Dietary composition and nutritional outcomes in two marsupials,<i>Sminthopsis macroura</i>and<i>S. crassicaudata</i>

Stannard, Hayley J.; McAllan, Bronwyn M.; Old, Julie M.

doi:10.1644/13-mamm-a-071

Cited by 11 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 42 publications

(43 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Digestibility of GE and protein (95–98%) by the quoll is a fraction higher in this study compared with other Dasyurids (73–94%). Lipid apparent digestibility by the quolls was consistent with other smaller Dasyurids [Cowan et al, ; Green and Eberhard, ; Stannard and Old, ; Stannard et al, ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…Apparent total tract digestibility values obtained in the present study were higher than those reported previously for the eastern quoll (DM 81–82%; GE 89%) when fed a rat ( Rattus rattus ) diet [Green and Eberhard, ; Green et al, ]. Similar digestibility values (64–98%) for nutrients (DM, GE, protein, and lipids) have been determined in other Dasyurid species [Cowan et al, ; Green and Eberhard, ; Stannard and Old, ; Stannard et al, ] (Table ). Digestibility of GE and protein (95–98%) by the quoll is a fraction higher in this study compared with other Dasyurids (73–94%).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…The kangaroo mince had a lower Ca content than the chicken necks and presumably accounted for the negative digestibility value obtained in the quolls on this food item. Similar findings have been determined for other Dasyurids, dunnarts Sminthopsis spp., with negative digestibility (−66 to −68%) values shown on a mealworm diet with a low calcium content (340 mg/kg) [Stannard et al, ]. Calcium and P should be fed in a ratio approximately between 1:1 and 2:1 [Barboza et al, ], for example in cats ( Felis catus ) the optimal range is 0.9:1 to 1.1:1 [Scott and Scott, ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Digestibility of two diet items by captive eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus)

Stannard

Old

2013

ZOO

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) is a carnivorous Australian marsupial that has undergone significant geographical range contraction since European settlement, and is extinct on the mainland. Nutrition is not well researched in captive eastern quolls, and captive diets often consist of commercial pet foods as opposed to raw meat or insect diets. Improving nutrition will enhance reproductive output and ensure suitable numbers of quolls are bred to be used in translocation programs. The present study analyzed the composition of kangaroo mince and chicken necks, and the digestibility of these items, in a captive environment. The quolls had high apparent total tract digestibility on the chicken neck and kangaroo mince treatments (DM 83-88%, GE 95-97%, protein 94-97%, and lipids 94-95%, respectively). The apparent total tract digestibility of DM, GE, and proteins was significantly higher (t14= 2.465, P < 0.05; t14= 2.489, P < 0.05; t14= 5.470, P < 0.01, respectively) on the kangaroo mince treatment compared with the chicken neck treatment. This study provides the first data on Cu (-18-37%), S (86-95%), and Zn (26-28%) apparent total tract digestibility in a Dasyurid. Data gathered during this study can be used to improve management practices for captive quolls, including diet formulation and mineral supplementation.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Digestibility of two diet items by captive eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus)

Stannard

Old

2013

ZOO

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Thus, it is important the diet be digestible but contain some indigestible components to create gutfill. Digestibility of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were moderate (56–63%) similar to other insectivores on a manufactured marsupial diet [Stannard and Old ; Stannard et al, ], possibly due to the phytic acid present in plant materials used in the diet. Phytic acid binds to calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium and inhibits absorption [Hurrell, ].…”

Section: Demonstration Of Efficacymentioning

confidence: 51%

Digestibility of a new diet for captive short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

et al. 2017

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) are myrmecophages, or ant and termite insectivore specialists, and replicating their exact diet in captivity is problematic. Diets for captive animals often incorporate raw meat, eggs and cat food mixed together with water, and vitamin and mineral supplements. These diets have promoted a number of health problems in captive echidnas, such as gastritis, cystitis, gut impaction, obesity, and diarrhea. A manufactured diet was designed and three echidnas from two zoos were transitioned onto this diet to assess the acceptability and digestibility of this diet for echidnas. The new "test" diet was readily accepted by the echidnas with a 1 week transition period. Daily digestible energy intake was 280 kJ kg d , similar to another myrmecophagous species. Digestibility values were above 74% for all macronutrients. It was determined that this diet was an acceptable replacement for the previous diets and it was decided that the remaining echidnas at both institutions would be transitioned to the new diet. The diet will also be used for wild echidnas being rehabilitated in the zoo hospitals prior to release and commercially available within Australia. Further data are being collected to assess the use of this diet for seasonal weight management, transitioning hand-reared puggles and effects on gastrointestinal tract health. Zoo Biol. 36:56-61, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

show abstract

“…We know that dunnarts exposed to either reduced food availability or unpredictable presentation of food will use torpor in response to these energy bottlenecks (Munn, Kern, & McAllan, ). Moreover, a study on some standard diets used for two species of captive dunnarts found that when feeding on different diets, including prepared foods and insects, dunnarts consumed less food and had lower weights on diets that had relatively higher protein content (Stannard, McAllan, & Old, ) However, this study only investigated the individual choice of common captive diets rather than specific manipulations of macronutrients (Stannard et al., ). Recently, we demonstrated that the fat‐tailed dunnart will select for more fat in the diet if given a choice, but that energy balance was maintained by increasing their activity patterns (Wilder et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary protein supplementation and its consequences for intake, digestion, and physical activity of a carnivorous marsupial, Sminthopsis crassicaudata

Yuan

Wilder

Raubenheimer

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Diet regulation behavior can mediate the consequences of imbalanced diets for animal well‐being, particularly for captive species that have little dietary choice. Dasyurids (carnivorous marsupials) are of conservation concern in Australia, and many species are in captive breeding programmes. However, their nutrient targets and dietary regulation behaviors are poorly understood, a limitation that may decrease the breeding success and well‐being of captive animals. We tested how dietary protein content influenced the intake and utilization of nutrients, physical activity, and body mass of fat‐tailed dunnarts Sminthopsis crassicaudata. Twelve adult dunnarts from six sibling pairs (one female and one male per pair) were provided ad libitum access to three diets in a repeated measures design: cat food, cat food supplemented with raw lean beef (1:1), and cat food supplemented with cooked lean beef (1:1). Food intake, activity level, and fecal output were measured daily. Dunnarts significantly decreased food intake, increased protein digestion, and physical activity, but body mass was unchanged when on the high‐protein diet compared to the normal cat food diet. These observations suggest a capacity of dunnarts to maintain constant body mass using a dynamic balance of feeding, digestion, and activity. We also found a significant effect of family, with differences between families as large as the difference between the diet treatments, suggesting a genetic component to diet selection. The nutrient regulation responses of dunnarts to high‐protein diets and the strong family effects provide important messages for the management of populations of small carnivores, including the aspects of dietary manipulation and conservation of genetic diversity.

show abstract

Dietary composition and nutritional outcomes in two marsupials,Sminthopsis macrouraandS. crassicaudata

Cited by 11 publications

References 42 publications

Digestibility of two diet items by captive eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus)

Digestibility of two diet items by captive eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus)

Digestibility of a new diet for captive short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Dietary protein supplementation and its consequences for intake, digestion, and physical activity of a carnivorous marsupial, Sminthopsis crassicaudata

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About