Protozoa of the digestive tract of herbivorous mammals

1986 ◽  
Vol 7 (03) ◽  
pp. 279-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burk A. Dehority
1976 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 201 ◽  
Author(s):  
CJF Harrop ◽  
R Degabriele

The dimensions of different regions of the digestive tract and digestive efficiency were determined in koalas maintained on leaves from the grey gum, Eucalyptus punctata, in summer and winter trials. Intakes of wet and dry matter, and apparent digestibility of dry matter, compared favourably with values reported for various other herbivorous mammals. Seasonal differences were marginal. A low but positive nitrogen balance was generally maintained in both seasons, although the apparent digestibility of nitrogen was lower in winter. This was reflected in the values for dietary and apparent digestible nitrogen intakes required for the maintenance of similar levels of nitrogen equilibrium in summer and winter. Mean nitrogen balances in summer and winter were not significantly different at 0.040 and 0.034 g/kg W*0.75 per day respectively. Daily dietary nitrogen intakes were significantly different, however, at 0.426 and 0.493 g/kg W*0.75 in summer and winter respectively, while the apparent digestible nitrogen intakes were not significantly different at 0.180 and 0.127 g/kg W*0.75 per day respectively. This is discussed in relation to the quality of the food offered. It is concluded that the digestive tract of the koala, presumably aided by the relatively large caecum, is well suited to the fibrous dietary matter on which the animal feeds.


1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Lanyon ◽  
H Marsh

The retention times of particulate digesta were measured in two captive dugongs, Dugong dugon (Muller 1776) using inert plastic markers. The mouth-to-anus retention times (146-166 h) were similar to those of the West Indian manatee, and much longer than those of most other herbivorous mammals. This slow gut passage rate may be explained by the dugong's long digestive tract, the low fibre level of the diet and the low food intake. Like the manatee, the dugong appears to have a digestive strategy that is atypical of hindgut fermenters: low-fibre material is retained for extended periods within the long hindgut and almost completely digested.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Junquera ◽  
E Brullet ◽  
E Martínez-Bauer ◽  
V Puig-Diví ◽  
M Miquel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahfud Mahfud ◽  
Ihwan

Excessive hunting and poaching for commercial purpose of Varanus salvator in Indonesia can cause a decline in this animal population. However, the scientific information of this animal especially about the biologic of organ system is rarely reported. Therefore, this case opens up opportunities for researching, which aims to study the anatomy of digestive tract of water monitor macroscopically. This research has been conducted in Biology Laboratory, University of Muhammadiyah Kupang for 5 months from March to August 2016. The digestive organ of this animal that has been preserved in alcohol 70% was obtained before from two males of water monitors. Preservation process: the animal were anesthetized, exsanguinated, and fixated in 4 paraformaldehyde by tissue perfusion method. Observations were performed to the visceral site and morphometrical of digestive tract. The resulted data was analysed descriptively and presented in tables and figures. The digestive tract of water monitor consist of esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and cloaca. The dimension of each organ is different based on its structures and functions. The esophagus of water monitor connects the mouth cavity and the stomach and also as the entrance of food to the stomach. Water monitor stomach were found in cranial part of abdomen, in left side of liver. The small intestine was longer than stomach and it is a winding muscular tube in abdomen in posterior side of liver. The large intestine consist of colon and cloaca, while cecum was not found. This channel was extend lateromedially in abdomen to cloaca between left and right kidneys. The cloaca was the end of digestive tract which excreted feces and urine. From this research, we can conclude that the digestive tract of water monitor consists of esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. It’s difficult to differentiate small intestine and large intestine because there are no cecum.


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