Seasonal consumption of insects by the crested porcupine in Central Italy

Abstract

Many herbivorous, granivorous and frugivorous rodents can integrate animal proteins in their diet, still for many of them no information is available on the importance of animal food sources. The crested porcupine, Hystrix cristata, is considered a strictly vegetarian rodent. It may integrate animal proteins through bone-gnawing, while the importance of insects in his diet is poorly known. In this study we assessed the presence of insects in the diet of this rodent in Central Italy by collecting 141 faecal samples along transects in 2016–2020. Hypogeal plant organs were the main component of the diet (absolute frequency = 50.38%; volume = 60.13%). Insects were detected only in 6.8% samples, only in February–March, at the annual birth peak for the crested porcupine. Insect consumption, although occasional, could be linked to the nutritional requirements of this rodent during lactation.

Spatial ecology of crested porcupine in a metropolitan landscape

“…In natural habitats, the crested porcupine mainly feeds on underground storage organs of plants (e.g. bulbs, tubers and rhizomes), but can also eat fruits and vegetables (Bruno and Riccardi 1995 ; Mori et al 2020 ). Crested porcupines may exploit nearby cultivated areas which provide easy access to food resources (e.g.…”

Spatial Ecology of Crested Porcupine in a Metropolitan Landscape

“…In natural habitats, the crested porcupine mainly feeds on underground storage organs of plants (e.g. bulbs, tubers and rhizomes), but can also eat fruits and vegetables (Bruno and Riccardi 1995;Mori et al 2020). Crested porcupines may exploit nearby cultivated areas which provide easy access to food resources (e.g.…”

“…Most observations were represented by quills, dead animals, or footprints. Also, faecal pellets of the crested porcupine are easily identi able, showing an unmistakable oblong and curved-olive shape (Mori et al 2020). All data were georeferenced and entered into a database.…”

Porcupine quills keratin peptides induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via p53/p21 pathway and caspase cascade reaction in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells

“…Most research on bioactive peptides with anti‐breast cancer activity has focused on marine species, but little research on terrestrial organisms. Porcupines (Family: hystricidae) mainly inhabit grasslands, deserts, forests, temperate scrub and prairie mountains, and is located in many countries, such as China, Malaysia, India, Congo and Italy 14,15 . Porcupine meat is popular due to its high protein, low fat and low cholesterol, which has further resulted in a rapid increase in the number of porcupine farms 16 .…”

“…Porcupines (Family: hystricidae) mainly inhabit grasslands, deserts, forests, temperate scrub and prairie mountains, and is located in many countries, such as China, Malaysia, India, Congo and Italy. 14,15 Porcupine meat is popular due to its high protein, low fat and low cholesterol, which has further resulted in a rapid increase in the number of porcupine farms. 16 Porcupine has not only edible value but also high medicinal value in traditional Chinese medicine, such as the porcupine stomach has the effect of clearing heat and dampness, porcupine spines have the effect of skin allergy treatment.…”