Seasonal composition and quality of red deer Cervus elaphus diets in northeastern China

• Autorzy: Chen H. , Ma J. , Li F. , Sun Z. , Wang H. , Luo L. , Li F.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Seasonal composition and quality of diets of red deer Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758 were investigated, basing on microhistolagical analysis of composite fecal samples in the Less Xingan Mountains, northeastern China. Red deer consumed more graminoids (46%) in spring, shifted to forbs (45%) in summer, and returned to graminoids (35%) in autumn. Availability and high quality [high level of crude protein (CP), and low level of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in farbs in summer] appeared to be two key factors causing these changes in diets. Winter diets were dominated by browses (74%) and the horsetails Equisetum hiernale (21%). Three forbs (Oxalix corniculata, Caltha palustris, Agrimonia pilosa) were prevalent in diets during snow-free seasons, and aspen (Populus spp.) was an important browse species in all seasons, especially in winter (32%). Forage and diet quality changed seasonally. Dietary CP and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) declined significantly from spring to winter (from 19.6 to 6.4% and from 61.1 to 32.9%, respectively). In contrast, dietary NDF and ADF increased from 55.6 to 69.9% and from 27.9 to 54.3%, respectively. Red deer diets showed different patterns of seasonal variation in mineral contents. In most cases, dietary Ca, P and K were adequate, but Na appeared deficient all the year round. It is concluded that red deer in this region are typical mixed feeders and their diet shows seasonal changes in quality, similar to those of North American wapiti. Although red deer may have enough protein in most seasons, energy might be a key limiting factor in severe winters.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

diet; red deer; Cervus elaphus; winter diet; China; diet composition; deer; forage quality; diet quality

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Theriologica
• Rocznik: 1998
• Tom: 43
• Numer: 1
• Opis fizyczny: p.77-94,fig.

Twórcy

autor

Chen H.

• Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P.R. China

autor

Ma J.

autor

Li F.

autor

Sun Z.

autor

Wang H.

autor

Luo L.

autor

Li F.

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