Dietary habits of lesser bandicoot rat (Bandicota Bengalensis) in an agro-ecosystem, Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan

2024 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Baig ◽  
T. Mahmood ◽  
N. Munawar ◽  
A. Saman ◽  
A. Razzaq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Arachis Hypogea ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Bandicota Bengalensis ◽  
Fallow Lands ◽  
Wild Vegetation

Abstract Dietary habits of bandicoot rats (bandicota bengalensis) were investigated in the agricultural crops of the Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan by analysing stomach contents. The research activities were conducted in major field crops including wheat-groundnut and in the fallow lands during non-crop season at the field boundaries. The specimens were captured from the fields using kill/snap traps, and dissected to collect their stomach samples for laboratory analysis. Light microscopic slides of the plant material were recovered from stomach samples and the reference materials were collected from the field. Results revealed that the bandicoot rat predominantly fed upon cultivated crops during cropping season but consumed wild vegetation during non-cropping season. There was no significance difference between summer and winter diets. Most frequently consumed crop food items were wheat (Triticum aestivum; 28.57%), groundnut (Arachis hypogea; 11.26%), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor; 10.17%), chickpea (Cicer arietinum; 9.52%), maize (Zea mays; 6.49%), millet (Pennisetum glaucum; 5.84%), barley (Hordeum vulgare; 4.98%) and mustard (Brassica campestris; 4.98%). Among wild vegetation were consumed khbal gha (Cynodon dactylon; 7.79%), baron dhab (Demostachya bipinnata; 7.36%) and Prickly flower (Achyranthes aspera; 3.03%). The study concludes that, in addition to consuming wheat and groundnut crops, the Lesser bandicoot rat also subsists on grasses, weeds, and some fodder crops, as important component of its diet in agro-ecosystem of the Pothwar Plateau.

scholarly journals Feeding patterns of two sympatric shark predators in coastal ecosystems of an oceanic island

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clément Trystram ◽  
Karyne M. Rogers ◽  
Marc Soria ◽  
Sébastien Jaquemet
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Nitrogen Isotope ◽  
Oceanic Island ◽  
Apex Predators ◽  
Coastal Habitat ◽  
Galeocerdo Cuvier ◽  
Carcharhinus Leucas ◽  
Bull Shark

Stomach contents and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses (δ13C and δ15N) were used to investigate the trophic ecology of two apex predators, tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) and bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas), from Reunion Island to describe their dietary habits at both the population and individual levels. In this oceanic island, the tiger and bull sharks were more piscivorous and teutophagous than noted in previous research from other localities. The δ13C values suggested that bull sharks depended on more neritic organic matter sources than tiger sharks, confirming a coastal habitat preference for bull sharks. Moreover, the total length of the bull shark influenced δ13C values, with smaller individuals being more coastal than larger individuals. All indicators suggest that there is a higher degree of similarity between individual tiger sharks compared with the more heterogeneous bull shark population, which is composed of individuals who specialize on different prey. These results suggest that the two species have different functions in these coastal habitats, and thus, they must be considered independently in terms of conservation and management.

scholarly journals Morfología de las piezas bucales y hábitos alimenticios de Leptonema y Smicridea (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) del río Gaira, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Daniel Alvarez Soraca ◽  
Cesar Enrique Tamaris Turizo ◽  
Cristian José Guzmán Soto
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Morphometric Measurements ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Del Rio

