Nutrient composition of plants consumed by black and white ruffed lemurs, Varecia variegata, in the Betampona Natural Reserve, Madagascar.
The purpose of this study was to quantify the concentrations of crude protein, fat, ash, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, nonstructural carbohydrates, and gross energy in plant foods consumed by wild black and white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata). Calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and selenium concentrations were also determined. A total of 122 samples from 33 plant families and more than 60 species were collected and analyzed for their nutritional content. The specific nutrient needs of black and white ruffed lemurs are unknown, but quantifying the nutritional composition of the foods they consume in the wild will help nutritionists and veterinarians formulate more appropriate diets for captive ruffed lemurs. This information will also supply information on how man-induced habitat changes affect the nutritional composition of foods consumed by free-ranging lemurs.
Schmidt
Debra A
DA
Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. schmidt@stlzoo.org
Iambana
R Bernard
RB
Britt
Adam
A
Junge
Randall E
RE
Welch
Charles R
CR
Porton
Ingrid J
IJ
Kerley
Monty S
MS
D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D056246:Chemistry, Analytic; D004032:Diet; D005504:Food Analysis; D007900:Lemur / Q000502:physiology*; D008270:Madagascar; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis
D014131:Trace Elements