1
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Rakotoarivelo AR, Rambuda T, Taron UH, Stalder G, O'Donoghue P, Robovský J, Hartmann S, Hofreiter M, Moodley Y. Complex patterns of gene flow and convergence in the evolutionary history of the spiral-horned antelopes (Tragelaphini). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2024; 198:108131. [PMID: 38909875 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
The Tragelaphini, also known as spiral-horned antelope, is a phenotypically diverse mammalian tribe comprising a single genus, Tragelaphus. The evolutionary history of this tribe has attracted the attention of taxonomists and molecular geneticists for decades because its diversity is characterised by conflicts between morphological and molecular data as well as between mitochondrial, nuclear and chromosomal DNA. These inconsistencies point to a complex history of ecological diversification, coupled by either phenotypic convergence or introgression. Therefore, to unravel the phylogenetic relationships among spiral-horned antelopes, and to further investigate the role of divergence and gene flow in trait evolution, we sequenced genomes for all nine accepted species of the genus Tragelaphus, including a genome each for the highly divergent bushbuck lineages (T. s. scriptus and T. s. sylvaticus). We successfully reconstructed the Tragelaphus species tree, providing genome-level support for the early Pliocene divergence and monophyly of the nyala (T. angasii) and lesser kudu (T. imberbis), the monophyly of the two eland species (T. oryx and T. derbianus) and, importantly, the monophyly of kéwel (T. s. scriptus) and imbabala (T. s. sylvaticus) bushbuck. We found strong evidence for gene flow in at least four of eight nodes on the species tree. Among the six phenotypic traits assessed here, only habitat type mapped onto the species tree without homoplasy, showing that trait evolution was the result of complex patterns of divergence, introgression and convergent evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrinajoro R Rakotoarivelo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Republic of South Africa; Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State: QwaQwa Campus, Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866, Republic of South Africa
| | - Thabelo Rambuda
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Republic of South Africa; Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, Republic of South Africa
| | - Ulrike H Taron
- Evolutionary Adaptive Genomics, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Gabrielle Stalder
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Savoyenstraße 1, A-1160 Wien, Austria
| | | | - Jan Robovský
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Stefanie Hartmann
- Evolutionary Adaptive Genomics, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Michael Hofreiter
- Evolutionary Adaptive Genomics, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Yoshan Moodley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Republic of South Africa.
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2
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Fillion EN, Harrison T. Hominin turnover at Laetoli is associated with vegetation change: Multiproxy evidence from the large herbivore community. J Hum Evol 2024; 191:103546. [PMID: 38795630 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2024.103546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Vegetation change in eastern Africa during the Pliocene would have had an important impact on hominin adaptation and ecology, and it may have been a key driver of hominin macroevolution, including the extinction of Australopithecus and the emergence of Paranthropus and Homo. The Pliocene paleoanthropological site of Laetoli in Tanzania provides an opportunity to investigate the relationship between vegetation change and hominin turnover because it encompasses the time period when grass cover was spreading across eastern Africa and because hominin species turnover occurred locally at Laetoli, with Paranthropus aethiopicus in the Upper Ndolanya Beds (UNB) replacing Australopithecus afarensis in the Upper Laetolil Beds (ULB). However, it remains unresolved how the vegetation of the UNB and the ULB differed from each other. To examine differences between the two stratigraphic units, multiple proxies-hypsodonty, mesowear, and stable carbon isotopes of tooth enamel (δ13Cenamel)-are used to infer the diets of large herbivores and compare the dietary guild structure of the large herbivore communities. All three proxies indicate an increase in the abrasiveness and C4-content in the diets of the large herbivores in the UNB relative to those in the ULB. After inferring the diets of species based on all three proxies, the large herbivore community of the UNB had a greater proportion of grazers and a smaller proportion of mixed feeders than in the ULB but maintained a similar proportion of browsers and frugivores. The ULB community has few modern-day analogs, whereas the UNB community is most closely analogous to those in modern African grasslands. Thus, hominin turnover at Laetoli is associated with an increase in grass cover within a woodland-grassland mosaic and is part of a broader transformation of the herbivore community structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth N Fillion
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - Terry Harrison
- Center for the Study of Human Origins, Department of Anthropology, New York University, 25 Waverly Pl., New York, NY, 10003, USA; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, 10024, USA
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3
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van Ryssen JBJ, Bath GF. Copper (Cu) metabolism in domestic herbivores as guide to criteria for predicting the Cu nutritional status of wild ruminants in southern Africa. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2024; 95:26-34. [PMID: 38533812 DOI: 10.36303/jsava.580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In southern Africa game farming has become an effective way of using underutilised resources and a valuable method of preserving and increasing wildlife numbers. However, little is known about the mineral requirements of wild animal species or the assessment of the mineral nutritional status of these species. To establish criteria for estimating the copper (Cu) nutritional status of wildlife, current knowledge about Cu metabolism and criteria for domestic animals has been used. Since the Cu metabolism of ruminants differs substantially from that of non-ruminants, Cu metabolism in domestic species such as cattle and sheep representing wild ruminants, and pigs and horses as non-ruminant species, has been scrutinised to propose criteria for wild bovids in southern Africa. In the adequate range of dietary Cu intakes, literature suggests that hepatic Cu concentrations in ruminants increase linearly with an increase in Cu intake, allowing a relatively reliable measure of sufficiency. In non-ruminants, hepatic Cu concentrations follow a lag phase during which hepatic Cu concentrations remain relatively constant with increasing dietary Cu intakes of more that 25 times their requirements. A consequence is that non-ruminants can tolerate much higher dietary levels of Cu compared to ruminants. It is proposed that at liver Cu concentrations of < 20 mg/kg dry matter (DM), a wild ruminant could benefit from Cu supplementation; liver Cu concentrations of between 20 and 300 mg Cu/kg DM suggest an adequate Cu intake; concentrations of 300 to 500 mg/kg DM indicate a potentially unhealthy accumulation of Cu, while liver Cu concentrations of > 500 mg/kg DM indicate that the animal probably consumed more Cu than required and might be at risk of developing Cu toxicosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B J van Ryssen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - G F Bath
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
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4
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Norwood AL, Wang B, Kingston JD. Linking African herbivore community enamel isotopes and environments: challenges, opportunities, and paleoecological implications. Oecologia 2024; 204:467-489. [PMID: 38517529 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05532-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Paleoenvironmental reconstructions of fossil sites based on isotopic analyses of enamel typically rely on data from multiple herbivore taxa, with the assumption that this dietary spectrum represents the community's isotopic range and provides insights into local or regional vegetation patterns. However, it remains unclear how representative the sampled taxa are of the broader herbivore community and how well these data correspond to specific ecosystems. Verifying these underlying assumptions is essential to refining the utility of enamel isotopic values for paleoenvironmental reconstructions. This study explores potential links between modern herbivore community carbon isotopic enamel spectra, biome types, and climate in sub-Saharan Africa. This region is one of the most comprehensively isotopically sampled areas globally and is of particular relevance to hominin evolution. Our extensive data compilation reveals that published enamel isotopic data from sub-Saharan Africa typically sample only a small percentage of the taxa documented at most localities and that some biome types (e.g., subtropical savannas) are dramatically overrepresented relative to others (e.g., forests) in these modern data sets. Multiple statistical analyses, including linear models and cluster analyses, revealed weak relationships of associated mammalian herbivore enamel isotopic values, biome type, and climate parameters. These results confound any simple assumptions about how community isotopic profiles map onto specific environments, highlighting the need for more precise strategic approaches in extending isotopic frameworks into the past for paleoecological reconstructions. Developing more refined modern analogs will ultimately allow us to more accurately characterize the isotopic spectra of paleo-communities and link isotopic dietary signatures to specific ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - John D Kingston
- Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
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5
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Hamilton MI, Copeland SR, Nelson SV. A reanalysis of strontium isotope ratios as indicators of dispersal in South African hominins. J Hum Evol 2024; 187:103480. [PMID: 38159536 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2023.103480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Dispersal patterns in primates have major implications for behavior and sociality but are difficult to reconstruct for fossil species. This study applies novel strontium isotope methodologies that have reliably predicted philopatry and dispersal patterns in chimpanzees and other modern primates to previously published strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) of two South African hominins, Australopithecus africanus and Australopithecus robustus. In this study, the difference or 'offset' was calculated between the 87Sr/86Sr of each fossil tooth compared to local bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr as defined by cluster analysis of modern plant isotope ratios. Large teeth (presumably belonging to males) have low offsets from local 87Sr/86Sr proxies, while small teeth (presumably from females) have greater offsets from local 87Sr/86Sr proxies. This supports previous conclusions of male philopatry and female dispersal in both A. africanus and A. robustus. Furthermore, A. robustus shows more extreme differences between presumed males and females compared to A. africanus. This is analogous to differences seen in modern olive baboons compared to chimpanzees and suggests that A. africanus may have had a larger home range than A. robustus. Neither hominin species has 87Sr/86Sr consistent with riparian habitat preferences despite the demonstrated presence of riparian habitats in South Africa at the time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian I Hamilton
- University of New Mexico, Department of Anthropology, MSC01-1040 1, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA; University of Northern Colorado, Department of Anthropology, Candelaria Hall 2200, Campus Box 90, Greeley, CO, 80639, USA.
