Fiber digestibility by black lemurs (Eulemur macaco macaco).
Black lemurs, Eulemur macaco, are classified as generalist feeders, consuming a proportion of fruits and leaves that varies with seasonal availability. It is hypothesized that black lemurs are capable of using neutral detergent fiber (NDF) as a source of energy through fiber fermentation in the cecum and large intestine. In captivity, they are typically fed a diet of commercially available primate biscuits and readily available produce, both of which are limited in NDE Digestibility trials were conducted on 14 black lemurs; 12 were housed in groups (four, three, three, and two) and 2 were individually housed. The lemurs were fed four manufactured feeds differing in fiber form and content. A commercially available primate biscuit, containing approximately 27% NDF, served as the control diet. The second diet contained the same primate biscuits, which were ground and then incorporated into a fiber-based gel matrix. The third and fourth diets were formulated using soybean hulls or ground corncobs as the fiber source, resulting in 53% and 47% NDF, respectively. Produce was added to the diet at 36% (dry matter basis). Dry matter digestibility differed significantly among all diets. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was highest for the ground biscuit in gel and lowest for the two high-fiber gel diets, with biscuit digestibility values falling between the two extremes. The high-fiber gel diets were successful in increasing the NDF concentrations of the primate diets; however, black lemurs were capable of only limited fiber digestion.
Schmidt
Debra A
DA
University of Missouri, 111 Animal Sciences Research Center, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA.
Kerley
Monty S
MS
Porton
Ingrid J
IJ
Porter
James H
JH
Dempsey
Janet L
JL
Griffin
Mark E
ME
Ellersieck
Mark R
MR
Sadler
William C
WC
D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D003902:Detergents; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004063:Digestion; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology; D007900:Lemur / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation
D003902:Detergents; D004043:Dietary Fiber