Abstract
This study determined the influence of nutritional fruit content on their consumption by chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest. Fruits consumption frequencies were obtained from analysis of chimpanzee faecal samples picked over a period of two years. Fruit content was analyzed using freeze dried fresh samples using standard techniques. Musanga leo-errerae (76.14%), Ficus spp (66.05%) and (18.68%) were the most commonly eaten fruits of all faecal samples (N = 2683). Generally, fruit consumption increased for fruits with total phenols and tannins below 1% per gram except for Musanga leo-errerae, Uvariopsis congoensis and Aframomum angustifolium. Multiple regression revealed that of the 15 nutrient parameters investigated, only calcium, tannins, crude fat, protein and energy content of the fruits that constitute the major food components for basic animal body needs and functioning of energy, body building and a healthy skeleton significantly predicted 76.86% of consumption (R2 = 76.86%; P = 0.019). However, the fact that some of the most eaten fruits like Aframomum angustifolium and Musanga leo-errerae were recorded to have the highest amounts in tannins shows that there must be additional factors into play. Other than fruit availability, consideration of effect of fruit size and handling within the existing models of chimpanzees’ diet could hence enhance further the understanding of fruit consumption.
Highlights
The plants world on which animals feed is biochemically complex
Comparison was made of the nutrient and non-nutritional content of fruits eaten in high and least frequencies in Kalinzu where fruit availability alone could not explain the difference in consumption selectivity [7]
Unlike other forests where the important food sources were Ficus sp and/or terrestrial herbaceous vegetation (THV), the diet of Kalinzu chimpanzees was dominated by two fruit genera of Musanga and Ficus
Summary
Most research on comparative nutrition in Apes has been carried out between plants eaten and plants not eaten to determine whether the differences in nutrient and non-nutritional content can explain such a selectivity or choice of consumption [5] [6]. Comparison was made of the nutrient and non-nutritional content of fruits eaten in high and least frequencies in Kalinzu where fruit availability alone could not explain the difference in consumption selectivity [7]. Identifying nutritional components of fruits eaten by chimpanzees is critical for understanding of the fruit chemistry and toxicology, and to discover how these contents may influence fruit selection and consumption by chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest. As stated by Fashing [1], an important goal in nutritional ecology is to understand what governs the diet selection of free-living animals
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