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Vukeya LR, Mokotjomela TM, Powrie LW, Nenungwi L. Determining the critical recruitment needs for the declining population of Olea europaea subsp. africana (Mill.) P.S. Green in Free State, South Africa. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10177. [PMID: 37325722 PMCID: PMC10264947 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Olea europaea subsp. africana (Mill.) P.S. Green (medium-sized tree species known as "African wild olive"), provides important ecological goods and services for sustaining frugivores in the grassland biome in South Africa. We speculate that O. europaea subsp. africana's population has been declining due to habitat loss and exploitation for domestic benefits suggesting an unrecognized conservation threat. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the anthropogenic conservation threats for O. europaea subsp. africana in the Free State, South Africa and to determine the potential importance of seed dispersal effectiveness in the restoration of the species in the study area. Overall, the results showed that 39% of the natural habitat range has been transformed by human-mediated activities. Agricultural activities accounted for 27%, while mining activities and human settlement accounted for 12%, of natural habitat loss. In support of the study predictions, seeds of O. europaea subsp. africana had significantly higher germination and germinated faster after passing through the mammal gut (i.e., 28% and 1.49 per week), compared to other seed treatments (i.e., over 39 weeks). However, there were no statistically significant differences between seed germination of the bird-ingested seeds, with intact fruits as the experimental control, although both were significantly greater than the de-pulped seeds. Potential seed dispersal distances by birds were relatively larger, ranging from 9.4 km to 53 km, than those of mammals (1.5 km-4.5 km). We propose that the O. europaea subsp. africana's habitat range may have been declining, and since it is a keystone plant species, we recommend that the complementary seed dispersal services by birds and mammals could be important for its recruitment and restoration in the degraded habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loyd R. Vukeya
- South African National Biodiversity InstituteFree State National Botanical GardenBloemfonteinSouth Africa
| | - Thabiso M. Mokotjomela
- Directorate on Biodiversity EvidenceSouth African National Biodiversity Institute, Free State National Botanical GardenBloemfonteinSouth Africa
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalPietermaritzburgSouth Africa
| | - Leslie W. Powrie
- Centre for Geographical AnalysisStellenbosch UniversityStellenboschSouth Africa
| | - L. Nenungwi
- South African National Biodiversity InstituteFree State National Botanical GardenBloemfonteinSouth Africa
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Clauss M, Codron D, Hummel J. Equid nutritional physiology and behavior: an evolutionary perspective. J Equine Vet Sci 2023; 124:104265. [PMID: 36893821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104265] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Like other members of the even-toed ungulates (the perissodactyls), equids once had a higher species diversity in the fossil record than they have today. This is generally explained in comparison to the enormous diversity of bovid ruminants. Theories on putative competitive disadvantages of equids include the use of a single toe as opposed to two toes per leg, the lack of a specific brain cooling (and hence water-saving) mechanism, longer gestation periods that delay reproductive output, and in particular digestive physiology. To date, there is no empirical support for the theory that equids fare better on low-quality forage than ruminants. In contrast to the traditional juxtaposition of hindgut and foregut fermenters, we suggest that it is more insightful to sketch the evolution of equid and ruminant digestive physiology as a case of convergence: both evolved a particularly high chewing efficacy in their respective groups, which facilitates comparatively high feed and hence energy intakes. But because the ruminant system, less based on tooth anatomy but more on a forestomach sorting mechanism, is more effective, equids depend more on high feed intakes than ruminants and may well be more susceptible to feed shortages. Arguably, the most under-emphasized characteristic of equids may be that in contrast to many other herbivores including ruminants and coprophageous hindgut fermenters, equids do not use the microbial biomass growing in their gastrointestinal tract. Equids display behavioral and morphophysiological adaptations to high feed intakes, and their cranial anatomy that facilitates the cropping of forage while performing grinding chewing at the same time might be unique. Rather than looking for explanations how equids are better adapted to their present niches than other organisms, considering them remnants of a different morphophysiological solution may be more appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich; 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Daryl Codron
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State; Bloemfontein, South Africa.
| | - Jürgen Hummel
- Ruminant Nutrition, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Goettingen; 37077 Goettingen, Germany.
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3
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Zhang X, Li Y, Terranova M, Ortmann S, Kreuzer M, Hummel J, Clauss M. Individual differences in digesta retention and their relation to chewing in cattle-A pilot investigation. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2023; 107:394-406. [PMID: 35560728 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
While information on individual differences in digesta mean retention time (MRT) might be interesting when selecting phenotypes for digestive efficiency, MRT measurements are prohibitively labour-intensive for large-scale application. Therefore, more easily measured proxies of MRT might be helpful. We used the opportunity of an experiment applying saliva stimulant in cattle to investigate the effect of different individual chewing behaviour on fluid and particle MRT with a consistent diet. Four non-lactating cattle (670-850 kg body mass [BM]) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design, treated with the saliva stimulant pilocarpine in dosages of 0, 1, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg BM per day. The cattle were fed hay with dry matter intake (DMI) assigned according to their metabolic body weight. MRT in the whole gastrointestinal tract (GIT), the reticulorumen (RR) and the distal tract were measured using Co-EDTA, Cr-mordanted fibre and La-mordanted fibre as markers representing fluid, small particles (2 mm) and large particles (1 cm), respectively. The chewing behaviour was measured via noseband pressure sensor and expressed as chewing frequency (chews per time) and chewing intensity (chews per DMI), both for total chewing (ingestion plus rumination) and rumination chewing alone. The animals differed considerably in chewing behaviour and MRT measures. BM did not show a significant effect on chewing behaviour and MRT measures, though it tended to negatively correlated to total chewing intensity. Chewing intensity exerted a significant negative influence on MRT of fluid and particles in the RR, which was not the case for chewing frequency. Chewing frequency showed a significant relationship with MRT of large particles in the GIT. We suggest that chewing behaviour could influence MRT in two ways: (i) by affecting saliva production via the masticatory-salivary reflex and subsequently, the fluid inflow to the RR; (ii) by contributing to particle size reduction. Should the link between chewing behaviour and MRT be corroborated in larger studies, chewing measures, with their large interindividual variation, could emerge as an easy-to-measure proxy for MRT characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Animal Sciences, Ruminant Nutrition, 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
| | - Michael Kreuzer
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Lindau, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Hummel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Ruminant Nutrition, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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4
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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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Daskin JH, Becker JA, Kartzinel TR, Potter AB, Walker RH, Eriksson FAA, Buoncore C, Getraer A, Long RA, Pringle RM. Allometry of behavior and niche differentiation among congeneric African antelopes. ECOL MONOGR 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua H. Daskin
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton NJ USA
- Archbold Biological Station Venus FL USA
| | - Justine A. Becker
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton NJ USA
- Department of Zoology & Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie WY USA
| | - Tyler R. Kartzinel
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Brown University Providence RI USA
| | - Arjun B. Potter
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton NJ USA
| | - Reena H. Walker
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences University of Idaho Moscow ID USA
| | | | - Courtney Buoncore
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton NJ USA
| | - Alexander Getraer
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton NJ USA
| | - Ryan A. Long
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences University of Idaho Moscow ID USA
| | - Robert M. Pringle
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton NJ USA
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Thomas CM, Desmond-Le Quéméner E, Gribaldo S, Borrel G. Factors shaping the abundance and diversity of the gut archaeome across the animal kingdom. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3358. [PMID: 35688919 PMCID: PMC9187648 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31038-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Archaea are common constituents of the gut microbiome of humans, ruminants, and termites but little is known about their diversity and abundance in other animals. Here, we analyse sequencing and quantification data of archaeal and bacterial 16S rRNA genes from 250 species of animals covering a large taxonomic spectrum. We detect the presence of archaea in 175 animal species belonging to invertebrates, fish, amphibians, birds, reptiles and mammals. We identify five dominant gut lineages, corresponding to Methanobrevibacter, Methanosphaera, Methanocorpusculum, Methanimicrococcus and "Ca. Methanomethylophilaceae". Some archaeal clades, notably within Methanobrevibacter, are associated to certain hosts, suggesting specific adaptations. The non-methanogenic lineage Nitrososphaeraceae (Thaumarchaeota) is frequently present in animal samples, although at low abundance, but may have also adapted to the gut environment. Host phylogeny, diet type, fibre content, and intestinal tract physiology are major drivers of the diversity and abundance of the archaeome in mammals. The overall abundance of archaea is more influenced by these factors than that of bacteria. Methanogens reducing methyl-compounds with H2 can represent an important fraction of the overall methanogens in many animals. Together with CO2-reducing methanogens, they are influenced by diet and composition of gut bacteria. Our results provide key elements toward our understanding of the ecology of archaea in the gut, an emerging and important field of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney M Thomas
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, UMR CNRS6047, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, F-75015, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Collège doctoral, F-75005, Paris, France
| | | | - Simonetta Gribaldo
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, UMR CNRS6047, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Borrel
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, UMR CNRS6047, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, F-75015, Paris, France.
