. Our finding sheds new light on the foraging behavior of a model species in herbivore ecology, and on how habitat alterations by humans may change the behavior of wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika M Felton
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Robert Spitzer
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - David Raubenheimer
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Per-Ola Hedwall
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Adam Felton
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Ruth V Nichols
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Brendan L O'Connell
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jonas Malmsten
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Erik Löfmarck
- School of Humanities, Örebro University School of Business, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Hilde K Wam
- Division of Forestry and Forest Resources, NIBIO, Ås, Norway
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Lepková B, Mašková T. Seeds in the guts: can seed traits explain seed survival after being digested by wild ungulates? Oecologia 2024; 205:49-58. [PMID: 38664252 PMCID: PMC11144122 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05538-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Plants inhabiting open landscapes are often dispersed by ungulates and are expected to be adapted to this type of dispersal through their seed traits. To find which traits help seeds survive the passage through digestion of wild ungulates, we conducted a comprehensive feeding experiment with almost forty species of plants and three species of ungulates. We fed specified numbers of seeds to the animals, collected the dung, and germinated the dung content. We explored whether seed morphological traits and seed nutrient contents are good predictors of seed survival after passage through the ungulate digestive system. We also tested how the seed survival differed after the passage through different ungulate species. To find answers, we used GLMM with beta-binomial distribution and animal and plant species as random factor, respectively. We found that species survival and germination success were negatively correlated to seed elongation and the thickness of the seed coat. Even though phylogenetically correct GLMM did not yield significant results, when we tested species from commonly represented families, separately (legumes and grasses compared to all other species) different traits had statistically significant effects. In the case of seed elongation, the effect changed direction from negative to positive when legumes and grasses were left out. Our results suggest that seed traits enabling species survival after passage through the digestive tract are strongly phylogenetically conserved and different groups of plants evolved different ways of adapting to grazing pressure and utilize it for dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Lepková
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 128 43, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Tereza Mašková
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Ecology and Conservation Biology, Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, 93040, Regensburg, Germany
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Zhang X, Li Y, Terranova M, Ortmann S, Kehraus S, Gerspach C, Kreuzer M, Clauss M, Hummel J. A pilot investigation on the effect of induced saliva flow on digestive parameters in sheep, and a comparison with cattle. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2023; 107:1176-1186. [PMID: 36891877 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Sheep with a relatively low methane yield were observed to have shorter fluid and particle mean retention times (MRT). Because the application of pilocarpine, a saliva stimulant, was successful in reducing retention times in ruminants in previous studies, we applied this substance to sheep, expecting a reduction in MRT and methane yield. Three non-pregnant sheep (74 ± 10 kg) were fed a hay-only diet in a 3 × 3 Latin square design with oral doses of 0, 2.5 and 5 mg pilocarpine/kg body weight and day. Measurements included feed and water intake, MRT of liquid and particulate phases in the reticulorumen (RR) and total gastrointestinal tract (GIT), ruminal microbial yield (via urinary purine bases and metabolic faecal nitrogen), total tract methane emission, apparent nutrient digestibility and rumen fluid parameters. Data were investigated for linear and quadratic effects using orthogonal polynomial contrasts. The MRT of liquid and small particles in the RR and total GIT, and the short-chain fatty acid concentration in rumen fluid, linearly declined with increasing pilocarpine dosage, while no quadratic relationship was detected. Intake of feed DM and water, apparent nutrient digestibility, methane yield and microbial yield were not affected by pilocarpine. When combining the sheep data with that of a similar experiment in cattle, we found that the MRT of the liquid phase was positively associated with estimated NDF digestibility and with methane production per digested NDF, but was not associated with microbial yield or the ratio of acetate to propionate. The ratio between MRT of the particulate and the liquid phase was smaller for sheep than that for cattle, and was not affected by treatment. Differences in this ratio might explain why species reacted differently to the saliva-inducing agent, which might help to explain the discrepancy between species in the effect of induced saliva flow on digestive parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- Ruminant Nutrition, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yang Li
