Dietary protein selection in a free-ranging urban population of common myna birds

Machovsky‐Capuska, Gabriel E.; Senior, Alistair M.; Zantis, Simon P.; Barna, Katherine; Cowieson, A. J.; Pandya, Sarika; Pavard, Christophe; Shiels, Michael; Raubenheimer, David

doi:10.1093/beheco/arv142

Cited by 42 publications

(47 citation statements)

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“…Research is increasingly examining the importance of nutrient balancing for ecology. Empirical studies have demonstrated that nutrient balance is the primary dietary determinant of key demographic parameters such as life span and reproduction (Solon‐Biet et al., ) and strongly influences animal migration (Nie et al., ; Simpson, Sword, Lorch, & Couzin, ) and the spread of invasive species (Machovsky‐Capuska, Senior, Zantis, et al., ). Theoretical studies have examined the relevance of nutrient balance for the conservation of critically endangered species (Raubenheimer & Simpson, ) and for population and community ecology (Raubenheimer, Simpson, & Mayntz, ; Simpson, Raubenheimer, Charleston, Clissold, & Network, ; Sperfeld, Wagner, Halvorson, Malishev, & Raubenheimer, ), including its importance for the seminal ecological concept of the dietary niche (Machovsky‐Capuska, Senior, Simpson, & Raubenheimer, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient‐specific compensation for seasonal cold stress in a free‐ranging temperate colobine monkey

et al. 2018

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Homeostatic responses of animals to environmentally induced changes in nutrient requirements provide a powerful basis for predictive ecological models, and yet, such responses are virtually unstudied in the wild. We tested for macronutrient‐specific compensatory feeding responses by free‐ranging golden snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) inhabiting high altitude temperate forests, where they experience a substantial difference in ambient temperature in cold winters vs. warmer springs. The monkeys had free access to natural foods throughout the year, and to ensure that any seasonal differences in nutrient intake were due to homeostatic compensation and not constraints on food availability, we studied the monkeys during periods in which they were provisioned with the same amount of supplementary foods in winter and spring. Thermoregulatory energy costs in winter and spring were calculated using partitional calorimetric estimations of convective and radiative heat loss obtained from thermal imaging of free‐ranging monkeys in situ. Daily nutrient intakes were measured using continuous focal follows (average 6.9 hr/day) of free‐ranging individuals (27 days in spring and 28 days in winter). We used a nutritional geometry framework to integrate these data and test three predictions: (a) In order to remain thermoneutral (balance heat loss with heat expenditure), golden snub‐nosed monkeys increase daily energy consumption during the winter compared to spring; (b) this increase is achieved specifically by increasing intake of the primary energetic nutrients, carbohydrate and lipid, relative to protein; and (c) the seasonal increase in ingested fat and carbohydrate calories will quantitatively match the additional thermoregulatory costs in winter compared with spring. Our results showed that daily metabolisable energy intake in winter (721.5 kJ/mbm) was 1.8 times that in spring (399 kJ/mbm). As predicted, this difference was specific to fat and carbohydrate, whereas seasonal protein intake did not differ significantly. Winter consumption of fat and carbohydrate was 326 kJ/mbm per day greater than in spring, a value that closely matched the seasonal difference in the daily energetic costs of thermoregulation (329 kJ/mbm). This is the first study to test for a match between nutrient‐specific homeostatic compensation and environmentally induced perturbations in nutrient requirements in free‐ranging animals and underpins the potential for the homeostasis framework to provide predictive power to ecological models.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient‐specific compensation for seasonal cold stress in a free‐ranging temperate colobine monkey

