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Cunha MSE, Albuquerque RDS, Campos JGM, Monteiro FDDO, Rossy KDC, Cardoso TDS, Carvalho LS, Borges LPB, Domingues SFS, Thiesen R, Thiesen RMC, Teixeira PPM. Computed Tomography Evaluation of Frozen or Glycerinated Bradypus variegatus Cadavers: A Comprehensive View with Emphasis on Anatomical Aspects. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:355. [PMID: 38337999 PMCID: PMC10854505 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030355] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Bradypus variegatus has unique anatomical characteristics, and many of its vascular and digestive tract aspects have yet to be clearly understood. This lack of information makes clinical diagnoses and surgical procedures difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical aspects of frozen and glycerinated corpses of B. variegatus using computed tomography (CT), emphasizing vascular and digestive contrast studies. Nine corpses that died during routine hospital were examined via CT in the supine position with scanning in the craniocaudal direction. In frozen cadavers, the contrast was injected into a cephalic vein after thawing and, subsequently, was administered orally. In addition to bone structures, CT allowed the identification of organs, soft tissues, and vascular structures in specimens. Visualization of soft tissues was better after contrast been administered intravenously and orally, even without active vascularization. Furthermore, the surfaces of the organs were highlighted by the glycerination method. With this technique, it was possible to describe part of the vascularization of the brachial, cervical, thoracic, and abdominal regions, in addition to highlighting the esophagus and part of the stomach. CT can be another tool for the evaluation of B. variegatus cadavers by anatomists or pathologists, contributing to the identification of anatomical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Santos e Cunha
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Pará Federal University, Belém 68740-970, Brazil; (M.S.e.C.); (R.d.S.A.); (K.d.C.R.); (T.d.S.C.); (L.S.C.); (L.P.B.B.); (S.F.S.D.); (R.T.); (R.M.C.T.); (P.P.M.T.)
| | - Rodrigo dos Santos Albuquerque
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Pará Federal University, Belém 68740-970, Brazil; (M.S.e.C.); (R.d.S.A.); (K.d.C.R.); (T.d.S.C.); (L.S.C.); (L.P.B.B.); (S.F.S.D.); (R.T.); (R.M.C.T.); (P.P.M.T.)
| | | | | | - Kayan da Cunha Rossy
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Pará Federal University, Belém 68740-970, Brazil; (M.S.e.C.); (R.d.S.A.); (K.d.C.R.); (T.d.S.C.); (L.S.C.); (L.P.B.B.); (S.F.S.D.); (R.T.); (R.M.C.T.); (P.P.M.T.)
| | - Thiago da Silva Cardoso
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Pará Federal University, Belém 68740-970, Brazil; (M.S.e.C.); (R.d.S.A.); (K.d.C.R.); (T.d.S.C.); (L.S.C.); (L.P.B.B.); (S.F.S.D.); (R.T.); (R.M.C.T.); (P.P.M.T.)
| | - Lucas Santos Carvalho
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Pará Federal University, Belém 68740-970, Brazil; (M.S.e.C.); (R.d.S.A.); (K.d.C.R.); (T.d.S.C.); (L.S.C.); (L.P.B.B.); (S.F.S.D.); (R.T.); (R.M.C.T.); (P.P.M.T.)
| | - Luisa Pucci Bueno Borges
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Pará Federal University, Belém 68740-970, Brazil; (M.S.e.C.); (R.d.S.A.); (K.d.C.R.); (T.d.S.C.); (L.S.C.); (L.P.B.B.); (S.F.S.D.); (R.T.); (R.M.C.T.); (P.P.M.T.)
| | - Sheyla Farhayldes Souza Domingues
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Pará Federal University, Belém 68740-970, Brazil; (M.S.e.C.); (R.d.S.A.); (K.d.C.R.); (T.d.S.C.); (L.S.C.); (L.P.B.B.); (S.F.S.D.); (R.T.); (R.M.C.T.); (P.P.M.T.)
| | - Roberto Thiesen
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Pará Federal University, Belém 68740-970, Brazil; (M.S.e.C.); (R.d.S.A.); (K.d.C.R.); (T.d.S.C.); (L.S.C.); (L.P.B.B.); (S.F.S.D.); (R.T.); (R.M.C.T.); (P.P.M.T.)
| | - Roberta Martins Crivelaro Thiesen
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Pará Federal University, Belém 68740-970, Brazil; (M.S.e.C.); (R.d.S.A.); (K.d.C.R.); (T.d.S.C.); (L.S.C.); (L.P.B.B.); (S.F.S.D.); (R.T.); (R.M.C.T.); (P.P.M.T.)
| | - Pedro Paulo Maia Teixeira
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Pará Federal University, Belém 68740-970, Brazil; (M.S.e.C.); (R.d.S.A.); (K.d.C.R.); (T.d.S.C.); (L.S.C.); (L.P.B.B.); (S.F.S.D.); (R.T.); (R.M.C.T.); (P.P.M.T.)