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Lindau, Switzerland
| | | | - Sylvia Ortmann
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | - Saskia Kehraus
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Gerspach
- Food Animal Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Kreuzer
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Lindau, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- AgroVet-Strickhof, Lindau Site, Lindau, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Hummel
- Ruminant Nutrition, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Pfau F, Clauss M, Hummel J. Is there a difference in ruminal fermentation control between cattle and sheep? A meta-analytical test of a hypothesis on differential particle and fluid retention. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2023; 277:111370. [PMID: 36646308 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Ruminant species differ in digestive physiology. The species-specific ratio of mean retention time of particles and fluid (MRTparticle/MRTfluid) in the reticulorumen has been interpreted as controlling ruminal fermentation: a higher ratio indicates of a more distinct 'washing' of particulate digesta by liquid. This should increase the harvest of microbes from the reticulorumen, and keep the microbiome in a state of more intense growth; at the same time, this should increase the metabolic losses of faecal nitrogen of microbial origin, leading to lower values for the apparent digestibility of crude protein (aD CP). A systematic difference has been hypothesized between cattle (higher ratio) and sheep (lower ratio), with a lower MRTfluid in cattle due to a higher saliva production. Here, we test these hypotheses in a meta-analysis, using only studies that investigated cattle and sheep simultaneously. The datasets included 12 studies on MRT (of which 11 contained information on feed intake), yielding 102 (or 89) individual data; and 26 studies on protein digestibility (of which 18 contained information on intake), yielding 349 individual data. Cattle had a higher MRTparticle/MRTfluid (2.1) than sheep (1.7), mainly due to longer MRTparticle; only if body mass was included in the model, MRTfluid was significantly shorter in cattle in the larger MRT dataset (and tended to be shorter in the slightly smaller dataset). Cattle had a significantly lower aD CP than sheep, while there was no such difference in overall (dry or organic matter) digestibility. The dataset confirms a shift in fermentation strategy towards microbial production in cattle. While this has been suggested for ruminants in general, cattle appear particularly far on an evolutionary trajectory of maximizing microbial yield from the forestomach. The application of more specific digestive physiology data (like endogenous losses) gained from sheep to cattle should be done bearing these differences in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Pfau
- Department of Animal Sciences, University Goettingen, Kellnerweg 6, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Hummel
- Department of Animal Sciences, University Goettingen, Kellnerweg 6, Göttingen, Germany.
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Acer pseudoplatanus: A Potential Risk of Poisoning for Several Herbivore Species. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14080512. [PMID: 35893754 PMCID: PMC9394473 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14080512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acer pseudoplatanus is a worldwide-distributed tree which contains toxins, among them hypoglycin A (HGA). This toxin is known to be responsible for poisoning in various species, including humans, equids, Père David's deer and two-humped camels. We hypothesized that any herbivore pasturing with A. pseudoplatanus in their vicinity may be at risk for HGA poisoning. To test this hypothesis, we surveyed the HGA exposure from A. pseudoplatanus in species not yet described as being at risk. Animals in zoological parks were the major focus, as they are at high probability to be exposed to A. pseudoplatanus in enclosures. We also searched for a toxic metabolite of HGA (i.e., methylenecyclopropylacetyl-carnitine; MCPA-carnitine) in blood and an alteration of the acylcarnitines profile in HGA-positive animals to document the potential risk of declaring clinical signs. We describe for the first instance cases of HGA poisoning in Bovidae. Two gnus (Connochaetes taurinus taurinus) exposed to A. pseudoplatanus in their enclosure presented severe clinical signs, serum HGA and MCPA-carnitine and a marked modification of the acylcarnitines profile. In this study, even though all herbivores were exposed to A. pseudoplatanus, proximal fermenters species seemed less susceptible to HGA poisoning. Therefore, a ruminal transformation of HGA is hypothesized. Additionally, we suggest a gradual alteration of the fatty acid metabolism in case of HGA poisoning and thus the existence of subclinical cases.