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de Andrade GP, de Albuquerque PV, Tschá MDC, de Alcântara SF, de Miranda MELC, Nascimento JCDS, de Barros NFJ, Amorim MJAAL. Dietary neutral detergent fibre and lignin contents affect intake, digestibility and digesta retention in captive sloths (Bradypus variegatus). J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2022; 106:910-921. [PMID: 35468240 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13720] [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: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated food intake, digestibility, digesta retention and digestible energy (DE) intake in four three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus, body mass 2.86 ± 0.10 kg) fed two leaf-based diets containing different neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and lignin contents. Total dry matter intake (DMI), and intake in relation to body mass and metabolic body weight were higher for the mixed diet with lower NDF content based on Pterondon sp. + Inga sp. (47 g day-1 , 16 g kg-1 day-1 and 21 g kg-0.75 day-1 ) compared to the treatment with higher content of NDF from only Cecropia pachystachya leaves (37 g day-1 , 14 g kg-1 day-1 and 18 g kg-0.75 day-1 ). The digestibility of dry matter (dDM) and neutral detergent fibre (dNDF) were higher in the mixed diet (60% and 61% respectively). There was a higher supply of DE and metabolisable energy (ME) on the mixed diet, at 221 and 199 kJ kg-0.75 day-1 , meeting the average energy requirement of 185 kJ ME kg-0.75 day-1 ME estimated for sloths in this study. In contrast, the diet with C. pachystachya generated a deficit of 31 kJ ME kg-0.75 day-1 . There was a correlation between DMI and dNDF (r2 = 0.89), and between dNDF and dDM (r2 = 0.98) across treatments. The mean retention times for a liquid and a particle marker were lower on the mixed diet with the higher intake at 133 h (passage rate = 0.75% h-1 ) and 181 h (0.55% h-1 ), and longer on the single-species diet with lower intake at 204 h (0.49% h-1 ) and 261 h (0.38% h-1 ). The results suggest that it may be beneficial for sloths to be offered a variety of browse from which they can choose low-NDF components. Further, we suggest that these sloths perform 'digesta washing' to increase the microbial yield in the stomach to maximise the digestion of NDF and dry matter.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marleyne José Afonso Accioly Lins Amorim
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.,Postgraduate in Animal Bioscience, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
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8
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Dayaram A, Seeber PA, Greenwood AD. Environmental Detection and Potential Transmission of Equine Herpesviruses. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10040423. [PMID: 33916280 PMCID: PMC8066653 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesviruses (EHV) are a major health concern for domestic and wild equids and represent one of the most economically important disease agents of horses. Most known EHVs are transmitted directly between individuals as a result of direct exposure to exudates and aerosols. However, accumulating evidence suggests that environmental transmission may play a role including air, water, and fomites. Here, we reviewed studies on environmental stability and transmission of EHVs, which may influence viral dynamics and the use of environmental samples for monitoring EHV shedding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisha Dayaram
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), 10315 Berlin, Germany; (A.D.); (P.A.S.)
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter A. Seeber
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), 10315 Berlin, Germany; (A.D.); (P.A.S.)
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Alex D. Greenwood
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), 10315 Berlin, Germany; (A.D.); (P.A.S.)
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)30-5168255
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Abraham AJ, Prys‐Jones TO, De Cuyper A, Ridenour C, Hempson GP, Hocking T, Clauss M, Doughty CE. Improved estimation of gut passage time considerably affects trait‐based dispersal models. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Abraham
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ USA
- Environmental Change Institute School of Geography and the Environment University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Tomos O. Prys‐Jones
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ USA
| | - Annelies De Cuyper
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Ghent University Merelbeke Belgium
| | - Chase Ridenour
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ USA
| | - Gareth P. Hempson
- Centre for African Ecology School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
| | - Toby Hocking
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ USA
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals Exotic Pets and Wildlife Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Christopher E. Doughty
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ USA
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Gindri M, Leite RF, Härter CJ, da Silva SP, St-Pierre N, Fernandes MHMDR, Berchielli TT, Teixeira IAMDA. Body weight and sex effects on digesta mean retention time in growing Saanen goats. Transl Anim Sci 2020; 4:txaa028. [PMID: 32705026 PMCID: PMC7284118 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txaa028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the important role of digesta mean retention time (MRT) on digestive efficiency of ruminants, it is poorly investigated in total gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of growing ruminants, especially in goats. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of body weight (BW) and sex on GIT MRT of particles and solutes in growing Saanen goats. A dataset from two studies, comprising 103 individual records of castrated males (n = 36), females (n = 34), and intact males (n = 33) Saanen goats slaughtered at 15, 22, 30, 37, and 45 kg BW, was used. Goats were fed basically with total mixed ration composed by dehydrated corn plant (Zea mays) milled to pass a 10-mm screen, cracked corn grain, and soybean (Glycine max) meal. Variables evaluated were BW, feed intake, feed intake level, composition of ingested diet, wet weight of GIT tissues, wet digesta pool size, digesta composition (dry matter and neutral detergent fiber [NDF]), indigestible NDF:NDF ratio of ingested diet and GIT digesta, MRT of particles (MRTiNDF) and solutes (MRTCr), and reticulorumen selectivity factors (large particles/solutes). Reticulorumen, omasum, abomasum, small intestine, cecum, and colon-rectum segments were evaluated. The dataset was analyzed as mixed models considering sex, BW, and sex × BW interaction as fixed effects, and study and residual error as random effects. Sex did not affect MRTiNDF in any GIT segments. Females and intact males presented similar reticulorumen MRTCr (5.6 h; P = 0.92) and they presented lower reticulorumen MRTCr than castrated males (7.0; P ≤ 0.04). Total GIT MRTCr was similar between castrated males and females (15.7 h; P = 0.11) and between females and intact males (14.2 h; P = 0.76). Body weight (BW) did not affect MRTiNDF in reticulorumen and colon-rectum and total GIT MRTCr (P ≥ 0.11). Reticulorumen and omasum MRTCr increased as BW increased (P < 0.01), and abomasum MRTCr decreased as BW increased (P = 0.02). Feed intake, and wet tissues and wet pool size of all GIT segments increased as BW increased, except abomasum wet pool size (P ≤ 0.01). The mechanism related to sex effect on MRT has to be elucidated. Reticulorumen MRTiNDF and total GIT MRTCr were modulated by intake and capacity of reticulorumen and GIT, respectively. On the other hand, reticulorumen MRTCr seemed to be regulated by reticulo-omasal orifice opening and saliva secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Gindri
- Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Carla Joice Härter
- Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Simone Pedro da Silva
- Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
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11
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Mandinyenya B, Monks N, Mundy PJ, Sebata A, Chirima A. Habitat choices of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and plains zebra (Equus quagga) in a heterogeneous protected area. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/wr18201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
ContextAn understanding of large herbivore habitat choices in heterogeneous African protected areas is important for the better management of these key ecosystems.