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2
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Giné GAF, Mureb LS, Cassano CR. Feeding ecology of the maned sloth (
Bradypus torquatus
): Understanding diet composition and preferences, and prospects for future studies. AUSTRAL ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gastón Andrés Fernandez Giné
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC) Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Salobrinho Ilhéus CEP 45662‐900 Brazil
| | - Laila Santim Mureb
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC) Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Salobrinho Ilhéus CEP 45662‐900 Brazil
| | - Camila Righetto Cassano
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC) Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Salobrinho Ilhéus CEP 45662‐900 Brazil
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Lundgren EJ, Schowanek SD, Rowan J, Middleton O, Pedersen RØ, Wallach AD, Ramp D, Davis M, Sandom CJ, Svenning JC. Functional traits of the world's late Quaternary large-bodied avian and mammalian herbivores. Sci Data 2021; 8:17. [PMID: 33473149 PMCID: PMC7817692 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-020-00788-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Prehistoric and recent extinctions of large-bodied terrestrial herbivores had significant and lasting impacts on Earth's ecosystems due to the loss of their distinct trait combinations. The world's surviving large-bodied avian and mammalian herbivores remain among the most threatened taxa. As such, a greater understanding of the ecological impacts of large herbivore losses is increasingly important. However, comprehensive and ecologically-relevant trait datasets for extinct and extant herbivores are lacking. Here, we present HerbiTraits, a comprehensive functional trait dataset for all late Quaternary terrestrial avian and mammalian herbivores ≥10 kg (545 species). HerbiTraits includes key traits that influence how herbivores interact with ecosystems, namely body mass, diet, fermentation type, habitat use, and limb morphology. Trait data were compiled from 557 sources and comprise the best available knowledge on late Quaternary large-bodied herbivores. HerbiTraits provides a tool for the analysis of herbivore functional diversity both past and present and its effects on Earth's ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick J Lundgren
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia.
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Simon D Schowanek
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - John Rowan
- Department of Anthropology, University at Albany, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
| | - Owen Middleton
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Sussex, UK
| | - Rasmus Ø Pedersen
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Arian D Wallach
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Daniel Ramp
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Matt Davis
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | | | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Pucora E, Schiffmann C, Clauss M. Resting postures in terrestrial mammalian herbivores. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Endre Pucora
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets, and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Schiffmann
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets, and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets, and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland
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Pucora E, Clauss M. Change in resting position in dairy calves during the first weeks of life. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2017-0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Rumination relies on a gravity gradient, thus, adult ruminants only use sternal recumbency; neonates, however, also use lateral recumbency. Seventy-eight calves were observed to track the shift from variable recumbent positions to exclusive sternal recumbency, which occurred by 16 wk of age, paralleling reports on the development of proper rumination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endre Pucora
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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Matsuda I, Chapman CA, Shi Physilia CY, Mun Sha JC, Clauss M. Primate Resting Postures: Constraints by Foregut Fermentation? Physiol Biochem Zool 2017; 90:383-391. [DOI: 10.1086/691360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Coutier F, Hautier L, Cornette R, Amson E, Billet G. Orientation of the lateral semicircular canal in Xenarthra and its links with head posture and phylogeny. J Morphol 2017; 278:704-717. [PMID: 28185320 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The orientation of the semicircular canals of the inner ear in the skull of vertebrates is one of the determinants of the capacity of this system to detect a given rotational movement of the head. Past functional studies on the spatial orientation of the semicircular canals essentially focused on the lateral semicircular canal (LSC), which is supposedly held close to horizontal during rest and/or alert behaviors. However, they generally investigated this feature in only a few and distantly related taxa. Based on 3D-models reconstructed from µCT-scans of skulls, we examined the diversity of orientations of the LSC within one of the four major clades of placental mammals, that is, the superorder Xenarthra, with a data set that includes almost all extant genera and two extinct taxa. We observed a wide diversity of LSC orientations relative to the basicranium at both intraspecific and interspecific scales. The estimated phylogenetic imprint on the orientation of the LSC was significant but