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Przybyło M, Ortmann S, Świerk S, Clauss M. Fluid and particle retention in the greater kudu
(<i>Tragelaphus strepsiceros</i>). JOURNAL OF ANIMAL AND FEED SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.22358/jafs/145755/2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Disentangling digesta passage rate in the gastrointestinal tract of male and female growing goats fed varying feeding levels using multivariate and metanalytical approaches. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Abstract
AbstractThe aim of this Research Reflection is to describe the basic rumen function of goats and its modification in response to environmental factors, as well as to discuss similarities and differences when compared to other ruminants. In so doing we shall reveal the adaptive capacity of goats to harsh environments. The basic rumen function in goats is similar to other species of ruminants, as stressed by the opportunity to apply the updates of feeding systems for ruminants to goats. The rumen epithelium acts as a protective barrier between the rumen and the host, but it can be damaged by toxic compounds or acidosis. The rumen also plays an important role in water balance, both for dehydration and rehydration. Recent studies show that the microbiota exhibits a high fractional stability due to functional redundancy and resilience, but this needs more investigation. The microbial community structure differs between goats and cows, which explains the difference in sensitivity to milk fat depression following intake of high lipid diets. Goats also differ from other ruminants by their enhanced ability to feed-sort, but as with cows they can suffer from acidosis. Nevertheless, goats can be considered to be very resistant to environmental factors such as water stress, salt stress or heat stress, and this is especially so in some endogenous breeds. They also are able to detoxify tannins, polyphenols and other secondary metabolites. Some new trials involving feeding behaviour, microbiota and omics or approaches by meta-analyses or modelling will improve our knowledge of rumen function in goats.
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Retention of solutes and particles in the gastrointestinal tract of a grazing cervid: Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus). EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Ehrlich C, Codron D, Hofmann RR, Hummel J, Clauss M. Comparative omasum anatomy in ruminants: Relationships with natural diet, digestive physiology, and general considerations on allometric investigations. J Morphol 2019; 280:259-277. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Ehrlich
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Daryl Codron
- Florisbad Quaternary Research DepartmentNational Museum Bloemfontein South Africa
- Centre for Environmental ManagementUniversity of the Free State Bloemfontein South Africa
| | | | - Jürgen Hummel
- Ruminant Nutrition, Department of Animal SciencesUniversity of Goettingen Goettingen Germany
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
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11
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Jonker A, Yu P. The Role of Proanthocyanidins Complex in Structure and Nutrition Interaction in Alfalfa Forage. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E793. [PMID: 27223279 PMCID: PMC4881609 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17050793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the main forages grown in the world. Alfalfa is a winter hardy, drought tolerant, N-fixing legume with a good longevity, high yield, high nutrient levels, high digestibility, unique structural to non-structural components ratio, high dry matter intake, and high animal productivity per hectare. However, its main limitation is its excessively rapid initial rate of protein degradation in the rumen, which results in pasture bloat and inefficient use of protein with consequent excessive excretions of nitrogen into the environment. Proanthocyanidins are secondary plant metabolites that can bind with protein and thereby reduce the rate and extent of ruminal protein degradation. However, these secondary metabolites do not accumulate in alfalfa. This review aims to firstly describe the events involved in the rapid release of protein from alfalfa and its effect on ruminant nutrition, environmental pollution, and pasture bloat; secondly, to describe occurrence, structure, functions and benefits of moderate amounts of proanthocyanidin; and finally, to describe the development of alfalfa which accumulates moderate amounts of proanthocyanidins. The emphasis of this review focuses on the role of proanthocyanidins compounds in structure and nutrition interaction in ruminant livestock systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjan Jonker
- College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada.
- Current address: Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Tennent Drive, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
| | - Peiqiang Yu
- College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada.