AimsTo determine habitat use of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and plains zebra (Equus quagga) in a heterogeneous protected area.
MethodsZambezi National Park (ZNP), Zimbabwe, was divided into five vegetation types using an unsupervised classification on a Landsat satellite image that was classified into five land cover classes, using the K-means classification algorithm. African buffalo and plains zebra densities were then determined in each vegetation type using road transect surveys monthly between January 2013 and December 2015. Normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), grass biomass, grass height and grass quality (nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and acid detergent fibre content) were determined in each vegetation type during the wet (November to April) and dry (August to October) seasons to establish their quality as habitats for African buffalo and plains zebra.
Key resultsBoth African buffalo and plains zebra mostly foraged in mixed and grassland areas, and avoided Zambezi teak vegetation type. Zambezi teak vegetation type had high NDVI due to the dense tree cover. Both African buffalo and plains zebra preferred vegetation types with intermediate grass biomass (approximately 300gm−2) and grass height (approximately 16cm). Grass nutritive value (in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus and acid detergent fibre) declined from wet to dry season in all vegetation types.
ConclusionsAfrican buffalo and plains zebra in the ZNP confined their habitat use mostly to two vegetation types (mixed and grassland), which together covered 25% of the protected area.
ImplicationsTeak (Baikiaea plurijuga) vegetation, which accounted for about 60% of the ZNP, was avoided by both African buffalo and plains zebra, suggesting that a significant part of the protected area was not used by the two herbivores.
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Beirne C, Nuñez CL, Baldino M, Kim S, Knorr J, Minich T, Jin L, Xiao S, Mbamy W, Obiang GN, Masseloux J, Nkoghe T, Ebanega MO, Rundel C, Wright JP, Poulsen JR. Estimation of gut passage time of wild, free roaming forest elephants. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Beirne
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Chase L. Nuñez
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Melissa Baldino
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Seokmin Kim
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Julia Knorr
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Taylor Minich
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Lingrong Jin
- L. Jin and S. Xiao, Dept of Biology, Duke Univ., Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shuyun Xiao
- L. Jin and S. Xiao, Dept of Biology, Duke Univ., Durham, NC, USA
| | - Walter Mbamy
- W. Mbamy, G. N. Obiang, T. Nkoghe and M. O. Ebanega, Dépt de Géographie, Univ. Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Guichard Ndzeng Obiang
- W. Mbamy, G. N. Obiang, T. Nkoghe and M. O. Ebanega, Dépt de Géographie, Univ. Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Juliana Masseloux
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Tanguy Nkoghe
- W. Mbamy, G. N. Obiang, T. Nkoghe and M. O. Ebanega, Dépt de Géographie, Univ. Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Médard Obiang Ebanega
- W. Mbamy, G. N. Obiang, T. Nkoghe and M. O. Ebanega, Dépt de Géographie, Univ. Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Colin Rundel
- C. Rundel, Dept of Statistical Science, Duke Univ., Durham, NC, USA
| | - Justin P. Wright
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - John R. Poulsen
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Przybyło M, Hummel J, Ortmann S, Codron D, Kohlschein GM, Kilga D, Smithyman J, Przybyło U, Świerk S, Hammer S, Hatt JM, Górka P, Clauss M. Digesta passage in nondomestic ruminants: Separation mechanisms in 'moose-type' and 'cattle-type' species, and seemingly atypical browsers. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2019; 235:180-192. [PMID: 31220621 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Ruminants have been classified as having a 'moose-type' or 'cattle-type' digestive physiology. 'Cattle-type' ruminants have a clear difference in the mean retention time (MRT) of fluid vs. small particles in the reticulorumen (RR), with a high 'selectivity factor' (SF = MRTparticle/ MRTfluid, >1.80), and are typically grazers and intermediate feeders. 'Moose-type' ruminants have lower SF (<1.80), possibly because of defensive salivary proteins that constrain amounts of (high-viscosity) saliva, and are typically restricted to browsing. To further contribute to testing this physiology-diet correlation, we performed 55 individual passage measurements in 4/6 species that have/have not been investigated previously, respectively. Co-EDTA was used as a solute (fluid) and Cr-mordanted hay particles (<2 mm) as particle markers. Results are related to the percentage of grass in the natural diet taken from the literature. Moose (Alces alces, n = 4 on 4 to 5 diets each and n = 2 on a single diet, 5% grass, SF 1.46 ± 0.22) and giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis, n = 3 on 3 to 5 diets each, 1%, 1.42 ± 0.23) as classical 'moose-type', and cattle (Bos taurus, n = 2, 70%, 2.04) as classical 'cattle-type' ruminants yielded results similar to those previously published, as did waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus, n = 5, 84%, 2.46 ± 0.49), corroborating that the SF represents, to a large extent, a species-specific characteristic. Results in oryx (Oryx leucoryx, n = 1, 75%, 2.60) and sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii, n = 4, 68%, 1.81 ± 0.21) correspond to the concept of 'cattle-type' ruminants being grazers or intermediate feeders. However, European bison (Bison bonasus, n = 1, 10%, 2.74), nyala (T. angasii, n = 6, 20%, 1.95 ± 0.25), bongo (T. eurycerus, n = 3, 13%, 2.39 ± 0.54) and gerenuk (Litocranius walleri, n = 1, 0%, 2.25) appear as 'cattle-type' ruminants, yet have a browse-dominated diet. While the results do not challenge the view that a 'moose-type' digestive physiology is an adaptation to browse diets, they indicate that it may not be the only adaptation that enables ruminants to use browse. Apparently, a 'cattle-type' digestive physiology with a high SF does not necessarily preclude a browsing diet niche. High-SF browsers might have the benefit of an increased harvest of RR microbiota and grit removal prior to rumination; how they defend themselves against secondary plant compounds in browse remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Przybyło
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Jürgen Hummel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Ruminant Nutrition, University of Goettingen, Kellnerweg 6, 37077 Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Sylvia Ortmann
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Berlin, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Daryl Codron
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
| | - Gina-Marie Kohlschein
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Bräuhausweg 7, 82335 Berg, Germany
| | - Daniela Kilga
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Albrechtstrasse 11, 8406 Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Juliet Smithyman
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; Pittwater Animal Hospital, 1 Arnott Crescent, Warriewood, NSW 2101, Australia
| | - Urszula Przybyło
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Samanta Świerk
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Sven Hammer
- Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, Doha, State of Qatar, Qatar; Naturschutz-Tierpark Görlitz, Zittauerstr. 43, 02826 Görlitz, Germany.