rather low within the superorder, though some phylogenetic conservatism was detected for armadillos that were characterized by a strongly tilted LSC. A convergence between extant suspensory sloths was also detected, both genera showing a weakly tilted LSC. Our preliminary analysis of usual head posture in extant xenarthrans based on photographs of living animals further revealed that the LSC orientation in armadillos is congruent with a strongly nose-down head posture. It also portrayed a more complex situation for sloths and anteaters. Finally, we also demonstrate that the conformation of the cranial vault and nuchal crests as well as the orientation of the posterior part of the petrosal may covary with the LSC orientation in Xenarthra. Possible inferences for the head postures of extinct xenarthrans such as giant ground sloths are discussed in the light of these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Coutier
- Department of Origines et évolution, Sorbonne Universités, CR2P, UMR CNRS 7207, Univ Paris 06, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, 8 rue Buffon, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Lionel Hautier
- Department of Forme, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, Université Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Cc 064; place Eugène Bataillon, Montpellier Cedex 5, 34095, France
| | - Raphaël Cornette
- Department of Origines et évolution, Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB) - UMR 7205 - CNRS, MNHN, UPMC, EPHE- Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle - Sorbonne Universités, 57 rue Cuvier, CP 30, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Eli Amson
- Humboldt-Universität, AG Morphologie und Formengeschichte, Bild Wissen Gestaltung - ein interdisziplinäres Labor & Institut für Biologie, Philippstraße, 12/13, Berlin, D-10115, Germany
| | - Guillaume Billet
- Department of Origines et évolution, Sorbonne Universités, CR2P, UMR CNRS 7207, Univ Paris 06, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, 8 rue Buffon, Paris, 75005, France
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Schwarm A, Ortmann S, Fritz J, Flach E, Rietschel W, Clauss M. No distinct stratification of ingesta particles and no distinct moisture gradient in the fore-stomach of non-ruminants: The wallaby, peccary, hippopotamus, and sloth. Mamm Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2013.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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9
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Evolutionary adaptations of ruminants and their potential relevance for modern production systems. Animal 2010; 4:979-92. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731110000388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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Function, size and form of the gastrointestinal tract of the collared Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus 1758) and white-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari (Link 1795). EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-009-0348-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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11
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Clauss M, Fritz J, Bayer D, Hummel J, Streich WJ, Südekum KH, Hatt JM. Physical characteristics of rumen contents in two small ruminants of different feeding type, the mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon) and the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). ZOOLOGY 2009; 112:195-205. [DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2008.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2008] [Revised: 08/04/2008] [Accepted: 08/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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12
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Schwarm A, Ortmann S, Wolf C, Streich WJ, Clauss M. More efficient mastication allows increasing intake without compromising digestibility or necessitating a larger gut: Comparative feeding trials in banteng (Bos javanicus) and pygmy hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensis). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2009; 152:504-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2008] [Revised: 12/08/2008] [Accepted: 12/08/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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13
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Schwarm A, Ortmann S, Wolf C, Jürgen Streich W, Clauss M. Excretion patterns of fluid and different sized particle passage markers in banteng (Bos javanicus) and pygmy hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensis): Two functionally different foregut fermenters. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2008; 150:32-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2007] [Revised: 02/22/2008] [Accepted: 02/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Urbani B, Bosque C. Feeding ecology and postural behaviour of the three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus flaccidus) in northern Venezuela. Mamm Biol 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2006.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Clauss M, Schwarm A, Ortmann S, Streich WJ, Hummel J. A case of non-scaling in mammalian physiology? Body size, digestive capacity, food intake, and ingesta passage in mammalian herbivores. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2007; 148:249-65. [PMID: 17643330 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2007.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2007] [Revised: 05/18/2007] [Accepted: 05/19/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