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Development of an improved representation of rumen digesta outflow in a mechanistic and dynamic model of a dairy cow, Molly. Ecol Modell 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.06.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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13
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Mitchell G, Roberts D, van Sittert S. The digestive morphophysiology of wild, free-living, giraffes. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2015; 187:119-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2015.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Dittmann MT, Hummel J, Hammer S, Arif A, Hebel C, Müller DW, Fritz J, Steuer P, Schwarm A, Kreuzer M, Clauss M. Digesta kinetics in gazelles in comparison to other ruminants: Evidence for taxon-specific rumen fluid throughput to adjust digesta washing to the natural diet. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2015; 185:58-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2015.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Digesta retention patterns of solute and different-sized particles in camelids compared with ruminants and other foregut fermenters. J Comp Physiol B 2015; 185:559-73. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-015-0904-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Hummel J, Hammer S, Hammer C, Ruf J, Lechenne M, Clauss M. Solute and particle retention in a small grazing antelope, the blackbuck ( Antilope cervicapra ). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2015; 182:22-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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17
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Clauss M, Steuer P, Erlinghagen-Lückerath K, Kaandorp J, Fritz J, Südekum KH, Hummel J. Faecal particle size: Digestive physiology meets herbivore diversity. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2015; 179:182-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Redjadj C, Darmon G, Maillard D, Chevrier T, Bastianelli D, Verheyden H, Loison A, Saïd S. Intra- and interspecific differences in diet quality and composition in a large herbivore community. PLoS One 2014; 9:e84756. [PMID: 24586233 PMCID: PMC3933327 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Species diversity in large herbivore communities is often explained by niche segregation allowed by differences in body mass and digestive morphophysiological features. Based on large number of gut samples in fall and winter, we analysed the temporal dynamics of diet composition, quality and interspecific overlap of 4 coexisting mountain herbivores. We tested whether the relative consumption of grass and browse differed among species of different rumen types (moose-type and intermediate-type), whether diet was of lower quality for the largest species, whether we could identify plant species which determined diet quality, and whether these plants, which could be “key-food-resources” were similar for all herbivores. Our analyses revealed that (1) body mass and rumen types were overall poor predictors of diet composition and quality, although the roe deer, a species with a moose-type rumen was confirmed as an “obligatory non grazer”, while red deer, the largest species, had the most lignified diet; (2) diet overlap among herbivores was well predicted by rumen type (high among species of intermediate types only), when measured over broad plant groups, (3) the relationship between diet composition and quality differed among herbivore species, and the actual plant species used during winter which determined the diet quality, was herbivore species-specific. Even if diets overlapped to a great extent, the species-specific relationships between diet composition and quality suggest that herbivores may select different plant species within similar plant group types, or different plant parts and that this, along with other behavioural mechanisms of ecological niche segregation, may contribute to the coexistence of large herbivores of relatively similar body mass, as observed in mountain ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Redjadj
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Savoie, Le Bourget-du-Lac, France
- Centre national d’Etudes et de la Recherches Appliquées sur la Faune de Montagne et les Cervidés-Sanglier, Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Le Perray-en-Yvelines, France
| | - Gaëlle Darmon
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Savoie, Le Bourget-du-Lac, France
- Chaire de recherche industrielle Produits forestiers Anticosti, Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Daniel Maillard
- Centre national d’Etudes et de la Recherches Appliquées sur la Faune de Montagne et les Cervidés-Sanglier, Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Le Perray-en-Yvelines, France
| | - Thierry Chevrier
- Centre national d’Etudes et de la Recherches Appliquées sur la Faune de Montagne et les Cervidés-Sanglier, Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Le Perray-en-Yvelines, France
| | - Denis Bastianelli
- Systèmes d’élevage méditerranéens et tropicaux, Centre de coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
| | - Hélène Verheyden
- Comportement et Ecologie de la Faune Sauvage, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Anne Loison
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Savoie, Le Bourget-du-Lac, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Sonia Saïd
- Centre national d’Etudes et de la Recherches Appliquées sur la Faune de Montagne et les Cervidés-Sanglier, Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Le Perray-en-Yvelines, France