| | - Sandi R Copeland
- Environmental Stewardship Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA
| | - Sherry V Nelson
- University of New Mexico, Department of Anthropology, MSC01-1040 1, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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6
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Abraham JO, Rowan J, O'Brien K, Sokolowski KG, Faith JT. Environmental context shapes the relationship between grass consumption and body size in African herbivore communities. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11050. [PMID: 38362169 PMCID: PMC10867881 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Though herbivore grass dependence has been shown to increase with body size across herbivore species, it is unclear whether this relationship holds at the community level. Here we evaluate whether grass consumption scales positively with body size within African large mammalian herbivore communities and how this relationship varies with environmental context. We used stable carbon isotope and community occurrence data to investigate how grass dependence scales with body size within 23 savanna herbivore communities throughout eastern and central Africa. We found that dietary grass fraction increased with body size for the majority of herbivore communities considered, especially when complete community data were available. However, the slope of this relationship varied, and rainfall seasonality and elephant presence were key drivers of the variation-grass dependence increased less strongly with body size where rainfall was more seasonal and where elephants were present. We found also that the dependence of the herbivore community as a whole on grass peaked at intermediate woody cover. Intraspecific diet variation contributed to these community-level patterns: common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) ate less grass where rainfall was more seasonal, whereas Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) grass consumption were parabolically related to woody cover. Our results indicate that general rules appear to govern herbivore community assembly, though some aspects of herbivore foraging behavior depend upon local environmental context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel O. Abraham
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | - John Rowan
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity at AlbanyAlbanyNew YorkUSA
| | - Kaedan O'Brien
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
- Natural History Museum of UtahUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Kathryn G. Sokolowski
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
- Natural History Museum of UtahUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - J. Tyler Faith
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
- Natural History Museum of UtahUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
- Origins CentreUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
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7
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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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8
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Kibaja MJ. Chewing stems of
Asparagus buchananii
(Asparagaceae) and
Aloe
sp. (Aloaceae) and spitting them out after extracting fluids may be an evidence of self‐medication in common duikers (
Sylvicapra grimmia
) in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem, Tanzania. Afr J Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.13074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Julius Kibaja
- Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation University of Dar es Salaam Dar es Salaam Tanzania
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9
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Joseph GS, Seymour CL. Are Madagascar's obligate grazing-lawns ancient and evolved with endemic herbivores, or recently selected by introduced cattle? Biol Lett 2022; 18:20220212. [PMID: 36102011 PMCID: PMC9471269 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Grant S Joseph
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Colleen L Seymour
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.,South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch, Claremont 7735, South Africa
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10
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The generality of cryptic dietary niche differences in diverse large-herbivore assemblages. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2204400119. [PMID: 35994662 PMCID: PMC9436339 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204400119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological niche differences are necessary for stable species coexistence but are often difficult to discern. Models of dietary niche differentiation in large mammalian herbivores invoke the quality, quantity, and spatiotemporal distribution of plant tissues and growth forms but are agnostic toward food plant species identity. Empirical support for these models is variable, suggesting that additional mechanisms of resource partitioning may be important in sustaining large-herbivore diversity in African savannas. We used DNA metabarcoding to conduct a taxonomically explicit analysis of large-herbivore diets across southeastern Africa, analyzing ∼4,000 fecal samples of 30 species from 10 sites in seven countries over 6 y. We detected 893 food plant taxa from 124 families, but just two families-grasses and legumes-accounted for the majority of herbivore diets. Nonetheless, herbivore species almost invariably partitioned food plant taxa; diet composition differed significantly in 97% of pairwise comparisons between sympatric species, and dissimilarity was pronounced even between the strictest grazers (grass eaters), strictest browsers (nongrass eaters), and closest relatives at each site. Niche differentiation was weakest in an ecosystem recovering from catastrophic defaunation, indicating that food plant partitioning is driven by species interactions, and was stronger at low rainfall, as expected if interspecific competition is a predominant driver. Diets differed more between browsers than grazers, which predictably shaped community organization: Grazer-dominated trophic networks had higher nestedness and lower modularity. That dietary differentiation is structured along taxonomic lines complements prior work on how herbivores partition plant parts and patches and suggests that common mechanisms govern herbivore coexistence and community assembly in savannas.
