Why do cervids feed on aquatic vegetation?

Ceacero, Francisco; Landete‐Castillejos, Tomás; Miranda, María; García, Andrés J.; Martínez, A.; Gallego, Laureano

doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2013.10.008

Cited by 24 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…A large body of studies testing the Optimal Foraging Theory predictions (OFT [ 2 ]) has repeatedly shown that large herbivores aim to maximize the intake of energy [ 3 ] or protein [ 4 ], while minimizing at the same time the energetic and temporal costs of resource search [ 5 , 6 ], and avoiding toxic chemicals [ 7 – 9 ]. Large herbivores are able to select a balanced mixture of nutrients, which includes the detection of mineral imbalances and the selection for plants or supplements rich in deficient minerals [ 10 – 17 ]. However, the proportion of studies on diet selection that analyze the influence of essential minerals on such selection has been rather scarce during the last century [ 1 , 18 ], in spite of the interest of mineral contents due to their often deficient levels in food resources available to ungulates and the fact that they can easily reach toxicity [ 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avoiding Toxic Levels of Essential Minerals: A Forgotten Factor in Deer Diet Preferences

et al. 2015

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Ungulates select diets with high energy, protein, and sodium contents. However, it is scarcely known the influence of essential minerals other than Na in diet preferences. Moreover, almost no information is available about the possible influence of toxic levels of essential minerals on avoidance of certain plant species. The aim of this research was to test the relative importance of mineral content of plants in diet selection by red deer (Cervus elaphus) in an annual basis. We determined mineral, protein and ash content in 35 common Mediterranean plant species (the most common ones in the study area). These plant species were previously classified as preferred and non-preferred. We found that deer preferred plants with low contents of Ca, Mg, K, P, S, Cu, Sr and Zn. The model obtained was greatly accurate identifying the preferred plant species (91.3% of correct assignments). After a detailed analysis of these minerals (considering deficiencies and toxicity levels both in preferred and non-preferred plants) we suggest that the avoidance of excessive sulphur in diet (i.e., selection for plants with low sulphur content) seems to override the maximization for other nutrients. Low sulphur content seems to be a forgotten factor with certain relevance for explaining diet selection in deer. Recent studies in livestock support this conclusion, which is highlighted here for the first time in diet selection by a wild large herbivore. Our results suggest that future studies should also take into account the toxicity levels of minerals as potential drivers of preferences.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avoiding Toxic Levels of Essential Minerals: A Forgotten Factor in Deer Diet Preferences

et al. 2015

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“…Because C. sapidus is ubiquitous and extremely common (it is one of the most valuable commercial fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay) in low-salinity estuarine regions throughout their range (Posey et al 2005; Seitz et al 2003), they could play a role in regulating population dynamics of SAV and other plant populations both here, and in many other areas where they co-exist (Alexander 1986). In addition, C. sapidus may be yet another of a large and diverse group of animals, from sea urchins and sea turtles to deer and sharks, that can derive some portion of their diet from submersed aquatic vegetation (Thayer et al 1984; Eklӧf et al 2008; Fourqurean et al 2010; Ceacero et al 2014; Leigh et al 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Herbivory regulates the establishment of a native species of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in a tidal estuary of the USA

2019

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Herbivores are a diverse group of fauna that shape the distribution and composition of plant communities. In some cases, herbivory may prevent the re-establishment of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), such as Vallisneria americana , into systems. The goal of this study was to investigate the role and nature of herbivory on V. americana transplants with camera and transect surveys of grazing intensity and with field and laboratory grazing experiments using a suspected herbivore, the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus . Camera surveys recorded C. sapidus clipping and consuming shoots of V. americana for the first time. Grazing intensity surveys in low-salinity regions of the lower Chesapeake Bay indicated that the majority of V. americana transplants (50–75%) were clipped off at their base within one week of planting. Field and laboratory experiments demonstrated that C. sapidus clips and consumes V. americana as well as other rapidly colonizing, non-native SAV. Analysis of the gut contents of C. sapidus caught in SAV beds in the Chesapeake Bay revealed that SAV comprised 16% of their stomach contents, suggesting low levels of C. sapidus herbivory occurred over a wide area. Callinectes sapidus is yet another animal documented to consume SAV for some portion of their diet. These results also suggest that herbivores or omnivores, including C. sapidus , can serve as bottlenecks to recovery of SAV, like V. americana , in some areas. Herbivores may not serve as bottlenecks in other environments or to other SAV with more rapid plant growth or higher recruitment levels that may overcome grazing pressure. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00442-019-04439-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…Other explanations for the proximity of human TBE cases to water include the ecological factors that cause the highly focal distribution of TBEV in favourable microclimatic conditions. Summer habitats of cervids are often also nearby water [ 47 , 48 ] and moose are known to use water to cool off [ 49 ]. Furthermore, dispersal of roe deer has followed the seashores, rivers, and lakes [ 40 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serological evidence of tick-borne encephalitis virus infection in moose and deer in Finland: sentinels for virus circulation

et al. 2016

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BackgroundThe incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in humans has increased in Finland, and the disease has emerged in new foci. These foci have been investigated to determine the circulating virus subtype, the tick host species and the ecological parameters, but countrywide epidemiological information on the distribution of TBEV has been limited.MethodsIn this study, we screened sera from hunter-harvested wild cervids for the presence of antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) with a hemagglutination inhibition test. The positive results were confirmed by a neutralisation assay.ResultsNine (0.74 %) of 1213 moose, one (0.74 %) of 135 white-tailed deer, and none of the 17 roe deer were found seropositive for TBEV. A close geographical congruence between seropositive cervids and recently reported human TBE cases was observed: nine of the ten seropositive animals were from known endemic areas.ConclusionsOur results confirm the local circulation of TBEV in several known endemic areas. One seropositive moose had been shot in an area where human TBE cases have not been reported, suggesting a possible new focus. Moose appear to be a useful sentinel animal for the presence of TBEV in the taiga region.

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Why do cervids feed on aquatic vegetation?

Cited by 24 publications

References 45 publications

Avoiding Toxic Levels of Essential Minerals: A Forgotten Factor in Deer Diet Preferences

Avoiding Toxic Levels of Essential Minerals: A Forgotten Factor in Deer Diet Preferences

Herbivory regulates the establishment of a native species of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in a tidal estuary of the USA

Serological evidence of tick-borne encephalitis virus infection in moose and deer in Finland: sentinels for virus circulation

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