An appraisal of some techniques used to investigate the feeding ecology of large herbivores with reference to a study on impala in the northern Transvaal

Abstract

The techniques of microscopic analysis of rumen contents and dung, and the use of tame animals to study the feeding ecology of wild ungulates are discussed with reference to their use on impala in the Savanna Ecosystem Project at Nylsvley in the northern Transvaal. Both techniques usually suffer from small sample sizes but if this is avoided they can provide much useful information. Observations on tame animals and the analysis of rumen contents of wild animals can supply good qualitative and quantitative data but the results obtained from faecal analysis are less reliable and only qualitative.

Diet composition and interspecific niche of Taohongling Sika deer (Cervus nippon kopschi) and its sympatric Reeve’s muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) and Chinese hare (Lepus sinensis) in winter (Animalia, Mammalia)

“…Therefore, diet analysis can serve to understand a species’ access to resources and habitat distribution to facilitate population conservation and recovery of endangered species. The study of diet mainly includes stomach contents analysis, indirect utilization methods, direct tracking observation, microscopic fecal analysis, and DNA metabarcoding analysis ( Monro 1982 ; Zheng and Bao 2004 ; Lu et al 2020 ). Stomach contents analysis is more accurate for identifying food resources but collecting stomach contents requires sacrificing animals ( Fujii et al 2019 ).…”

Moose winter diet components from feces and field feeding signs: consistency and variability related to forage availability and nutritional requirements

“…Diet composition and nutritional component analysis are important for revealing the interrelationship between wildlife and the habitat. The familiar methods of it for wildlife, including rumen contents analysis (Arceo et al 2005); direct observation by counting bite (Monro 1982); utilization method through surveying the signs of bite on the field vegetation (Maillard and Picard 1987); fecal analysis (Putman 1984). Other lesser used methods for specific purpose of research, including the n-alkane technique (Mayes et al 1986) and fecal near infrared spectroscopy (Walker et al 1998).…”

A comparison of woody browse selection by hand-raised, boma-adapted and wild black rhinoceros, <i>Diceros bicornis,</i> L. in Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe

“…Although the rhinoceros can be highly selective for a few food species and plant sizes (Emslie & Adcock 1994), the species has the ability to feed on a variety of plants, at least in small quantities (Oloo et al 1994). Monro (1982) asserted that tame animals have similar food habits to those of their wild counter-parts. However, Monro did not distinguish between wild captured and tamed adult animals or young hand-raised animals.…”