Food Taxa Research Articles

Important Medicinal and Food Taxa (Orders and Families) in Kenya, Based on Three Quantitative Approaches.

Globally, food and medicinal plants have been documented, but their use patterns are poorly understood. Useful plants are non-random subsets of flora, prioritizing certain taxa. This study evaluates orders and families prioritized for medicine and food in Kenya, using three statistical models: Regression, Binomial, and Bayesian approaches. An extensive literature search was conducted to gather information on indigenous flora, medicinal and food plants. Regression residuals, obtained using LlNEST linear regression function, were used to quantify if taxa had unexpectedly high number of useful species relative to the overall proportion in the flora. Bayesian analysis, performed using BETA.INV function, was used to obtain superior and inferior 95% probability credible intervals for the whole flora and for all taxa. To test for the significance of individual taxa departure from the expected number, binomial analysis using BINOMDIST function was performed to obtain p-values for all taxa. The three models identified 14 positive outlier medicinal orders, all with significant values (p < 0.05). Fabales had the highest (66.16) regression residuals, while Sapindales had the highest (1.1605) R-value. Thirty-eight positive outlier medicinal families were identified; 34 were significant outliers (p < 0.05). Rutaceae (1.6808) had the highest R-value, while Fabaceae had the highest regression residuals (63.2). Sixteen positive outlier food orders were recovered; 13 were significant outliers (p < 0.05). Gentianales (45.27) had the highest regression residuals, while Sapindales (2.3654) had the highest R-value. Forty-two positive outlier food families were recovered by the three models; 30 were significant outliers (p < 0.05). Anacardiaceae (5.163) had the highest R-value, while Fabaceae had the highest (28.72) regression residuals. This study presents important medicinal and food taxa in Kenya, and adds useful data for global comparisons.

Dietary abundance distributions: Dominance and diversity in vertebrate diets.

Diet composition is among the most important yet least understood dimensions of animal ecology. Inspired by the study of species abundance distributions (SADs), we tested for generalities in the structure of vertebrate diets by characterising them as dietary abundance distributions (DADs). We compiled data on 1167 population-level diets, representing >500species from six vertebrate classes, spanning all continents and oceans. DADs near-universally (92.5%) followed a hollow-curve shape, with scant support for other plausible rank-abundance-distribution shapes. This strong generality is inherently related to, yet incompletely explained by, the SADs of available food taxa. By quantifying dietary generalisation as the half-saturation point of the cumulative distribution of dietary abundance (sp50, minimum number of foods required to account for 50% of diet), we found that vertebrate populations are surprisingly specialised: in most populations, fewer than three foods accounted for at least half the diet. Variation in sp50 was strongly associated with consumer type, with carnivores being more specialised than herbivores or omnivores. Other methodological (sampling method and effort, taxonomic resolution), biological (body mass, frugivory) and biogeographic (latitude) factors influenced sp50 to varying degrees. Future challenges include identifying the mechanisms underpinning the hollow-curve DAD, its generality beyond vertebrates, and the biological determinants of dietary generalisation.

The trauma of no-choice: Wild food ethnobotany in Yaghnobi and Tajik villages, Varzob Valley, Tajikistan

Due to global change and the migration crisis both needing rapid attention, there has been growing debate about the drivers of change in the diet of migrants. Our study aimed to evaluate the consequences of forced resettlement on local ecological knowledge related to wild food plants among forcefully resettled Yaghnobi people in Tajikistan. We conducted 49 semi-structured in-depth interviews and recorded 27 wild food taxa and five unidentified folk taxa used by Yaghnobis and Tajiks in the villages surrounding Yaghnob Valley (including families ressetteled from Yaghnob Valley) in central Tajikitsan. The comparision between the two considered groups showed a high level of Tajikisation among Yaghnobis, both those who live alongside Tajiks as well as those living separately. The few families that still have distinct Yaghnobi plant uses are the ones which were given the opportunity to choose the spot in which to relocate and still visit the Yaghnob Valley regularly. On the basis of our study, we suggest that affording a choice of where to relocate is better than no choice, as the loss of motivation also affects the use of wild food plants. Given the pressure of the possible relocation of many groups of people in the light of global change, we suggest focusing efforts on studying similar cases in order to minimize the damage caused to people by relocation. The trauma of forced relocation, even just a few kilometers away, directly or indirectly affects wild food plant use and with this the food security of the community.

