Determinants for the Diet of Captive Agoutis (Dasyprocta spp.)

McWilliams, Deborah A.

doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2009.01.001

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The relevance of maintaining rodents susceptible to diabetic conditions on high‐fiber diets without concentrates has been repeatedly recommended in order to prevent obesity and diabetes, and this not only with respect to viscachas [Gull et al, ; Wenker et al, ] but also for degus [Edwards, ], tuco‐tucos ( Ctenomys talarum ) [Wise et al, ], agoutis ( Dasyprocta spp.) [McWilliams, ], and sand rats [Kalman et al, ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digestive physiology of the plains viscacha (Lagostomus maximus): A large herbivorous hystricomorph rodent

et al. 2015

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Plains viscachas (Lagostomus maximus) are large South American, fossorial rodents susceptible to diabetic cataracts. Various aspects of their digestive physiology were studied in three different experiments with 9 male and 7 female adult animals and 6 different diets (total n of feeding trials = 35). Viscachas achieved mean retention times of 23-31h, which is of a magnitude also recorded in horses; these did not differ for solute or small particle (<2mm) markers. Secondary marker excretion peaks indicated coprophagy, and were rarer on high-protein as compared to grass hay-only diets. Mean resting metabolic rate was, at 229 kJ/kg0.75/d, lower than expected for a mammal of this size. Digestible energy requirement for maintenance was 445 kJ/kg0.75/d. At 1.6-2.7 L/d, viscachas produced more methane than expected for a hindgut fermenter of their size. On diets that included concentrate feeds, viscachas excreted glucose in their urine, corroborating reports on the susceptibility of this species for diabetes when kept on energy-dense food. Viscachas had a similar apparent digestibility of protein, lipids, and macrominerals as other rodents, rabbits, or domestic horses. This suggests that whether or not a species practices coprophagy does not have a major influence on these measures. Viscachas resemble other hindgut fermenters in their high apparent calcium digestibility. With respect to a digestibility-reducing effect of dietary fiber, viscachas differed from rabbits and guinea pigs but were similar to horses, suggesting that small body size needs not necessarily be linked to lower digestive efficiency on high-fiber diets. three different experiments with 9 male and 7 female adult animals and 6 different diets (total 28 n of feeding trials = 35). Viscachas achieved mean retention times of 23-31h, which is of a 29 magnitude also recorded in horses; these did not differ for solute or small particle (<2mm) viscachas excreted glucose in their urine, corroborating reports on the susceptibility of this 36 species for diabetes when kept on energy-dense food. Viscachas had a similar apparent 37 digestibility of protein, lipids, and macrominerals as other rodents, rabbits, or domestic 38horses. This suggests that whether or not a species practices coprophagy does not have a 39 major influence on these measures. Viscachas resemble other hindgut fermenters in their high 40 apparent calcium digestibility. With respect to a digestibility-reducing effect of dietary fiber, 41 viscachas differed from rabbits and guinea pigs but were similar to horses, suggesting that 42 small body size needs not necessarily be linked to lower digestive efficiency on high-fiber 43 diets. 44 45

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digestive physiology of the plains viscacha (Lagostomus maximus): A large herbivorous hystricomorph rodent

et al. 2015

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“…The animals present in this study were never given chicken ( Gallas domesticus ) eggs and were all born in captivity but when eggs were offered they consumed it immediately. Some authors in the review of the literature stated these animals were frugivores with a capacity to be omnivorous due to their dental structure [30].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Omnivorous Behaviour of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with the Potential for Domestication

2019

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The agouti is a Neotropical rodent which is mainly utilized for its meat in rural communities. Recently, captive rearing of these animals by wildlife farmers have increased in the Neotropics. This short communication consists of observation of feeding behaviour of captive reared agoutis at the University of the West Indies Field Station in Trinidad and Tobago. This is the first time in Trinidad and Tobago that meat consumption and the omnivorous behaviour of the agouti have been documented in the literature. The consumption of chicken (Gallus domesticus) eggs, dead chickens, and a brown dove (Zenaida macroura) by captive reared agoutis was noted. This document described the omnivorous behaviour of the agouti which is primarily considered a frugivorous animal. Similar studies in South America have shown that wild and captive reared agoutis consumed animal matter. Further work must be done on the dietary needs and nutrient requirements of the agouti at different physiological states.