The genera Leptonema and Smicridea belong to the family Hidropsychidae and constitute one of the most important groups in the nutrient dynamics in the tropical aquatic ecosystems, which diversity of microhabitats is exploited by their larvae. However, there is lack of information concerning the detailed and comparative descriptions of mouthparts between these two genera, and their possible relation with their diet. The aim of this paper was to describe the morphology of the mouthparts and the feeding habits of both genera, in the middle basin of the Gaira River (Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia). The samples were collected on a monthly basis, with a surber net, between October and December of 2014, and May of 2015. A total of 15 larvae per genus were taken and the Blue Zen Software was used to determine the morphometric measurements of the cephalic pieces. Measurements were taken on photographs obtained from an AxioCam ERc5s camera adapted to a Nikon SMZ 745T stereoscope. To describe the mouthparts a M205A microscope-stereoscope Leica was used. The dietary habits of 15 individuals in total were evaluated by means of the analysis of stomach contents. A discriminant analysis of Hotelling was applied to the morphometric measurements. There were significant differences in head area (HA), head width (HW3), head length (HL2) and left mandible length (LML). In the morphological descriptions were found differences in: head, labrum and submentum. Dietaries profiles were performed to the stomach contents for both genera and the items with highest percentage for Leptonema was MOPG and MOPF with 38 % and 32 %, respectively, and for Smicridea MOPF (38 %) and MOPG (34 %) with significant differences (F = 8.8298, p < 0.05). This study indicated that the evaluated individuals consume a wide variety of resources and the difference of the diet of both genera can be related to the detected morphological differences.

scholarly journals Effects of planting dates on the growth and grain yield of two indigenous varieties of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) in a forest-savanna transition zone of Edo State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
Sunday Ebonka NWAJEI ◽  
Anthony Uhunomwan OMOREGIE ◽  
Felix Omonkeke OGEDEGBE
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Planting Dates ◽  
Reproductive Structures ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Edo State ◽  
June July

<p>Effects of planting dates on the growth and grain yield of two indigenous varieties of pearl millet was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. The experiment was a 2 × 5 factorial scheme fitted into a randomized complete block design with the two varieties of pearl millet (‘Gero Bida’ and ‘Gero Badeggi’) and five planting dates (April, May, June, July and August) replicated three times. The results obtained showed that delays in planting date significantly reduced growth in pearl millet examined. Similar pattern was observed on days to 50 % flowering and grain maturity. Improved growth with early sowing could have allowed increased availability of assimilates that later supported reproductive growth. These assimilates were remobilized under unfavourable climatic condition in the late cropping season to the reproductive structures. ‘Gero Badeggi’ sown in April, had significantly, the highest growth in the measured characters than ‘Gero Bida’ sown in August and other dates. ‘Gero Badeggi’ planted in May had the highest total grain yield (9.33 t ha<sup>-1</sup>) while ‘Gero Bida’ planted in July had the smallest (4.27 t ha<sup>-1</sup>). Therefore, ‘Gero Baddegi’ planted in May is a better variety for pearl millet grain production in Ekpoma.</p>

scholarly journals Ecología trófica y rasgos ecomorfológicos de Triportheus magdalenae (Characiformes: Triportheidae) en el embalse El Guájaro, cuenca baja del río Magdalena, Colombia

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 1208
Author(s):  
Jenny Morales ◽  
Carlos Arturo García-Alzate
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Relative Length ◽  
Flood Pulse ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Trophic Specialization ◽  
Magdalena River ◽  
Del Rio

