Food intake, nutrient utilization and water turnover in the lesser mouse-deer (Tragulus javanicus) given lundai (Sapium baccatum).
Voluntary food intake, digestibility and water turnover were determined in adult Malaysian lesser mouse-deer (Tragulus javanicus) given unlimited access to lundai foliage (Sapium baccatum). Daily dry matter (DM) intake was 42.4 g/kg metabolic live mass (M0.73) or 3.7% M. Digestible energy intake was 853 kJ/day (571 kJ metabolisable energy per M0.73), calculated to be used with 79% efficiency. Apparent digestibility (%) of organic matter was 83.8, crude fibre 63.7, acid detergent fibre 60.5, neutral detergent fibre 72.1 and crude protein 65.0. Urinary excretion of the purine derivative, allantoin, was 0.05 mg/g digestible DM intake suggesting rumen microbial yield efficiency may be lower than in other ruminant species. Total water intake was 182 ml/M0.82. The body-water content of the fed mouse-deer, from tritiated water dilution, was 77% M, consistent with a very lean carcass. Turnover of body water was 17% per day. The mouse-deer produced relatively dry, well-defined faecal pellets.
Nolan
J V
JV
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Selangor.
Liang
J B
JB
Abdullah
N
N
Kudo
H
H
Ismail
H
H
Ho
Y W
YW
Jalaludin
S
S
D000481:Allantoin / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D003670:Deer / Q000502:physiology*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000032:analysis; D004326:Drinking / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D008031:Lignin / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D014316:Tritium; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D014867:Water; D014316:Tritium; D000481:Allantoin; D008031:Lignin; D009584:Nitrogen