| | - Jean-Michel Hatt
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Paweł Górka
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Baltzinger C, Karimi S, Shukla U. Plants on the Move: Hitch-Hiking With Ungulates Distributes Diaspores Across Landscapes. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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15
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Yoshikawa T, Kawakami K, Masaki T. Allometric scaling of seed retention time in seed dispersers and its application to estimation of seed dispersal potentials of theropod dinosaurs. OIKOS 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.05827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuro Yoshikawa
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Inst. – 1 Matsunosato Tsukuba Ibaraki 305‐8687 Japan
- Natl Inst. for Environmental Studies – Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, 16‐2 Onogawa Tsukuba Ibaragi 305‐8506 Japan
| | - Kazuto Kawakami
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Inst. – 1 Matsunosato Tsukuba Ibaraki 305‐8687 Japan
| | - Takashi Masaki
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Inst. – 1 Matsunosato Tsukuba Ibaraki 305‐8687 Japan
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16
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Noninvasive Detection of Equid Herpesviruses in Fecal Samples. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.02234-18. [PMID: 30446563 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02234-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Equid herpesviruses (EHVs) are pathogens of equid and nonequid hosts that can cause disease and fatalities in captivity and in the wild. EHVs establish latent infections but can reactivate, and most EHVs are shed via the nasal passage. Therefore, nasal swabs are generally used for EHV monitoring. However, invasive sampling of wild equids is difficult. While feces is a commonly used substrate for detecting other pathogens, to our knowledge, EHVs have never been detected in feces of naturally infected equids. We systematically tested zebra feces for EHV presence by (i) establishing nested PCR conditions for fecal DNA extracts, (ii) controlling for environmental EHV contamination, and (iii) large-scale testing on a free-ranging zebra population. A dilution minimizing inhibition while maximizing viral DNA concentrations was determined in captive Grévy's zebra (Equus grevyi) fecal samples from individuals shedding EHV nasally. Sixteen of 42 fecal samples (38%) were EHV positive. To demonstrate that the EHV positivity was not a result of environmental contamination, rectal swabs of wild zebras were screened (n = 18 [Equus quagga and E. zebra]), and 50% were EHV positive, indicating that the source of EHV in feces is likely the intestinal mucosa and not postdefecation contamination. Out of 270 fecal samples of wild zebras, 26% were EHV positive. Quantitative PCRs showed that the amount of virus DNA in feces was not significantly smaller than that in other samples. In summary, fecal sampling facilitates large-scale screening and may be useful to noninvasively investigate phylogenetic EHV diversity in wild and domestic equids.IMPORTANCE Equid herpesviruses (EHVs) establish latent infections, and many EHVs are shed and transmitted via nasal discharge primarily through droplet and aerosol infection. Obtaining nasal swabs and other invasive samples from wildlife is often not possible without capture and physical restraint of individuals, which are resource intensive and a health risk for the captured animals. Fecal EHV shedding has never been demonstrated for naturally infected equids. We established the conditions for fecal EHV screening, and our results suggest that testing fecal samples is an effective noninvasive approach for monitoring acute EHV shedding in equids.
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Bukombe J, Kittle A, Senzota RB, Kija H, Mduma S, Fryxell JM, Magige F, Mligo C, Sinclair ARE. The influence of food availability, quality and body size on patch selection of coexisting grazer ungulates in western Serengeti National Park. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/wr18072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Differences in body size and mouth morphologies influence dietary resource separation among savanna ungulates, and this influences their distribution across landscape.
Aim
The aim was to understand the influence of body size and mouth morphology differences on both diet and patch selection by ungulate species in western Serengeti. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) for ungulate species, the relative body sizes and muzzle widths (mean muzzle width range: 3.1- 9.85) relate directly to food biomass, and to quality of diets selected in the wet season when food is abundant; (2) in the wet season, if food is not limiting, similar-sized species should exhibit greater dietary niche overlap than ungulate species that differ greatly in body size and muzzle width; moreover, similar-sized species exhibit less dietary niche overlap than ungulate species that differ greatly in body size.
Methods
In the western Serengeti ecosystem, road transects and direct observation were used to obtain data on the distribution and diet of five ungulate species namely buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, topi and impala; which have of varying sizes (range: 70–630kg) feeding in three different vegetation types. Grassland biomass, structure, nutrient content and ungulate use were measured at sites along transects.
Key Results
Results indicated that large-bodied ungulates utilised patches of greater food abundance compared with those of smaller ungulates. Body mass was also negatively correlated with diet quality, so that smaller animals ate higher protein and lower-fibre foods, as predicted. Diet niche overlap (niche similarity) showed a strong positive relationship with body mass differences among ungulate species, in support of the second of the two predictions from this hypothesis, namely that dissimilarly sized species could eat the same food.
Conclusion
Overall, the results suggest that in this savanna system, variation in ungulate body size influences resource separation even in the food-abundant wet season, and that this helps multiple species to co-exist.
Implications
Implementing more focused conservation strategies will improve wildlife habitat quality by integrating fire as a forage management tool with grazing preferences to promote forage heterogeneity in protected areas.
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Pahl L. Macropods, feral goats, sheep and cattle: 1. Equivalency in how much they eat. RANGELAND JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/rj19044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The extent to which goats and cattle eat equivalent amounts of forage as sheep has been based on their maintenance energy requirements (MERs) relative to a 50kg wether or dry ewe, known as a dry sheep equivalent (DSE). As such, a 50kg goat was considered 1 DSE and a 450kg steer as 7–8 DSE. In comparison, the DSE of macropods has been based on their basal metabolic rate (BMR) or energy expenditure of grazing (EEg) relative to those of sheep, with a 50kg macropod thought to be 0.7 and 0.45 DSE respectively. Based on published energy requirements of goats, macropods and cattle relative to sheep, their DSE values are estimated to be 1.2, 1.0 and 7.6 respectively. However, relative energy requirements may not be the same as relative dry matter intakes (DMIs), due to differences in forage quality, the structure of digestive tracts and selective foraging capabilities. Allometric equations that predict DMI were developed from published liveweights and intakes of sheep, goats, macropods and cattle. Given DMIs when fed high-quality forage, a 50kg goat was 1 DSE, a 50kg macropod was 0.7 DSE and a 450kg steer was 7.6 DSE. Their DMIs were depressed by 35–50% when fed low-quality forage, but a goat remained as 1 DSE, macropods increased to 1.0 DSE and cattle increased to 8.3 DSE. The capacity of macropods to maintain relatively higher DMIs of low-quality forage than sheep is probably due of their faster digesta passage rates and more expandable stomachs. These DMIs of animals provided ad-libitum quantities of similar forages in small pens are likely to differ from their DMIs when selectively grazing heterogeneous rangeland pastures. Under these conditions, sheep select higher-quality diets than cattle, and kangaroos select higher-quality diets than sheep, which increase the relative DMIs of the smaller herbivores. For this reason, a 50kg macropod is likely to be 1 DSE and consume twice as much forage than previously assumed.