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11
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Phukuntsi MA, Dalton DL, Mwale M, Selier J, Cebekhulu T, Sethusa MT. Genetic patterns in three South African specialist antelope species: Threats, conservation management and their implications. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Metlholo Andries Phukuntsi
- South African National Biodiversity Institute Pretoria South Africa
- Department of Environment, Water and Earth Sciences Tshwane University of Technology Pretoria South Africa
| | - Desire Lee Dalton
- South African National Biodiversity Institute Pretoria South Africa
- School of Health and Life Sciences Teesside University Middlesbrough UK
| | - Monica Mwale
- South African National Biodiversity Institute Pretoria South Africa
| | - Jeanetta Selier
- South African National Biodiversity Institute Pretoria South Africa
- School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Durban South Africa
| | - Thando Cebekhulu
- South African National Biodiversity Institute Pretoria South Africa
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12
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Świerk S, Hasior K, Garus-Piętak A, Przybyło M, Głuch M, Waliczek A, Różański Ł, Kański J, Górka P. Effect of amount of high-fibre pellet in the diet and bedding type on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, eating behaviour and rumination in bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus). J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2022; 106:1162-1173. [PMID: 35758339 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13747] [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: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Two studies were conducted to determine the impact of the amount of high-fibre pellet (HFP) in the diet and bedding material on feed intake, eating behaviour, rumination, activity and resting behaviour, and also nutrient digestibility in bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus). In Study 1, bongo were fed meadow hay (ad libitum), lucerne hay (0.5 kg/day), browse (0.7 kg/day) and a 'basal diet' containing 0.75 kg/day (low; LP), 1.50 kg/day (medium; MP) or 2.25 kg/day (high; HP) of HFP consisting mostly of insoluble fibre sources (dehydrated grass, dehydrated lucerne, wheat bran). In Study 2, experimental diets resembled those used in Study 1 with the main difference being that bongo were fed 1 or 2 kg of HFP/day and pens were bedded with straw (SB) or wood shavings (WB) (2 × 2 factorial design). In Study 1, dry matter (DM) intake of meadow hay decreased linearly (p < 0.01) with an increasing amount of HFP in the diet but total DM intake increased (p < 0.01). Eating time of basal diet (min/day) increased linearly (p = 0.01), whereas eating time of meadow hay tended to (p = 0.06) decrease linearly with an increasing amount of HFP in the diet. In Study 2, total DM intake was greater for HP treatments compared to LP treatments (p < 0.01) but meadow hay DM intake did not differ between treatments. Straw was consumed by animals and its usage as a bedding material increased meadow hay DM intake and browse DM intake (p ≤ 0.02), and consequently total DM intake (p = 0.03), compared with wood shavings bedding. Feeding more HFP to bongo tended to (p = 0.07) decrease rumination time per day and increased rumination rate (g DM/min). In conclusion, an increased amount of HFP (>1.5-2 kg/day/animal) rich in insoluble fibre in the diet consisting mostly of meadow hay may decrease the intake of roughages by bongo and reduce rumination time. On the other hand, the usage of straw (instead of wood shavings) as bedding unexpectedly increased the intake of roughages by bongo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Świerk
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Hasior
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Garus-Piętak
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcin Przybyło
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Milena Głuch
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Waliczek
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Łukasz Różański
- Animal Nutrition Department, Municipal Zoological Garden in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jarosław Kański
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Paweł Górka
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
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13
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Wang B, Zelditch M, Badgley C. Geometric morphometrics of mandibles for dietary differentiation of Bovidae (Mammalia: Artiodactyla). Curr Zool 2022; 68:237-249. [PMID: 35592346 PMCID: PMC9113326 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoab036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian family Bovidae has been widely studied in ecomorphological research, with important applications to paleoecological and paleohabitat reconstructions. Most studies of bovid craniomandibular features in relation to diet have used linear measurements. In this study, we conduct landmark-based geometric-morphometric analyses to evaluate whether different dietary groups can be distinguished by mandibular morphology. Our analysis includes data for 100 species of extant bovids, covering all bovid tribes and 2 dietary classifications. For the first classification with 3 feeding categories, we found that browsers (including frugivores), mixed feeders, and grazers are moderately well separated using mandibular shape. A finer dietary classification (frugivore, browser, browser-grazer intermediate, generalist, variable grazer, and obligate grazer) proved to be more useful for differentiating dietary extremes (frugivores and obligate grazers) but performed equally or less well for other groups. Notably, frugivorous bovids, which belong in tribe Cephalophini, have a distinct mandibular shape that is readily distinguished from all other dietary groups, yielding a 100% correct classification rate from jackknife cross-validation. The main differences in mandibular shape found among dietary groups are related to the functional needs of species during forage prehension and mastication. Compared with browsers, both frugivores and grazers have mandibles that are adapted for higher biomechanical demand of chewing. Additionally, frugivore mandibles are adapted for selective cropping. Our results call for more work on the feeding ecology and functional morphology of frugivores and offer an approach for reconstructing the diet of extinct bovids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bian Wang
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1005, USA.,Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1085, USA
| | - Miriam Zelditch
- Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1085, USA
| | - Catherine Badgley
- Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1085, USA.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1085, USA
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14
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Przybyło M, Flaga J, Clauss M, Szczepanik K, Miltko R, Bełżecki G, Kowalski ZM, Górka P. Increased intake of mono- and disaccharides by Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi). Effect on gastrointestinal tract structure and function and blood parameters. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2022; 106:922-938. [PMID: 35587535 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13727] [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: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an increased mono- and disaccharide (MD) intake on selected functions and structure of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and selected blood parameters in Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), a small browsing ruminant. Eighteen male muntjacs were fed diets consisting of lucerne (ad libitum), a high fibre pellet (100 g/day) and wheat bran (30 g/day) without (MD0) or with addition of 10 or 20 g of glucose, fructose and sucrose mixture/day (MD10 and MD20, respectively) for 14 days. MD dosages were set to increase intake of these saccharides by 25% and 50% relative to MD0, which resulted in a range of water-soluble carbohydrate content in the consumed dry matter from 7% to 12%. Compared to MD0 animals, MD20 animals had a lower dry matter intake, a higher MD concentrations in the reticulorumen (RR), abomasal and small intestinal digesta, higher ruminal butyrate concentration, higher SGLT1 expression in the epithelium of proximal jejunum, higher plasma glucose, lower RR tissue weight but greater caecal tissue weight (p ≤ 0.05), and had or tended to have shorter papillae and lower mucosa surface area in the Atrium ruminis (by 44%; p = 0.02 and p = 0.10, respectively); MD10 animals tended to have higher MD concentrations in the abomasal and small intestinal digesta (p ≤ 0.10), and a higher amylolytic activity (p = 0.02) as well as a tendency to lower xylanolytic activity in the RR digesta (p = 0.06). MD supplementation did not affect ruminal pH. In conclusion, low to moderate increase of MD intake increased MD concentrations in the RR, abomasal and intestinal digesta, and SGLT1 expression in intestinal epithelium, suggesting incomplete fermentation of those saccharides in the RR. MD supplementation dose-dependently affects structure of GIT in Reeves's muntjac.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Przybyło
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jadwiga Flaga
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kinga Szczepanik
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Renata Miltko
- The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jabłonna, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Bełżecki
- The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jabłonna, Poland
| | - Zygmunt M Kowalski
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Górka
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
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15
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Brivio F, Ciuti S, Pipia A, Grignolio S, Apollonio M. Livestock displace European mouflon from optimal foraging sites. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-022-01581-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe conflict between free-ranging livestock and wildlife is a serious conservation concern across rural communities worldwide. Livestock may affect wild herbivores via direct competition for resources due to spatial and diet overlap or via behavioural interference. It is imperative that we disentangle the effects of livestock on wildlife behaviour to obtain an empirical basis able to stir management and conservation decisions. Here, we studied the effect of livestock presence on the habitat selection in a free-ranging European mouflon (Ovis aries musimon) population in Sardinia, where the species is under strict protection. We collected spatial data on mouflon and livestock during two consecutive years to investigate whether the mouflon selection of key feeding grassland sites was negatively impacted by the livestock presence. We found that mouflon preferably selected grassland, and its selection significantly increased when grass was of better quality (greener). We showed that livestock presence led to the displacement of mouflon from such preferred feeding sites, an effect clearly exacerbated by livestock proximity. We indeed found that the selection of grassland by mouflon dropped significantly when the distance between livestock and mouflon was below ~ 650 m, providing a useful management threshold indication. Livestock presence in close proximity displaced mouflon to sub-optimal habitat, and its effects may have negative impact on the population dynamic of this species which is already characterized by low female productivity within harsh Mediterranean environment. Our results give clear management indications aimed at better managing livestock grazing within natural areas to ultimately improve wildlife conservation.
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A nonanalog Pliocene ungulate community at Laetoli with implications for the paleoecology of Australopithecus afarensis. J Hum Evol 2022; 167:103182. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2022.103182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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17
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Potgieter T, Kerley GIH. The zebra as a grazer: Selectivity for grass consumption differs as grass availability varies. Afr J Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tayla‐Lee Potgieter
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology Nelson Mandela University Gqeberha South Africa
| | - Graham I. H. Kerley
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology Nelson Mandela University Gqeberha South Africa
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18
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Bibi F, Tyler J. Evolution of the bovid cranium: morphological diversification under allometric constraint. Commun Biol 2022; 5:69. [PMID: 35046479 PMCID: PMC8770694 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02877-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of environmental selection in generating novel morphology is often taken for granted, and morphology is generally assumed to be adaptive. Bovids (antelopes and relatives) are widely differentiated in their dietary and climatic preferences, and presumably their cranial morphologies are the result of adaptation to different environmental pressures. In order to test these ideas, we performed 3D geometric morphometric analyses on 141 crania representing 96 bovid species in order to assess the influence of both extrinsic (e.g. diet, habitat) and intrinsic (size, modularity) factors on cranial shape. Surprisingly, we find that bovid crania are highly clumped in morphospace, with a large number of ecologically disparate species occupying a very similar range of morphology clustered around the mean shape. Differences in shape among dietary, habitat, and net primary productivity categories are largely non-significant, but we found a strong interaction between size and diet in explaining shape. We furthermore found no evidence for modularity having played a role in the generation of cranial differences across the bovid tree. Rather, the distribution of bovid cranial morphospace appears to be mainly the result of constraints imposed by a deeply conserved size-shape allometry, and dietary diversification the result of adaptation of existing allometric pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faysal Bibi
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution & Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstr. 43, Berlin, 10115, Germany.