This study integrated morphological characteristics and trophic ecology of Triportheus magdalenae in the El Guájaro reservoir, Atlántico, lower Magdalena River Basin, Colombia, based on the analysis of stomach contents and ecomorphological attributes. Five samplings were made between September 2014 and February 2016 considering each phase of the flood pulse. The fish were sampled using traditional fishing gear such as nets and trawls. The index of food importance (IAi %) was used to establish the dietary habits of the species, and the variation of the diet at interspecific level, and the vacuity coefficient (CV %) was also calculated. The Levins index standardized by Hurlbert (BA) was used to evaluate the amplitude between sizes, sex and hydrological phases. The oropharyngeal structures and the digestive tract were characterized, which together with morphological measurements, allowed and analyze 11 ecomorphological traits related to the use of habitat, such as position in the water column, and the exploitation of a particular trophic resource. The relationship between the ecomorphological traits and the diet of the species was analyzed by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). We analyzed 89 individuals (34 - 124 mm SL). Triportheus magdalenae was classified as carnivore/zooplanktivore, and has a narrow trophic niche (BA = 0.12). Showed a high exploitation of zooplankton (95.9 % IAi), mostly Cladocera (Ceriodaphnia sp.) and Copepoda (Notodiaptomus sp. and Thermocyclops sp).  The youngest juveniles (34 - 190 mm SL) also consumed allochthonous insects (3.4 % IAi).The ecomorphological traits that contributed the most to this trophic specialization were the relative length of the gillrakers (LRBE) and the number of gillrakers (NBE), which varied significantly from the smaller to the larger ones, with an increase in both number as well as in length as individuals grow, which explains the strongly marked degree of specialization on zooplankton in adults, since they present a greater degree of efficiency in the process of filtering. The vacuity coefficient was high  (54 %), which could be associated with a decrease in the density of zooplankton populations, especially during the time of lower waters strongly influenced by the EL NIÑO event, however the observed diet (22 items food) corresponded to 80 % of the diet estimated (28 estimated food items). 

scholarly journals Diet of European Catfish in a Newly Invaded Region

Fishes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Marco Ferreira ◽  
João Gago ◽  
Filipe Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Top Predator ◽  
Silurus Glanis ◽  
Lotic Environment ◽  
European Catfish ◽  
Prey Items ◽  
Lentic Systems

Biological invasions are considered to be one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. Freshwater ecosystems are amongst the most biodiverse, containing about 50% of the world’s known fish species but, ironically, are the most invaded ecosystems. In Portuguese freshwaters, there are currently 20 identified non-native fishes, arriving at an unprecedented rate of a new species every two years. A recent non-native is the European catfish Silurus glanis, a top predator native to Central and Eastern Europe, that arrived at the Lower Tagus (Portugal) circa 2006. This study compares the dietary habits of this top predator in two different habitats of the Lower Tagus in order to evaluate its potential impact. The stomach contents of 96 individuals were analyzed, 61 from the lotic environment and 35 from the lentic systems. A total of 66 stomachs contained prey items, 38 from the lotic and 28 from the lentic. Diet varied considerably between habitats, with shrimp and crayfish being the most abundant prey items in the lentic systems and shrimp and fish the most abundant prey items in the lotic section. Tendency to piscivory was observed in large-sized individuals. Overall, the findings in this study provide the first evidence of the potential impacts of European catfish through predation on the fish communities.

scholarly journals Rotation and nitrogen fertilizer effects on pearl millet, cowpea and groundnut yield and soil chemical properties in a sandy soil in the semi-arid tropics, West Africa

2000 ◽  
Vol 134 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. BATIONO ◽  
B. R. NTARE
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Arachis Hypogea

A 5-year study was conducted from 1988 to 1992 at three sites in Niger to determine the effects of crop rotation of a cereal and legumes and nitrogen fertilizer on chemical properties of the soil (0–20 cm) and yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.BR.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), and groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.). Four N levels and rotation treatments including continuous fallow were investigated. Soil samples taken from the top 20 cm depth at the end of the experiment from treatments without nitrogen application which included continuous fallow, fallow–millet rotation, groundnut–millet rotation, cowpea–millet rotation, and continuous millet were analysed for soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen and exchangeable bases. Fertilizer N significantly increased yield of pearl millet, cowpea and groundnut. Continuous monocropping of pearl millet resulted in lower yields across N levels compared to legume–millet rotations. Legume yields were also consistently lower in monoculture than when rotated with millet. There was a decline in organic matter under continuous millet, cowpea–millet rotation and groundnut–millet rotation. The fallow–millet rotation supplied more mineral N than the legume–millet rotations. Nitrogen availability was greater in cowpea–millet rotation than continuous millet. Crop rotation was more productive than the continuous monoculture but did not differ in maintaining soil organic matter. The legume–millet rotation at 30 kg/ha N appears to be the most viable for millet production. Research should focus on understanding the effect of legume/cereal intercrops and rotations on soil productivity.

