High fibre selection by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): evidence of ruminal microbiome adaption to seasonal and geographical differences in nutrient composition

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (10) ◽  
pp. 1303
Author(s):  
Sarah-Alica Dahl ◽  
Martina Hudler ◽  
Wilhelm Windisch ◽  
Carmen Bolduan ◽  
Daniel Brugger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Agricultural Area ◽  
Rumen Content ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Geographical Differences ◽  
Nutrient Contents ◽  
Agricultural Habitat ◽  
Number Of Microorganisms ◽  
High Concentrations

Context. The European roe deer owes its ability to digest fibre to its microbiome. This is made up of many different species at different levels of abundance and with different differentiations. In Europe, the roe deer is often classified as a so-called ‘concentrate selector’. This term has often been interpreted by different researchers to mean a selector of either protein- or energy-rich food. According to various studies, this selection behaviour is due to the low abundance of fibre-degrading microorganisms. Aims. The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration of crude nutrients in the rumen of roe deer, with the focus on the fibre fractions, and to show changes among seasons and between habitats. Furthermore, the aim was to find out how far the composition of the ruminal microbiota adapts to these changes. Methods. From 2011 to 2014, we collected the rumens of 245 roe deer in two Bavarian habitat types, a forest and an agricultural habitat. The crude nutrient contents and the size of the total microbiome and the proportions of individual genera were determined in the rumen content. Key results. The average annual concentration of crude fibre in the ingested food is 26–30% and this rises to 38% in certain months. The forest roe deer had the highest proportions of crude fibre in their food and the concentrations of other nutrients were also highly dependent on the season and habitat. Furthermore, the animals also have far less protein in their rumen content than often assumed. The total number of microorganisms in the rumens of the forest deer is significantly higher than in animals living in the agricultural area. The number of microorganisms was highest in the forest roe deer in winter, and in the roe deer from the agricultural area in summer. Clear connections can also be seen between individual groups of microorganisms and particular crude nutrients. The high crude-fibre concentration leads to a high number of fibre-degrading microorganisms, such as, for example, anaerobic fungi or the Ruminococcus flavefaciens. Conclusions. The results showed a high adaptability of the animals to a fibre-rich diet. The microbiome adapts very well to the respective nutrient availabilities. This, in turn, is what allows the roe deer to adapt so readily to diverse habitats and environmental conditions. Implications. Due to the generally high concentrations of fibre, combined with the high numbers of fibre-degraders in the rumen, we suggest that, from now on, we should talk of a roe deer as being a ‘selector’ or ‘browser’ rather than a ‘concentrate selector’.

scholarly journals Response of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) to seasonal and local changes in dietary energy content and quality

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (10) ◽  
pp. 1315
Author(s):  
Andreas König ◽  
Martina Hudler ◽  
Sarah-Alica Dahl ◽  
Carmen Bolduan ◽  
Daniel Brugger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Fibre Content ◽  
Energy Concentration ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Forest Habitat ◽  
Natural Diet ◽  
Agricultural Habitat

Context In terms of their nutritional physiology, roe deer have been called ‘concentrate selectors’. This implies that they select proteins in their diet and are not able to digest fibre. It is, thus, suggested that in an agricultural landscape, they are unable to digest the high fibre content of arable crops and, thus, suffer and need to be given supplementary feed. Aims Our aim was to determine the nutrient composition and energy content of the roe deer diet in an agricultural habitat compared with that in a natural forest habitat. Methods Rumen contents of 245 roe deer were collected to represent each month of the year for 3 years, weighed, and analysed by standard methods for nutrient and fibre content. Key results Roe deer in the agricultural habitat had rumen contents with significantly higher metabolisable energy (ME) concentrations, with a median of 6.2 MJ ME/kg DM, than did roe deer in the forest habitat, where the median was 5.4 MJ ME/kg DM. The mass of rumen contents in the forest habitat was, on average, 240 g higher than that in the agricultural habitat. Roe deer in the forest habitat compensate for the lower energy concentration in their natural diet by increasing their food intake. The concentration in the agricultural habitat is a result of the higher proportion of easily digestible carbohydrates in the diet. The concentration of crude protein in the rumen contents did not differ statistically between the two areas. In both habitats, the mean crude fibre concentration varied between 24% DM and 34% DM, and was significantly higher in the forest. The concentration of crude fibre selected by the roe deer is similar to the concentration of crude fibre known to be selected by red deer and fallow deer (intermediate feeders) and mouflon (a grazer) (Hofmann 1989). Conclusions The term ‘concentrate selector’ should be replaced by ‘selector’ to avoid misinterpretations. Energy shortfalls were not observed in either of the populations during the study period. Implications Supplemental feeding was not necessary to maintain the population.