| | - Joshua Tyler
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution & Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstr. 43, Berlin, 10115, Germany
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
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19
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OUP accepted manuscript. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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20
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Barbero S, Teta P, Cassini GH. A comprehensive review of dietary strategies of sigmodontine rodents of central-eastern Argentina: linking diet, body mass, and stomach morphology. CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Information on dietary ecology plays a key role in a wide array of biological research and conservation decisions, but its availability is biased towards large and charismatic taxa, whereas small mammals are underrepresented. Of the scarce publications on the Neotropical sigmodontine rodents, most are concentrated in central-eastern Argentina and, up until now, no revision of the totality of these data has been made available. In this work, we performed a thorough review of the dietary information from over 50 publications on 22 species, finding omissions and errors propagated up to the present time. This resulted in a robust database, the proposal of a posteriori dietary categories, and a list of the species that have been neglected in feeding ecology research. In turn, we used that database to test whether the patterns which associate diet and morphology in medium-sized and large mammals could be replicated in these small rodents, despite their overall generalist habits and the restrictions characteristic to their size. We found that larger species tend towards a low-protein diet. Additionally, we identified some stomach types that are restricted to specific diets. These results are consistent with the observations for larger species and shed light on the biology of small mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía Barbero
- División Mastozoología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Avenida Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Teta
- División Mastozoología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Avenida Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guillermo H. Cassini
- División Mastozoología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Avenida Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Ruta 5 y Avenida Constitución s/n, Luján (6700), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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21
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Seasonality and Oldowan behavioral variability in East Africa. J Hum Evol 2021; 164:103070. [PMID: 34548178 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2021.103070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The extent, nature, and temporality of early hominin food procurement strategies have been subject to extensive debate. In this article, we examine evidence for the seasonal scheduling of resource procurement and technological investment in the Oldowan, starting with an evaluation of the seasonal signature of underground storage organs, freshwater resources, and terrestrial animal resources in extant primates and modern human hunter-gatherer populations. Subsequently, we use the mortality profiles, taxonomic composition, and taphonomy of the bovid assemblages at Kanjera South (Homa Peninsula, Kenya) and FLK-Zinj (Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania) to illustrate the behavioral flexibility of Oldowan hominins, who were targeting different seasonally vulnerable demographics. In terms of the lithic assemblages, the specific opportunities and constraints afforded by dry season subsistence at FLK-Zinj may have disincentivized lithic investment, resulting in a more expedient toolkit for fast and effective carcass processing. This may have been reinforced by raw material site provisioning during a relatively prolonged seasonal occupation, reducing pressures on the reduction and curation of lithic implements. In contrast, wet season plant abundance would have offered a predictable set of high-quality resources associated with low levels of competition and reduced search times, in the context of perhaps greater seasonal mobility and consequently shorter occupations. These factors appear to have fostered technological investment to reduce resource handling costs at Kanjera South, facilitated by more consistent net returns and enhanced planning of lithic deployment throughout the landscape. We subsequently discuss the seasonality of freshwater resources in Oldowan procurement strategies, focusing on FwJj20 (Koobi Fora, Kenya). Although more analytical studies with representative sample sizes are needed, we argue that interassemblage differences evidence the ability of Oldowan hominins to adapt to seasonal constraints and opportunities in resource exploitation.
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Habiba U, Anwar M, Hussain M, Khatoon R, Khan KA, Bano SA, Hussain A, Khalil S, Akhter A, Akhter A. Seasonal distribution and habitat use preference of Barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis) in Murree-Kotli Sattian-Kahuta National Park, Punjab Pakistan. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 82:e242334. [PMID: 34133564 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.242334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Microhabitat factors associated with the habitat of barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis) were examined and compared between summer and winter seasons. Habitat characteristics and preferred habitat were measured by locating direct and indirect signs. To quantify the habitat utilization of barking deer, each selected study site was sampled for floral diversity from 2015 to 2017. Quadrats were deployed along transect lines to determine seasonal distribution. Barking deer were not evenly distributed across vegetation types in the study area; they occurred more often in the broad-leaved forest than in Chir pine forest, at an elevational range of 550-850 m, in thick vegetation on steep slopes. The most preferred habitat included trees and shrubs with 30% and 69% cover, respectively. Barking deer avoided thicker tree cover, possibly as it hinders movement and escape from predators. No significant difference (χ2 = 6.37, df = 3, p = 0.19) in seasonal vegetation cover was recorded.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Habiba
- Department of Wildlife Management, PMAS, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan.,Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - M Anwar
- Department of Wildlife Management, PMAS, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - M Hussain
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - R Khatoon
- Department of Wildlife Management, PMAS, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - K A Khan
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - S A Bano
- Department of Microbiology, University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - A Hussain
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - S Khalil
- Department of Forestry Range and Wildlife Management, The Islamia University Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Andleeb Akhter
- Department of Psychology, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - Ali Akhter
- Department of Wildlife Management, PMAS, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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23
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Przybyło M, Dander S, Krawiec K, Kloska A, Kowalski ZM, Górka P. Effect of sugar and starch supplementation on feed intake and nutrient digestibility in addax (Addax nasomaculatus) and Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi). J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2021; 106:194-204. [PMID: 34013528 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Two studies were conducted to determine the effect of the supplementation of sugar, starch or both on feed, nutrient and energy intake and total tract digestibility in four adult female addax (Addax nasomaculatus) and four adult male Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) - representatives of grazing and browsing ruminants, respectively. Studies in both species were conducted according to 4 × 4 Latin Square Design. Animals had free access to meadow hay (addax) or dehydrated chopped lucerne (muntjac), and were fed a restricted amount of a 'basal diet' consisting of: (1) wheat bran; (2) wheat bran and sucrose (source of sugar); (3) wheat bran and wheat (source of starch); or (4) wheat bran, sucrose and wheat. The amounts of supplemental sucrose and wheat were set to account for 2% and 15%, respectively, of dry matter (DM) consumed. There was no effect of the ~2% sugar supplementation on DM intake of hay by addax, while the ~10% starch supplementation reduced DM intake of hay by 13% (p < 0.01); total DM intake (of hay and the basal diet) was not affected neither by sugar nor starch supplementation. When the diet for addax included wheat, this resulted in a greater intake of crude protein by 15%, lower intake of ADF by 9%, and greater crude protein digestibility by 10% (p ≤ 0.05). The ~2% sugar supplementation did not affect intake of lucerne and total DM intake by muntjac, but the ~10% starch supplementation decreased DM intake of lucerne by 25% (p < 0.01), total DM intake by 7% (p = 0.02) and intake of all nutrients (p ≤ 0.10). In summary, if high intake of roughages by captive ruminants is fundamental for their gastrointestinal functions and health, then starchy feeds supplementation should be limited, as they have an especially negative impact on roughage intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Przybyło
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Sara Dander
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Karolina Krawiec
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Zygmunt M Kowalski
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Górka
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
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24
