Faecal Particle Size in Free-Ranging Proboscis Monkeys, Nasalis larvatus: Variation between Seasons.

Autor: Thiry V; Anthropology and Human Genetics Unit, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.; Conservation Biology Unit, Education and Nature, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium., Clauss M; Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland., Stark DJ; Organisms and Environment Division, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Cardiff, United Kingdom.; Danau Girang Field Centre c/o Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia., Beudels-Jamar RC; Conservation Biology Unit, Education and Nature, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium., Vercauteren Drubbel R; Anthropology and Human Genetics Unit, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium., Nathan SKSS; Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia., Goossens B; Organisms and Environment Division, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Cardiff, United Kingdom.; Danau Girang Field Centre c/o Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.; Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.; Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom., Vercauteren M; Anthropology and Human Genetics Unit, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology [Folia Primatol (Basel)] 2018; Vol. 89 (5), pp. 327-334. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Aug 16.
DOI: 10.1159/000490794
Abstrakt: Reducing the size of food particles is crucial for herbivores. Seasonal dietary changes are known to influence animals' chewing efficiency. Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) are foregut fermenters, with a high chewing efficiency allowing them to achieve very fine faecal particles. In this study, we investigated how proboscis monkeys' chewing efficiency varies between wet and dry seasons, hypothesising differences possibly related to diet change. Faecal particle size analysis is an established approach to estimate chewing efficiency in mammalian herbivores. We analysed 113 proboscis monkey faecal samples collected in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, between 2015 and 2017. By following standard sieve analysis protocols, we measured a mean particle size MPS0.025-8 of 0.45 ± 0.14 mm, and confirmed a previous result that proboscis monkeys have a very low faecal MPS. This study highlights a seasonal influence on proboscis monkeys' chewing efficiency, with smaller MPS (better chewing efficiency) during the wet season. During that time of the year, individuals may potentially change their diet, as all faecal samples contained intact seeds. Whether the seasonal MPS difference in proboscis monkeys is smaller than in other colobines due to their "rumination" strategy remains to be investigated.
(© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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