Nutrient Content of Cactus and Woody Plant Fruits Eaten by Birds and Mammals in South Texas

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During their periods of availability in 1976 and 1977, the fruits of 17 species of cacti and woody plants eaten by birds and mammals in southern Texas were collected and analyzed for percentages of crude protein (CP), P, Ca, Mg, K, and Na. Crude protein levels ranged from 3.85 to 22.18%; however, levels of CP in most species were inadequate for birds and mammals. None of the fruits contained adequate P levels for birds, and most had deficient P levels for mammals. Most species contained adequate levels of Ca for mammals and inadequate levels for birds. All species had adequate Mg and K levels for birds and mammals, whereas Na levels were generally below the recommended dietary requirement for birds and mammals. An outstanding characteristic of the South Texas Plains is its diverse flora. More than 2,300 native plant species grow in this area (Lehmann, 1975), including 281 species of woody plants and 32 species of cacti. Vines (1960) reported that the fruit crops produced annually by many of these plants pro- vided important seasonal foods for birds and mammals. Several food habit studies of various bird species in southern Texas have shown the importance of these fruits (Lehmann and Ward, 1941; Dolton, 1975; Guthery, 1975; Mar- ion, 1976). Many other studies have reported the use of these fruits by mam- mals (Davis, 1951; Jennings and Harris, 1953; Davis, 1974; Drawe, 1968; Eve- ritt and Drawe, 1974; Everitt and Alaniz, 1980). Although the fruits of woody plants and cacti are important components of wildlife diets in South Texas, little information is available concerning their nutritive value that would be beneficial to wildlife habitat managers. Our objective was to measure the crude protein (CP) and mineral content of fruits from 17 species of cacti and woody plants from southern Texas.