et al. 2018

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“…As in experiment 1, birds had access to food (DP) and water ad libitum during acclimatization. Over the course of the following three days, each bird was presented with a simultaneous choice of three semi‐synthetic pellet foods that were isoenergetic (2600 kcal g –1 ), but differed in their macronutrient composition (P, L, C) (for details see Machovsky‐Capuska et al ()). During tests, 25 g of each food was placed in one of the three small individual plastic bottles attached to one side of the cage so that they could not be tipped over (see photography in Supplementary material Appendix 1 Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For experiment 2, we obtained the macronutrient composition of diets (expressed as P:L:C dry mass ratios) from the consumption of semi‐synthetic foods. We then compared our results with the 1) null hypothesis of consumption of equal amounts (dry mass), 2) macronutrient composition (dry mass) of the diet of free‐ranging mynas as determined by stomach content analyses (Sengupta , see Machovsky‐Capuska et al for more details), and 3) macronutrient composition (dry mass) of the diet obtained using an experimental ‘cafeteria’ design (Machovsky‐Capuska et al ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on the traditional approach of quantifying dietary generalism in terms of foods consumed, mynas are documented to be generalist omnivores. Indeed, the species has been reported to consume a broad range of foods including invertebrates, plants, fruits, and human discards (Moeed , , Sengupta , Pell and Tidemann , Machovsky‐Capuska et al ). Diet generalism is a well‐established predictor of invasion success (Cassey , Blackburn et al ) and is likely to explain some part of the myna's extraordinary worldwide ecological success.…”

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Tasting novel foods and selecting nutrient content in a highly successful ecological invader, the common myna

Peneaux

Machovsky‐Capuska

Raubenheimer

et al. 2017

Journal of Avian Biology

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Invasion success is dependent on the ability of a species to discover and exploit novel food resources. Within this context, individuals must be willing to taste novel foods. They must also be capable of evaluating the nutritional content of new foods, and selecting their relative intake in order to fulfil their nutritional needs. Whereas the former capacity is well studied, little is known about the latter capacity. First, using the common myna as a model avian invader species, we quantified the willingness of mynas to taste novel foods relative to familiar ones. Mynas readily tasted high protein (HP) novel foods and consumed them in higher quantities compared to a familiar food. Data showed that at three different levels – mixes, ingredients and macronutrients – intake could not be explained by a random model. In experiment 2, we confirmed that mynas were making their selection based on protein (P) content rather than a selection for novelty per se. When given the choice of three equally unfamiliar foods, mynas again ate disproportionately from the high protein relative to high lipid and high carbohydrate foods. Analysis revealed that mynas consumed amounts of protein that were closer to the ones in their natural diet. Finally, in experiment 3, we measured inter‐individual variation in innovation and exploration propensities, and examined associations with inter‐individual variation in consumption of specific macronutrients. This analysis revealed that individuals that selected HP pellets were more exploratory and individuals that selected HC pellets were quicker to solve the innovative foraging task. These findings indicate that not only the willingness to taste novel foods, but also the capacity to evaluate their nutritional content, might be central to the myna's substantial ecological success.

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“…Animal body has to perform different mechanical activities for which they need energy derived from food (Machovsky et al, 2016 ;Okoro et al, 2016 ). To maintain the body structure and to support the growth, nutrients are required which are also provided by food (Elliott et al, Vol.…”

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A study on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) emphasising breeding season and feeding behaviour in captivity

Naseer

Anjum

Munir

et al. 2018

IJAR

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Present research was planned to evaluate the breeding and feeding behaviour of Indian peafowl reared in captivity at Zoological Gardens of Government and Private Sector. For feeding behaviour, a total of fifty pairs (n=100) of Pavo cristatus at both Government Zoological Gardens (n=25pairs) and Private Sectors (n=25pairs) were observed on daily basis. The breeding season of Indian peafowl is not fixed but mostly it breeds in rainy season from April to August. It was observed that most of birds at Government Zoological Gardens breed in month of May, while most of birds at Private Sectors breed in the month of August. For feeding behaviour a total of 200 faecal samples per week were collected for six weeks, out of which 100 samples per week were randomly selected for further analysis. Faecal analysis technique showed that dietary components of Indian peafowl were covered by plant contents following by animal sources. Among the plants components grass seeds were predominant followed by dicotyledon and fruits with least portion of monocotyledons. Among animal components, ants, grasshopper, earthworms, spider and unidentified bones were present. Faecal analysis indicated the presence of some non-food items such as sand and gravel.

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Dietary protein selection in a free-ranging urban population of common myna birds

Cited by 42 publications

References 50 publications

Nutrient‐specific compensation for seasonal cold stress in a free‐ranging temperate colobine monkey

Nutrient‐specific compensation for seasonal cold stress in a free‐ranging temperate colobine monkey

Tasting novel foods and selecting nutrient content in a highly successful ecological invader, the common myna

A study on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) emphasising breeding season and feeding behaviour in captivity

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