Sex, age, and seasonal variation in the foraging dynamics of muskoxen, Ovibos moschatus, in Greenland

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 1344-1361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mads C. Forchhammer
Keyword(s):  
Forage Quality ◽  
Dwarf Shrub ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Ovibos Moschatus ◽  
Daily Feeding ◽  
Forage Availability ◽  
Behavioural Strategy ◽  
Energy Conserving ◽  
Reproductive Activities

The relationship between resources (forage availability and quality) and the foraging dynamics of muskoxen, Ovibos moschatus, was studied in Angujaartorfiup Nunaa, western Greenland, during spring (calving, post calving), summer, autumn (rut), and midwinter. Muskoxen did select among vegetation types in all seasons but calving. During the postcalving period, summer, and rut, the vegetation types meadow, moist dwarf shrub heath, and grassland were preferred, whereas meadow, moist dwarf shrub heath, and steppe were selected during midwinter. The relative availability of graminoids in vegetation types did not correlate with selection of vegetation types. Seasonal patterns of daily feeding time were negatively correlated with forage quality, whereas no correlation with forage availability was found. Seasonal rumination times were negatively correlated with both availability and quality of forage. The length of rumination time is apparently not solely explained by variations in forage quality. Results presented here indicate that rumination time is also a behavioural strategy of muskoxen. Movement rates did not correlate with forage availability. During midwinter, muskoxen did not respond to low forage quality by increasing daily feeding time as was seen during calving. Instead, an energy-conserving strategy was observed, where a relatively larger proportion of time was allocated to resting, i.e., nonruminating. Bachelor herds and mixed herds differed in daily feeding time and habitat use during the prerutting and rutting season. Prior to the rutting season, muskox bulls increased energy intake to compensate for the subsequent allocation of time to reproductive activities. During the short arctic growing season, muskoxen in western Greenland decreased daily feeding time, whereas those in eastern Greenland increased feeding time. This difference in foraging dynamics is hypothesised to be a result of differences in biotic and abiotic constraints imposed on muskoxen in these two regions.

Ecological consequences of scaling of chew cycle duration and daily feeding time in Primates

2009 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 570-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Callum F. Ross ◽  
Rhyan L. Washington ◽  
Alison Eckhardt ◽  
David A. Reed ◽  
Erin R. Vogel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Time ◽  
Cycle Duration ◽  
Ecological Consequences ◽  
Daily Feeding

scholarly journals Performance of the nile tilapia with varying daily feeding amounts, using a commercial diet

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Glacio Souza Araujo ◽  
Rafael Lustosa Maciel ◽  
Thales da Silva Moreira ◽  
Jefferson Pablo de Sousa Saboya ◽  
Renato Teixeira Moreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nile Tilapia ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Fish Growth ◽  
Daily Treatment ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Commercial Diet ◽  
Daily Feeding ◽  
Randomized Design

In order to evaluate the performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), daily feeding amounts were varied in an experiment following a completely randomized design for 154 days and consisting of four treatments with three replications each, totaling 12 tanks with 3 m3 (3 x 1 x 1 m) of area each at densities of 5 fish m-3 (initial) and 3 fish m-3 until the end of the experiment. Throughout the experimental period, the daily amount of feed was varied and delimited for each feeding time (8h00, 11h00, 14h00 and 17h00) as: 25; 25; 25 and 25% in daily treatment 1 - T1; 20; 30; 30 and 20% in treatment 2 - T2; 30; 20; 20 and 30% in daily treatment 3 - T3; and 20; 30; 20 and 30% in treatment 4 - T4. Feed was offered six days a week, with extruded isocaloric (1,412 KJ) and isoproteic (32% crude protein) diets from 2 to 4 mm. Every two weeks, a sample containing 30% of stocked individuals was collected in each replication to monitor fish growth. Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) fed in daily amounts of 20; 30; 20 and 30% showed a better growth performance in the final of experiment, mainly on biomass, final average weight and feed conversion.