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Janzen A, Richter KK, Mwebi O, Brown S, Onduso V, Gatwiri F, Ndiema E, Katongo M, Goldstein ST, Douka K, Boivin N. Distinguishing African bovids using Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS): New peptide markers and insights into Iron Age economies in Zambia. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251061. [PMID: 34003857 PMCID: PMC8130928 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessing past foodways, subsistence strategies, and environments depends on the accurate identification of animals in the archaeological record. The high rates of fragmentation and often poor preservation of animal bones at many archaeological sites across sub-Saharan Africa have rendered archaeofaunal specimens unidentifiable beyond broad categories, such as “large mammal” or “medium bovid”. Identification of archaeofaunal specimens through Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS), or peptide mass fingerprinting of bone collagen, offers an avenue for identification of morphologically ambiguous or unidentifiable bone fragments from such assemblages. However, application of ZooMS analysis has been hindered by a lack of complete reference peptide markers for African taxa, particularly bovids. Here we present the complete set of confirmed ZooMS peptide markers for members of all African bovid tribes. We also identify two novel peptide markers that can be used to further distinguish between bovid groups. We demonstrate that nearly all African bovid subfamilies are distinguishable using ZooMS methods, and some differences exist between tribes or sub-tribes, as is the case for Bovina (cattle) vs. Bubalina (African buffalo) within the subfamily Bovinae. We use ZooMS analysis to identify specimens from extremely fragmented faunal assemblages from six Late Holocene archaeological sites in Zambia. ZooMS-based identifications reveal greater taxonomic richness than analyses based solely on morphology, and these new identifications illuminate Iron Age subsistence economies c. 2200–500 cal BP. While the Iron Age in Zambia is associated with the transition from hunting and foraging to the development of farming and herding, our results demonstrate the continued reliance on wild bovids among Iron Age communities in central and southwestern Zambia Iron Age and herding focused primarily on cattle. We also outline further potential applications of ZooMS in African archaeology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneke Janzen
- Department of Archaeology, Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany
- Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kristine Korzow Richter
- Department of Archaeology, Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany
- Department of Anthropology, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ogeto Mwebi
- Department of Zoology, Osteology Section, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samantha Brown
- Department of Archaeology, Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany
| | - Veronicah Onduso
- Department of Zoology, Osteology Section, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Filia Gatwiri
- Department of Earth Sciences, Archaeology Section, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Emmanuel Ndiema
- Department of Earth Sciences, Archaeology Section, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maggie Katongo
- Department of Archaeology, Livingstone Museum, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Steven T. Goldstein
- Department of Archaeology, Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany
| | - Katerina Douka
- Department of Archaeology, Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany
| | - Nicole Boivin
- Department of Archaeology, Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany
- School of Social Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., United States of America
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Anderson M. An assessment of the postcranial skeleton of the Paracolobus mutiwa (Primates: Colobinae) specimen KNM-WT 16827 from Lomekwi, West Turkana, Kenya. J Hum Evol 2021; 156:103012. [PMID: 34004496 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2021.103012] [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: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The postcranium of a large-bodied colobine monkey attributed to Paracolobus mutiwa from the site of Lomekwi, West Turkana, Kenya, is described. The partial skeleton (KNM-WT 16827) was recovered from locality LO 1, dated to 2.58-2.53 Ma, and preserves postcranial elements including fragments of scapula, humerus, proximal ulna, proximal radius, os coxae, proximal femur, astragalus, and calcaneus. KNM-WT 16827 was identified as P. mutiwa based on cranial similarities to the holotype female maxilla (KNM-ER 3843) and the holotype of Paracolobus chemeroni (KNM-BC 3), but is currently the only specimen of this taxon with associated cranial and postcranial elements. The skeleton is morphologically distinct from other large cercopithecid specimens from the Turkana Basin, including several assigned to Cercopithecoides williamsi, Cercopithecoides kimeui, Rhinocolobus turkanaensis, and Theropithecus oswaldi and differs from KNM-BC 3 in the larger cranium and shorter and more robust long bones. KNM-WT 16827 has forelimb and hindlimb features exhibiting a mixture of traits more associated with terrestrial locomotor behavior, including robust humeral deltoid tuberosity, retroflexed humeral medial epicondyle, deep ulnar trochlear notch, relatively short lower iliac height, prominent femoral greater trochanter, asymmetrical astragalar trochlea, and weak digit flexor grooves on the calcaneus. KNM-WT 16827 is also proportionally distinct from KNM-BC 3 and other Turkana Basin specimens attributed to large-bodied taxa such as C. williamsi, C. kimeui, R. turkanaensis, and T. oswaldi in having relatively shorter limbs and smaller tarsals. The traits shared with P. chemeroni and other extinct taxa are either typical for colobines, or likely due to P. mutiwa and P. chemeroni sharing adaptations for terrestrial locomotion relative to extant colobinans. Although a full cranial assessment is needed, based on its postcranial morphology KNM-WT 16827 is distinct from KNM-BC 3, C. williamsi, R. turkanaensis, Theropithecus, and extant colobines, warranting further analyses to better assess the taxonomic assignment of the specimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monya Anderson
- Department of Anthropology, Texas A&M University, Anthropology 225, TAMU 4352, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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Wood BM, Millar RS, Wright N, Baumgartner J, Holmquist H, Kiffner C. Hunter-Gatherers in context: Mammal community composition in a northern Tanzania landscape used by Hadza foragers and Datoga pastoralists. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251076. [PMID: 33989291 PMCID: PMC8121365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In many regions of sub Saharan Africa large mammals occur in human-dominated areas, yet their community composition and abundance have rarely been described in areas occupied by traditional hunter-gatherers and pastoralists. Surveys of mammal populations in such areas provide important measures of biodiversity and provide ecological context for understanding hunting practices. Using a sampling grid centered on a Hadza hunter-gatherer camp and covering 36 km2 of semi-arid savannah in northern Tanzania, we assessed mammals using camera traps (n = 19 stations) for c. 5 months (2,182 trap nights). In the study area (Tli’ika in the Hadza language), we recorded 36 wild mammal species. Rarefaction curves suggest that sampling effort was sufficient to capture mammal species richness, yet some species known to occur at low densities in the wider area (e.g. African lions, wildebeest) were not detected. Relative abundance indices of wildlife species varied by c. three orders of magnitude, from a mean of 0.04 (African wild dog) to 20.34 capture events per 100 trap-nights (Kirk’s dik dik). To contextualize the relative abundance of wildlife in the study area, we compared our study’s data to comparable camera trap data collected in a fully protected area of northern Tanzania with similar rainfall (Lake Manyara National Park). Raw data and negative binomial regression analyses show that wild herbivores and wild carnivores were generally detected in the national park at higher rates than in the Hadza-occupied region. Livestock were notably absent from the national park, but were detected at high levels in Tli’ika, and cattle was the second most frequently detected species in the Hadza-used area. We discuss how these data inform current conservation efforts, studies of Hadza hunting, and models of hunter-gatherer foraging ecology and diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M. Wood
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (BMW); (CK)
| | | | | | | | | | - Christian Kiffner
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Center For Wildlife Management Studies, The School For Field Studies, Karatu, Tanzania
- * E-mail: (BMW); (CK)
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Tomiya S, Miller LK. Why aren't rabbits and hares larger? Evolution 2021; 75:847-860. [PMID: 33599290 PMCID: PMC8252017 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Macroevolutionary consequences of competition among large clades have long been sought in patterns of lineage diversification. However, mechanistically clear examples of such effects remain elusive. Here, we postulated that the limited phenotypic diversity and insular gigantism in lagomorphs could be explained at least in part by an evolutionary constraint placed on them by potentially competing ungulate-type herbivores (UTHs). Our analyses yielded three independent lines of evidence supporting this hypothesis: (1) the minimum UTH body mass is the most influential predictor of the maximum lagomorph body mass in modern ecoregions; (2) the scaling patterns of local-population energy use suggest universal competitive disadvantage of lagomorphs weighing over approximately 6.3 kg against artiodactyls, closely matching their observed upper size limit in continental settings; and (3) the trajectory of maximum lagomorph body mass in North America from the late Eocene to the Pleistocene (37.5-1.5 million years ago) was best modeled by the body mass ceiling placed by the smallest contemporary perissodactyl or artiodactyl. Body size evolution in lagomorphs has likely been regulated by the forces of competition within the clade, increased predation in open habitats, and importantly, competition from other ungulate-type herbivores. Our findings suggest conditionally-coupled dynamics of phenotypic boundaries among multiple clades within an adaptive zone, and highlight the synergy of biotic and abiotic drivers of diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Tomiya
- Center for International Collaboration and Advanced Studies in Primatology, Kyoto University Primate Research Institute, Inuyama, Aichi, 484-8506, Japan.,Negaunee Integrative Research and Gantz Family Collections Centers, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, 60605, USA.,Museums of Paleontology and Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Lauren K Miller
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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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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29
