Diet of the Mountain Pygmy-possum, Burramys parvus (Marsupialia: Burramyidae) and other small mamma ls in the alpine environment at Mt Higginbotham, Victoria.

1990 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 167
Author(s):  
I. Mansergh ◽  
B. Baxter ◽  
D. Scotts ◽  
T. Brady ◽  
D. Jolley
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Alpine Environment ◽  
Percentage Composition ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Dietary Component ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes ◽  
Vegetative Component

The diets of Burramys parvus, Rattus fuscipes and Antechinus swainsonii in Podocarpus lawrencei heathland in alpine Victoria during the non-winter period were determined from analysis of 264 faecal pellets. Both frequency of occurrence and mean percentage composition of dietary items in the samples were determined; the Iatter being used to assess the diet. We found B. parvus to be an omnivore concentrating on insec ts. It eats a variety of foods but the Bogong Moth (Agrolis infusa) is heavily exploited (31 % of the composition of faecal samples) especially by females during the breeding season (46 %). Other components of the diet are other invertebrates, predominantly insects (32 %) and vegetative material (16 %). Seasonal differences in the composition of the diet of B. parvus were due to the exploitation of fruit in the non-breeding season. No differences in diet were observed between age-classes and the sexes but females are sedentary in food resource-rich habitats, whilst when not breeding, males occur in areas of poorer food resources. Circumstantial evidence suggests that during facultative hibernation a major dietary component of B. parvus may be seeds, cached from the previous summer-autumn. The diet of R. fuscipes consists mainly of insects (12 %) and the largest vegetative component was seeds (10.1 %). Fungi were found in 53 % of faecal samples of R. fuscipes but could not be quantified as a percentage composition of diet. The species is classified as a selective omnivore. The diet of A. swainsonii consisted of 68 % in sec ts, 10.4 % of insect setae and worms with the major vegetative component (5.2 %) being soft fruits. Burramys parvus, relative to the other small mammals with which it cohabits, has become a specialist in exploiting the abundant and rich food resource of Bogong moths.

Excretion profiles of some reproductive steroids in the faeces of captive Nepalese red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens)

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 565 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Spanner ◽  
G. M. Stone ◽  
D. Schultz
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
High Pressure Liquid Chromatography ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Red Panda ◽  
Ailurus Fulgens ◽  
Reproductive Steroids

Faecal samples were collected up to once daily from three female Nepalese red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) prior to, during, and after the expected 1995 breeding season. Radioimmunoassay of faecal progestins and oestrogens showed hormone profiles that suggest that this species is a seasonally polyoestrous, induced ovulator. Examination of faecal extracts following high pressure liquid chromatography and using antisera of high specificity, demonstrated at least five faecal progestins but only one major oestrogen, probably oestradiol. Samples from males were collected up to once weekly during the breeding season in 1996, and androgens measured by radioimmunoassay. Faecal androgens fluctuated widely for all males.

The Diet of the Rufous Hare-Wallaby (Marsupialia, Macropodidae) in the Tanami Desert

1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 527 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Pearson
Keyword(s):  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Mainland Population ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Average Rainfall ◽  
Feed The Future ◽  
Burnt Areas ◽  
Nitrogen Contents

The summer diet of a population of the rufous hare-wallaby, Lagorchestes hirsutus, was studied by survey of grazed plants and microscopic analysis of faecal pellets following a season of above-average rainfall. The fibre and nitrogen contents of food plants were examined and the abundance of food plants in the habitat was determined to assess dietary selectivity. L. hirsutus had a diverse diet but selectively grazed the seeds and shoots of certain grasses and sedges as well as some dicotyledons. High- and low-fibre food items occurred in faecal samples, suggesting that L. hirsutus possesses considerable dietary adaptability. Individuals may travel appreciable distances into saline interdune and recently burnt areas to feed. The future survival of the only known mainland population appears to be largely dependent on continued mosaic-burning of its habitat to maintain mature spinifex for shelter adjacent to areas of regeneration that provide a range of preferred food items.

A study on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) emphasising breeding season and feeding behaviour in captivity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junaid Naseer ◽  
Khalid Mahmood Anjum ◽  
Muhammad Asif Munir ◽  
Muhammad Awais Nazir ◽  
Muhammad Zubair Yousaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Faecal Analysis ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Pavo Cristatus ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Dietary Components ◽  
Sand And Gravel

Present research was planned to evaluate the breeding and feeding behaviour of Indian peafowl reared in captivity at Zoological Gardens of Government and Private Sector. For feeding behaviour, a total of fifty pairs (n=100) of Pavo cristatus at both Government Zoological Gardens (n=25pairs) and Private Sectors (n=25pairs) were observed on daily basis. The breeding season of Indian peafowl is not fixed but mostly it breeds in rainy season from April to August. It was observed that most of birds at Government Zoological Gardens breed in month of May, while most of birds at Private Sectors breed in the month of August. For feeding behaviour a total of 200 faecal samples per week were collected for six weeks, out of which 100 samples per week were randomly selected for further analysis. Faecal analysis technique showed that dietary components of Indian peafowl were covered by plant contents following by animal sources. Among the plants components grass seeds were predominant followed by dicotyledon and fruits with least portion of monocotyledons. Among animal components, ants, grasshopper, earthworms, spider and unidentified bones were present. Faecal analysis indicated the presence of some non-food items such as sand and gravel.