A comparison of the digestibility by pigs of whole and rolled sorghum grain fed either in restricted amounts or ad libitum

1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (37) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
RM Beames
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Whole Grain ◽  
Daily Feeding ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Sorghum Grain

Digestibility comparisons were made between whole and rolled sorghum when pigs were fed either ad libitum or at restricted levels. The method of restriction was to limit each of two daily feeding periods to 15 minutes. The organic matter and N.F.E. digestibility coefficients were higher for rolled grain than for whole grain. Restriction of feeding time had no significant effect on digestibility coefficients of rolled grain. The data indicate a tendency for digestion to be poorest when whole grain is given for restricted feeding periods.

Restricted daily feeding during nursing period resets circadian locomotor rhythm of infant rats

1987 ◽  
Vol 252 (2) ◽  
pp. R262-R268
Author(s):  
S. Honma ◽  
K. Honma ◽  
T. Hiroshige
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Control Zone ◽  
Locomotor Rhythm ◽  
Daily Feeding ◽  
Rat Pups ◽  
Free Running ◽  
Phase Setting ◽  
Free Running Period

Phase setting of the circadian rhythm by restricted daily feeding (RF) was examined in rat pups. Feeding of virgin, pregnant, and nursing rats together with pups was restricted to 4 h at a fixed time of the day. Phases of the circadian rhythm developed in neonatally blinded pups were measured on the day of weaning to evaluate the effect of RF on phase setting. The activity onset and offset of the locomotor rhythm were used for the phase reference. In blinded pups born and raised under ad libitum feeding, the phase at weaning was a function of the free-running period measured after weaning and located in a narrow range (control zone). When RF was imposed from 2 wk prior to the conception (C) until weaning (3w), the pups phases were located outside the control zone and related to the feeding time. To identify the period in which the phase setting is effective, RF was imposed during 5 different periods (C-0w, C-1w, C-2w, 2-6w, and 3-6w). The circadian rhythm of all pups in the C-2w group and some in the C-1w was phase set, but those in other groups were not affected. It is concluded that RF imposed during the early nursing period is capable of phase setting the circadian system of blinded infant rats.x

Seasonal variations in physiological and behavioural parameters in a bachelor group of stallion ponies (Equus caballus)

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. G. Davies Morel ◽  
S. D. McBride ◽  
R. S. Chiam ◽  
A. McKay ◽  
E. Ely
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Day Length ◽  
Testis Size ◽  
Adaptive Changes ◽  
Forage Availability ◽  
Energy Conserving

