Diets of impala from Kruger National Park: evidence from stable carbon isotopes
Impala are known to exhibit dietary flexibility, relying primarily on browse in some areas and graze in others. In this study we use stable isotope analysis of faeces and hair to examine the diets of Impala in Kruger National Park. As expected, the data show that Impala are mixed-feeders and highly...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2003-12-01
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| Series: | Koedoe: African Protected Area Conservation and Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/43 |
| _version_ | 1818018118003326976 |
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| author | M. Sponheimer C.C. Grant D.J. de Ruiter J.A. Lee-Thorp D.M. Codron J. Codron |
| author_facet | M. Sponheimer C.C. Grant D.J. de Ruiter J.A. Lee-Thorp D.M. Codron J. Codron |
| author_sort | M. Sponheimer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Impala are known to exhibit dietary flexibility, relying primarily on browse in some areas and graze in others. In this study we use stable isotope analysis of faeces and hair to examine the diets of Impala in Kruger National Park. As expected, the data show that Impala are mixed-feeders and highly distinct from grazing buffalo and browsing kudu. Moreover, Impala, Buffalo, and Kudu faeces contain 2.1 %, 1.4 %, and 2.9 % nitrogen respectively, suggesting that Impala diets are of intermediate quality. There are also marked differences between Impala populations in the northern and southern regions of the park. The northern Impala graze less than their southern counterparts. This difference probably reflects decreased availability of herbaceous forage in the mopane-dominated north. Males and females also have different diets, with males grazing more than females. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T07:34:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8dc8425b070942a1aa742e6f0cea6ab5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0075-6458 2071-0771 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T07:34:58Z |
| publishDate | 2003-12-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Koedoe: African Protected Area Conservation and Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-8dc8425b070942a1aa742e6f0cea6ab52022-12-22T02:05:42ZengAOSISKoedoe: African Protected Area Conservation and Science0075-64582071-07712003-12-0146110110610.4102/koedoe.v46i1.4336Diets of impala from Kruger National Park: evidence from stable carbon isotopesM. Sponheimer0C.C. Grant1D.J. de Ruiter2J.A. Lee-Thorp3D.M. Codron4J. Codron5University of Cape TownUniversity of the WitwatersrandUniversity of the WitwatersrandUniversity of Cape TownUniversity of Cape TownUniversity of Cape TownImpala are known to exhibit dietary flexibility, relying primarily on browse in some areas and graze in others. In this study we use stable isotope analysis of faeces and hair to examine the diets of Impala in Kruger National Park. As expected, the data show that Impala are mixed-feeders and highly distinct from grazing buffalo and browsing kudu. Moreover, Impala, Buffalo, and Kudu faeces contain 2.1 %, 1.4 %, and 2.9 % nitrogen respectively, suggesting that Impala diets are of intermediate quality. There are also marked differences between Impala populations in the northern and southern regions of the park. The northern Impala graze less than their southern counterparts. This difference probably reflects decreased availability of herbaceous forage in the mopane-dominated north. Males and females also have different diets, with males grazing more than females.https://koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/43ImpalaCarbon isotopesFaecesHairDiet |
| spellingShingle | M. Sponheimer C.C. Grant D.J. de Ruiter J.A. Lee-Thorp D.M. Codron J. Codron Diets of impala from Kruger National Park: evidence from stable carbon isotopes Koedoe: African Protected Area Conservation and Science Impala Carbon isotopes Faeces Hair Diet |
| title | Diets of impala from Kruger National Park: evidence from stable carbon isotopes |
| title_full | Diets of impala from Kruger National Park: evidence from stable carbon isotopes |
| title_fullStr | Diets of impala from Kruger National Park: evidence from stable carbon isotopes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diets of impala from Kruger National Park: evidence from stable carbon isotopes |
| title_short | Diets of impala from Kruger National Park: evidence from stable carbon isotopes |
| title_sort | diets of impala from kruger national park evidence from stable carbon isotopes |
| topic | Impala Carbon isotopes Faeces Hair Diet |
| url | https://koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/43 |
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