Abstract:
The success of conservation programs for the taruka (Hippocamelus antisensis d\'Orbigny), an endemic and endangered deer, depends on many factors, highlighting anthropogenic and ecological effects. Among the latter, how this herbivore interacts with forage resources is important. The objective of the study was to describe the main attributes of the diet of this deer in rangelands adjacent to agricultural areas of the foothills of the Tarapacá Region, Chile. The botanical composition of the diet (BCD) was determined by microhistology of feces and fecal nitrogen (NF, %) was measured in two contrasting seasons (rainy summer and dry winter). From the BCD and FN, their relative diversity (J) and crude protein percentage were estimated. In the BCD, Medicago sativa dominated (27.6 ± 8.2% vs. 53.9 ± 9.2%, in rainy summer and dry end winter, respectively), followed by herbaceous dicots (46.2 ± 9.4% vs. 19.4 ± 8.7%) and shrubby species (21.5 ± 7.8% vs. 23.4 ± 7.0%), from rangelands. The contribution of grasses and graminoid species was low, not exceeding 3% and 0.4% of the diet, respectively, with no differences between seasons of the year. Intake of horticultural crop species was marginal (1.3 ± 1.3%), being detected only in the wet season. Diet relative diversity was higher during the wet period (0.75 ± 0.07) compared to the dry period (0.58 ± 0.06), since in the first period it was possible to find a greater number of palatable species. There were no significant differences in the FN attributed to the time of the year (average of 1.8 ± 0.19%), which indicates that the diet of this deer would be stable in terms of its protein quality. These FN levels estimate sufficient dietary protein content to satisfy maintenance and early pregnancy, but these could be limiting during late gestation and lactation.
摘要:
塔鲁卡(Hippocamelusantisensisd\'Orbigny)的保护计划的成功,一种特有的濒临灭绝的鹿,取决于许多因素,突出人为和生态效应。在后者中,这种草食动物如何与牧草资源相互作用很重要。研究的目的是描述这种鹿在塔拉帕卡地区山麓农业区附近的牧场中饮食的主要属性,智利。通过粪便和粪便氮的微组织学(NF,%)是在两个对比季节(多雨的夏季和干燥的冬季)测量的。从BCD和FN,估计了它们的相对多样性(J)和粗蛋白百分比。在BCD中,紫花苜蓿占主导地位(27.6±8.2%vs.53.9±9.2%,在多雨的夏天和干燥的冬天,分别),其次是草本双子叶植物(46.2±9.4%vs.19.4±8.7%)和灌木物种(21.5±7.8%vs.23.4±7.0%),来自牧场。草和禾本科物种的贡献很低,不超过饮食的3%和0.4%,分别,一年中的季节之间没有差异。园艺作物种类的摄入量很少(1.3±1.3%),只在雨季被发现。与干旱时期(0.58±0.06)相比,潮湿时期(0.75±0.07)的饮食相对多样性更高,因为在第一阶段,有可能找到更多的可口物种。由于年份的时间而导致的FN没有显着差异(平均为1.8±0.19%),这表明这种鹿的饮食在蛋白质质量方面是稳定的。这些FN水平估计足够的膳食蛋白质含量,以满足维持和早期妊娠,但这些可能在妊娠晚期和哺乳期受到限制。