Feeding habits of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Linnaeus 1766), in the Ecological Reserve of Taim (ESEC - Taim) - south of Brazil
The aim of this study was to determine feeding habitats of capybaras in the ESEC-Taim (RS, Brazil), using microhistological analyses of feces. Data were analyzed seasonally. In 172 samples analyzed, 17 species were identified, with predominance of Poaceae. Zizaniopsis bonariensis was the most freque...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Instituto de Tecnologia do Paraná (Tecpar)
2007-05-01
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| Series: | Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-89132007000300007 |
| _version_ | 1819075901477879808 |
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| author | Lucélia do Valle Borges Ioni Gonçalves Colares |
| author_facet | Lucélia do Valle Borges Ioni Gonçalves Colares |
| author_sort | Lucélia do Valle Borges |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of this study was to determine feeding habitats of capybaras in the ESEC-Taim (RS, Brazil), using microhistological analyses of feces. Data were analyzed seasonally. In 172 samples analyzed, 17 species were identified, with predominance of Poaceae. Zizaniopsis bonariensis was the most frequent species in winter (38%), spring (32%) and summer (26.5%) and Paspalum disthichum in fall (31.5%). A observed increase in vegetation consumption during summer might be due to the food quality. Capybaras showed an opportunistic behavior in the winter and summer and a more selective behavior in spring and fall. Capybaras from the ESEC-Taim varied diet according to the season and alimentary availability.<br>O principal objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os hábitos alimentares das capivaras na ESEC-Taim baseado na análise microhistologica de suas fezes. Os dados foram analisados sazonalmente. Em 172 amostras analisadas, foram identificadas 17 espécies, com predominância de Poaceae. Zizaniopsis bonariensis foi a espécie mais freqüente no inverno (38%), primavera (32%) e verão (26,5%) e Paspalum disthichum no outono (31,5%). O aumento no consumo da vegetação durante o verão pode ser explicado devido à qualidade da vegetação. As capivaras mostram um comportamento de oportunismo nas estações de inverno e verão e um comportamento mais seletivo na primavera e outono. Concluindo, as capivaras da ESEC-Taim variam sua dieta de acordo com a estação e a disponibilidade de comida. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T18:32:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9595968806ce4410b768187afbe8b5cb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1516-8913 1678-4324 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T18:32:46Z |
| publishDate | 2007-05-01 |
| publisher | Instituto de Tecnologia do Paraná (Tecpar) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology |
| spelling | doaj.art-9595968806ce4410b768187afbe8b5cb2022-12-21T18:54:13ZengInstituto de Tecnologia do Paraná (Tecpar)Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology1516-89131678-43242007-05-0150340941610.1590/S1516-89132007000300007Feeding habits of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Linnaeus 1766), in the Ecological Reserve of Taim (ESEC - Taim) - south of BrazilLucélia do Valle BorgesIoni Gonçalves ColaresThe aim of this study was to determine feeding habitats of capybaras in the ESEC-Taim (RS, Brazil), using microhistological analyses of feces. Data were analyzed seasonally. In 172 samples analyzed, 17 species were identified, with predominance of Poaceae. Zizaniopsis bonariensis was the most frequent species in winter (38%), spring (32%) and summer (26.5%) and Paspalum disthichum in fall (31.5%). A observed increase in vegetation consumption during summer might be due to the food quality. Capybaras showed an opportunistic behavior in the winter and summer and a more selective behavior in spring and fall. Capybaras from the ESEC-Taim varied diet according to the season and alimentary availability.<br>O principal objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os hábitos alimentares das capivaras na ESEC-Taim baseado na análise microhistologica de suas fezes. Os dados foram analisados sazonalmente. Em 172 amostras analisadas, foram identificadas 17 espécies, com predominância de Poaceae. Zizaniopsis bonariensis foi a espécie mais freqüente no inverno (38%), primavera (32%) e verão (26,5%) e Paspalum disthichum no outono (31,5%). O aumento no consumo da vegetação durante o verão pode ser explicado devido à qualidade da vegetação. As capivaras mostram um comportamento de oportunismo nas estações de inverno e verão e um comportamento mais seletivo na primavera e outono. Concluindo, as capivaras da ESEC-Taim variam sua dieta de acordo com a estação e a disponibilidade de comida.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-89132007000300007CapybararodentherbivorydietPoaceae |
| spellingShingle | Lucélia do Valle Borges Ioni Gonçalves Colares Feeding habits of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Linnaeus 1766), in the Ecological Reserve of Taim (ESEC - Taim) - south of Brazil Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology Capybara rodent herbivory diet Poaceae |
| title | Feeding habits of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Linnaeus 1766), in the Ecological Reserve of Taim (ESEC - Taim) - south of Brazil |
| title_full | Feeding habits of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Linnaeus 1766), in the Ecological Reserve of Taim (ESEC - Taim) - south of Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Feeding habits of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Linnaeus 1766), in the Ecological Reserve of Taim (ESEC - Taim) - south of Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feeding habits of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Linnaeus 1766), in the Ecological Reserve of Taim (ESEC - Taim) - south of Brazil |
| title_short | Feeding habits of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Linnaeus 1766), in the Ecological Reserve of Taim (ESEC - Taim) - south of Brazil |
| title_sort | feeding habits of capybaras hydrochoerus hydrochaeris linnaeus 1766 in the ecological reserve of taim esec taim south of brazil |
| topic | Capybara rodent herbivory diet Poaceae |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-89132007000300007 |
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