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“…This was also found in other Hystricomorpha including: Dasyprocta sp. and H. hydrochaeris which have high nutrient absorption and digestive capacity due to fermentative digestion in the large intestine (cecum) (HENRY, 1999;RODRIGUES et al, 2006;McWILLIAMS, 2009). Osbahr and Mejía (2001) observed that Z. mays, C. moschata and Musa spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This lack of knowledge may complicate breeding in captivity and the development of conservation strategies. However, recent studies have elucidated some previously unknown aspects of the digestive system physiology of some wild rodents as well as requirements and preferences for nutrition and food, including Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (RODRIGUES et al, 2006), Chinchilla laniger (ANTONIO et al, 2007), Cuniculus paca (LASKA et al, 2003;ZUCARATTO et al, 2010) and Dasyprocta leporina (CAVALCANTE et al, 2005;McWILLIAMS, 2009). There have been advances in the composition of industrialized food for Cavia porcellus, Mus musculus and C. laniger due to their popularity as pets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dinomys branickii Peters, 1873 (Rodentia, Dinomyidae): consumption and food preference in captivity

et al. 2017

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ResumoDinomys branickii Peters, 1873 (Rodentia, Dinomyidae): consumo e preferência alimentar em cativeiro. Dinomys branickii é uma espécie vulnerável que sofre pressão de atividades antrópicas como a caça e a destruição do habitat. A criação dessa espécie em cativeiro é uma alternativa viável para a implantação de projetos de conservação e para ampliar o conhecimento dos principais aspectos da sua biologia. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o consumo e a preferência alimentar de um grupo de D. branickii em cativeiro. Para determinar a preferência alimentar foi utilizado o índice de preferência alimentar (P) dos alimentos mais consumidos. A quantidade média de alimentos ofertados foi de 6,6 kg dia/grupo, sendo consumidos 4,4 kg dia/ grupo (66%), totalizando 11 ± 2,9 alimentos ofertados por dia. O consumo de frutas (71%) foi maior que os demais grupos alimentares, seguido do consumo raízes/tubérculos (65,3%) e os menos consumidos foram cereais/ sementes (39,4%) e folhas (38,3%). Os alimentos preferidos foram: Brassica oleracea (P = 1,38), Zea mays (P = 1,25), Ipomoea batatas (P = 1,17), Mangifera indica (P = 1,13), Cucubita moschata (P = 1,10), Talinum esculentum (P = 1,00) e Manihot esculenta (P = 1,00). Os resultados obtidos sugerem que os alimentos com teor elevado de ibras e carboidratos devem ser utilizados na composição da dieta de D. branickii em cativeiro, visando o bem estar e desenvolvimento da espécie. Palavras-chave:Alimentação; Bem-estar animal; Ex-situ; Manejo em cativeiro; Nutrição AbstractDinomys branickii is a large rodent listed as Endangered (EN), that suffers pressure from anthropogenic activities such as hunting and habitat destruction. Captive breeding methods are viable for supplementation of conservation projects, and may enhance our knowledge of main aspects of the biology of this species. The objective of this study was to determine consumption and food preferences in a captive group of D. branickii. To determine feeding preferences, the Food Preference Index (P) was used for the type of food with highest consumption. The mean amount of food provided was 6.6 kg per day per group, with 4.4 kg per day/group consumed (66%). An average of 11 ± 2.9 types of food were offered daily. The consumption of fruits (71%) was higher than the consumption of other food groups, followed by roots/tubers (65.3%). The food groups least consumed were cereals and seeds (39.4%) and leaves (38.3%). The preferred foods were: Brassica oleracea (P = 1.38), Zea mays (P = 1.25), Ipomoea batatas (P = 1.17), Mangifera indica (P = 1.13), Cucurbita moschata (P = 1.10), Talinum esculentum (P = 1.00) and Manihot esculenta (P = 1.00). These results suggest that foods with high iber and carbohydrate content are the best choices for D. branickii development and well-being in captivity.

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Determinants for the Diet of Captive Agoutis (Dasyprocta spp.)

Cited by 12 publications

References 32 publications

Digestive physiology of the plains viscacha (Lagostomus maximus): A large herbivorous hystricomorph rodent

Digestive physiology of the plains viscacha (Lagostomus maximus): A large herbivorous hystricomorph rodent

Omnivorous Behaviour of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with the Potential for Domestication

Dinomys branickii Peters, 1873 (Rodentia, Dinomyidae): consumption and food preference in captivity

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