scholarly journals The Effect of Protozoa on the Bacterial Composition and Hydrolytic Activity of the Roe Deer Rumen

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 467
Author(s):  
Renata Miltko ◽  
Barbara Kowalik ◽  
Małgorzata P. Majewska ◽  
Aneta Kędzierska ◽  
Neil R. McEwan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Roe Deer ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Hydrolytic Activity ◽  
Rumen Content ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Digestion Rate ◽  
Average Body Mass

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of the presence of protozoa in the rumen of wild roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) on the bacteria composition and digestion rate of the main carbohydrates of forage. The research material involved rumen content and rumen fluid, which were collected in the autumn-winter season, from eight adult males of roe deer with an average body mass of 22.6 kg. The microscopic analysis demonstrated that there were only protozoa in 50% of the animals sampled. Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of protozoa belonging to the genus Entodinium. The density of protozoal population varied from 6.5 to 38.7 × 105/mL rumen fluid. The analysis of bacteria composition indicated that protozoa did not have an effect on bacterial diversity. Furthermore, the results of hydrolytic activity revealed that the fastest digestion of carbohydrates was for pectin, while the slowest was inulin. The pH and redox potential in the rumen varied from 5.9 to 6.1 and from −248.1 to −251.1 mV, respectively. In summary, the presence of protozoa in the rumen of wild roe deer does not have an effect on the bacterial population and has no effect on the digestion rate of carbohydrates in the rumen.

An Analysis of Time-Budgeting By Roe Deer (Capreol Us Capreol Us) in an Agricultural Area

Behaviour ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 71 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 246-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis C. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Agricultural Area ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Differential Behavior ◽  
Wooded Area ◽  
Increase Energy Intake ◽  
Ca 50 ◽  
Protective Cover ◽  
Free Ranging

AbstractAn analysis of time-budgeting by Capreolus capreolus in an agricultural area is presented in two sections: the first concerns resting behavior, the second, time-budgeting within the active state. Of primary interest were comparisons between age-/sex-classes over seasons. Data were collected by direct observation of a free-ranging roe deer population with ca 50% of the animals individually marked. The study site consisted of ca 200 ha of agricultural cropland with a small wooded area on one end and interspersed tree-rows. An ethogram was constructed to enable the recording of behavioral samples on tape; these were later transcribed onto computer cards and the data were analyzed by computer using non-parametric and parametric tests. Roe deer spent ca 55% of the day lying (and ruminating) during the Winter. Differences between age-/sex-classes over the year were related to differential behavior towards protective cover, rather than differential energy requirements. Therefore, age-/sex-differences in time-budgeting were sought within the active period. It was found that ca 90% of the time spent on foot was devoted to 4 non-overlapping ethogram elements - orienting, walking, moving (searching), and feeding - and one collective element - social behavior. These 5 elements were subjected to more detailed statistical analyses, and indeed, significant age-/sex-class, as well as seasonal differences were found. The differences elucidated were often in agreement with predictions made from models or theories based on energetic considerations. This does not reduce the importance of recently hypothesized nutrient-balancing tasks, but it did demonstrate that time-variable energy demands were still operative in herbivores. Several results indicated that females follow more conservative strategies than males: they tended to reduce costs when faced with higher energy demands, whereas males tended to increase energy intake.

scholarly journals Chemical composition of the rumen contents in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) as potential quality indicator of their feeding

2006 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nenad Djordjevic ◽  
Zoran Popovic ◽  
Goran Grubic
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Potential Indicator ◽  
Calcium And Phosphorus

In the experiment the chemical composition of rumen contents in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was investigated in the "Sarajevska Reka" hunting area. The investigations were done on 20 deer shot from May 2005 to January 2006. Experiment was done as random plan, with four treatments (seasons) and uneven distribution of subjects within treatments. The results of chemical analysis confirmed significant influence of season on the amount of total nitrogen and crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, ash and ammonia nitrogen (P<0.05). Variations in pH values, NFE, calcium and phosphorus in dry matter and total ash of the rumen contents were lower and there was no significant influence of season on those parameters. The obtained results for total protein, calcium and phosphorus in the rumen contents in roe deer shot during the winter show significantly higher presence of those components than the usual recommendations for concentrate mixtures produced for the species. Although those results are not a real indication of the diet's chemical composition, they may be used as potential indicator of the quality of the diet and can be useful when formulating the additional feeding routine for winter months.

scholarly journals INCIDENCE OF HEAVY METALS AND OTHER TOXIC ELEMENTS IN ROE DEER (Capreolus capreolus) TISSUES

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Milica Živkov Baloš ◽  
Željko Mihaljev ◽  
Sandra Jakšić ◽  
Nadežda Prica ◽  
Gospava Lazić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Wound Area ◽  
Wet Digestion ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Mass Spectometry

Levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and copper (Cu) in the liver, kidney and muscle of 11 individual roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) were determined. Th e samples were prepared by microwave wet digestion. Content of investigated elements was determined by the method of coupled plasma with mass spectometry. The lead concentrations ranged from <0.001 (liver) to 8.455 mg/kg (meat), Cd concentrations ranged from 0.004 (muscle) to 0.818 mg/kg (kidney) and As concentrations ranged from 0.002 (liver) to 0.031 mg/kg (kidney). Concentrations of Hg in examined tissues (liver, kidney, muscle) were under limit of detection (<0.001 mg/kg). Th e concentration of copper in liver ranged from 3.913 to 104.08 mg/kg. Th e results of this study showed that no samples exceeded maximum allowed levels for Cd, Hg, As and Cu. Pb concentrations in muscle samples ranged from 0.008 to 8.455 mg/kg. High concentrations of Pb in two muscle samples are most likely due to the proximity of hunting wound area, as lead was not detected in organ samples. The presence of some elements in the tissues of roe d eer suggests the necessity of further research aimed at identifying the source of contamination in order to preserve the health of both humans and animals.

Enamel Thickness Differs between Field and Forest European Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Jan Demesko ◽  
Marta Kurek ◽  
Patrycja Podlaszczuk ◽  
Janusz Markowski
Keyword(s):  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Enamel Thickness

scholarly journals The modular organization of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) body during ontogeny: the effects of sex and habitat

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Milošević-Zlatanović ◽  
Tanja Vukov ◽  
Srđan Stamenković ◽  
Marija Jovanović ◽  
Nataša Tomašević Kolarov
Keyword(s):  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Modular Organization

scholarly journals Testicular Melatonin and Its Pathway in Roe Deer Bucks (Capreolus capreolus) during Pre- and Post-Rut Periods: Correlation with Testicular Involution

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1874
Author(s):  
Alberto Elmi ◽  
Nadia Govoni ◽  
Augusta Zannoni ◽  
Martina Bertocchi ◽  
Chiara Bernardini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Melatonin Receptors ◽  
Local Synthesis ◽  
Testicular Weight ◽  
And Function ◽  
Gene Expression Levels

Roe deer are seasonal breeders with a complete yearly testicular cycle. The peak in reproductive activity is recorded during summer, the rutting period, with the highest levels of androgens and testicular weight. Melatonin plays a pivotal role in seasonal breeders by stimulating the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonads axis and acting locally; in different species, its synthesis within testes has been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological melatonin pattern within roe deer testes by comparing data obtained from animals sampled during pre- and post-rut periods. Melatonin was quantified in testicular parenchyma, along with the genetic expression of enzymes involved in its local synthesis (AANAT and ASMT) and function (UCP1). Melatonin receptors, MT1-2, were quantified both at protein and gene expression levels. Finally, to assess changes in reproductive hormonal profiles, testicular dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was quantified and used for a correlation analysis. Melatonin and AANAT were detected in all samples, without significant differences between pre- and post-rut periods. Despite DHEA levels confirming testicular involution during the post-rut period, no correlations appeared between such involution and melatonin pathways. This study represents the first report regarding melatonin synthesis in roe deer testes, opening the way for future prospective studies in the physiology of this species.

scholarly journals Morphometric and Molecular Analyses of Ostertagia leptospicularis Assadov, 1953 from Ruminants: Species Diversity or Host Influence?

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 182
Author(s):  
Anna Wyrobisz-Papiewska ◽  
Jerzy Kowal ◽  
Elżbieta Łopieńska-Biernat ◽  
Paweł Nosal ◽  
Iwona Polak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Systematic Classification ◽  
Morphological Variations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Induced Changes

Ostertagia leptospicularis Assadov, 1953 was formally described in roe deer Capreolus capreolus and has been reported in a wide range of ruminants, including other Cervidae, as well as Bovidae. Nematode specimens derived from various host species exhibit morphological similarity; however, some differences can be observed. It is unclear if this is due to the differential reaction of one nematode species in different host species (i.e., host-induced changes) or because of distinct nematode species in these hosts (i.e., species complex). This paper focuses on specimens resembling O. leptospicularis f. leptospicularis and its closely related species (Ostertagia ostertagi f. ostertagi) collected from various hosts. Morphometric and molecular techniques were applied to assess host-induced changes in nematode morphology and to clarify its systematic classification. There was an overall effect of host species on measurements of nematodes resembling O. leptospicularis (both males and females), but the distinctiveness of the specimens from cattle Bos taurus were highlighted. The results obtained may suggest that the specimens of O. leptospicularis from cattle in Germany and cervids in central Europe belong to different strains. Furthermore, nematodes from the cervid strain appear to circulate within particular host species, which can be seen in the stated morphological variations.

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