Comparison of food habits and of nutrients in the stomach contents of summer- and winter-trapped voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Marie Bergeron ◽  
Louise Jodoin
Keyword(s):  
Food Habits ◽  
Total Phenolics ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Fecal Matter ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Total Nonstructural Carbohydrates ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Quality Diet ◽  
Foraging Constraints

Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) have low fat reserves in winter. Since plant parts with high nutritive values are less abundant at this period, we hypothesize that voles must select different items or face a lower quality diet than during summer. Food habits determined from epidermal plant fragments of fecal matter showed that summer- and winter-trapped voles were using the same plant species though in somewhat different amounts. Nutritive constituents evaluated from stomach contents varied significantly by season. Stomach contents of winter-trapped voles had lower levels of protein and total phenolics and higher levels of total nonstructural carbohydrates. Forage quality ratios involving protein/total phenolics did not vary between seasons. These results suggest that overwintering voles of this study, trapped during low density, did not face obvious nutritive constraints. However, voles living under more crowded conditions could still face foraging constraints.

Intense grazing by voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and its effect on habitat quality

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 1823-1830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Marie Bergeron ◽  
Louise Jodoin
Keyword(s):  
Total Phenolics ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Nonstructural Carbohydrates ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Total Nonstructural Carbohydrates ◽  
Biomass Yields ◽  
Defensive Mechanisms ◽  
Quantitative Changes

Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were housed in fenced plots to simulate the effects of crowding on qualitative and quantitative changes of vegetation. Within one summer they reached density levels equivalent to 1000–1300 voles/ha and were removed from the plots during the fall. Biomass yields were estimated during fall and the following spring to assess the immediate effects of grazing and plant recovery before the new growth period. Significant reductions in yields of green biomass were registered in fall (15%) and in the following spring (52%) in the grazed plots. Dead matter was also reduced by intense grazing (> 7%). Biomass quality was estimated from measures of protein, total phenolics, and total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC). Protein and phenolics in green biomass samples did not vary in the fall and spring collections but TNC varied significantly between grazed and ungrazed plots during both sampling periods. Intense grazing by voles during one summer of high density imposes quantitative changes on meadows that are still noticeable the following spring while most of the nutritive constituents of vegetation are affected little by grazing. These results support the idea that voles do not induce defensive mechanisms in heavily grazed plants.

scholarly journals Food habits of snakes from the RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala, an Atlantic Forest fragment of southeastern Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cesar Felipe de Souza Palmuti ◽  
José Cassimiro ◽  
Jaime Bertoluci
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Food Habits ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Diet Preferences

We present data on the diet of 15 species of snakes belonging to a community from Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Feliciano Miguel Abdala, an Atlantic Forest fragment of Southeastern Brazil, based on their stomach contents. For 12 items we were able to determine the direction of the ingestion. Most snakes ingested the prey head-first. A cluster analysis was conducted with items grouped as chilopods, mollusks, adult anurans, anuran tadpoles, lizards, amphisbaenians, snakes, and rodents. The phylogenetic influence on diet preferences is discussed.

scholarly journals Seasonal Occurence of Food and Feeding Habit of Labeo bata(Hamilton) (Cypriniformes : Cyprinidae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Abdur Razzaq Joadder
Keyword(s):  
Food Habits ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Feeding Habit ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Feeding Intensity ◽  
Higher Plant ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Labeo Bata ◽  
Food And Feeding ◽  
Potential Food

Food and feeding habits of fishes have a great significance in aquaculture practices. It helps to select such species of fishes for culture which will utilize all the available potential food of the water bodies without much competition with one another but will live in association with other fishes. This paper deals with the feeding intensity and food habits of L. bata . Food and feeding habit of freshwater minor carp Labeo bata (120 to 250 mm total length) were studied. The fish is a herbivore, feeding mainly on algae (22.32 %), higher plant parts (31.26 %), protozoans (7.42 %), crustaceans (15.33 %), insects (3.56 %), muds, sand, debris and detritus (16.32 %) and unidentified food materials (3.99%).Journal of Science Foundation, 2014;12(1):7-15

scholarly journals Food Habits of Dabbling Ducks During Fall Migration in a Prairie Pothole System, Heron Lake, Minnesota

2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M. Wersal ◽  
Brock R. McMillan ◽  
John D. Madsen
Keyword(s):  
Food Habits ◽  
Food Item ◽  
Dabbling Ducks ◽  
Prairie Pothole ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Dabbling Duck ◽  
Stuckenia Pectinata ◽  
Polygonum Lapathifolium ◽  
Volume Method

We conducted an analysis of dabbling duck food habits in the fall of 2002 and 2003 in the Heron Lake system. Gizzard contents of hunter-harvested birds were analyzed using the percent aggregate volume method to determine what food items were consumed and in what quantity. Curltop Ladysthumb (Polygonum lapathifolium) was the food item consumed most often (82.2%) and in the greatest volume (34.2 ml). Sago Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata) was the only food item of which multiple plant parts were consumed. However, the seeds and tubers only comprised 1.27 and 0.07 of the total aggregate percent.

