Seasonal changes in the diet, food availability and food preference of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) in south-western Queensland

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley A. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Food Availability ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Plant Component ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Invertebrate Prey ◽  
Prey Items

Diet and food availability of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis), was examined at two sites and over two summer and two winter seasons in Astrebla Downs National Park in south-western Queensland. The presence of both invertebrate and plant material in almost all faecal pellets (99.6% and 98.5%, respectively) indicated that bilbies in south-western Queensland are omnivorous. The plant component of the bilby diet consisted predominantly of Dactyloctenium radulans seeds (frequency of occurrence: 94.4%). The major invertebrate prey items were Isop-tera (termites, 73.1%) and Formicidae (ants, 77.6%). The frequency of occurrence of invertebrates in faecal pellets was higher during summer than winter, but the frequency of occurrence of plants was relatively constant regardless of season. Within the invertebrate categories, Isoptera and Acrididae (grasshoppers) displayed the greatest seasonal difference, with a significantly higher proportion of both categories in the diet during summer than winter at both study sites. The availability of invertebrate prey items also varied with season, and for most taxa, frequency of oc-currence was significantly higher in summer than winter. In contrast, the frequency of occurrence of seeds and bulbs (Cyperus bulbosus) varied only slightly with season. Seasonal changes in food availability were reflected by variation in dietary composition; however, relative proportions of some dietary items differed from their proportional availability. Therefore, bilbies were considered to be qualitatively opportunistic; selecting more invertebrates when their apparent availability increased, but continually exploiting the available seeds and bulbs. Additionally, although bilbies appeared to have some preferences for particular food items, several food items were selected almost randomly, and therefore bilbies were also considered to be dietary generalists. Such an opportunistic feeding strategy is advantageous to an arid-zone species as it permits the continuous exploitation of food resources that are unpredictable in their availability both spatially and temporally.

Ecology of the rufous hare-wallaby, Lagorchestes hirsutus Gould (Marsupialia : Macropodidae) in the Tanami Desert, Northern Territory.II Diet and feeding strategy.

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 477 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Lundie-Jenkins ◽  
CM Phillips ◽  
PJ Jarman
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Fire History ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Minor Components ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Direct Observations

The diet preferences and selectivity of the rufous hare-wallaby in the Tanami Desert were examined at a number of sites and over a number of seasons by microscopic analysis of faecal pellets and direct observations. Perennial grasses were the most consistent plant items in the diet. Grass seeds were seasonally important as were the seeds and bulbs of sedges. Species of dicots were also used but most represented only minor components in the diet. Several species of plant common to the area were noticeably absent from the diet. Differences in the diets between four sites of varying floristic composition and fire history were consistent with differences in vegetation cover at each site. Overall, the absolute proportions and ratios of monocots and dicots and of leaf and seed portions were strongly similar for all sites, as were seasonal changes in the proportions of the four main plant categories (monocots, dicots, seeds and fruits). These changes correlated with local rainfall. Comparisons of plants eaten and plants available indicate the hare-wallabies' preference for monocots, particularly seed and fruit components. In contrast consumption of dicots was influericed by the declining quality of other preferred plants. Insects were seasonally important in the diet and appear to be a potentially important nitrogen supplement during drier times. The feeding strategy of the rufous hare-wallaby is flexible and enables it to exploit fully food resources whose availability is often limited in both time and space. During droughts it seems likely that the species is food stressed and this could lead to localised declines.

scholarly journals Catfishes as prey items of Potamotrygonid stingrays in the Solimões and Negro rivers, Brazilian Amazon

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 376-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akemi Shibuya ◽  
Jansen Zuanon
Keyword(s):  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Regional Diversity ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Negro River ◽  
Prey Items ◽  
Solimões River

In spite of the fact that catfish have rarely been reported as food items in the diets of freshwater stingrays, they are commonly observed in the stomach contents of species inhabiting the Solimões and Negro rivers in the Brazilian Amazon. The stomach contents of six rays from the Solimões River and 64 from the Negro River were analyzed, and catfishes (distributed among the families Callichthyidae, Cetopsidae, Doradidae and Loricariidae) were found in the stomach contents of four and 10 of these rays, respectively, comprising a frequency of occurrence of 20%. These data indicate a relevant participation of catfishes in the diets of potamotrygonid rays in the Amazon, and may reflect the regional diversity and abundance of Siluriformes in the region.

Ecología trófica de Lacerta lepida en la provincia de León, noroeste de España

1991 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquín Alegre ◽  
José María Salgado ◽  
Angel Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Occurrence Frequency ◽  
Nw Spain ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Invertebrate Prey ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
June July

AbstractThe diet of Lacerta lepida in the province of León (NW Spain) was studied through the analysis of 286 faecal pellets collected during May-August. Insecta were the numerically most important prey group, and always represented more than 85 % of prey numbers. Coleoptera and Hymenoptera were the dominant orders. Other important prey groups were Heteroptera and Arachnida. The number of Orthoptera consumed increased gradually from May to August. With respect to the occurrence frequency of prey in the faecal pellets, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera occurred in more than 75% at all times. The lowest trophic diversity was detected in june-july. Seasonal changes in the diet were noteworthy within short-terms and augmented in the long-term. The average length of the invertebrate prey was within the interval 9-14 mm. In terms of energy content, Vertebrata (43.82%), Coleoptera (15.77%), Orthoptera (14.40%) and Hymenoptera (13.95%) were the principal groups. L. lepida is considered to be an opportunistic feeder, although some prey groups are apparently selected.

scholarly journals Curculionids in the diet of the white-quilled korhaan: more than just food?

