title: A survey of chemical and nutritional characteristics of halophytes plants used by camels in Southern Tunisia.
abstract: The camel (Camelus dromedarius) is well adapted to the utilization of vegetation of low nutritional value in its natural habitat zone, thanks to its aptitude to vary food and to search plants that are rich in water content and that can make up for its nutritional deficits, particularly as concerns mineral elements. Therefore, a survey was carried out to determine camels pasture quality, dietary preference and to characterize the chemical characteristics and nutritional value of different halophytes plants in a region of Southern Tunisia during spring season. Laboratory analysis were conducted on fourteen vegetable species appertained to seven different botanical families: Chenopodiaceae, Graminaceae, Tamaricaceae, Zygophyllaceae, Asteraceae, Frankeniaceae and Plumbaginaceae. Data obtained indicate an high variability of nutritional content of halophytes plants preferred by camels, specially for dry matter, crude protein, fiber fractions, ash and mineral elements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Health and Welfare, University of Bari, s.p. per Casamassima km 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Laudadio
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tufarelli
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dario
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hammadi
authors.forename: Mabrouk Mouldi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Seddik
authors.forename: Giovanni Michele
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Lacalandra
authors.forename: Cataldo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dario
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus / Q000502:physiology*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000032:analysis; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009753:Nutritive Value; D055051:Salt-Tolerant Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D012621:Seasons; D014416:Tunisia
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D009584:Nitrogen