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19
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Seeber PA, Quintard B, Sicks F, Dehnhard M, Greenwood AD, Franz M. Environmental stressors may cause equine herpesvirus reactivation in captive Grévy's zebras ( Equus grevyi). PeerJ 2018; 6:e5422. [PMID: 30155350 PMCID: PMC6109370 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine Herpesviruses (EHV) are common and often latent pathogens of equids which can cause fatalities when transmitted to non-equids. Stress and elevated glucocorticoids have been associated with EHV reactivation in domestic horses, but little is known about the correlation between stress and viral reactivation in wild equids. We investigated the effect of an environmental stressor (social group restructuring following a translocation event) on EHV reactivation in captive Grévy's zebras (Equus grevyi). A mare was translocated by road transport from Zoo Mulhouse, France, to join a resident group of three mares in Tierpark Berlin, Germany. We used an indirect sampling method to assess the frequency of EHV shedding for 14 days immediately after the translocation event (termed the 'experimental period'). The results were compared with those from two control periods, one preceding and one subsequent to the experimental period. In addition, we measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations daily in all individuals from 6 days before, to 14 days after translocation. We found significantly higher EHV shedding frequencies during the experimental period, compared to each of the two control periods. All animals showed significantly elevated fGCM concentrations, compared to fGCM levels before translocation. Finally, we found that an increase in fGCM concentration was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of EHV shedding. Although the small number of animals in the study limits the conclusions that can be drawn from the study, taken together, our results support the hypothesis that environmental stressors induce viral reactivation in wild equids. Our results suggest that potentials stressors such as group restructuring and translocation should be considered in the management of zoological collections to reduce the risk of fatal EHV infections in novel hosts. Moreover, environmental stressors may play an important role in EHV reactivation and spread in wild equid populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A. Seeber
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Martin Dehnhard
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alex D. Greenwood
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathias Franz
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
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20
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Marneweck C, Jürgens A, Shrader AM. Dung odours signal sex, age, territorial and oestrous state in white rhinos. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2016.2376. [PMID: 28077775 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammals commonly communicate olfactorily via urine. However, the extent to which they communicate via dung, another waste product, is unknown. Behavioural studies suggest that mammals can obtain information from dung odours but are unclear about the information transmitted. Moreover, an understanding of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from dung is limited. To address this, we analysed the odours emitted from the dung of free-ranging white rhinos, and found that 2,3-dimethylundecane signalled an individual's sex, heptanal discriminated age class, nonane defined male territorial status and 2,6-dimethylundecane indicated female oestrous state. To validate these findings, we artificially reproduced key elements of the territorial and oestrous odour profiles (i.e. profiles likely to elicit behavioural responses from receivers). We then exposed free-ranging territorial males to these odours. In response, males elicited behaviours associated with the specific odours (e.g. territorial male (potential threat): reduced latency in assuming vigilance; oestrous female (potential mate): increased investigation). These results indicate that the VOCs identified from the dung of free-ranging individuals do transmit key information. Moreover, as white rhinos of all ages and sexes defecate communally, middens probably act as information centres. Furthermore, as many other mammals defecate communally, olfactory communication via dung odours is likely a widespread phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Marneweck
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Andreas Jürgens
- Chemical Plant Ecology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Adrian M Shrader
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
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21
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Wang J, Wang D, Li C, Seastedt TR, Liang C, Wang L, Sun W, Liang M, Li Y. Feces nitrogen release induced by different large herbivores in a dry grassland. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2018; 28:201-211. [PMID: 29034532 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Large herbivores have pronounced effects on nutrient cycling in grasslands. These organisms are known to alter the quality and quantity of plant production as well as the amounts and quality of plant litter and animal wastes. The generalization that the relative quality of detritus inputs is enhanced by herbivores is well known, but how this process is affected by diet selection processing and feces production of different large herbivores remains largely unstudied. Here, we measured how these differences for cattle and sheep on a dry grassland might influence nitrogen (N) mineralization from feces. We found that cattle of larger body size tended to select the low quality grass Stipa grandis as their major food source. In contrast, the subdominant grass Leymus chinensis, with relatively high N content, was a majority in the diet of smaller sheep, when palatable forbs were insufficient in the field. This diverse diet quality resulted in a C:N ratio of cattle feces that was higher than that of sheep feces. Relatively higher labile C availability in the cattle feces, namely relatively higher cellulose/hemicellulose contents, promoted microbial growth and in turn accelerated cattle feces decomposition. A surprise finding was that the feces from cattle mineralized about twice as much N as feces from sheep, despite the latter having slightly higher N content. From a grassland productivity perspective, increasing the proportion of large body-sized species in grazing herbivore assemblages perhaps is beneficial to forage productivity and nutrient recycling by the rapid degradation of feces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhi Wang
- School of Environment and Institute of Grassland Science, and Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology and Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, 130024, China
| | - Deli Wang
- School of Environment and Institute of Grassland Science, and Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology and Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, 130024, China
| | - Chunqiang Li
- School of Environment and Institute of Grassland Science, and Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology and Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, 130024, China
| | - Timothy R Seastedt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, USA
| | - Cunzhu Liang
- Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010021, China
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Environment and Institute of Grassland Science, and Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology and Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, 130024, China
| | - Wei Sun
- School of Environment and Institute of Grassland Science, and Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology and Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, 130024, China
| | - Maowei Liang
- Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010021, China
| | - Yu Li
- Institute of Mycology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
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22
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Sahd L, Pereira DL, Bennett NC, Kotzé SH. Comparative gastrointestinal morphology of Tachyoryctes splendens (Rüppell, 1835) and Heliophobius emini, (Noack, 1894) two species of East African mole-rats. J Morphol 2017; 278:780-790. [PMID: 28370359 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Tachyoryctes splendens (Northeast African mole-rat) and Heliophobius emini (Emin's mole-rat) are two African mole-rats that represent separate allopatric rodent families namely Spalacidae and Bathyergidae respectively. While these species consume a similar diet of underground plant storage organs such as roots and tubers, T. splendens has been reported to additionally consume small amounts of aerial foliage. This study aims to provide detailed gross morphological and histological morphometric analyses of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of these two subterranean species. The formalin fixed gastrointestinal tracts of T. splendens (n = 9) and H. emini (n = 6) were photographed, weighed and measured. The length and basal surface areas were calculated for each anatomically distinct region. Representative histological samples were prepared and stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin. Microscopic luminal measurements were used to calculate a surface enlargement factor and the luminal surface area of each region. Tachyoryctes splendens had a large double chambered hemi-glandular stomach with a macroscopically visible transition from keratinized stratified squamous epithelium to glandular epithelium. The cecum was large and the luminal surface revealed a single spiral fold. The ascending colon of T. splendens was arranged in a spiral, with two centripetal and two centrifugal windings. The descending colon was arranged in a single parallel loop, similar to H. emini. A narrow colonic groove was accompanied by V-shaped folds on either side. Heliophobius emini had a simple glandular stomach, a large, haustrated cecum that displayed a cecal appendix and the descending colon was arranged in a single parallel loop. The internal aspect of the colon revealed a wide colonic groove extending from the ceco-colic junction to distal colon. As both species originate from a similar geographical region and ingest very similar diets, it is likely that the differences in the GIT morphology are attributed to phylogeny as the species represent two different families of mole-rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Sahd
- Division of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Daniella L Pereira
- Division of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Nigel C Bennett
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Sanet H Kotzé
- Division of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
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Retention of solute and particle markers in the digestive tract of captive Somali wild asses (Equus africanus somaliensis). EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-017-1098-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Osteopathology in Rhinocerotidae from 50 Million Years to the Present. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146221. [PMID: 26840633 PMCID: PMC4739690 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Individual elements of many extinct and extant North American rhinocerotids display osteopathologies, particularly exostoses, abnormal textures, and joint margin porosity, that are commonly associated with localized bone trauma. When we evaluated six extinct rhinocerotid species spanning 50 million years (Ma), we found the incidence of osteopathology increases from 28% of all elements of Eocene Hyrachyus eximius to 65-80% of all elements in more derived species. The only extant species in this study, Diceros bicornis, displayed less osteopathologies (50%) than the more derived extinct taxa. To get a finer-grained picture, we scored each fossil for seven pathological indicators on a scale of 1-4. We estimated the average mass of each taxon using M1-3 length and compared mass to average pathological score for each category. We found that with increasing mass, osteopathology also significantly increases. We then ran a phylogenetically-controlled regression analysis using a time-calibrated phylogeny of our study taxa. Mass estimates were found to significantly covary with abnormal foramen shape and abnormal bone textures. This pattern in osteopathological expression may reflect a part of the complex system of adaptations in the Rhinocerotidae over millions of years, where increased mass, cursoriality, and/or increased life span are selected for, to the detriment of long-term bone health. This work has important implications for the future health of hoofed animals and humans alike.