2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 118-123
Author(s):  
O. B. Kok ◽  
S.v.d. M. Louw ◽  
A. C. Kok
Keyword(s):  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Accessory Function ◽  
The Family ◽  
Northern Cape ◽  
Relative Hardness ◽  
Mixed Feeder ◽  
Prey Items

Analyses of 326 white-quilled korhaan (Eupodotis afraoides) stomach contents collected in the Free State and Northern Cape over a period of 20 years (1984-2004) showed this species to be a mixed feeder concentrating mainly on insects. Based on dry mass prey items of the Isoptera and Coleoptera form the bulk of the diet. According to frequency of occurrence coleopterans, more specifically members of the family Curculionidae, are utilised most often. Indications are that the curculionids, owing to their size and relative hardness of the exoskeleton, fulfil an accessory function with regard to the physical breakdown of coarse food items in the muscular stomach.

scholarly journals Daily variation feeding of Astyanax lacustris (Lütken 1875) in a subtropical river

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. e54516
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Bastian ◽  
Marthoni Vinicius Massaro ◽  
Juliana Felden ◽  
Marlon da Luz Soares ◽  
Samuel Elias Siveris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Availability ◽  
Daily Variation ◽  
Volumetric Method ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Lotic Environment ◽  
Food Content ◽  
Uruguay River

This study aimed to know the daily variation of Astyanax lacustris (Lütken 1875) feeding in a lotic environment. Fish were caught with a net for three days every three hours in the summer to capture ten individuals per hour in a stretch of the Ijuí River, Middle Uruguay River, Brazil. The captured specimens had their stomachs removed and the content analyzed and separated into seven food categories with the aid of stereomicroscope. For the analysis of food items were used the frequency of occurrence methods, volumetric method and applied the Alimentary Index (IAi). Two hundred stomachs were analyzed, of which 95% had food content. The most abundant items were algae and autochthonous insects. Astyanax lacustris feeds throughout the day especially early in the morning (9 hours) and reduces its feeding at night (24 hours and 3 hours). It was also verified variation of AI of different food items throughout the day. It is concluded that A. lacustris feeds throughout the day, especially in the daytime and that throughout the 24 hours it varies its diet due to photoperiod and food availability.

scholarly journals Niche enlargement as a consequence of co-existence: a case study

2012 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Mazzoni ◽  
PS. Marques ◽  
CF. Rezende ◽  
R. Iglesias-Rios
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Niche Breadth ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Main Prey ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Prey Items

Spatio-temporal changes in the diet, niche breadth and niche overlap of two species of Characidium from three different sites along a Neotropical coastal stream were studied during a dry and rainy season. Seasonal changes were restricted to the occurrence of plant items in the stomach contents. The relative importance of food items in the diet of both species varied across sites, but Diptera, Ephemeroptera, Simuliidae, Trichoptera and Coleoptera larvae were always the main prey items. Contrary to the expected pattern, values of the niche breadth were higher at the site where Characidium species co-existed and niche overlapped at this site indicated 52% (p = 0.52) of feeding overlap.

Diet and sexual maturation of the neon flying squid Ommastrephes bartramii during autumn and spring in the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition region

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 381-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hikaru Watanabe ◽  
Tsunemi Kubodera ◽  
Taro Ichii ◽  
Mitsuo Sakai ◽  
Masatoshi Moku ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transition Region ◽  
Sexual Maturation ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Ommastrephes Bartramii ◽  
Neon Flying Squid ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Diaphus Theta ◽  
The Kuroshio ◽  
Prey Items

Diet and sexual maturation were examined in the winter–spring cohort of the neon flying squid, Ommastrephes bartramii, during its southward migration through the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition region of the western North Pacific. The main prey items are micronektonic animals and small pelagic fish, which were abundantly distributed throughout the study area. Among the prey species, O. bartramii was dependent on the Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus, which also migrate from the northern to southern transition region during the winter, and the micronektonic squid Watasenia scintillans throughout the study period. Other common prey items were Gonatopsis borealis, Diaphus theta, and Ceratoscopelus warmingii from October to November or December, and Tarletonbeania taylori after December. These dietary changes can be explained by the difference in the seasonal north–south migration patterns of the predator and prey species. Male sexual maturation progressed throughout the season, and most individuals were fully mature in January. In contrast, most of the females were immature throughout the study period. The feeding strategy of the squid in relation to their seasonal north to south migration and sexual maturation was discussed.

scholarly journals Gastrointestinal parasites and prey items from a mass stranding of false killer whales, Pseudorca crassidens, in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil

2001 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. V. ANDRADE ◽  
M. C. PINEDO ◽  
A. S. BARRETO
Keyword(s):  
Rio Grande ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Ommastrephes Bartramii ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Pseudorca Crassidens ◽  
Mass Stranding ◽  
Prey Items

The gastrointestinal tract of 14 false killer whales, 6 males and 8 females, stranded in June 1995 in southern Brazil, with total standard lengths from 338 to 507 cm, were analysed for endoparasites and food items. A pregnant female had a male foetus of 77.5 cm. Parasites were found in all 14 false killer whales. The nematode Anisakis simplex (Rudolphi, 1809) was found in the stomach of 57% of the animals and the acanthocephalan Bolbosoma capitatum (Linstow, 1889) Porta, 1908 was present in the intestine of all specimens and showed densities up to 600 m-1. An unidentified cestode (Tethrabothridae) was found also in the intestines of 14% of the individuals. The high infections of B. capitatum and A. simplex were not directly related with the cause of death. In the stomachs of four females, beaks of at least eight specimens of the oceanic and epipelagic species Ommastrephes bartramii (Lesueur, 1821) were found, with mantle lengths ranging from 189.8 to 360.9 mm. The distribution of O. bartramii in the coast of Rio Grande do Sul is consistent with false killer whales feeding in continental shelf waters.

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