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Assessing molar wear in narrow-headed voles as a proxy for diet and habitat in a changing Arctic. Mamm Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00079-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Przybyło M, Kazek S, Kloska A, Pyś JB, Górka P. Preference of intake of different tree leaves preserved with drying and ensiling by nyala antelope (Tragelaphus angasii). Zoo Biol 2020; 39:436-442. [PMID: 32931639 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21570] [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: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
It is recommended that browse should be an important part of diets for browsing and intermediate feeding type ruminants. However, provision of browse in winter time is problematic for many zoos located in the temperate climate. Drying or freezing of branches are commonly practiced solutions to this problem, but ensiling of tree leaves could also be an attractive option. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of drying and ensiling of different tree leaves on preference of their intake by nyala antelope (Tragelaphus angasii), an intermediate feeding type ruminant. A study was conducted on five nyala fed a standard diet (meadow hay, dehydrated chopped lucerne and limited concentrates) before and during the study. Preference of intake of five feeds was tested: dried maple (A. platanoides), oak (Q. robur), willow (S. alba), and ensiled maple and lime (T. cordata) leaves. Each day two tested feeds were offered to each animal. After 4 h of presentation, feed refusals were weighed and preference ratio for each tested feed and animal was calculated. Then, preferences were ranked using a pairwise comparison chart. Dried maple and oak leaves were preferred more than other leaves whereas ensiled lime leaves were the least preferred. On the other hand, ensiled and dried maple leaves were equally preferred. Results of this study showed that palatability of ensiled tree leaves should not be a concern when feeding nyala, and likely also other browsing or intermediate feeding type ruminants, but palatability of silage may depend on the species of tree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Przybyło
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, Faculty of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Sylwia Kazek
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, Faculty of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Jan B Pyś
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, Faculty of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Górka
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, and Fisheries, Faculty of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
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31
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Djagoun CA, Sinsin B, Wrage-Mönnig N. Stable isotope niche segregation between rare topi antelope (Damaliscus lunatus korrigum) and other sympatric bulk grazers in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (Northern Benin): Implication for topi conservation. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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32
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Hejcmanová P, Ortmann S, Stoklasová L, Clauss M. Digesta passage in common eland (Taurotragus oryx) on a monocot or a dicot diet. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2020; 246:110720. [PMID: 32387134 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.110720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The way that fluids and particles move through the forestomach of a ruminant is species-specific, and can be used to classify ruminants according to their digestive physiology into 'moose-types' (with little difference in fluid and small particle passage) and 'cattle-types' (where fluids move through the forestomach much faster than small particles). So far, 'moose-types' appear limited to a dietary niche of browsing, whereas 'cattle-types' are particularly prominent in the intermediate and grazing diet niches. However, some species, including members of the spiral-horned antelopes (the Tragelaphini), have a 'cattle-type' physiology but a browse-dominated diet niche. Eland (Taurotragus oryx), the largest member of the Tragelaphini, are strict browsers in the wild but have been considered intermediate feeders in the past, and can seemingly be maintained on grass diets. We quantified food intake, mean retention time (MRT) in the gastrointestinal tract and the reticulorumen (RR) of a solute, a small and a large particle marker, and diet digestibility in six eland each fed a monocot (grass hay) and a dicot (lucerne silage) forage. Food intake and digestibility was lower on the diet with higher fibre content (grass hay), with corresponding longer MRT. At the higher intakes on lucerne, the difference in MRT between small and large particles was larger, indicating a greater reliance on particle sorting and clearance under this condition of potentially limiting gut capacity. Regardless of diet or intake, the ratio of small particle and solute MRT in the RR was constant and small, at a quotient of 1.54, classifying the eland as a typical 'moose-type' ruminant. This finding is consistent with previous literature reports on low faecal metabolic nitrogen and high apparent protein digestibility in eland. Given the relative ease at which eland can be maintained under farm husbandry conditions, they appear ideal model ruminants to study the effects of differences in rumen physiology compared to cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavla Hejcmanová
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic.
| | - Sylvia Ortmann
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Berlin, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Lucie Stoklasová
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic.
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Kartzinel TR, Pringle RM. Multiple dimensions of dietary diversity in large mammalian herbivores. J Anim Ecol 2020; 89:1482-1496. [PMID: 32163591 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Theory predicts that trophic specialization (i.e. low dietary diversity) should make consumer populations sensitive to environmental disturbances. Yet diagnosing specialization is complicated both by the difficulty of precisely quantifying diet composition and by definitional ambiguity: what makes a diet 'diverse'? We sought to characterize the relationship between taxonomic dietary diversity (TDD) and phylogenetic dietary diversity (PDD) in a species-rich community of large mammalian herbivores in a semi-arid East African savanna. We hypothesized that TDD and PDD would be positively correlated within and among species, because taxonomically diverse diets are likely to include plants from many lineages. By using DNA metabarcoding to analyse 1,281 faecal samples collected across multiple seasons, we compiled high-resolution diet profiles for 25 sympatric large-herbivore species. For each of these populations, we calculated TDD and PDD with reference to a DNA reference library for local plants. Contrary to our hypothesis, measures of TDD and PDD were either uncorrelated or negatively correlated with each other. Thus, these metrics reflect distinct dimensions of dietary specialization both within and among species. In general, grazers and ruminants exhibited greater TDD, but lower PDD, than did browsers and non-ruminants. We found significant seasonal variation in TDD and/or PDD for all but four species (Grevy's zebra, buffalo, elephant, Grant's gazelle); however, the relationship between TDD and PDD was consistent across seasons for all but one of the 12 best-sampled species (plains zebra). Our results show that taxonomic generalists can be phylogenetic specialists, and vice versa. These two dimensions of dietary diversity suggest contrasting implications for efforts to predict how consumers will respond to climate change and other environmental perturbations. For example, populations with low TDD may be sensitive to phylogenetically 'random' losses of food species, whereas populations with low PDD may be comparatively more sensitive to environmental changes that disadvantage entire plant lineages-and populations with low dietary diversity in both taxonomic and phylogenetic dimensions may be most vulnerable of all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler R Kartzinel
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Robert M Pringle
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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Moehlman PD, Ogutu JO, Piepho HP, Runyoro VA, Coughenour MB, Boone RB. Long-term historical and projected herbivore population dynamics in Ngorongoro crater, Tanzania. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0212530. [PMID: 32155150 PMCID: PMC7064247 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ngorongoro Crater is an intact caldera with an area of approximately 310 km2 located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) in northern Tanzania. It is known for the abundance and diversity of its wildlife and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. Long term records (1963–2012) on herbivore populations, vegetation and rainfall made it possible to analyze historic and project future herbivore population dynamics. NCA was established as a multiple use area in 1959. In 1974 there was a perturbation in that resident Maasai and their livestock were removed from the Ngorongoro Crater. Thus, their pasture management that was a combination of livestock grazing and fire was also removed and 'burning' stopped being a regular occurrence until it was resumed in 2001 by NCA management. The Maasai pasture management would have selected for shorter grasses and more palatable species. Vegetation mapping in 1966–1967 recorded predominately short grasslands. Subsequent vegetation mapping in the crater in 1995 determined that the grassland structure had changed such that mid and tall grasses were dominant. After removal of the Maasai pastoralists from the Ngorongoro Crater in 1974, there were significant changes in population trends for some herbivore species. Buffalo, elephant and ostrich numbers increased significantly during 1974–2012. The zebra population was stable from 1963 to 2012 whereas population numbers of five species declined substantially between 1974 and 2012 relative to their peak numbers during 1974–1976. Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles, eland, kongoni, and waterbuck (wet season only) declined significantly in the Crater in both seasons after 1974. In addition, some herbivore species were consistently more abundant inside the Crater during the wet than the dry season. This pattern was most evident for the large herbivore species requiring bulk forage, i.e., buffalo, eland, and elephant. Even with a change in grassland structure, total herbivore biomass remained relatively stable from 1963 to 2012, implying that the crater has a stable carrying capacity. Analyses of rainfall indicated that there was a persistent cycle of 4.83 years for the annual component. Herbivore population size was correlated with rainfall in both the wet and dry seasons. The relationships established between the time series of historic animal counts in the wet and dry seasons and lagged wet and dry season rainfall series were used to forecast the likely future trajectories of the wet and dry season population size for each species under three alternative climate change scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph O. Ogutu
