Voluntary consumption of Lantana camara L. when browsing the heterogeneous vegetation of tropical forests: A goats’ perspective

Abstract

Although Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) consumption has been considered a health hazard for many livestock species, its true feeding value for ruminants should not be disregarded. The present work describes the feeding behavior of 36 Criollo goats towards L. camara in the heterogeneous grazing/browsing context of the low deciduous forest (LDF). An observational methodology focusing on the bite-scale (frequency, size, height, and part of plant) was implemented for eight weeks. Almost all experimental goats (35 of 36) consumed freely and consistently L. camara, including bites (up to 30 cm) directed to leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits. Goats possess anatomical, physiological, and behavioral strategies that help them select a wide range of plant species, and the nutritional context could play an important role on their dietary decisions. Considering the heterogeneity present in the LDF, mixing plant species, avoiding large intake of specific feed resources, and maintaining a constant intake of diverse plant secondary metabolites seems to be the foundation of goat feeding behavior. In conclusion, voluntary L. camara consumption by Criollo goats in the LDF is constant, albeit small. Future works should focus on its phytochemical profile and relationships with the nutritional and health status of goats.