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Garnick S, Di Stefano J, Elgar MA, Coulson G. Do body size, diet type or residence time explain habitat use in a vertebrate herbivore community? AUST J ZOOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/zo15061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Many theories attempt to explain patterns of community organisation among large herbivores. We explored the role of body size, diet type and residence time on habitat use in a community comprising four metatherians (western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus; eastern grey kangaroo, M. giganteus; red-necked wallaby, Notamacropus rufogriseus; swamp wallaby, Wallabia bicolor) and two eutherians (red deer, Cervus elaphus; European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus) in south-eastern Australia. We used camera traps to estimate habitat occupancy, quantified habitat specialisation using relative entropy, and ran regressions using percentage grass consumed, log(mass) and log(time at site) as predictor variables and relative entropy as the response. If body size influenced habitat use, we predicted smaller species would occupy fewer habitats. If diet type influenced habitat use, we predicted intermediate feeders would use more habitats. If the time that a species had been present at a site predicted community organisation, newer species would use more habitats. None of these theories explained habitat use in our community. Red deer used a narrower range of habitats than expected, perhaps due to the poor suitability of habitats available in the Grampians. While interactions between our hypotheses are likely to be important, the body size model deserves further attention in this community.
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Olsen AM. Exceptional avian herbivores: multiple transitions toward herbivory in the bird order Anseriformes and its correlation with body mass. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:5016-32. [PMID: 26640679 PMCID: PMC4662324 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Herbivory is rare among birds and is usually thought to have evolved predominately among large, flightless birds due to energetic constraints or an association with increased body mass. Nearly all members of the bird order Anseriformes, which includes ducks, geese, and swans, are flighted and many are predominately herbivorous. However, it is unknown whether herbivory represents a derived state for the order and how many times a predominately herbivorous diet may have evolved. Compiling data from over 200 published diet studies to create a continuous character for herbivory, models of trait evolution support at least five independent transitions toward a predominately herbivorous diet in Anseriformes. Although a nonphylogenetic correlation test recovers a significant positive correlation between herbivory and body mass, this correlation is not significant when accounting for phylogeny. These results indicate a lack of support for the hypothesis that a larger body mass confers an advantage in the digestion of low‐quality diets but does not exclude the possibility that shifts to a more abundant food source have driven shifts toward herbivory in other bird lineages. The exceptional number of transitions toward a more herbivorous diet in Anseriformes and lack of correlation with body mass prompts a reinterpretation of the relatively infrequent origination of herbivory among flighted birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M Olsen
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy University of Chicago 1027 E. 57th Street Chicago Illinois 60637 ; Bird Division The Field Museum of Natural History 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago Illinois 60605
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Munn A, Stewart M, Price E, Peilon A, Savage T, Van Ekris I, Clauss M. Comparison of gut fill in sheep (Ovis aries) measured by intake, digestibility, and digesta retention compared with measurements at harvest. CAN J ZOOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2014-0314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gut capacity is an important factor in digestive physiology and is often measured as dry matter fill (DMF) following dissection, which prevents repeated measures in the same animal. It was proposed to calculate DMF from food intake, digestibility, and gut mean retention time (MRT), but empirical tests of this are few. We calculated DMF from intake, digestibility, and the MRT of small-particle (1 mm) and large-particle (20 mm) markers in 20 sheep (Ovis aries L., 1758) fed at different intake levels and compared results with DMF at dissection at the end of the feeding trial. MRT for smaller particles was significantly shorter than for larger particles (34.4 ± 6.1 vs. 42.5 ± 7.6 h, respectively). Correspondingly, DMF calculated from smaller particles (0.98 ± 0.27 kg) was significantly lower than DMF calculated from larger particles (1.20 ± 0.30 kg). The latter was not significantly different from DMF measured at dissection (1.18 ± 0.34 kg). These results suggest that DMF can be estimated from measures of digestive physiology. The choice of particle marker to determine MRT is crucial for the accuracy of the proxy. In ruminants, where small particles are consistently eliminated faster than larger particles, considerations of marker particle size are particularly important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Munn
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Mathew Stewart
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Price
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Alice Peilon
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Tom Savage
- School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Irene Van Ekris
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Picard M, Papaïx J, Gosselin F, Picot D, Bideau E, Baltzinger C. Temporal dynamics of seed excretion by wild ungulates: implications for plant dispersal. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:2621-32. [PMID: 26257875 PMCID: PMC4523358 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Dispersal is a key process in metapopulation dynamics as it conditions species’ spatial responses to gradients of abiotic and biotic conditions and triggers individual and gene flows. In the numerous plants that are dispersed through seed consumption by herbivores (endozoochory), the distance and effectiveness of dispersal is determined by the combined effects of seed retention time in the vector’s digestive system, the spatial extent of its movements, and the ability of the seeds to germinate once released. Estimating these three parameters from experimental data is therefore crucial to calibrate mechanistic metacommunity models of plant–herbivore interactions. In this study, we jointly estimated the retention time and germination probability of six herbaceous plants transported by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), and wild boar (Sus scrofa) through feeding experiments and a Bayesian dynamic model. Retention time was longer in the nonruminant wild boar (>36 h) than in the two ruminant species (roe deer: 18–36 h, red deer: 3–36 h). In the two ruminants, but not in wild boar, small and round seeds were excreted faster than large ones. Low germination probabilities of the excreted seeds reflected the high cost imposed by endozoochory on plant survival. Trait-mediated variations in retention time and germination probability among animal and plant species may impact plant dispersal distances and interact with biotic and abiotic conditions at the release site to shape the spatial patterns of dispersed plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Picard
- Irstea, UR EFNO, centre de Nogent-sur-Vernisson F-45290, Nogent-sur-Vernisson, France
| | - Julien Papaïx
- UR BIOGER, INRA, Avenue Lucien Brétignières BP01, 78850, Thiverval-Grignon, France ; UR MIAJ, INRA, Domaine de Vilvert 78352, Jouy-en-Josas CEDEX, France ; Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, UMR 5175, campus CNRS 1919 Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier 5, France
| | - Frédéric Gosselin
- Irstea, UR EFNO, centre de Nogent-sur-Vernisson F-45290, Nogent-sur-Vernisson, France
| | - Denis Picot
- UR CEFS, INRA BP 52627, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Eric Bideau
- UR CEFS, INRA BP 52627, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Christophe Baltzinger
- Irstea, UR EFNO, centre de Nogent-sur-Vernisson F-45290, Nogent-sur-Vernisson, France
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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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DNA metabarcoding illuminates dietary niche partitioning by African large herbivores. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:8019-24. [PMID: 26034267 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1503283112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Niche partitioning facilitates species coexistence in a world of limited resources, thereby enriching biodiversity. For decades, biologists have sought to understand how diverse assemblages of large mammalian herbivores (LMH) partition food resources. Several complementary mechanisms have been identified, including differential consumption of grasses versus nongrasses and spatiotemporal stratification in use of different parts of the same plant. However, the extent to which LMH partition food-plant species is largely unknown because comprehensive species-level identification is prohibitively difficult with traditional methods. We used DNA metabarcoding to quantify diet breadth, composition, and overlap for seven abundant LMH species (six wild, one domestic) in semiarid African savanna. These species ranged from almost-exclusive grazers to almost-exclusive browsers: Grass consumption inferred from mean sequence relative read abundance (RRA) ranged from >99% (plains zebra) to <1% (dik-dik). Grass RRA was highly correlated with isotopic estimates of % grass consumption, indicating that RRA conveys reliable quantitative information about consumption. Dietary overlap was greatest between species that were similar in body size and proportional grass consumption. Nonetheless, diet composition differed between all species-even pairs of grazers matched in size, digestive physiology, and location-and dietary similarity was sometimes greater across grazing and browsing guilds than within them. Such taxonomically fine-grained diet partitioning suggests that coarse trophic categorizations may generate misleading conclusions about competition and coexistence in LMH assemblages, and that LMH diversity may be more tightly linked to plant diversity than is currently recognized.