AbstractAnimals living in temperate climates are continually adapting to seasonal demands of reproduction and survival. Whilst it is well documented that ruminants show seasonal changes in both reproductive and non-reproductive physiological and behavioural characteristics (reduction of metabolic rate and appetite during the winter with respective increases during spring and summer), this information has not been fully established in the non-ruminating ungulate species of Equidae. This may be important information from a practical management perspective since groups of equids are increasingly being kept in natural conditions for the purposes of conservation grazing.The aim of this study, therefore, was to document the behavioural and physiological adaptive changes made by ponies during a 12-month period and to relate these to changes in forage availability and environment. Five mature pony stallions were kept in west Wales (4°5′W, 52°25′N) and monitored for 12 months. A range of physiological (testis size, body weight, condition score (CS), hoof growth, moult (M), pelage fibre length, depth and density) and behavioural measurements (foraging and non-foraging activities) were recorded along with monthly forage analysis (crude protein (CP), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC)), dry matter (DM)) and environmental conditions (day length and minimum ambient temperature). All physiological measurements were significantly (P<0·001 to P<0·05, r2=0·16 to 0·69) related to day length and all except testis size, body weight and M were significantly related to minimum temperature, CS (P<0·001; r2=0·583), hoof growth (P<0·001; r2=0·457), pelage fibre length (P<0·001; r2=0·61), pelage fibre depth (P<0·001; r2=0·489) and pelage density (P<0·05; r2=0·192). Fewer significant relationships were observed in relation to forage characteristics; significances only obtained between CP and CS (P<0·001; r2=0·854), fibre length (P<0·01; r2=0·625) and pelage fibre depth (P<0·01; r2=0·624); between DM and CS (P<0·05; r2=0·352) and pelage fibre depth (P<0·05; r2=0·343); between WSC and pelage fibre depth (P<0·01; r2=0·55) and pelage fibre depth (P<0·05; r2=0·34). Behaviour results showed a significant relationship between time spent alert and day-length (P<0·05; r2=0·35) and between minimum ambient temperature and time spent eating (P<0·05; r2=0·37), locomotory behaviour (P<0·01; r2=0·53) and passive interaction (P=0·001; r2=0·63). A significant relationship was also reported between eating and CP (P<0·01; r2=0·53) as well as DM (P=0·01; r2=0·43). The ponies in this study demonstrated a series of adaptive changes during winter concomitant with energy conservation, however, forage availability and intake also decreased indicating lower energy input. Despite energy conserving adaptations it is unlikely that nutrient intake was adequate to account for the limited winter decline in CS and weight. In conclusion, it was considered that: (a) ponies demonstrated physiological and behavioural adaptation in response to environmental demands, (b) during winter ponies demonstrated behaviours indicative of a cost benefit analysis of expending energy in the pursuit of poor quality forage, (c) despite energy conserving adaptations, intake is unlikely to have been adequate to maintain the CS observed, and (d) reduction in metabolic rate and increased food conversion efficiency may be additional adaptations made during times of environmental challenge.

Effects of Daily Feeding Time and Frequency on Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatusProduction in Earthen Ponds

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menghe H. Li ◽  
Bruce B. Manning ◽  
Daniel F. Oberle ◽  
Edwin H. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Channel Catfish ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Daily Feeding ◽  
Earthen Ponds

scholarly journals Contrasting radiation and soil heat fluxes in Arctic shrub and wet sedge tundra

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 4049-4064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Juszak ◽  
Werner Eugster ◽  
Monique M. P. D. Heijmans ◽  
Gabriela Schaepman-Strub
Keyword(s):  
Active Layer ◽  
Arctic Tundra ◽  
Dwarf Shrub ◽  
Radiation Budget ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Transmitted Radiation ◽  
Dwarf Shrubs ◽  
North East

Abstract. Vegetation changes, such as shrub encroachment and wetland expansion, have been observed in many Arctic tundra regions. These changes feed back to permafrost and climate. Permafrost can be protected by soil shading through vegetation as it reduces the amount of solar energy available for thawing. Regional climate can be affected by a reduction in surface albedo as more energy is available for atmospheric and soil heating. Here, we compared the shortwave radiation budget of two common Arctic tundra vegetation types dominated by dwarf shrubs (Betula nana) and wet sedges (Eriophorum angustifolium) in North-East Siberia. We measured time series of the shortwave and longwave radiation budget above the canopy and transmitted radiation below the canopy. Additionally, we quantified soil temperature and heat flux as well as active layer thickness. The mean growing season albedo of dwarf shrubs was 0.15 ± 0.01, for sedges it was higher (0.17 ± 0.02). Dwarf shrub transmittance was 0.36 ± 0.07 on average, and sedge transmittance was 0.28 ± 0.08. The standing dead leaves contributed strongly to the soil shading of wet sedges. Despite a lower albedo and less soil shading, the soil below dwarf shrubs conducted less heat resulting in a 17 cm shallower active layer as compared to sedges. This result was supported by additional, spatially distributed measurements of both vegetation types. Clouds were a major influencing factor for albedo and transmittance, particularly in sedge vegetation. Cloud cover reduced the albedo by 0.01 in dwarf shrubs and by 0.03 in sedges, while transmittance was increased by 0.08 and 0.10 in dwarf shrubs and sedges, respectively. Our results suggest that the observed deeper active layer below wet sedges is not primarily a result of the summer canopy radiation budget. Soil properties, such as soil albedo, moisture, and thermal conductivity, may be more influential, at least in our comparison between dwarf shrub vegetation on relatively dry patches and sedge vegetation with higher soil moisture.

