Influence of Body Size on Dietary Nutrition of White-Tailed DeerOdocoileus virginianus

Abstract

Intraspecific competition is one of the major factors that can have an effect on the resources utilized within a habitat. Differences in diet quality of selected forage have been noted in size-dimorphic ungulates. However, on an intraspecific basis, data demonstrating a body size influence on diet quality are lacking. We examined diet quality across a range of body masses (14–76 kg) in white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus (n = 108) in a 2,628-ha enclosure at Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Kerr County, Texas, USA. The quality of the diet consumed was determined by crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber content of digesta in the rumen–reticulum. Results indicated that in relation to body mass, the ratio of crude protein to acid detergent fiber was greater for smaller bodied white-tailed deer. By consuming a diet higher in crude protein than did large bodied individuals, small-bodied individuals should meet their high mass-specific metabolic demands more efficiently. Furthermore, selective foraging by different-sized individuals might also reduce intraspecific competition. Information presented herein is relevant to wildlife managers in that by increasing available high-quality forage, small-bodied individuals will more efficiently meet their metabolic demands, which could have ramifications on recruitment within that population.

Influences of habitat composition, plant phenology, and population density on autumn indices of body condition in a northern white-tailed deer population

“…Therefore, within these species, males normally need a greater abundance of forage but of lower quality, than females and sub‐adults (gastrocentric hypothesis: Barboza and Bowyer ). In white‐tailed deer, small‐bodied individuals consumed a diet high in crude protein content (Luna et al ). Areas characterized by abundant forage should therefore be crucial for adult males, whereas adult females and yearlings of both sexes require habitats with high‐quality forage (Shannon et al ).…”

The complexity of interacting nutritional drivers behind food selection, a review of northern cervids

“…, Padmalal and Takatsuki , Luna et al. ). On the other hand, pregnancy, for example, may also incur an improved metabolic utilization of protein (Monteith et al.…”

“…Different individuals may prioritize different food constituents when choosing the foods and amounts they consume (i.e., their nutritional strategy), due to variations in body size, metabolic adaptations, life history, and physiological states (Jarman 1974, Parra 1978, Van Soest 1994, M€ uller et al 2013. For example, because energy and protein are necessary for building new tissue, we expect size and sex to influence the animals' selection for it (Staines et al 1982, Padmalal and Takatsuki 1994, Luna et al 2013). On the other hand, pregnancy, for example, may also incur an improved metabolic utilization of protein (Monteith et al 2014), which may in part negate the need to select for food of higher protein (no sex differences were found by, e.g., Weckerly andNelson 1990, Jiang et al 2009).…”

Food Forage Potential and Carrying Capacity of Kemampo Forest Area with Special Objectives (KHDTK) as Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) Captive Breeding Area

“…Fungsi lain dari kalsium juga untuk membantu pencernaan selulosa dan bakteri dalam pencernaan pada hewan ruminansia (Garsetiasih et al 2012). Hasil penelitian Luna et al (2013), juga menunjukkan bahwa kandungan protein yang tinggi pada hijauan pakan mampu menaikkan bobot tubuh rusa yang berukuran tubuh kecil secara signifikan dibandingkan dengan rusa yang bobot tubuhnya lebih besar.…”