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Brooks MA, Harvey RM, Johnson NF, Koutsos EA, Kerley MS. Effect of varying dietary starch and fiber levels and inoculum source (mule deer vs. dairy cow) on simulated rumen fermentation characteristics. Zoo Biol 2014; 33:110-20. [PMID: 24395284 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
This study measured starch and fiber digestion and microbial fermentation of three commercial exotic animal feeds using mule deer (MD) or dairy cow (DC) rumen inoculum. Diets were formulated to provide either high starch/low fiber (based on neutral detergent fiber fraction; NDF) with either alfalfa (diet A) or grain and oilseed byproducts (diet B) as the major fiber sources or low starch/high NDF (diet C). An initial batch culture incubation was run with diets inoculated with each rumen inoculum (n = 6; N = 36) over a 48 hr period with samples taken at different hour points for ammonia, pH, lactate, and volatile fatty acids (VFA). A second experiment was conducted where two continuous culture incubations (MD or DC) were run with six single-flow polycarbonate fermentation vessels per dietary treatment. Diets were fed two times a day over an 8-day period and sampled for ammonia, pH, and VFA before and after feeding on the last 3 days. On day 8, fermenter and effluent contents were collected and analyzed for nitrogen, dry matter digestibility (DMD), and organic matter digestibility (OMD). OMD was greater in MD (P = 0.02) and DMD tended to do the same (P = 0.06), but there were no differences due to diet (P > 0.05). Ammonia concentration was greater in DC (P < 0.01), and diets A and B had greater concentrations than diet C (P < 0.01). The greater digestibility, higher acetate:propionate (A:P) ratio and increased lactate levels prior to feeding likely led to diet C having a lower pH than diet A (6.59 vs. 6.66, respectively; P < 0.01) and led the tendency of A to be lower than C after feeding (P = 0.08). A:P ratio was greater in DC than MD before and after feeding (P < 0.01) and was greater in diet C than diets A or B (P < 0.01). Total VFA production tended to be greater in diets B and C in DC (P = 0.06). Rumen fluid source did affect fermentation. Increasing fiber level did not negatively affect fermentation and may increase OMD by removal of negative associative affects by starch on cellulolytic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Brooks
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
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Müller DW, Caton J, Codron D, Schwarm A, Lentle R, Streich WJ, Hummel J, Clauss M. Phylogenetic constraints on digesta separation: Variation in fluid throughput in the digestive tract in mammalian herbivores. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2011; 160:207-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2011.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2011] [Revised: 06/03/2011] [Accepted: 06/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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21
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Solute and particle retention in the digestive tract of the Phillip's dikdik (Madoqua saltiana phillipsi), a very small browsing ruminant: Biological and methodological implications. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2011; 159:284-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2011.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2011] [Revised: 03/23/2011] [Accepted: 03/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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22
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Tsiplakou E, Hadjigeorgiou I, Sotirakoglou K, Zervas G. Differences in mean retention time of sheep and goats under controlled feeding practices. Small Rumin Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2010.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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23
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The effect of size and density on the mean retention time of particles in the reticulorumen of cattle ( Bos primigenius f. taurus), muskoxen ( Ovibos moschatus) and moose ( Alces alces). Br J Nutr 2010; 105:634-44. [PMID: 21144130 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114510004101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Particle passage from the reticulorumen (RR) depends on particle density and size. Forage particle density and size are related and change over time in the RR. Particle density mainly influences sorting in the reticulum, whereas particle size influences particle retention in the fibre mat of stratified rumen contents ('filter-bed' effect). We investigated these effects independently, by inserting plastic particles of different sizes (1, 10 and 20 mm) and densities (1·03, 1·20 and 1·44 mg/ml) in the RR of cattle (Bos primigenius f. taurus) as a pilot study, and of muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus; n 4) and moose (Alces alces; n 2) both fed two diets (browse and grass). Faeces were analysed for plastic residues for 13 d after dosing to calculate mean retention times (MRT). The results confirmed previous findings of differences in absolute MRT between species. Comparing muskoxen with moose, there was no difference in the effect of particle density on the MRT between species but particle size had a more pronounced effect on the MRT in muskoxen than in moose. This indicated a stronger 'filter-bed effect' in muskoxen, in accord with the reports of stratified RR contents in this species v. the absence of RR content stratification in moose. Low-density particles were retained longer in both species fed on grass diets, indicating a contribution of forage type to the 'filter-bed effect'. The results indicate that retention based on particle size may differ between ruminant species, depending on the presence of a fibre mat in the RR, whereas the density-dependent mechanism of sedimentation in the RR is rather constant across species.
