Effect of captivity and mineral supplementation on body composition and mineral status of mustached bats (Pteronotus parnellii rubiginosus)

Abstract

We investigated the whole-body crude nutrient (fat, protein, ash) and mineral (Ca, P, Mg, Na, K) composition of mustached bats of three different groups: animals from the wild (n = 6), and animals from captivity on an unsupplemented feeding regime of mealworms (n = 7), and on a feeding regime in which the mealworms were kept on a mineral substrate prior to feeding (n = 6). It was shown that mealworms from the mineral substrate had higher Ca contents than mealworms from the conventional substrates. In an earlier study, differences in bone mineral density had been found between the groups. These differences, however, were not reflected in differences in whole-body composition. Captive animals showed a larger variation in body weight and fat content, indicating potential shortcomings of the dietary and husbandry regime.

Measuring Animal Welfare within a Reintroduction: An Assessment of Different Indices of Stress in Water Voles Arvicola amphibius

“…These findings suggest that the captive-bred voles were either more muscular or had greater bone density, possibly attributable to a better quality of nutrition whilst they were maintained in captivity [48]. The effects of sex on stress varied both with origin and with site quality.…”

Chiroptera (Bats)

“…The skulls of the captive animals were soft on palpation, and bone density was significantly lower than in free-ranging individuals. 17 Once the mealworms were supplemented with calcium, the bone density of the animals increased, and no statistical difference between the bone density of captive animals fed calcium-supplemented mealworms and their free-ranging counterparts was observed. 17 Even when on a calcium-supplemented diet, the captive animals tended to have less body mass compared with free-ranging bats.…”

“…In one study, bats were more prone to accept food if artificial wings, mimicking the flapping frequency of the natural prey items were added to mealworms. 17 Both obesity and starvation have been reported in captive insectivorous bats. In most cases, animals are fed diets consisting of artificially raised mealworm larvae.…”

“…The diets of free-ranging bats are composed of a much wider array of insects than is available in captivity and thus provide a more balanced and complete food source. 17 The captive diets may be low in calcium and high in phosphorous. Nutrition may be improved if the insects being raised as a food source are placed on a mineral premix at least 24 hours before feeding them to the bats.…”

Preliminary evaluation of selected minerals in liver samples from springbok (<i>Antidorcas marsupialis</i>) from the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa

“…In South Africa, investigations on the mineral status of domestic animals have been conducted since the early 19th century but none have been published regarding zoo animals. In other countries, the mineral status of zoo animals has been evaluated in black and white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) (Crawford et al 2009), black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) (Clauss et al 2007;Dierenfeld et al 2005), mule and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus, Odocoileus virginianus) (Zimmerman et al 2008) and pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) (Miller et al 2001). The mineral status of free-ranging wildlife has been measured in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) (Webb et al 2001), black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) (Penrith et al 1996), blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) (Penrith et al 1996;Quan 2005;Quan, Mülders & Meltzer 2002), Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) (Syakalima et al 2000), springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) (Hoon 2003) and Thompson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) (Wieckowski, Abraham & Wernery 2008).…”