As gut capacity is assumed to scale linearly to body mass (BM), and dry matter intake (DMI) to metabolic body weight (BM(0.75)), it has been proposed that ingesta mean retention time (MRT) should scale to BM(0.25) in herbivorous mammals. We test these assumptions with the most comprehensive literature data collations (n=74 species for gut capacity, n=93 species for DMI and MRT) to date. For MRT, only data from studies was used during which DMI was also recorded. Gut capacity scaled to BM(1.06). In spite of large differences in feeding regimes, absolute DMI (kg/d) scaled to BM(0.76) across all species tested. Regardless of this allometry inherent in the dataset, there was only a very low allometric scaling of MRT with BM(0.14) across all species. If species were divided according to the morphophysiological design of their digestive tract, there was non-significant scaling of MRT with BM(0.04) in colon fermenters, BM(0.08) in non-ruminant foregut fermenters, BM(0.06) in browsing and BM(0.04) in grazing ruminants. In contrast, MRT significantly scaled to BM(0.24) (CI 0.16-0.33) in the caecum fermenters. The results suggest that below a certain body size, long MRTs cannot be achieved even though coprophagy is performed; this supports the assumption of a potential body size limitation for herbivory on the lower end of the body size range. However, above a 500 g-threshold, there is no indication of a substantial general increase of MRT with BM. We therefore consider ingesta retention in mammalian herbivores an example of a biological, time-dependent variable that can, on an interspecific level, be dissociated from a supposed obligatory allometric scaling by the morphophysiological design of the digestive tract. We propose that very large body size does not automatically imply a digestive advantage, because long MRTs do not seem to be a characteristic of very large species only. A comparison of the relative DMI (g/kg(0.75)) with MRT indicates that, on an interspecific level, higher intakes are correlated to shorter MRTs in caecum, colon and non-ruminant foregut fermenters; in contrast, no significant correlation between relative DMI and MRT is evident in ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Clauss
- Division of Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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CLAUSS MARCUS, HUMMEL JURGEN. The digestive performance of mammalian herbivores: why big may not be that much better. Mamm Rev 2005. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2005.00062.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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17
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Clauss M, Schwarm A, Ortmann S, Alber D, Flach EJ, Kühne R, Hummel J, Streich WJ, Hofer H. Intake, ingesta retention, particle size distribution and digestibility in the hippopotamidae. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2004; 139:449-59. [PMID: 15596390 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2004.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2004] [Revised: 09/30/2004] [Accepted: 10/02/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although several aspects of the digestive physiology of the hippopotamidae-non-ruminating foregut fermenters-have been described, ingesta kinetics and passage characteristics of these species are not well understood. The most outstanding feature of the hippo digestive physiology reported so far is the very long mean ingesta retention times (MRTs) measured by Foose [Foose, T., 1982. Trophic strategies of ruminant versus nonruminant ungulates. PhD dissertation, University of Chicago, Chicago.]. Since those data had been investigated with animals without water access, we intended to measure MRT in hippos which were allowed to enter water pools during the night. MRT parameters as well as dry matter (DM) digestibility were determined in four common (Hippopotamus amphibius) and four pygmy hippos (Hexaprotodon liberiensis) on two different diets each using cobalt ethylendiamintetraacetate (Co-EDTA) as a fluid, chromium (Cr)-mordanted fibre (<2 mm) as a particle and acid detergent lignin (ADL) as an internal digestibility marker. Four of the animals additionally received cerium (Ce)-mordanted fibres (2-10 mm) as particle markers. Total MRTs for fluids and particles ranged between 20-35 and 48-106 h in the common and between 13-39 and 32-107 h in the pygmy hippos. The difference between fluid and particle retention was greater than usually reported in ruminants. Excretion patterns of the markers differed from those usually observed in ruminants but resembled those reported for macropods (kangaroos), indicating a plug-flow reactor-like physiology in the hippo forestomach (FRST). This finding complements other described similarities between the macropod and the hippo forestomach. The measurements of larger particle retention profiles suggest that in the hippo, larger particles might be excreted either faster or at the same rate as smaller particles, indicating a general difference between ruminants and hippos with respect to differential particle retention. The digestive physiology of hippos is characterised by a generally low food intake, long ingesta retention times and dry matter digestibilities lower than reported in ruminants. Moderate digestibilities in spite of long retention times might be the result of the generally high average ingesta particle size in hippos. The comparatively easy management of pygmy hippos, together with the significant correlations between food intake, MRT and digestibility in the pygmy hippos of this study, recommends this species for further studies on the interplay of these parameters in herbivore digestive physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Clauss
- Institute of Animal Physiology, Physiological Chemistry and Animal Nutrition, Munich, Germany.
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