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Codron D, Clauss M. Rumen physiology constrains diet niche: linking digestive physiology and food selection across wild ruminant species. CAN J ZOOL 2010. [DOI: 10.1139/z10-077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We propose a hypothesis for digestive constraints on the browsing and grazing options available to ruminants: that the diet-niche range (maximum and minimum grass intake) of a species is dependent upon its predisposition to stratified rumen contents, based on observations that this characteristic is a critical step towards enhanced fibre digestion and greater fluid throughput. We compare a physiological (heterogeneity of ingesta fluid content) and an anatomical (the intraruminal papillation pattern) measure with dietary evidence for a range of African and temperate species. Both measures are strongly related to the mean percentage of grass in species’ natural diets, as well as to the maximum and minimum levels of grass intake, respectively. The nature of these effects implies a stratification-level threshold, below which a species will not use a grass-based diet, but above which grass consumption can increase exponentially. However, above this threshold, a minimum percentage of grass in the diet is a prerequisite for optimal performance. We argue that this second constraint is crucial, as it depicts how a greater fluid throughput reduces potential for detoxification of plant secondary compounds, and therefore limits the maximum amount of browse a stratifying species will consume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl Codron
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
- Florisbad Quaternary Research, National Museum, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
- Florisbad Quaternary Research, National Museum, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
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Retention of fluid and particles in captive tapirs (Tapirus sp.). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2010; 157:95-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2010.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2010] [Revised: 03/24/2010] [Accepted: 03/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Steuer P, Clauss M, Südekum KH, Hatt JM, Silinski S, Klomburg S, Zimmermann W, Fickel J, Streich W, Hummel J. Comparative investigations on digestion in grazing (Ceratotherium simum) and browsing (Diceros bicornis) rhinoceroses. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2010; 156:380-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2010.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2009] [Revised: 03/08/2010] [Accepted: 03/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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27
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Lechner I, Barboza P, Collins W, Fritz J, Günther D, Hattendorf B, Hummel J, Südekum KH, Clauss M. Differential passage of fluids and different-sized particles in fistulated oxen (Bos primigenius f. taurus), muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus), reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and moose (Alces alces): Rumen particle size discrimination is independent from contents stratification. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2010; 155:211-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2009] [Revised: 10/27/2009] [Accepted: 10/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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29
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Evolutionary adaptations of ruminants and their potential relevance for modern production systems. Animal 2010; 4:979-92. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731110000388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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30
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Schwarm A, Ortmann S, Wolf C, Streich WJ, Clauss M. Passage marker excretion in red kangaroo (Macropus rufus), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) and colobine monkeys (Colobus angolensis,C. polykomos,Trachypithecus johnii). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 311:647-61. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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31
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Lechner I, Barboza P, Collins W, Günther D, Hattendorf B, Hummel J, Clauss M. No ‘bypass’ in adult ruminants: Passage of fluid ingested vs. fluid inserted into the rumen in fistulated muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus), reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and moose (Alces alces). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2009; 154:151-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.05.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2009] [Revised: 05/27/2009] [Accepted: 05/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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32
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Pérez W, Lima M, Clauss M. Gross anatomy of the intestine in the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). Anat Histol Embryol 2009; 38:432-5. [PMID: 19681830 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2009.00965.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We describe the macroscopic anatomy of the intestine of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). The small intestine was divided into duodenum, jejunum and ileum as usual. The caecum was attached to the ileum by a long ileocaecal fold, and to the proximal ansa of the ascending colon by a caecocolic fold. The ascending colon was the most developed portion of the gross intestine and had the most complex arrangement with three ansae: the proximal ansa, the spiral ansa and the distal ansa. The proximal ansa completely encircled the caecum, describing a 360 degrees gyrus, and represented the widest portion of the intestine. The spiral ansa was formed by three and a half centripetal gyri, a central flexure and three centrifugal gyri. The last centrifugal gyrus left the spiral and described nine flexures of different form and direction over the left side of the mesentery. The two portions that formed each of these flexures ran parallel to each other. The last part of this gyrus ran parallel to the jejunum. When compared with domestic cattle, giraffe had a comparatively short small intestine and a comparatively long large intestine, with a resulting small ratio of small:large intestine. Reasons are presented why this should be considered a peculiarity of cattle-like ruminants rather than a different representative of a browser-grazer dichotomy in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Pérez
- Area de Anatomía, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Lasplaces 1620, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Clauss M, Hofmann RR, Fickel J, Streich WJ, Hummel J. The intraruminal papillation gradient in wild ruminants of different feeding types: Implications for rumen physiology. J Morphol 2009; 270:929-42. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.10729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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34
