Abstract
Usnic acid, a common secondary metabolite in prefered lichens by reindeer and caribou, has been tested for its effect on In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility (IVDMD) using inocula from four reindeer. When Cladonia alpestris (stellaris (OpicJ) was used as substrate and reindeer rumen liqour as media of incubation together with usnic acid, digestibility was considerably enhanced. This was also true for a lower prefered lichen Stereocaulon paschale (L.), but the effect was less pronounced. The results suggest that reindeer host some rumen microorganism able to metabolize lichen secondary metabolities.
Highlights
Lichens produce of a diverse array of secondary metabolites which differ in chemical structure and biological activity
Lichens are usually poorly digested by unadapted herbivores, but show relatively high digestibility in reindeer and caribou (Presthegge 1954; Nordfelt et al 1961; Jacobsen and Skjenneberg 1975; Klein 1982; Jenks and Leslie 1988)
T h i s suggest that reindeer and caribou have specialized microorganisms in the rumen capable of handling lichen substances which are absent i n other mammalien herbivores
Summary
Lichens produce of a diverse array of secondary metabolites which differ in chemical structure and biological activity. These compounds have been used in taxonomic classification of lichen species and as sources of commercial products (Vartia 1949, 1973, Culbertson et al 1983). The idea of some ecological role of lichen secondary metabolites dates back to the 19th century when these substances were first isolated. T h i s suggest that reindeer and caribou have specialized microorganisms in the rumen capable of handling lichen substances which are absent i n other mammalien herbivores
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