Relationship between Urban Floristic Diversity and Ecosystem Services in the Moukonzi-Ngouaka Neighbourhood in Brazzaville, Congo

The relationship between ecosystem services and urban phytodiversity is being studied in the Moukonzi-Ngouaka district of Brazzaville. Urban forestry, a source of well-being for the inhabitants, is associated with socio-cultural foundations. The surveys concern flora, ethnobotany, socio-economics and personal interviews. The 60.30% naturalized flora is heterogeneous and closely correlated with traditional knowledge. The Guineo-Congolese endemic element groups are 39.27% of the taxa, of which 3.27% are native to Brazzaville. Ethnobotany recognizes 48.36% ornamental taxa; 28.36% food taxa; and 35.27% medicinal taxa. Some multiple-use plants are involved in more than one field. The supply service, a food and phytotherapeutic source, provides the vegetative and generative organs. Of the 52.31% of recognized taxa, 33.45% essentially provide leaves and 18.50% fruits. The main obsession of plant introduction being 1) food and phytotherapeutic, and 2) aesthetic, obscures other ecosystem services such as fuelwood and income, provided by NTFPs, pillars of poverty alleviation.

Diet Composition and Trophic Level of Greater Forkbeard Phycis blennoides (Gadiform: Phycidae) from the Algerian Coast

Abstract The diet of the greater forkbeard Phycis blennoides (Brünnich, 1768) of the Algerian coast was studied between December 2013 and June 2015, providing information on its ecology for a better understanding of the feeding strategy. A total of 956 individuals, whose total length (TL) varied between 9.7 and 54.5 cm and weight (W) between 2.80 and 1334.11 g, were examined. The index of relative importance (%IRI), combining the three main descriptors of the presence of different ingested prey (%F, %N, %W), was used to characterize the relative importance of different food taxa. Qualitative and quantitative variations in diet were studied according to sex, size and seasons. The average annual digestive vacuity index (%V) was 5.51. It did not vary between seasons (x2 cal = 5.43, x2 th = 7.82, α = 5%) and size (x2 cal = 2.08, x2 th = 5.99, α = 5%), but was different between male (%V = 4.94) and female (%V= 12.78). Qualitative analysis of stomach contents reveals a fairly diverse range of predation with 1342 preys counted for a total weight of 462.84 g, which corresponds to an average number (AN) and weight (AW) of 3.03 and 1.04 g, respectively. This species feeds on benthic preys, composed mainly of natantia crustaceans (%IRI = 44.84) and teleost fish (%IRI = 2.61) with intraspecific preys (%IRI = 6.15). This cannibalism was frequent in specimens with a TL that exceeds 20 cm; it was even more frequent in females as well as in winter. Significant differences in feeding habits of P. blennoides occurred according to sex, fish size and between seasons. The trophic level (TROPH) was high (3.66 &lt; TROPH &lt; 3.97), corresponding to carnivorous character.

Paleoecology and Geoarchaeology at El Palmar and the El Zotz Region, Guatemala

A new paleoecology record from the El PalmarCivaladds to the emerging geoarchaeological record of El Zotz, Guatemala. El Palmar's 3 m stratigraphic record began in the Archaic period before 1500 B.C. at or just before initial Maya impacts. From the lowest level, Late Archaic organic deposition, with evidence for diverse tropical forest and a steady water table, transitioned to Early Preclassic clay deposition, decreased forest taxa, three known food taxa, and more economic species. Clay deposition continued through the Preclassic, with occasional organic and high charcoal deposition, increasing maize, and other possible economic pollen. Classic El Palmar saw a new land use type with continued disturbance evidence but diverse and greater forest cover. Human impacts continued, leaving high amounts of disturbance taxa, charcoal, and the highest maize pollen level, concomitant with lower deposition rates, δ13C evidence of increased, diverse tropical forest taxa and organic sediments. El Zotz Aguada's Early Classic to Postclassic sediment record overlaps this, with maize and squash pollen evidence changing to Classic period copal tree pollen dominance. Both records indicate the maximum quantity of C4taxa derived organic matter was about 40%, leaving at least half from C3taxa such as tropical forest species.