scholarly journals Contrasting radiation and soil heat fluxes in Arctic shrub and wet sedge tundra

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Juszak ◽  
Werner Eugster ◽  
Monique M. P. D. Heijmans ◽  
Gabriela Schaepman-Strub
Keyword(s):  
Active Layer ◽  
Arctic Tundra ◽  
Dwarf Shrub ◽  
Radiation Budget ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Transmitted Radiation ◽  
Dwarf Shrubs ◽  
North East

Abstract. Vegetation changes, such as shrub encroachment and wetland expansion, have been observed in many Arctic tundra regions. These changes feed back to permafrost and climate. Permafrost can be protected by soil shading through vegetation as it reduces the amount of solar energy available for thawing. Regional climate can be affected by a reduction in surface albedo as more energy is available for atmospheric and soil heating. Here, we compared the shortwave radiation budget of two common Arctic tundra vegetation types dominated by dwarf shrubs (Betula nana) and wet sedges (Eriophorum angustifolium) in North-East Siberia. We measured time series of the shortwave and longwave radiation budget above the canopy and transmitted radiation below the canopy. Additionally, we quantified soil temperature and heat flux as well as active layer thickness. The mean growing season albedo of dwarf shrubs was 0.15 ± 0.01, for sedges it was higher (0.17 ± 0.02). Dwarf shrub transmittance was 0.36 ± 0.07 on average, and sedge transmittance was 0.28 ± 0.08. The standing dead leaves contributed strongly to the soil shading of wet sedges. Despite a lower albedo and less soil shading, the soil below dwarf shrubs conducted less heat resulting in a 17 cm shallower active layer as compared to sedges. This result was supported by additional, spatially distributed measurements of both vegetation types. Clouds were a major influencing factor for albedo and transmittance, particularly in sedge vegetation. Cloud cover reduced the albedo by 0.01 in dwarf shrubs and by 0.03 in sedges, while transmittance was increased by 0.08 and 0.10 in dwarf shrubs and sedges, respectively. Our results suggest that the observed deeper active layer below wet sedges is not primarily a result of the summer canopy radiation budget. Soil properties, such as soil albedo, moisture, and thermal conductivity, may be more influential, at least in our comparison between dwarf shrub vegetation on relatively dry patches and sedge vegetation with higher soil moisture.

Effects of Diets with Different Ratios of Neutral Detergent Fiber to Non-Fibrous Carbohydrates on Feeding Behavior in Transition Holstein Cows

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Ming Huang ◽  
Li Bin Wang ◽  
Xin Xu ◽  
Li Yin
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Feeding Rate ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Daily Feeding ◽  
Transition Cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of close-up diets with increased ratios of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) to non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) on feeding behavior in transition cows. Thirty-nine dry cows were blocked, assigned randomly to three groups and fed diets with a low (1.07, LF), medium (1.41, MF) or high (2.08, HF) NDF:NFC ratio from 21 d prior to the expected day of calving. After parturition, all cows were fed the same diet for a further 35 d. The average DMI decreased as the ratio of NDF:NFC increased at -3 weeks (Wk) and -2 Wk and increased at +5 Wk plessthan 0.05). The average daily feeding time was lower and the average feeding rate was higher (plessthan 0.05) for LF cows compared with MF and HF cows during prepartum. In conclusion, a prepartum diet with increased ratios of NDF:NFC decreased the DMI and feeding rate, increased daily feeding times and visits prepartum and was beneficial in increasing DMI postpartum.

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