The Diets and Dietary Preferences of Rattus-Fuscipes and Rattus-Lutreolus at Walkerville in Victoria

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
DC Cheal
Keyword(s):  
Plant Material ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Fleshy Fruit ◽  
Dietary Overlap ◽  
Dietary Preferences ◽  
Faecal Analysis ◽  
Dietary Component ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes ◽  
A Site ◽  
Short Time

The diets of Rattus fuscipes and R. lutreolus from a site in central southern Victoria were investigated by faecal analysis. R. lutreolus was predominantly herbivorous; in heath it selected the basal stems of certain cyperaceous herbs, and in forest it ate non-sclerophyllous grasses. Fungi were an important dietary component and seed might be eaten in some quantity for a short time in spring and early summer. R. fuscipes showed little dietary overlap with R. lutreolus; in forest it was reliant on fungi and fibrous plant material from particular grasses; in heath it relied on particular cyperaceous species in winter, and ate primarily fleshy fruit, seed and arthropods in summer. Dietary preferences are compared with the relative abundance of diet items in the habitat. Both species are selective, and this selectivity changes with season. The effects of the availability of preferred diet items on the species' distributions are discussed.

Non-invasive monitoring of reproductive status in wild mongoose lemurs (Eulemur mongoz)

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah J. Curtis ◽  
Alphonse Zaramody ◽  
Daphne I. Green ◽  
Amanda R. Pickard
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Prolonged Storage ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Endocrine Profiles ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Group A ◽  
Wild Group

Endocrine profiles were investigated in wild and captive mongoose lemurs (Eulemur mongoz; Lemuridae) by analysing faecal progestagens and oestrogens. Oestrous cycle characterization was not possible, as most females appeared to conceive during the first oestrus of the breeding season. Conception was preceded by a pseudo-oestrus with no discernible luteal phase. Pseudo-oestrus and oestrus identification was possible by investigating the oestrogen : progestagen ratio. Pregnancy was reliably determined approximately 47 days after conception, when progestagen and oestrogen excretion increased above breeding season concentrations. Gestation was further characterized by high progestagen concentrations and a decline in oestrogen excretion 70–80 days after conception. Post partum, progestagens declined, but oestrogen excretion increased to exceed breeding season concentrations. In the wild group, a nulliparous daughter conceived while still a member of her natal group and aborted after 70–80 days of pregnancy at which time progestagens had declined but oestrogens remained high. Comparisons with other strepsirhine primates suggest that pseudo-oestrus followed by conception at first oestrus may be prevalent in lemurs. Gestational progesterone profiles vary between species, but a delayed increase in oestrogens during pregnancy could be common to all strepsirhines, although oestrogen levels during the final trimester of pregnancy differ between lemurs and lorises. Methodological investigations showed that prolonged storage of faeces in ethanol is viable and that the presence of undigested vegetable matter in the faecal pellets had no effect on the interpretation of hormone profiles.

Temporal analysis of the diet of the central rock-rat

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Temporal Analysis ◽  
Past Century ◽  
The West ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
The Past ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Central Australia ◽  
Solanum Spp

The central rock-rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus) is an endangered endemic rodent that has undergone a dramatic range contraction over the past century. It is currently known from only a small area of the West MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs. A previous investigation into the species’ diet that analysed a small number of faecal samples concluded tentatively that it was a granivore. The present study aimed to establish the dietary patterns of Z. pedunculatus across a two-year period in central Australia during which rainfall fluctuated markedly. Diet was determined through the microscopic analysis of material in faecal pellets of Z. pedunculatus trapped at approximately three-month intervals at five sites at Ormiston Gorge. Seed was found to be the most important dietary item, comprising on average 57.0% of the diet across sample periods. Under dry conditions, the amount of seed material in the diet declined and the amount of stem material increased. Plant material from 15 genera was recorded in the diet, most notably Sida spp., Solanum spp. and Triodia brizoides. All of the plant genera identified in the diet to date are widespread and common in the range country of central Australia and most are considered fire tolerant. On the basis that the diet contains more than 50% seeds, Z. pedunculatus can be described as a granivore. However, the diet is broad and includes both seeds and vegetative material from a range of plant species.