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31
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Hagen KB, Tschudin A, Liesegang A, Hatt JM, Clauss M. Organic matter and macromineral digestibility in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus
) as compared to other hindgut fermenters. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2015; 99:1197-209. [DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. B. Hagen
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - A. Tschudin
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - A. Liesegang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - J.-M. Hatt
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - M. Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
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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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Abstract
Snout shape is a prominent aspect of herbivore feeding ecology, interacting with both forage selectivity and intake rate. Previous investigations have suggested ruminant feeding styles can be discriminated via snout shape, with grazing and browsing species characterised by ‘blunt’ and ‘pointed’ snouts respectively, often with specification of an ‘intermediate’ sub-grouping to represent ambiguous feeding styles and/or morphologies. Snout shape morphology is analysed here using a geometric morphometric approach to compare the two-dimensional profiles of the premaxilla in ventral aspect for a large sample of modern ruminant species, for which feeding modes are known from secondary criteria. Results suggest that, when browsing and grazing ruminants are classified ecologically based on a range of feeding style indicators, they cannot be discriminated unambiguously on the basis of snout profile shape alone. Profile shapes in our sample form a continuum with substantial overlap between groupings and a diverse range of morphologies. Nevertheless, we obtained an 83.8 percent ratio of correct post hoc feeding style categorisations based on the proximity of projected profile shapes to group centroids in the discriminant space. Accordingly, this procedure for identifying species whose feeding strategy is ‘unknown’ can be used with a reasonable degree of confidence, especially if backed-up by additional information. Based on these results we also refine the definitions of snout shape varieties, taking advantage of the descriptive power that geometric morphometrics offers to characterize the morphological disparities observed. The shape variance exhibited by both browsing and grazing ruminants corresponds strongly to body mass, providing further evidence for an interaction between snout shape, feeding style, and body size evolution. Finally, by exploring the role of phylogenetic similarity in snout shape, we find a slight increase in successful categorisation when repeating the analysis with phylogenetic control on the geometric profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P. Tennant
- Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Norman MacLeod
- Earth Science Department, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
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Steuer P, Südekum KH, Tütken T, Müller DWH, Kaandorp J, Bucher M, Clauss M, Hummel J. Does body mass convey a digestive advantage for large herbivores? Funct Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Steuer
- Institute of Animal Science; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | | | - Thomas Tütken
- Steinmann Institute for Geology; Mineralogy and Palaeontology, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Dennis W. H. Müller
- Clinic for Zoo Animals; Exotic Pets and Wildlife; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
- National Park ‘Bavarian Forest’; Grafenau Germany
| | | | | | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals; Exotic Pets and Wildlife; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Hummel
- Institute of Animal Science; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
- Department of Animal Sciences; Georg-August-University Göttingen; Göttingen Germany
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Garnick S, Di Stefano J, Elgar MA, Coulson G. Inter- and intraspecific effects of body size on habitat use among sexually-dimorphic macropodids. OIKOS 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.00861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Garnick
- Dept of Zoology; Univ. of Melbourne; Gate 13 Royal Parade Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Julian Di Stefano
- Melbourne School of Land and Environment, Dept of Forest and Ecosystem Science; University of Melbourne; Building 716, Creswick Campus Victoria 3363 Australia
| | - Mark A. Elgar
- Dept of Zoology; Univ. of Melbourne; Gate 13 Royal Parade Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Graeme Coulson
- Dept of Zoology; Univ. of Melbourne; Gate 13 Royal Parade Victoria 3010 Australia
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Worthy GAJ, Worthy TAM. Digestive efficiencies of ex situ and in situ West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Physiol Biochem Zool 2014; 87:77-91. [PMID: 24457923 DOI: 10.1086/673545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Digestive efficiencies (Dm) of ex situ and in situ manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) were, for the first time, assessed using manganese (Mn(2+)) as a naturally occurring marker. The Dm of ex situ manatees determined using [Mn(2+)] did not differ significantly from the Dm assessed using lignin, supporting the efficacy of the manganese approach. Gastrointestinal tract samples, obtained from recently dead animals, showed [Mn(2+)] concentrations were lowest in the stomach and remained low in the duodenum and small intestine but increased in the cecum, colon, and rectum, consistent with colonic digestion and absorption. In situ manatees consuming marine vegetation had significantly lower Dm (mean ± SE, 46.9% ± 1.8%; n=8) than did in situ manatees consuming freshwater vegetation (77.8% ± 2.6%; n=7), which in turn had significantly lower values than did ex situ manatees consuming lettuce (84.0% ± 0.7%; n=37). In situ manatees eating seagrasses had significantly higher Dm than did long-term ex situ animals consuming seagrass for short periods of time (46.9% ± 1.8% vs. 36.2% ± 1.2%, respectively), suggesting potential modification of gut flora over time. One significant ramification of our results is that manatees consuming seagrasses would require a greater standing biomass to support their needs than would be required if they were eating freshwater vegetation. This reinforces the critical need to implement habitat conservation and protection before considering downlisting or delisting manatees as an endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham A J Worthy
- Physiological Ecology and Bioenergetics Lab, Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816; 2Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, Orlando, Florida 32820
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Clauss M, Steuer P, Müller DWH, Codron D, Hummel J. Herbivory and body size: allometries of diet quality and gastrointestinal physiology, and implications for herbivore ecology and dinosaur gigantism. PLoS One 2013; 8:e68714. [PMID: 24204552 PMCID: PMC3812987 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Digestive physiology has played a prominent role in explanations for terrestrial herbivore body size evolution and size-driven diversification and niche differentiation. This is based on the association of increasing body mass (BM) with diets of lower quality, and with putative mechanisms by which a higher BM could translate into a higher digestive efficiency. Such concepts, however, often do not match empirical data. Here, we review concepts and data on terrestrial herbivore BM, diet quality, digestive physiology and metabolism, and in doing so give examples for problems in using allometric analyses and extrapolations. A digestive advantage of larger BM is not corroborated by conceptual or empirical approaches. We suggest that explanatory models should shift from physiological to ecological scenarios based on the association of forage quality and biomass availability, and the association between BM and feeding selectivity. These associations mostly (but not exclusively) allow large herbivores to use low quality forage only, whereas they allow small herbivores the use of any forage they can physically manage. Examples of small herbivores able to subsist on lower quality diets are rare but exist. We speculate that this could be explained by evolutionary adaptations to the ecological opportunity of selective feeding in smaller animals, rather than by a physiologic or metabolic necessity linked to BM. For gigantic herbivores such as sauropod dinosaurs, other factors than digestive physiology appear more promising candidates to explain evolutionary drives towards extreme BM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Patrick Steuer
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Daryl Codron
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Florisbad Quaternary Research, National Museum, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Jürgen Hummel
