Observations on the diet and habitat of the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque)

Abstract

Results of a 4-year study in Sangay National Park, Ecuador, indicated that the mountain tapir Tapirus pinchaque, consumes a wide variety of woody and non-woody plant taxa primarily as a foliose browser, and has a preference for some nitrogen-®xing plants. The more closed-cover Andean forest and chaparral habitats contain a greater abundance of mountain tapir-favoured food than the more open grassland paramo, riverine meadow, and pampas vegetation types. Andean forests are considered the most critical habitat for the survival of this tapir because of their provision of cover and food. Field observations and results of faecal germination experiments show that the mountain tapir assists in the successful seed dispersal of many species of Andean plants. Signi®cant regressions between: (1) seed germination and (2) both the natural logarithm (ln e) of the preference ratio and the dietary abundance of food species indicate a mutualism between the mid to high montane-dwelling mountain tapir and the plants it consumes. A signi®cant relation during the past 2 to 3 million years is proposed between: (1) the crossing of the Panamanian Isthmus and the occupation of the mid to high northern Andes by ancestors of the mountain tapir, and (2) the rise of the Andes and formation of the montane forest and paramo ecosystems above c. 2000 m elevation.

Influence of extrinsic variables on activity and habitat selection of lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in the coastal sand plain shrub, southern Brazil

“…No differences were noted in the activity patterns of the tapirs in either open or covered areas, although in open areas we recorded less diurnal and crepuscular activity. Lizcano and Cavelier (2000) and Downer (2001) reported an increase in the activity of the Andean mountain tapir (T. pinchaque) with the increase in moonlight, in either forest or saline environments. Normally, carnivore prey decrease activity during full moon as an anti-predation strategy, mainly in open environments (Lockard and Owings 1974;O'Farrel 1974;Kaufman and Kaufman 1982;Price et al 1984).…”

“…For thermal and water balance, the tapir, as other thermal-independent animals, can use physiological mechanisms to either alter their activity or habitat selection patterns (Schmidt-Nielsen 2005). On the other hand, when individuals are occupying open areas, antipredation strategies can be related to activity changes triggered by moonlight (Lockard and Owings 1974;Kaufman and Kaufman 1982;Downer 2001). In open areas, predators can detect, approach and capture their prey more easily because their ability to escape and hide is usually decreased (see review by Lima and Dill 1990).…”

Fütterung und Kotkonsistenz von Flachlandtapiren (Tapirus terrestris) im Zürich Zoo

“…Tapire haben einen Verdauungstrakt wie Pferde (MITCHELL 1903(MITCHELL -1906, und nehmen in freier Wildbahn hauptsächlich faserhaltiges Pflanzenmaterial oder faserreiche "Früchte" auf (TERWILLIGER 1978, WILLIAMS & PETRIDES 1980, BODMER 1990a, BODMER 1990b, BARONGI 1993, NARANJO 1995, SALAS & FULLER 1996, HENRY et al 2000, DOWNER 2001, GALETTI et al 2001, TOBLER 2002, ALDAN et al 2004, TORRES et al 2004. Aufgrund dieser Tatsachen, und weil wilde Früchte sich in ihrer Zusammensetzung fundamental von kommerziell erhältlichem Obst unterscheiden , SCHMIDT et al 2005, gilt für Tapire wie für viele andere grosse Pflanzenfresser die Wasserbad noch deutlich ausmachen lassen (Abb.…”

Diet composition, food intake, body condition, and fecal consistency in captive tapirs (Tapirus spp.) in UK collections

“…In the wild, tapirs feed predominantly on browse items, and also on wild fruits (Terwilliger, 1978;Williams and Petrides, 1980;Bodmer, 1990;Naranjo, 1995;Salas and Fuller, 1996;Henry et al, 2000;Downer, 2001;Galetti et al, 2001;Tobler, 2002;Aldan et al, 2004;Torres et al, 2004).…”