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Clauss M, Adamczewski J, Hofmann RR. Surface enlargement in the rumen of free-ranging muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus). EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-009-0301-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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35
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No distinct difference in the excretion of large particles of varying size in a wild ruminant, the banteng (Bos javanicus). EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-009-0277-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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36
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Clauss M, Fritz J, Bayer D, Hummel J, Streich WJ, Südekum KH, Hatt JM. Physical characteristics of rumen contents in two small ruminants of different feeding type, the mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon) and the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). ZOOLOGY 2009; 112:195-205. [DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2008.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2008] [Revised: 08/04/2008] [Accepted: 08/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Hummel J, Südekum KH, Bayer D, Ortmann S, Streich WJ, Hatt JM, Clauss M. Physical characteristics of reticuloruminal contents of oxen in relation to forage type and time after feeding. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2009; 93:209-20. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2008.00806.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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38
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Physical characteristics of rumen contents in four large ruminants of different feeding type, the addax (Addax nasomaculatus), bison (Bison bison), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and moose (Alces alces). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2009; 152:398-406. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2008] [Revised: 11/12/2008] [Accepted: 11/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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39
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Munn AJ, Barboza PS. Could a big gut be too costly for muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in their first winter? ZOOLOGY 2008; 111:350-362. [DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2007.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2007] [Revised: 10/08/2007] [Accepted: 10/09/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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40
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Clauss M, Streich W, Nunn CL, Ortmann S, Hohmann G, Schwarm A, Hummel J. The influence of natural diet composition, food intake level, and body size on ingesta passage in primates. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2008; 150:274-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2007] [Revised: 03/11/2008] [Accepted: 03/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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41
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Schwarm A, Ortmann S, Wolf C, Jürgen Streich W, Clauss M. Excretion patterns of fluid and different sized particle passage markers in banteng (Bos javanicus) and pygmy hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensis): Two functionally different foregut fermenters. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2008; 150:32-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2007] [Revised: 02/22/2008] [Accepted: 02/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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42
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Tschuor A, Clauss M. Investigations on the stratification of forestomach contents in ruminants: an ultrasonographic approach. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-008-0188-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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43
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Hofmann RR, Streich WJ, Fickel J, Hummel J, Clauss M. Convergent evolution in feeding types: salivary gland mass differences in wild ruminant species. J Morphol 2008; 269:240-57. [PMID: 17957712 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.10580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In the ongoing debate about divergent evolutionary morphophysiological adaptations of grazing and browsing ruminants, the size of the salivary glands has received special attention. Here, we report the most comprehensive dataset on ruminant salivary glands so far, with data on the Glandula parotis (n=62 species), Gl. mandibularis (n=61), Gl. buccalis ventralis (n=44), and Gl. sublingualis (n=30). All four salivary gland complexes showed allometric scaling with body mass (BM); in all cases, the 95% confidence interval for the allometric exponent included 0.75 but did not include 1.0 (linearity); therefore, like other parameters linked to the process of food intake, salivary gland mass appears to be correlated to metabolic body weight (BM0.75), and comparisons of relative salivary gland mass between species should rather be made on the basis of BM0.75 than as a percentage of BM. In the subsequent analyses, the percentage of grass (%grass) in the natural diet was used to characterize the feeding type; the phylogenetic tree used for a controlled statistical evaluation was entirely based on mitochondrial DNA information. Regardless of phylogenetic control in the statistical treatment, there was, for all four gland complexes, a significant positive correlation of BM and gland mass, and a significant negative correlation between %grass in the natural diet and gland mass. If the Gl. parotis was analyzed either for cervid or for bovid species only, the negative correlation of gland mass and %grass was still significant in either case; an inspection of certain ruminant subfamilies, however, suggested that a convergent evolutionary adaptation can only be demonstrated if a sufficient variety of ruminant subfamilies are included in a dataset. The results support the concept that ruminant species that ingest more grass have smaller salivary glands, possibly indicating a reduced requirement for the production of salivary tannin-binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinold R Hofmann
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin 10315, Germany
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Hummel J, Steuer P, Südekum KH, Hammer S, Hammer C, Streich WJ, Clauss M. Fluid and particle retention in the digestive tract of the addax antelope (Addax nasomaculatus)—Adaptations of a grazing desert ruminant. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2008; 149:142-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2007.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2007] [Revised: 11/06/2007] [Accepted: 11/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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45