Feeding Strategies of the Swamp Wallaby, Wallabia Bicolor, on North Stradbroke Island, Queensland. I: Composition of Diets.

1990 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 615 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Osawa
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Melinis Minutiflora ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Native Shrubs ◽  
Dietary Plants ◽  
Swamp Wallaby

Species composition of plants present in the stomach contents of 34 road-killed swamp wallabies, W. bicolor, on North Stradbroke Island, SE Queensland, was investigated, and related to seasonal variation in N and fibre contents of plants in the study area. W. bicolor consumed a wide range of plant categories including shrubs, forbs, grasses, ferns and fungi. Among these, grasses, followed by shrubs, were the major component of the stomach contents. These dietary plants had higher N contents than those non-dietary plants of the corresponding plant category, which were present in the study site but never found in the stomach contents. Individual grass species of high occurrence in the stomach contents were Melinis minutiflora, Cynodon dactylon and Cyperus spp. Although more fibrous, these species had similar or relatively high N levels compared with native shrubs, except during summer. This suggests that W. bicolor selected dietary plants of high N content rather than low fibre content.

Weed shift in a maize ( Zea mays L.) — Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) cropping system

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Subbulakshmi ◽  
P. Subbian ◽  
N. Saravanan ◽  
N. Prabakaran
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Cyperus Rotundus ◽  
Parthenium Hysterophorus ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Dactyloctenium Aegyptium ◽  
Trianthema Portulacastrum ◽  
Panicum Repens

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif (June–September) and rabi (October–January) seasons of 2005–2006 to study the effect of a maize — sunflower cropping system on the weed flora shift. The results revealed a change in weed species, i.e. the appearance of new species and the elimination of certain weed species due to the cropping system. The density of Dinebra retroflexa was high during the 1 st year maize cropping period, but Panicum repens became dominant when sunflower was grown after maize. Cyperus rotundus , originally the dominant sedge, was smothered by Cynodon dactylon due to zero tillage. Dactyloctenium aegyptium was the dominant weed species in maize, while Parthenium hysterophorus was the dominant weed species in sunflower. The proportions of Datura fastuosa, Parthenium hysterophorus, Trianthema portulacastrum, Amaranthus viridis, Amaranthus polygamus, Flaveria austerlagica, Gynandropsis pentaphylla and Portulaca quadrifida were higher during the 1 st year maize cropping season, while later their density was gradually reduced due to the inclusion of sunflower in the system.

scholarly journals Habitat Utilization of Field Rats in Crop Fields and Adjacent Natural Vegetation in District Rawalpindi

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-20
Author(s):  
Ali Hasnain Mosvi ◽  
Jibran Haider ◽  
Amir Naseer ◽  
Abdullah Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Habitat Utilization ◽  
Natural Vegetation ◽  
Crop Season ◽  
Crop Fields ◽  
Dactyloctenium Aegyptium ◽  
Wild Vegetation ◽  
Rodent Populations

Current study was designed to assess habitat utilization of field rats in crop fields and adjacent natural vegetation in District Rawalpindi. The rodents are widely distributed and a serious agricultural pest in Pakistan. Relative abundance of rodent populations changes seasonally under field conditions. The field trials were conducted in district Rawalpindi of the Pothwar area, Pakistan. Wild vegetation plays an important role for providing shelter/cover to the rodent during non-crop season. The dominant wild vegetation recorded from field boundaries were: Cynodon dactylon, Achyranthes aspera, Aerva javanica Saccharum griffithii, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Dichanthium annulatum, Desmostachya bipinnata, Imperata cylindrical, Ziziphus nummularia, Sorghum halepense and Capparis deciduas. This vegetation provides shelter and food to rodents when there is no cultivation or at an early stage of crop growth.

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