Rates of fermentative digestion in the howler monkey, Alouatta palliata (primates: Ceboidea)

Duplication and parallel evolution of the pancreatic ribonuclease gene (RNASE1) in folivorous non-colobine primates, the howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.)

“…The duplicated RNase1B may thus fill a role similar to the duplicated proteins in colobines and artiodactyl ruminants, by efficiently digesting bacterial RNA in the caeco-colic region, which has a similar pH (6.8) to that reported for the small intestine in colobines (6.0–7.0) 19,22,43 . In a study of fermentative digestion in Alouatta palliata the authors found that up to 31% of the monkeys’ daily required energy may come from the digestion of fermentation end products 19 . Although caeco-colic fermentation of leaves has been shown to be slightly less efficient at digesting fiber than foregut fermentation 21,46 , the overall nutritional gains may be comparable if the digestion of fermentation end products is considered.…”

Duplication and parallel evolution of the pancreatic ribonuclease gene (RNASE1) in folivorous non-colobine primates, the howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.)

“…The duplicated RNase1B may thus fill a role similar to the duplicated proteins in colobines and artiodactyl ruminants, by efficiently digesting bacterial RNA in the caeco-colic region, which has a similar pH (6.8) to that reported for the small intestine in colobines (6.0–7.0) 19,22,43 . In a study of fermentative digestion in Alouatta palliata the authors found that up to 31% of the monkeys’ daily required energy may come from the digestion of fermentation end products 19 . Although caeco-colic fermentation of leaves has been shown to be slightly less efficient at digesting fiber than foregut fermentation 21,46 , the overall nutritional gains may be comparable if the digestion of fermentation end products is considered.…”

Nutrition and foraging strategies of the black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) in Palenque National Park, Mexico

“…This strategy has been reported in other atelines such as spider monkeys and woolly monkeys [Milton, ; Peres, ; Wallace, ]. In addition, energy provided by mutualistic gut microbes may have complemented howler dietary energy intake during the Dry‐Fruit Dominated Period [Lambert & Fellner, ; Milton & McBee, ]. The microbial fermentation of compounds found in the howler diet such as fiber or pectin provides howlers with short‐chain fatty acids that can be used as an energy source, increasing the amount of energy extracted from food items [Milton & McBee, ].…”

Primate digestion: Interactions among anatomy, physiology, and feeding ecology

“…29,30 For example, the rates of caecal fermentation in Alouatta palliata are among the highest reported for any mammal, contributing up to 31% of the daily requirement for energy maintenance. 31 Similarly, the concentrations of volatile fatty acids in the caeco-colic regions of Papio cynocephalus and Cercopithecus mitis are comparable to those in the forestomach of ungulate ruminants. 29 …”

Duplication and parallel evolution of the pancreatic ribonuclease gene (RNASE1) in folivorous non-colobine primates, the howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.)

“…The duplicated RNase1B may thus fill a role similar to the duplicated proteins in colobines and artiodactyl ruminants, by efficiently digesting bacterial RNA in the caeco-colic region, which has a similar pH (6.8) to that reported for the small intestine in colobines (6.0–7.0) 19,22,43 . In a study of fermentative digestion in Alouatta palliata the authors found that up to 31% of the monkeys’ daily required energy may come from the digestion of fermentation end products 19 . Although caeco-colic fermentation of leaves has been shown to be slightly less efficient at digesting fiber than foregut fermentation 21,46 , the overall nutritional gains may be comparable if the digestion of fermentation end products is considered.…”

Nutrition and foraging strategies of the black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) in Palenque National Park, Mexico

“…This strategy has been reported in other atelines such as spider monkeys and woolly monkeys [Milton, ; Peres, ; Wallace, ]. In addition, energy provided by mutualistic gut microbes may have complemented howler dietary energy intake during the Dry‐Fruit Dominated Period [Lambert & Fellner, ; Milton & McBee, ]. The microbial fermentation of compounds found in the howler diet such as fiber or pectin provides howlers with short‐chain fatty acids that can be used as an energy source, increasing the amount of energy extracted from food items [Milton & McBee, ].…”

Primate digestion: Interactions among anatomy, physiology, and feeding ecology

“…29,30 For example, the rates of caecal fermentation in Alouatta palliata are among the highest reported for any mammal, contributing up to 31% of the daily requirement for energy maintenance. 31 Similarly, the concentrations of volatile fatty acids in the caeco-colic regions of Papio cynocephalus and Cercopithecus mitis are comparable to those in the forestomach of ungulate ruminants. 29 …”

Duplication and parallel evolution of the pancreatic ribonuclease gene (RNASE1) in folivorous non-colobine primates, the howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.)

“…The duplicated RNase1B may thus fill a role similar to the duplicated proteins in colobines and artiodactyl ruminants, by efficiently digesting bacterial RNA in the caeco-colic region, which has a similar pH (6.8) to that reported for the small intestine in colobines (6.0–7.0) 19,22,43 . In a study of fermentative digestion in Alouatta palliata the authors found that up to 31% of the monkeys’ daily required energy may come from the digestion of fermentation end products 19 . Although caeco-colic fermentation of leaves has been shown to be slightly less efficient at digesting fiber than foregut fermentation 21,46 , the overall nutritional gains may be comparable if the digestion of fermentation end products is considered.…”

Nutrition and foraging strategies of the black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) in Palenque National Park, Mexico

“…This strategy has been reported in other atelines such as spider monkeys and woolly monkeys [Milton, ; Peres, ; Wallace, ]. In addition, energy provided by mutualistic gut microbes may have complemented howler dietary energy intake during the Dry‐Fruit Dominated Period [Lambert & Fellner, ; Milton & McBee, ]. The microbial fermentation of compounds found in the howler diet such as fiber or pectin provides howlers with short‐chain fatty acids that can be used as an energy source, increasing the amount of energy extracted from food items [Milton & McBee, ].…”

Primate digestion: Interactions among anatomy, physiology, and feeding ecology

“…29,30 For example, the rates of caecal fermentation in Alouatta palliata are among the highest reported for any mammal, contributing up to 31% of the daily requirement for energy maintenance. 31 Similarly, the concentrations of volatile fatty acids in the caeco-colic regions of Papio cynocephalus and Cercopithecus mitis are comparable to those in the forestomach of ungulate ruminants. 29 …”