Abstract:-The objective was to determine the nitrogen-protein, calcium and phosphorus requirements of adult capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) bred in captivity through a nutritional balance study under conditions that favored the occurrence of cecotrophy. In a completely randomized design with four replicates per treatment, 16 adult female capybaras were fed isocaloric diets containing four levels of nitrogen (11.4, 12.3, 15.4 and 18.4 g N/kg dry matter-DM); calcium (3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 g Ca/kg-DM); and phosphor… Show more
The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the largest living rodent, probably has a “mucus‐trap” colonic separation mechanism. To test this hypothesis, we measured the mean retention time of a solute marker (MRTSolute), 2 mm (MRT2 mm), 10 mm (MRT10 mm), and 20 mm (MRT20 mm) particle markers and nutrient digestibility in adult captive capybaras (27–52 kg body mass (BM), 2–11 yr). In addition, total gut fill and the selectivity factor (MRTSolute/MRT2 mm) were calculated, and mean faecal particle size and metabolic fecal nitrogen of captive capybaras were compared to those of free‐ranging specimens. Finally, we also measured methane production in one animal. The MRT2 mm (29.2 ± 8.2 hr) was different (p < 0.01) from MRTSolute (37.0 ± 13.1 hr), MRT10 mm (36.5 ± 8.2 hr), and MRT20 mm (35.1 ± 9.6 hr). The selectivity factor (1.26 ± 0.30) was in the range considered typical for a “mucus‐trap” colonic separation mechanism. The estimated total gut fill was 1.50 ± 0.37% and 1.73 ± 0.25% of BM calculated from the results of the 2‐mm and 10‐mm particle markers, respectively. The CH4 emission was 13.7 L/day. Captive capybaras had greater mean fecal particle size (0.44 ± 0.06 vs. 0.29 ± 0.05 mm, p < 0.001) and metabolic fecal nitrogen (65.5 ± 3.91 vs. 46.8 ± 10.5% of fecal nitrogen, p < 0.001) than free‐ranging capybaras. Organic matter digestibility decreased less steeply with increasing dietary crude fiber content in capybaras as compared to published data from rabbits or guinea pigs. Accordingly, the digestive physiology of the capybara is characterized by a comparatively high fiber digestibility, with a “mucus‐trap” colonic separation mechanism, allowing capybaras to thrive on forage‐only diets.
The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the largest living rodent, probably has a “mucus‐trap” colonic separation mechanism. To test this hypothesis, we measured the mean retention time of a solute marker (MRTSolute), 2 mm (MRT2 mm), 10 mm (MRT10 mm), and 20 mm (MRT20 mm) particle markers and nutrient digestibility in adult captive capybaras (27–52 kg body mass (BM), 2–11 yr). In addition, total gut fill and the selectivity factor (MRTSolute/MRT2 mm) were calculated, and mean faecal particle size and metabolic fecal nitrogen of captive capybaras were compared to those of free‐ranging specimens. Finally, we also measured methane production in one animal. The MRT2 mm (29.2 ± 8.2 hr) was different (p < 0.01) from MRTSolute (37.0 ± 13.1 hr), MRT10 mm (36.5 ± 8.2 hr), and MRT20 mm (35.1 ± 9.6 hr). The selectivity factor (1.26 ± 0.30) was in the range considered typical for a “mucus‐trap” colonic separation mechanism. The estimated total gut fill was 1.50 ± 0.37% and 1.73 ± 0.25% of BM calculated from the results of the 2‐mm and 10‐mm particle markers, respectively. The CH4 emission was 13.7 L/day. Captive capybaras had greater mean fecal particle size (0.44 ± 0.06 vs. 0.29 ± 0.05 mm, p < 0.001) and metabolic fecal nitrogen (65.5 ± 3.91 vs. 46.8 ± 10.5% of fecal nitrogen, p < 0.001) than free‐ranging capybaras. Organic matter digestibility decreased less steeply with increasing dietary crude fiber content in capybaras as compared to published data from rabbits or guinea pigs. Accordingly, the digestive physiology of the capybara is characterized by a comparatively high fiber digestibility, with a “mucus‐trap” colonic separation mechanism, allowing capybaras to thrive on forage‐only diets.
“…When compared to other livestock, their digestibility of the same feedstuff was higher, which could be due to their anatomical and physiological characteristics [ 51 ]. Lower levels of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus caused decreased weight gains and the levels of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus required for maintenance of the capybara was lower than those required by other species [ 52 ]. Capybaras suffered from scurvy, as, during vitamin C deprivation they displayed signs of scurvy, such as broken or loss of incisors, gingivitis and even one death, which started 25–104 days after deprivation.…”
“…The capybara is the largest mammalian herbivore to practice coprophagy [ 58 ] and/or caecotrophy [ 52 ]. Caecotrophy was observed, more so in the mornings than at nights; animals sat on their hindlimbs and extended either one of them.…”
This review highlights the available literature on the nutrition of six neo-tropical animals with the potential for domestication—the agouti (Dasyprocta leporina/D. aguti), lappe (Agouti paca), capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), manicou/opossum (Didelphis marsupialis insularis), collared peccary (Peccary tajucu) and the red brokcet deer (Mazama americana). Over 100 references were used, spanning over 100 years. The earliest being 1915 and the most recent being 2018. The references used in this review were synthesized to give a detailed look of the dentition, anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract and type of feed these animals consume. Nutritional requirements of the animals are required to understand what is needed for growth, maintenance and reproduction of each physiological stage. The agouti (D. leporina/D. aguti) was observed to be a monogastric mammal that fed primarily on fruits, seeds, animal matter and practiced caecotrophy. The lappe/paca (C. paca/A. paca) was described as a strict herbivore and a frugivore which practiced caecotrophy, with a diet that varied throughout the year, according to food availability. The capybara (H. hydrochaeris) was found to be the largest known rodent and was described as a semiaquatic hindgut fermenter that practiced caecotrophy. The manicou/opossum (D. marsupialis insularis) was found to be an omnivore with a simple stomach. The collared peccary (T. tajacu) was found to be frugivorous. Their unique stomach enabled them to consume a wide variety of feedstuff, allowing them to be found in a wide range of habitats. The red brocket deer (M. americana), a ruminant, was described as a browser that consumed mainly fruits and seeds and they frequented mineral lick. Knowledge of what they consume in the wild is important, so that we know what to feed in captivity. There is also the need to evaluate captive diets while trying to domesticate these mammals and develop nutrient requirement tables for these neo-tropical animals. Finally, an understanding of the dentition and gastrointestinal tract is important to increase efficiency (nutritional and cost). These six neo-tropical mammals were chosen due to their prevalence as game species in Trinidad and Tobago.
“…Coprophagy in capybara is variable and appears to correlate with diet quality, particularly fibrosity. Gonzalez‐Jimenez and Escobar [] reported no evidence of coprophagy in captive animals fed high quality diets, whereas Herrera [] and Borges et al [] did observe coprophagy in wild capybara, and more recently Nogueira‐Filho et al [] clearly documented cecotrophy in captive capybaras. Management parameters and/or captive diets may, in fact, impact this behavior and associated physiology and nutrition.…”
Section: Demonstration Of Efficacymentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Dietary crude protein (CP) requirements of guinea pigs presented in Table represent values for growing guinea pigs. Adult animals need less protein than young or growing animals, and the protein requirement for adult capybara (1.56 g digestible protein BW 0.75 , equivalent to 14.7 g for a 20‐kg animal) can be met by considerably less than 18% dietary CP [Nogueira‐Filho et al, ]; thus protein quality (with or without added coprophagy/cecotrophy) was felt to be adequate.…”
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.