Nitrogen and Diaminopimelic Acid in Deer and Moose Feces

Leslie, David M.; Jenks, Jonathan A.; Chilelli, Maryellen; Lavigne, Gerald R.

doi:10.2307/3801336

Cited by 21 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Concentrations of FN and FDAPA, as indices of dietary nitrogen and energy, respectively (Osborn and Ginnett 2001), have been widely used by biologists as indicators of diet quality (Leslie et al 1989, Irwin et al 1993, Brown et al 1995, Hodgman et al 1996, Bleich et al 1997, Osborn and Jenks 1998 (Figs. 5, 7).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among large herbivores, higher quantity and quality of forages, survival of preweaning young, and female fecundity often correspond with higher precipitation during winter to spring, and studies indicate importance of abundance of young in affecting growth rates of populations (Gaillard et al 2000). Extended periods of lower rainfall might reduce desert bighorn sheep lamb production, and seasonal inadequacies in rainfall correspond with lower abundance in desert bighorn sheep populations (Leslie and Douglas 1982, Douglas and Leslie 1986, Wehausen et al 1987, Holt et al 1992, Douglas 2001, presumably acting via lower forage quality or quantity. Drought is a normal part of climatic fluctuation (Thurow and Taylor 1999) and has been associated with population declines of bighorn sheep and other ungulates in desert environments (Anthony 1976, Brown 1984, Smith 1984, Mouton et al 1991, McKinney et al 2001.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Factors Potentially Influencing a Desert Bighorn Sheep Population

McKinney

Smith

Devos

2006

Wildlife Monographs

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We studied a desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) population in the Mazatzal Mountains (primary study area) in central Arizona and population indices on reference areas between 1989 and 2003. We evaluated disease exposure and nutritional status of desert bighorn sheep, vegetation parameters, predator diets, and mountain lion (Puma concolor) harvest and abundance (1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003) and mountain lion predation (1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003) as factors potentially affecting desert bighorn sheep and population parameters. We measured rainfall monthly, monitored demography and relative abundance of desert bighorn sheep using aerial surveys, captured and placed radio collars on desert bighorn sheep, and collected samples of blood, parasites, and other pathogenic agents from captured animals. We measured mineral content, relative use, and structural composition of vegetation and determined diets of desert bighorn sheep adults and lambs, dietary intakes of nitrogen (FN), 2,6diaminopimelic acid (FDAPA), neutral detergent fiber, and minerals using fecal analyses. We incorporated mountain lion reductions as an experimental element, monitored harvest, and used track surveys as an index of relative abundance of the predator and monitored radiocollared desert bighorn sheep to determine mortalities and causes of death. We determined diets of bobcats (Lynx rufus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and mountain lions using fecal analyses. Drought conditions occurred during summer (July-September) and winter (November-April) during 4 and 3 years, respectively, between 1999 and 2003. Annual surveys indicated that the Mazatzal Mountains population declined during drought between 1994 and 1997, experienced low growth and lamb production coincident with above-normal rainfall in 1998 and drought in 1999, and exhibited higher growth, production, and productivity during 2000-2003 despite persistent drought conditions during this period. We observed no clinical symptoms of disease in radio-collared desert bighorn sheep, and hematological and other evidence of exposure to disease agents was unremarkable. Population indices on the primary study and reference areas were positively correlated with winter (November-April) rainfall. We found no evidence of forage overutilization on the primary study area. Rainfall on Mazatzal Mountains was associated with differences in primary production, particularly of forbs, forage mineral concentrations, and diets, nutritional status, and demographic attributes of desert bighorn sheep between 1999 and 2003. Higher winter rainfall was associated with higher forb growth, and higher rainfall was associated with higher concentrations of P and Se but lower levels of Fe in browse; higher concentrations of Ca, P, and Zn in forbs; and higher levels of P, Se, and Zn in grasses. Narrower mean Ca:P ratios of browse and forbs were associated with higher rainfall. Diets of desert bighorn sheep adults and lambs generally were similar, particularly near summer, and forbs tended to predominate...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Factors Potentially Influencing a Desert Bighorn Sheep Population