- Institute for Crop Science-340, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Hans-Peter Piepho
- Institute for Crop Science-340, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Michael B. Coughenour
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Randall B. Boone
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
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35
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Dumouchel L, Bobe R. Paleoecological implications of dental mesowear and hypsodonty in fossil ungulates from Kanapoi. J Hum Evol 2020; 140:102548. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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36
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Quantifying water requirements of African ungulates through a combination of functional traits. ECOL MONOGR 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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37
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Malindie S, Buschke F, Codron D. Carbon isotope differences between grassland and savanna herbivores reveal environmentally driven rather than phylogenetically conserved niches. J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Malindie
- Centre for Environmental Management (IB 67) University of Free State Bloemfontein South Africa
| | - F.T. Buschke
- Centre for Environmental Management (IB 67) University of Free State Bloemfontein South Africa
| | - D. Codron
- Department of Zoology and Entomology (IB 49) University of Free State Bloemfontein South Africa
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The landscape-scale drivers of herbivore assemblage distribution on the central basalt plains of Kruger National Park. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467419000312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe distribution and abundance of herbivores in African savannas are constrained by interactions between abiotic and biotic factors. At the species-level, herbivores face trade-offs among foraging requirements, vegetation structure and the availability of surface water that change over spatial and temporal scales. Characterizing herbivore requirements is necessary for the management of the environment in which they occur, as conservation management interventions such as fencing and artificial water provision consequently have effects on how herbivores address these trade-offs. We tested the effects of environmental attributes on the probability of presence of herbivore functional types at different distances to water in the Satara section of Kruger National Park over the period of a year. Hypotheses about species’ relative distribution and abundance were developed through a literature review of forage and water availability constraints on feeding preference and body size of herbivore. We expected strong seasonal relationships between vegetation biomass and quality, and biomass of water-dependent herbivores with increasing distance to water. Our analyses of herbivore distribution across the region confirmed broad-scale descriptions of interactions between forage requirements and water availability across a set of species which differ in functional traits.
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Bunney K, Robertson M, Bond W. The historical distribution of megaherbivores does not determine the distribution of megafaunal fruit in southern Africa. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blz109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Large specialized fruit (megafaunal fruit) have evolved alongside megaherbivores to take advantage of their unparalleled seed dispersal service. Megaherbivores were widespread and abundant in the Pleistocene but due to multiple extinction events have been extirpated from all continents except Africa and small pockets of South East Asia. In Africa, we are in the unique position of being able to study megafaunal fruits where there are still areas with a largely intact megaherbivore community. The megafaunal fruits of the African forests have been examined but those of the African savannas have been largely overlooked. We use an operational definition of megafaunal fruit developed in the Neotropics to identify megafaunal fruit in the South African tree flora. Thirty-one species were identified as megafaunal fruit-bearers, representing only 3% of the tree flora. Megafaunal tree species are well represented in the families Mimosoideae, Arecaceae, Strychnaceae and Caesalpinoideae. We explored the factors underlying the distribution of these megafaunal tree species. We found that the historical distribution of megaherbivores in South Africa does not explain the distribution of these fruit. Megaherbivores have historically been found throughout South Africa while megafaunal fruit tree species occur almost exclusively in the northern tropical reaches of the country. Abiotic factors such as precipitation and temperature appear to best explain the distribution of megafaunal fruit species in the region. We conclude that megafaunal fruit are a tropical phenomenon and their tropical origins now limit their distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Bunney
- Biological Sciences Department, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark Robertson
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - William Bond
- Biological Sciences Department, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Environmental Observation Network, Claremont, South Africa
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40
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Jiménez-Hidalgo E, Carbot-Chanona G, Guerrero-Arenas R, Bravo-Cuevas VM, Holdridge GS, Israde-Alcántara I. Species Diversity and Paleoecology of Late Pleistocene Horses From Southern Mexico. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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41
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Przybyło M, Clauss M, Ortmann S, Kowalski ZM, Górka P. The effect of fructose supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and digesta retention time in Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi). J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2019; 103:1684-1693. [PMID: 31441143 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of fructose supplementation in the diet on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and digesta retention time in Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), a browsing cervid. In Experiment 1, six adult males of Reeves's muntjac were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design and fed a diet consisting of dehydrated chopped lucerne (ad libitum), high-fibre pellet (120 g/day) and wheat bran (30 g/day) without (F0) or with addition of 12 and 24 g fructose/day (F12 and F24, respectively). In Experiment 2, the same six adult muntjacs were used in crossover design and fed F0 or F12. Doses of supplemental fructose were set to increase intake of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC; ≈40 g/day; ≈8% of WSC in consumed dry matter [DM]) by 25 and 50% relative to F0. Feed intake was controlled daily (Experiment 1 and 2) and total tract digestibility and digesta retention time were determined (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, DM intake of chopped dehydrated lucerne decreased with fructose supplementation (F0 vs. F12 and F24; p = .01) but was not different between F12 and F24 (p = .76). Total DM intake was also not different between treatments (p ≥ .13). In Experiment 2, DM intake of lucerne, total DM intake and nutrient digestibility was not affected by fructose supplementation (p ≥ .17), but mean retention time of long particles in the whole GIT tended to be longer for F12 compared to F0 (p = .09). Under conditions of the current study, additional fructose intake (resulting in a range of WSC content in consumed DM from 8.6% to 13%) had only minor impact on feed intake and investigated functions of the gastrointestinal tract of Reeves's muntjac.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Przybyło
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sylvia Ortmann
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zygmunt M Kowalski
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Paweł Górka
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
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42
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McGrosky A, Codron D, Müller DWH, Navarrete A, Isler K, Hofmann RR, Clauss M. Gross intestinal morphometry and allometry in ruminants. J Morphol 2019; 280:1254-1266. [PMID: 31241799 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
While some descriptions of ruminants' dietary adaptations suggest that the length of the intestinal tract reflects the proportion of grass or browse in the diet, this assumption has been questioned. We collated data on body mass (BM), as well as small intestine, caecum, colon/rectum, large and total intestine length in 68 ruminant species, and, while accounting for the phylogenetic structure of the dataset, evaluated both allometric scaling and the potential influence of diet, digestive physiology or climate proxies on measures of intestine length. Intestinal length generally scaled to BM at an exponent higher than the 0.33 expected due to geometry. Diet or digestive physiology proxies did not have an influence on any intestinal length measures, though some proxies indicating more arid natural habitats were positively correlated with measures of the large intestine. The relative size of a forestomach compartment, the omasum, was negatively correlated with intestine length. The results indicate that intestine length measures provide little indication of feeding type or digestive physiology, but rather indicate adaptations to aridity. Higher-than-geometry scaling of intestinal length may be related to the necessity of maintaining geometric (or metabolic) scaling of intestinal surface area while keeping gut diameter, and hence the diffusion distances, small. The way in which space trade-offs determine the macroanatomy of different organs in the abdominal cavity, such as the omasum and the intestine, deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda McGrosky