An evaluation of methods for improving reproductive performance in summer lambing ewes

1990 ◽  
Vol 1990 ◽  
pp. 163-163
Author(s):  
E King Margaret ◽  
L M Mitchell ◽  
J S M Hutchinson ◽  
R Glatt ◽  
M F Ibraheem
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Exogenous Melatonin ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Natural Breeding ◽  
Endogenous Melatonin

Manipulation of seasonality in the ewe has been the subject of extensive research over the past few years. Demand for continuous supply of home-bred lamb has encouraged producers to breed their ewes both earlier and later in their natural breeding season. Extending the breeding season to a Summer (May/June) lambing has proved a low input system reducing the requirement for concentrate feeding in late pregnancy and eliminating the need for housing during the winter period (Stone, 1988). However, Summer lambing involves mating ewes in January when fecundity may be declining. Exogenous Melatonin has been shown to be effective in advancing the breeding season by extending the length of time that significant levels of Melatonin are present in the blood. It may also have a beneficial effect on embryo survival (Wigzell et al, 1986; Kennaway et al, 1987). In Summer lambing ewes, where endogenous Melatonin is in decline during tupping in January, the introduction of exogenous Melatonin may result in continued reproductive activity and aid implantation of embryos.

The relationship between immunocompetence during winter and subsequent reproductive decisions and survival in the Great Tit

2008 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rianne Pinxten ◽  
Marcel Eens ◽  
Frank Adriaensen ◽  
Erik Matthysen ◽  
Tinne Snoeijs
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Reproductive Value ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Lifetime Reproductive Success ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Reproductive Decisions ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Male And Female

AbstractThe typical costs associated with parasitism have led to the suggestion that immunosuppression in the host may be an important mechanism mediating the life history cost of reproduction, defined as a decrease in residual reproductive value as a consequence of parental effort. More immunocompetent individuals have therefore been predicted to reveal higher fitness through more optimal reproductive decisions and increased survival. In this study, we simulated a challenge to the immune system of male and female great tits (Parus major) by injecting a novel but harmless antigen, sheep red blood cells (SRBC), and related the elicited immune response to (long-term) survival and reproductive traits, relevant to the determination of lifetime reproductive success in this species. In females, we could not detect any relationships between humoral immunocompetence and laying date, clutch size, or mean fledging mass during the breeding season following the winter period during which we assessed the immune response. Furthermore, immune response to SRBC did not predict survival of male and female great tits until the following breeding season as well as until the breeding season the year after. Overall, humoral immunological quality measured during winter did not predict important fitness components in great tits.

Using faecal samples in lizard dietary studies

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Luiselli ◽  
Valentín Pérez-Mellado ◽  
Mario Garrido ◽  
Ana Pérez-Cembranos ◽  
Claudia Corti
Keyword(s):  
Balearic Islands ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Insect Larvae ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Arthropod Predators ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Podarcis Lilfordi ◽  
Reliable Source ◽  
Source Of Information ◽  
Dietary Analyses

AbstractWhile the use of faecal pellets is widely accepted as a primary methodological source of data for dietary studies, a recent paper advocated for the use of gut contents. This was due to the fact that faecal samples would give biased results of the diet of arthropod predators, due to a lower representation of soft-bodied prey in faecal pellets. To test this assumption, we compared the spring diet of several populations of two insular lizards from the Balearic Islands (Spain), Podarcis lilfordi and Podarcis pityusensis, using both faecal pellets and gut contents. Our results do not support the supposed bias of dietary analyses based on faecal pellets. Indeed, soft-bodied prey and particularly insect larvae are often equally represented in faecal pellets and gut contents. Alternatively, soft bodied prey are represented in different proportions in gut contents and faecal pellets, but in some cases with higher proportions being observed in the gut contents, and in other cases with higher proportions in faecal samples. We conclude that faecal pellets can be a reliable source of information for dietary studies.

Heterogeneity in the distribution of Strongyloides ratti infective stages among the faecal pellets of rats

Parasitology ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. HARVEY ◽  
S. PATERSON ◽  
M. E. VINEY
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Negative Binomial Distribution ◽  
Binomial Distribution ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Intestinal Nematode ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Accurate Quantification

The distribution of helminth parasites within their host population is usually overdispersed and can be described by the negative binomial distribution. The causes of this overdispersion are poorly understood, but heterogeneity in the distribution of infective stages within the environment has been implicated as a possible factor. Here we describe the distribution of infective stages of the rat intestinal nematode parasite Strongyloides ratti among the faecal pellets of its host. The distribution of infective stages between faecal pellets is overdispersed and well described by the negative binomial distribution. This overdispersion increases during the course of infection and occurs over a range of infection intensities. Overdispersion of nematode infective stages among faecal pellets may result in increased spatial heterogeneity of the infective stages in the environment and thus may contribute to the generation of overdispersion of adult parasitic stages. In addition, these findings raise important issues regarding the accurate quantification of helminth egg counts from faecal samples.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document