McKinney

Smith

Devos

2006

Wildlife Monographs

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“…Researchers studying penned white-tailed deer under experimental diets reported no correlations and negative correlations between dietary nitrogen and fecal DAPA (Brown et al, 1995;Osborn and Ginnett, 2001), respectively. In contrast, researchers studying freeranging white-tailed deer, moose (Alces alces), and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) reported positive correlations between FN and DAPA (Leslie et al, 1989;McKinney et al, 2006). A study on migratory mule deer in California concluded that there were positive correlations between FN and fecal DAPA in late winter when vegetation began growing (winter range) and during June-October (summer range); however, there was no significant correlation during spring in April and May (Kucera, 1997).…”

Section: Results-recruitment and Precipitation Data-mentioning

confidence: 79%

“…These results suggested that fecal DAPA was able to track changes in energy content in mule deer diets, from high-energy fruits in summer to high-energy annual forbs in winter. Changes in fecal DAPA that follow seasonal patterns in plant phenology and precipitation have been reported in mule deer and bighorn sheep field studies (Leslie et al, 1989;Kucera, 1997;McKinney et al, 2006).…”

Section: Results-recruitment and Precipitation Data-mentioning

confidence: 88%

Reproduction and Nutrition of Desert Mule Deer With and Without Predation

Carrera

Ballard

Krausman³

et al. 2015

The Southwestern Naturalist

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“…El análisis del NF se ha aplicado ampliamente en la región templada para manejar a los venados del género Odocoileus (Leslie et al 1985(Leslie et al , 1989Howery y Pfister 1990;Jenks et al 1990;Massey et al 1994;Osborn y Jenks 1998;Osborn y Ginnett 2001). Sin embargo, poco se sabe acerca de la utilidad de este enfoque en los hábitats tropicales (Gallina et al 2014) donde es ampliamente aprovechado el venado de cola blanca O. virginianus tanto en vida libre como en criaderos intensivos (Gallina et al 2010;Ortega et al 2011).…”

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Variación del nitrógeno fecal de Odocoileus virginianus a diferentes tiempos de exposición ambiental

Mandujano

2014

Therya

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Introduction: Successful wildlife management requires reliable indicators of the nutritional status of the animals in order to assess the relationship between them and their habitat. Fecal nitrogen (FN) has often been considered to be a good indicator of diet quality. FN analysis has been applied extensively in the temperate region of the range of the deer Odocoileus; however, little is known about the usefulness of this approach in the tropical habitats where the white-tailed deer O. virginianus is hunted. This study presents data on the variation in FN concentration with increased time of exposure. Specifically, we discuss the implications for field sampling in tropical habitats where environmental conditions can rapidly degrade deposited deer feces.Methods: Quantification of FN was performed with 18 freshly deposited pellet-groups collected at the end of the dry season of 2008 (April-May) in a protected natural area in Puebla state, Mexico. Samples were transported frozen to a Botanical Garden in Xalapa, Veracruz, where they were kept under controlled environmental conditions. Each pellet-group was sampled every 15 days, up to 60 days, by which time most of the droppings were covered with fungi due to the high humidity at the site. FN concentration was determined according to the micro-Kjeldahl method. An analysis of variance for repeated measures to detect differences in FN considering the deposition time and fecal groups as factors was applied using lm function in R.Results: FN varied significantly depending on the exposure time of the feces. The initial concentration was 2.29 mg/ml and this value remained constant for 15 days, subsequently decreasing to a minimum of 0.019 mg/ml, which was reached 60 days after the start of the experiment. Discussion and Conclusions:The use of fecal indexes may be a feasible non-invasive method by which to study diet quality, and an alternative to other techniques that imply disturbance, stress, or death of wild ungulates. In addition, fecal index is inexpensive and easy to apply on large sections of wild animal populations, throughout the year. Our results suggest that use of this method can give reliable results relating to white-tailed deer FN for up to two weeks post-defecation. In contrast, the results of another study suggest that feces collected for up to 24 days post-defecation, in September/October in temperate habitat in US, can be used to estimate FN as well as other nutritional characteristics. Seasonal variation in environment conditions and diet composition could explain these differences. We therefore recommend cleaning permanent sample plots and then returning to locate and collect fresh droppings within these plots.

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Nitrogen and Diaminopimelic Acid in Deer and Moose Feces

Cited by 21 publications

References 15 publications

Evaluation of Factors Potentially Influencing a Desert Bighorn Sheep Population

Evaluation of Factors Potentially Influencing a Desert Bighorn Sheep Population

Reproduction and Nutrition of Desert Mule Deer With and Without Predation

Variación del nitrógeno fecal de Odocoileus virginianus a diferentes tiempos de exposición ambiental

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