- Department of Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daryl Codron
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Dennis W H Müller
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zoological Garden of Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ana Navarrete
- Department of Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Karin Isler
- Department of Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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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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Dental microwear textures and dietary preferences of extant rhinoceroses (Perissodactyla, Mammalia). MAMMAL RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-019-00427-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Ehrlich C, Codron D, Hofmann RR, Hummel J, Clauss M. Comparative omasum anatomy in ruminants: Relationships with natural diet, digestive physiology, and general considerations on allometric investigations. J Morphol 2019; 280:259-277. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Ehrlich
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Daryl Codron
- Florisbad Quaternary Research DepartmentNational Museum Bloemfontein South Africa
- Centre for Environmental ManagementUniversity of the Free State Bloemfontein South Africa
| | | | - Jürgen Hummel
- Ruminant Nutrition, Department of Animal SciencesUniversity of Goettingen Goettingen Germany
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
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46
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Przybyło M, Kański J, Lasek O, Kloska A, Górka P. Effect of processing method of cereals on feed intake, eating behaviour, rumination and nutrient digestibility in nyala antelope ( Tragelaphus angasii). JOURNAL OF ANIMAL AND FEED SCIENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.22358/jafs/94489/2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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47
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Codron D, Clauss M, Codron J, Tütken T. Within trophic level shifts in collagen-carbonate stable carbon isotope spacing are propagated by diet and digestive physiology in large mammal herbivores. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:3983-3995. [PMID: 29721273 PMCID: PMC5916294 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable carbon isotope analyses of vertebrate hard tissues such as bones, teeth, and tusks provide information about animal diets in ecological, archeological, and paleontological contexts. There is debate about how carbon isotope compositions of collagen and apatite carbonate differ in terms of their relationship to diet, and to each other. We evaluated relationships between δ13Ccollagen and δ13Ccarbonate among free‐ranging southern African mammals to test predictions about the influences of dietary and physiological differences between species. Whereas the slopes of δ13Ccollagen–δ13Ccarbonate relationships among carnivores are ≤1, herbivore δ13Ccollagen increases with increasing dietary δ13C at a slower rate than does δ13Ccarbonate, resulting in regression slopes >1. This outcome is consistent with predictions that herbivore δ13Ccollagen is biased against low protein diet components (13C‐enriched C4 grasses in these environments), and δ13Ccarbonate is 13C‐enriched due to release of 13C‐depleted methane as a by‐product of microbial fermentation in the digestive tract. As methane emission is constrained by plant secondary metabolites in browse, the latter effect becomes more pronounced with higher levels of C4 grass in the diet. Increases in δ13Ccarbonate are also larger in ruminants than nonruminants. Accordingly, we show that Δ13Ccollagen‐carbonate spacing is not constant within herbivores, but increases by up to 5 ‰ across species with different diets and physiologies. Such large variation, often assumed to be negligible within trophic levels, clearly cannot be ignored in carbon isotope‐based diet reconstructions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl Codron
- Institut für Geowissenschaften AG für Angewandte und Analytische Paläontologie Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Mainz Germany.,Florisbad Quaternary Research Department National Museum Bloemfontein South Africa.,Centre for Environmental Management University of the Free State Bloemfontein South Africa
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zürich Zürich Switzerland
| | - Jacqueline Codron
- Florisbad Quaternary Research Department National Museum Bloemfontein South Africa.,Mammalogy Department National Museum Bloemfontein South Africa
| | - Thomas Tütken
- Institut für Geowissenschaften AG für Angewandte und Analytische Paläontologie Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Mainz Germany
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Tahas SA, Hetzel U, Altenbrunner-Martinek B, Martin Jurado O, Hammer S, Arif A, Hatt JM, Clauss M. Microanatomy of the digestive tract, hooves and some visceral organs of addax antelope (Addax nasomaculatus) following a concentrate or forage feeding regime. Anat Histol Embryol 2018. [PMID: 29520834 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Subacute ruminal acidosis is a common disease in captive non-domesticated ruminants and is mainly diagnosed by rumen fluid pH and rumen histology. Furthermore, differences in ruminant gastrointestinal histology have been hypothesized to correlate with the browser-grazer continuum. Twelve surplus addax antelope (Addax nasomaculatus) were divided into two groups, fed either their usual diet, consisting of a concentrate feed with a limited amount of hay, or a diet of unlimited hay only, for 3 months. After culling, descriptive and morphometric histology and pH measurements were compared between groups. Significant variations in cellular subpopulations were noted between groups, with roughage-fed individuals presenting primarily with balloon cells of the Stratum corneum and living layer cell vacuolization, whereas parakeratosis and intermediate-type cells were more frequent in the concentrate-fed group. Lesions typical of subacute ruminal acidosis were significantly more pronounced in concentrate-fed individuals. Ruminal pH measurements did not differ significantly, but were more consistent in forage-fed individuals, indicating a more stable reticuloruminal environment. The results indicate that ruminal histology may be more appropriate in assessing ruminal health compared to a single post-mortem pH measurement. It is proposed that Stratum corneum balloon cells may indicate cell maturation and not, as previously assumed, hyperfunction. Concentrate-fed individuals scored higher on the presence of inflammatory cells on hoof corium histology. The study further emphasizes the adaptability of ruminant digestive tract microanatomy in adult animals even after a short period of time and the positive effects an increased roughage diet may have in populations of captive grazing ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Tahas
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - U Hetzel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - O Martin Jurado
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - S Hammer
- Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, Doha, Qatar
| | - A Arif
- Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, Doha, Qatar
| | - 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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Kiffner C, Rheault H, Miller E, Scheetz T, Enriquez V, Swafford R, Kioko J, Prins HHT. Long-term population dynamics in a multi-species assemblage of large herbivores in East Africa. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kiffner
- Center For Wildlife Management Studies; The School For Field Studies; PO Box 304 Karatu Tanzania
| | - Helena Rheault
- Westfield State University; 577 Western Avenue Westfield Massachusetts 01086 USA
| | | | - Tanner Scheetz
- Department of Biology; Miami University; 501 East High Street Oxford Ohio 45056 USA
| | - Vivien Enriquez
- Department of Anthropology; Beloit College; 700 College Street Beloit Wisconsin 53511 USA
| | - Rachelle Swafford
- Department of Animal Biotechnology and Conservation; Delaware Valley University; 700 East Butler Avenue Doylestown Pennsylvania 18901 USA
| | - John Kioko
- Center For Wildlife Management Studies; The School For Field Studies; PO Box 304 Karatu Tanzania
| | - Herbert H. T. Prins
- Department of Environmental Sciences; Wageningen University; Wageningen The Netherlands
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50
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Hempson GP, Archibald S, Bond WJ. The consequences of replacing wildlife with livestock in Africa. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17196. [PMID: 29222494 PMCID: PMC5722938 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17348-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The extirpation of native wildlife species and widespread establishment of livestock farming has dramatically distorted large mammal herbivore communities across the globe. Ecological theory suggests that these shifts in the form and the intensity of herbivory have had substantial impacts on a range of ecosystem processes, but for most ecosystems it is impossible to quantify these changes accurately. We address these challenges using species-level biomass data from sub-Saharan Africa for both present day and reconstructed historical herbivore communities. Our analyses reveal pronounced herbivore biomass losses in wetter areas and substantial biomass increases and functional type turnover in arid regions. Fire prevalence is likely to have been altered over vast areas where grazer biomass has transitioned to above or below the threshold at which grass fuel reduction can suppress fire. Overall, shifts in the functional composition of herbivore communities promote an expansion of woody cover. Total herbivore methane emissions have more than doubled, but lateral nutrient diffusion capacity is below 5% of past levels. The release of fundamental ecological constraints on herbivore communities in arid regions appears to pose greater threats to ecosystem function than do biomass losses in mesic regions, where fire remains the major consumer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth P Hempson
- Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa. .,South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
| | - Sally Archibald
- Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa
| | - William J Bond
- South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
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