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Ruminant Nutrition, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Vandevenne FI, Barão AL, Schoelynck J, Smis A, Ryken N, Van Damme S, Meire P, Struyf E. Grazers: biocatalysts of terrestrial silica cycling. Proc Biol Sci 2013; 280:20132083. [PMID: 24107532 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.2083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Silica is well known for its role as inducible defence mechanism countering herbivore attack, mainly through precipitation of opaline, biogenic silica (BSi) bodies (phytoliths) in plant epidermal tissues. Even though grazing strongly interacts with other element cycles, its impact on terrestrial silica cycling has never been thoroughly considered. Here, BSi content of ingested grass, hay and faeces of large herbivores was quantified by performing multiple chemical extraction procedures for BSi, allowing the assessment of chemical reactivity. Dissolution experiments with grass and faeces were carried out to measure direct availability of BSi for dissolution. Average BSi and readily soluble silica numbers were higher in faeces as compared with grass or hay, and differences between herbivores could be related to distinct digestive strategies. Reactivity and dissolvability of BSi increases after digestion, mainly due to degradation of organic matrices, resulting in higher silica turnover rates and mobilization potential from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems in non-grazed versus grazed pasture systems (2 versus 20 kg Si ha(-1) y(-1)). Our results suggest a crucial yet currently unexplored role of herbivores in determining silica export from land to ocean, where its availability is linked to eutrophication events and carbon sequestration through C-Si diatom interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floor Ina Vandevenne
- Research Group Ecosystem Management, University of Antwerp, , Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium, Department of Soil Management, University of Gent, , Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
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Elfström M, Støen OG, Zedrosser A, Warrington I, Swenson JE. Gut retention time in captive brown bearsUrsus arctos. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2013. [DOI: 10.2981/12-121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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40
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Weckerly FW. Conspecific body weight, food intake, and rumination time affect food processing and forage behavior. J Mammal 2013. [DOI: 10.1644/12-mamm-a-066.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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41
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Sawada A, Sakaguchi E, Clauss M, Hanya G. A pilot study on the ontogeny of digestive physiology in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). Mamm Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2012.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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42
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Luna R, Duarte A, Weckerly F. Rumen–reticulum characteristics, scaling relationships, and ontogeny in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). CAN J ZOOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2012-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Scaling relationships between body mass and gut capacity are valuable to predicting digestive efficiency. Interspecific scaling relationships between body mass and gut capacity have consistently estimated a slope of 1.0; however, intraspecific scaling relationships between body mass and gut capacity have been highly variable. We examined the influence of demands of growth and production on scaling relationships of body mass and rumen–reticulum characteristics in white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)) because little is known about how juvenile and subadult ruminants accommodate increased digesta masses. We sampled 108 animals over a 2-year period and assessed the influence of body mass, time of kill, crude protein (%), and acid detergent fiber (%) in the rumen, lactation, sex, and back fat on rumen–reticulum organ mass, rumen–reticulum capacity, wet mass of the digesta, and the dry mass of the digesta. Juvenile and subadult white-tailed deer had rumen–reticulum organ masses, capacity, and digesta masses that were similar to adults because body mass and rumen–reticulum scaling relationships all had scalars similar to 1.0. Thus, under the confines of our study, ontogeny plays only a minor role in the physiological characteristics of the rumen–reticulum and the scaling relationships of body mass and rumen–reticulum capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- R.S. Luna
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
| | - A. Duarte
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
| | - F.W. Weckerly
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
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Steuer P, Südekum KH, Müller DWH, Kaandorp J, Clauss M, Hummel J. Fibre digestibility in large herbivores as related to digestion type and body mass--an in vitro approach. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2012; 164:319-26. [PMID: 23103671 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2012.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Revised: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The coexistence of different ungulate species in a given ecosystem has been the focus of many studies. Differences between ruminant foregut fermenters and hindgut fermenters were remarkable for example in the way they ingest and digest high fibre diets. Digestion trials based on total collections are difficult to conduct or are sometimes even not possible for wild animals in the field or in zoos. To gain information on the fibre digestion achieved by these animals and the influence of body mass (BM) thereon, a method using spot sampling is desirable. In this study, in vitro fermentation of faecal neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was used as a measure of fibre digestion in large ungulates. Food and faecal samples of 10 ruminant foregut fermenting and 7 hindgut fermenting species/breeds were collected. All animals received 100% grass hay with ad libitum access. The NDF of food and faeces was fermented in vitro in a Hohenheim gas test (HGT) for 96 h. The digestion type generally had an effect on the gas production (GP) of faecal NDF in the HGT with hindgut fermenters showing higher values than ruminant foregut fermenters. At any time interval of incubation, BM had no influence on GP. The results are in accordance with both findings that ruminant foregut fermenters have longer mean retention times and more comprehensive particle reduction and findings of a lack of influence of BM on digesta mean retention time. It can be stated that the HGT (96 h) is a useful and quick method to show also small differences within groups in fibre digestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Steuer
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Germany.
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Müller DWH, Codron D, Meloro C, Munn A, Schwarm A, Hummel J, Clauss M. Assessing the Jarman-Bell Principle: Scaling of intake, digestibility, retention time and gut fill with body mass in mammalian herbivores. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2012; 164:129-40. [PMID: 23047052 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2012.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2012] [Revised: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 09/28/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Differences in allometric scaling of physiological characters have the appeal to explain species diversification and niche differentiation along a body mass (BM) gradient - because they lead to different combinations of physiological properties, and thus may facilitate different adaptive strategies. An important argument in physiological ecology is built on the allometries of gut fill (assumed to scale to BM(1.0)) and energy requirements/intake (assumed to scale to BM(0.75)) in mammalian herbivores. From the difference in exponents, it has been postulated that the mean retention time (MRT) of digesta should scale to BM(1.0-0.75)=BM(0.25). This has been used to argue that larger animals have an advantage in digestive efficiency and hence can tolerate lower-quality diets. However, empirical data does not support the BM(0.25) scaling of MRT, and the deduction of MRT scaling implies, according to physical principles, no scaling of digestibility; basing assumptions on digestive efficiency on the thus-derived MRT scaling amounts to circular reasoning. An alternative explanation considers a higher scaling exponent for food intake than for metabolism, allowing larger animals to eat more of a lower quality food without having to increase digestive efficiency; to date, this concept has only been explored in ruminants. Here, using data for 77 species in which intake, digestibility and MRT were measured (allowing the calculation of the dry matter gut contents (DMC)), we show that the unexpected shallow scaling of MRT is common in herbivores and may result from deviations of other scaling exponents from expectations. Notably, DMC have a lower scaling exponent than 1.0, and the 95% confidence intervals of the scaling exponents for intake and DMC generally overlap. Differences in the scaling of wet gut contents and dry matter gut contents confirm a previous finding that the dry matter concentration of gut contents decreases with body mass, possibly compensating for the less favorable volume-surface ratio in the guts of larger organisms. These findings suggest that traditional explanations for herbivore niche differentiation along a BM gradient should not be based on allometries of digestive physiology. In contrast, they support the recent interpretation that larger species can tolerate lower-quality diets because their intake has a higher allometric scaling than their basal metabolism, allowing them to eat relatively more of a lower quality food without having to increase digestive efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis W H Müller
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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