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Clauss M, Kaiser T, Hummel J. The Morphophysiological Adaptations of Browsing and Grazing Mammals. ECOLOGICAL STUDIES 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-72422-3_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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46
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Clauss M, Schwarm A, Ortmann S, Streich WJ, Hummel J. A case of non-scaling in mammalian physiology? Body size, digestive capacity, food intake, and ingesta passage in mammalian herbivores. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2007; 148:249-65. [PMID: 17643330 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2007.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2007] [Revised: 05/18/2007] [Accepted: 05/19/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
As gut capacity is assumed to scale linearly to body mass (BM), and dry matter intake (DMI) to metabolic body weight (BM(0.75)), it has been proposed that ingesta mean retention time (MRT) should scale to BM(0.25) in herbivorous mammals. We test these assumptions with the most comprehensive literature data collations (n=74 species for gut capacity, n=93 species for DMI and MRT) to date. For MRT, only data from studies was used during which DMI was also recorded. Gut capacity scaled to BM(1.06). In spite of large differences in feeding regimes, absolute DMI (kg/d) scaled to BM(0.76) across all species tested. Regardless of this allometry inherent in the dataset, there was only a very low allometric scaling of MRT with BM(0.14) across all species. If species were divided according to the morphophysiological design of their digestive tract, there was non-significant scaling of MRT with BM(0.04) in colon fermenters, BM(0.08) in non-ruminant foregut fermenters, BM(0.06) in browsing and BM(0.04) in grazing ruminants. In contrast, MRT significantly scaled to BM(0.24) (CI 0.16-0.33) in the caecum fermenters. The results suggest that below a certain body size, long MRTs cannot be achieved even though coprophagy is performed; this supports the assumption of a potential body size limitation for herbivory on the lower end of the body size range. However, above a 500 g-threshold, there is no indication of a substantial general increase of MRT with BM. We therefore consider ingesta retention in mammalian herbivores an example of a biological, time-dependent variable that can, on an interspecific level, be dissociated from a supposed obligatory allometric scaling by the morphophysiological design of the digestive tract. We propose that very large body size does not automatically imply a digestive advantage, because long MRTs do not seem to be a characteristic of very large species only. A comparison of the relative DMI (g/kg(0.75)) with MRT indicates that, on an interspecific level, higher intakes are correlated to shorter MRTs in caecum, colon and non-ruminant foregut fermenters; in contrast, no significant correlation between relative DMI and MRT is evident in ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Clauss
- Division of Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Codron D, Lee-Thorp JA, Sponheimer M, Codron J, DE Ruiter D, Brink JS. Significance of diet type and diet quality for ecological diversity of African ungulates. J Anim Ecol 2007; 76:526-37. [PMID: 17439469 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2007.01222.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
1. We test two nutritional hypotheses for the ecological diversity of ungulates, the browser/grazer (diet type) and diet quality models, among free-ranging herbivores in a South African savanna, the Kruger National Park. Tests are based on assessment of relationships between diet type and diet quality with body mass and hypsodonty, two morphological features that have been associated with both elements. 2. We use stable carbon isotope ratios of faeces to reconstruct diet in terms of proportions of C(3) plants (browse) and C(4) plants (grass) consumed by different species in different seasons. These data are combined with proxies for diet quality (per cent nitrogen, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and acid detergent lignin) from faeces to track changes in diet quality. 3. Two statistical approaches are used in model selection, i.e. tests of significant correlations based on linear regression analyses, and an information-theory approach (Akaike's Information Criterion) providing insight into strength of evidence for models. 4. Results of both methods show that, contrary to many predictions, body mass and diet type are not related, but these data confirm predictions that diet quality decreases with increasing body size, especially during the dry season. Hypsodonty, as expected, varies with diet type, increasing with increased grass intake. 5. These findings support both a diet type and diet quality model, implying some degree of exclusivity. We propose that congruence between models may be achieved through addition of diet quality proxies not included here, because hypsodonty is more likely a reflection of the abrasive properties of consumed foods, i.e. related to food quality, rather than food type. This implies that adaptation to diets of varying quality, through changes in body size and dental features, has been the primary mechanism for diversification in ungulates. 6. Our interpretation contrasts with several recent studies advocating diet type as the primary factor, exemplifying that further reconciliation between the two models is needed. We discuss the implications of this study for future approaches to achieve a more cohesive understanding of the evolutionary outcomes of herbivore nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl Codron
- Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, RSA.
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HUMMEL J, SÜDEKUM KH, STREICH WJ, CLAUSS M. Forage fermentation patterns and their implications for herbivore ingesta retention times. Funct Ecol 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2006.01206.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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49
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Nutritional content of savanna plant foods: implications for browser/grazer models of ungulate diversification. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2006. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-006-0071-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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50
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Clauss M, Steinmetz H, Eulenberger U, Ossent P, Zingg R, Hummel J, Hatt JM. Observations on the length of the intestinal tract of African Loxodonta africana (Blumenbach 1797) and Asian elephants Elephas maximus (Linné 1735). EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2006. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-006-0064-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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