Eléments minéraux du régime alimentaire du campagnol des champs, Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord.)

1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1565-1570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Marie Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Régime Alimentaire ◽  
Reproductive Condition ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Calcium Phosphorus ◽  
Males And Females

One hundred and ninety-five meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord.) were captured by means of 485 traps installed each month during the summer of 1974 in four types of culture. The analysis of minerals in their diet indicates low variation in potassium levels, whereas nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels appear to be much more environment-dependent. There are a few differences between the diets of males and females. Stomach contents of captured voles do not vary significantly from one type of culture to another, but the physiological reproductive condition of the animals accounts for significant differences in stomach contents.[Journal translation]

scholarly journals Food and Feeding Habits of Black Spot Cat Fish (Auchenoglanis biscutatus) from Lower River Benue, Makurdi

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Edem, Edem Thomas ◽  
Patience B. Opeh
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Black Spot ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Stomach Content Analysis ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Food And Feeding

The present study is aimed to provide information on the food and feeding habit of adult Auchenoglanis biscutatus in Lower River Benue. The natural food of A. biscutatus in the Lower River Benue was studied from stomach contents of the fish. The stomach contents were analyzed using two methods; the frequency of occurrence and point methods. A total of 100 stomachs were randomly examined. Eleven major items constituted the diet of A. biscutatus. The stomach content analysis of A. biscutatus have shown that they fed on the various food items ranging from plant parts, detritus, seeds, digested food particles, fish parts, mollusc, sand/mud, insect parts and algae. This indicates that A. biscutatus is an omnivorous bottom feeder since; bottom dwelling immature insects dominated most of the food items of animal origin, digested food and detritus. A. biscutatus in Lower Benue River feeds on a wide range of food items which could make it to be regarded as an omnivore. Future attempts to culture this species must take cognizance of its food habits in the wild.

Allelopathic Potential ofPluchea lanceolata:Comparative Studies of Cultivated Fields

Weed Science ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 393-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inderjit ◽  
K. M. M. Dakshini
Keyword(s):  
Phenolic Content ◽  
Total Phenolics ◽  
Crop Plants ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Chemical Characteristics ◽  
Allelopathic Potential ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Group I ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Group Ii

The study was undertaken to compare the level of total phenolics and the allelopathic potential ofPluchea lanceolatain soils cultivated once or twice a year. Thirty-five cultivated fields were sampled from seven sites in three different seasons. The leaf area, leaf weight, height, and density ofP. lanceolataplants were measured. Leaves ofP. lanceolatawere analyzed for nine chemical characteristics: leaf ash, total phenolics, phosphate, Cu, Zn, Na, K, Mg, and Ca. Weed-infested topsoil and subsoil were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, chloride, bicarbonate, total carbonate, phosphate, total phenolics, Zn, Na, K, Mg, and Ca. Fields cultivated twice a year were designated as Group I, while those cultivated once a year were designated as Group II. Biotic and chemical characteristics of plants of Group I and II were not different. Topsoil and subsoil of Group II had higher values for Ca, while topsoil of Group I had higher values for total phenolics. The higher phenolic content of Group I topsoil was probably due to greater incorporation of weed plant parts into the soils as compared to Group II fields. Seedling growth of crop plants such as radish, carrot, maize, mustard, tomato, turnip, and wheat was affected more by soil fromP. lanceolata-infested fields that were cultivated twice a year than those cultivated only once. A correlation between higher total phenolic content ofP. lanceolata-infested topsoil with two cultivations, and growth response of crop plants was recorded.

