Systemic effects of Leucaena leucocephala ingestion on ringtailed lemurs (Lemur catta) at Berenty Reserve, Madagascar

Abstract

Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) is a leguminous tree that is nutritious forage for domestic livestock when ingested in limited amounts. Unfortunately, leucaena contains mimosine, a plant amino acid, that can be toxic when ingested at higher concentrations. Reported toxic effects include alopecia (fur loss), poor body condition, infertility, low birth weight, thyroid gland dysfunction, and organ toxicity. Originally native to Mexico and Central America, leucaena has been introduced throughout the tropics, including Berenty Reserve, Madagascar where it was planted as supplemental browse for livestock. In Berenty, a seasonal syndrome of alopecia in ringtailed lemurs (Lemur catta) is associated with eating leucaena. Although much is known about the toxic effects of leucaena and mimosine on domestic animals and humans, the systemic effects on wildlife had not been studied. In a comparison of lemurs that include leucaena in their diet and those that do not, we found that animals that ingest leucaena absorb mimosine but that ingestion does not affect body condition, cause kidney or liver toxicity, or affect the intestinal tract. Alopecia is due to mimosine's interference of the hair follicle cycle. Leucaena ingestion is associated with higher serum albumin, α-tocopherol, and thyroxine concentrations, suggesting that leucaena may provide some nutritional benefit and that lemurs can detoxify and convert mimosine to a thyroid stimulating metabolite. The primary conservation consequence of leucaena ingestion at Berenty may be increased infant mortality due to the infants' inability cling to their alopecic mothers. The widespread introduction of leucaena throughout the tropics and its rapid spread in secondary forest conditions mean that many other leaf-eating mammals may be including this tree in their diet. Thus, exposure to leucaena should be considered when wildlife health is being evaluated, and the potential effects on wildlife health should be considered when contemplating leucaena introduction into or near wildlife habitat.

Estresse hídrico e térmico na germinação de sementes de Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit

“…de Wit (Fabaceae) é uma espécie originária da América Central, conhecida popularmente como leucena que atualmente possui distribuição pantropical (Fonseca & Jacobi, 2011). Devido ao seu rápido crescimento e alto teor de nutrientes minerais e proteína nas folhas é amplamente utilizada como planta forrageira para alimentação de ruminantes (Crawford et al, 2015), com potencial para exploração em regiões semiáridas (Walker, 2012).…”

Adequação do teste de envelhecimento acelerado para avaliação do vigor de sementes de leucena

“…(Fabaceae) é uma espécie arbórea originária da América Central cultivada como planta forrageira, mas que reúne vários atributos típicos de espécies invasoras (Melo-Silva et al, 2014). No Brasil, a espécie é popularmente conhecida como leucena (Fonseca & Jacobi, 2011) e indicada para composição de sistemas agroflorestais (Pereyra et al, 2015), principalmente em regiões de clima semiárido (Walker, 2012), devido ao seu rápido crescimento e alto valor nutricional de minerais e proteínas (Crawford et al, 2015).…”

Overcoming seed dormancy and evaluation of viability in Leucaena leucocephala

“…In Brazil, the species is popularly known as leucaena (Fonseca and Jacobi, 2011), and is indicated as a good candidate for inclusion in agroforestry systems (Pereyra et al, 2015) due to its rapid growth and high nutritional value of minerals and proteins (Crawford et al, 2015), mainly in semi-arid regions (Walker, 2012). This legume has shown good general characteristics such as high seed production, which facilitates its propagation, if the dormancy of seeds be overcome (Drumond and Ribaski, 2010).…”