FOOD PARTITIONING AMONG FISHES IN PAHANG RIVER-ESTUARY, MALAYSIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azfar, A. M. ◽  
Jalal K. C. A. ◽  
Siti-Waznah, A.
Keyword(s):  
Food Resource ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Monsoon Period ◽  
Fish Food ◽  
Microbial Decomposition ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Food And Feeding ◽  
Food Partitioning ◽  
Food Resource Partitioning

A study was conducted on the food resource partitioning among fish species in Pahang River-estuary from 2010-2013 during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon period. The area was divided in three strata (upstream, downstream and middle zone), based on environmental features. Stomach contents of all species present were analyzed. From 138 of total stomach analyzed, 24 of them were empty and 114 were with food. From the analysis of prey in the stomachs, various kinds of food items consumed by the different size of fishes included phytoplankton, zooplankton, unidentified materials, fish, fish parts, shrimp, shrimp parts, crab, crab parts, plant parts, mollusk and detritus. Detritus consisted of all types of biogenic materials in various stages of microbial decomposition. Different fishes consume different types of food and feeding habit of fishes varies from season to season. From the percentage of number and occurrence of food resources, zooplankton are important in their own right as a major component of fish diets and are especially important to small and young individuals, even for the detrivore. Nevertheless, it represents an important trophic resource for fish food web of Pahang River-estuary.

scholarly journals Analysis of food habits of skate Rioraja agassizii (Elasmobranchii, Rajidae) from southern Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. S. Motta ◽  
N. Della-Fina ◽  
C. C. A. Souza ◽  
E. S. Rodrigues ◽  
A. F. Amorim
Keyword(s):  
Food Habits ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Feeding Preference ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Index Of Relative Importance ◽  
Shrimp Abundance

Abstract Catches and exports of skate Rioraja agassizii place this species as “vulnerable to extinction” on the IUCN Red List; therefore, biological and ecological knowledge becomes an important instrument for its conservation control. This study described and quantified the diet composition of R. agassizii by means of stomach analysis contents in the periods 2005-2006 and 2012-2013. We analyzed and quantified stomach contents in terms of abundance (%N), weight (%M), frequency of occurrence (% FO), and index of relative importance (IRI). The results showed differences in the food rates between the periods. However, the groups of food items were the same: Teleostei fish, decapods, and mollusks. In 2005-2006, the diet consisted mainly of shrimp, however, in 2012-2013 it consisted of fish, followed by decapods, especially shrimps. The differences in diets may be attributed to shrimp abundance, which do not characterize a change in the eating habits in 2012-2013, because, in addition to fish, shrimps were also important food sources. The presence of a certain prey is more related to its availability rather than the feeding preference of skate. The amount of ingested items is associated to biological and environmental factors, so that further studies relating diet with capture area, seasonality, depth, and other factors should be conducted.

NITROGENASE ACTIVITY, PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND TOTAL NONSTRUCTURAL CARBOHYDRATES IN COWPEA DURING AND AFTER DROUGHT STRESS

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 1005-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. PARARAJASINGHAM ◽  
D. P. KNIEVEL
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Stomatal Conductance ◽  
Vigna Unguiculata ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Total Nonstructural Carbohydrates ◽  
Nonstructural Carbohydrate ◽  
And Control

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine whether depressed nitrogenase activity (NA) of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) nodules during drought stress is associated with altered carbohydrate supply to the nodules. Nitrogenase activity of the nodules, midday abaxial stomatal conductance, leaf net photosynthesis and mg total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) g−1 dry weight of several plant parts were measured in cowpea subjected to and recovering from drought stress periods of 0, 4 and 8 days. In addition, cowpea plants were shaded or partially defoliated (75% leaf removal) to limit carbohydrate supply to the nodules of well-watered plants. Stomatal conductance, leaf net photosynthesis and nodule NA declined 60, 62 and 90%, respectively, within 4 d of withholding water. After 8 d of drought stress, leaf net photosynthesis and nodule NA were near zero. Stomatal conductance and leaf net photosynthesis returned to the level of unstressed plants within 24 h following rewatering while recovery of NA was delayed. Shading and defoliation of cowpea plants under well watered conditions decreased NA 62 and 44%, respectively. TNC concentrations of leaves, petioles, stems, roots and nodules did not differ appreciably between drought stressed and control plants. In contrast, TNC concentrations of shoot plant parts from shaded or defoliated plants declined significantly compared to controls and nodule TNC concentrations declined in shaded plants. The decline in NA by cowpea nodules during drought stress did not appear to be directly associated with carbohydrate supply to the nodules, but rather the result of a new equilibrium attained with overall limited plant growth under the stress.Key words: Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., nitrogenase activity, drought stress recovery, assimilate stress, shading, defoliation, total nonstructural carbohydrate

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document