Temporal and ontogenic variations of diet of the goldblotch grouper Epinephelus costae (Serranidae) in the eastern coast of Algeria

The diet of the goldblotch grouper Epinephelus costae of the eastern coast of Algeria was studied from March 2011 to February 2012. A total of 275 individuals, whose total length varied between 21.1 and 79.79 cm and weight between 103.13 and 5390.00 g, were examined. The index of relative importance (%IRI) combining the three main descriptors of the presence of different ingested prey (%F, %N, %W) was used to characterize the relative importance of different food taxa. Qualitative and quantitative variations in diet were studied according to sexual maturity (immature and mature), sex (male and female), size (small, medium and large) and seasons. The average annual digestive vacuity is 17.82%. It does not vary according to sex, size or maturity, but is different between summer and winter. Qualitative analysis of digestive contents reveals a fairly diverse range of predation with 319 prey counted for a total weight of 934.85 g, which corresponds to an average number (Nm) and weight (Wm) of 1.4 and 4.14 g respectively. This species feeds on benthopelagic prey composed mainly of bony fish (%IRI = 76.16), pancrustacea (%IRI = 16.14) and molluscs (%IRI = 6.24). All other prey were accessory (plants) or accidental (annelids). Significant differences in feeding habits occur according to seasons and fish size.

Site fidelity, ontogenetic shift and diet composition of green turtles Chelonia mydas in Japan inferred from stable isotope analysis

Incomplete knowledge about local foraging ecology of green turtles hampers their conservation management in Japan, where stocks have only partially recovered from heavy exploitation in previous centuries. We used stable isotope ratios of δ13C and δ15N for turtle carapace scutes, where successive layers contain a chronological record of diet assimilated over a period of years. Turtles were sampled at 2 geographically separate foraging grounds in Japan: the temperate Main Islands (n = 32) and the sub-tropical Nansei Islands (n = 42). Site fidelity was inferred for the majority of turtles at each site (81 and 64% resident turtles) because isotope data indicated diets consistent with food taxa at the respective sites. Immigrant turtles (previous diet outside their current site) were few (n = 4) at the Main Islands site but numerous (n = 14) at the Nansei Islands site, where they were significantly smaller than residents. An ontogenetic shift (Main Islands to Nansei Islands) was inferred for many of the immigrants on the basis of isotope evidence and body size. These immigrants corresponded to a size cohort that was relatively scarce in Main Islands foraging grounds according to previous studies. Bayesian mixing models, used to estimate proportional components of diet, showed varying degrees of imbalance between seagrass and algae and indicated that hypothetical consumption of non-trivial amounts of animal matter was plausible. The latter represented a hypothetical diet component for study turtles since animal matter was rarely found in stomach contents. Potential ambiguity and other issues that constrained inference from mixing models are discussed.

Food and feeding habits of &lt;i&gt;Distichodus engycephalus&lt;/i&gt; (Boulenger, 1907) of lake oguta: search for a sustainable aquaculture in the New Millennium

Food and feeding of Distichodus engycephalus (Boulenger, 1907), a potential culturable fish from Lake Oguta was investigated between March 2003 and October 2004 using the frequency of occurrence and numerical methods. D. engycephalus was found to be a herbivorous fish. Diet comprised of organisms from seven food taxa, including filamentous green algae (31.2% by bulk), higher plants (22.0%), detritus/mud (13.0%), unicellular green algae (9.6%), diatoms (6.7%); cyanophyceae (6.0%) and rotifera (3.5%). Filamentous algae and macrophytes were the most important dietary items and occurred in 98% of the stomachs with food. Changes in feeding pattern were observed as the fish matures, with the young fish showing marked preference for diatoms (41.0%) and unicellular algae (23.0%). Feeding adaptations include muscular oesophagus, reduced stomach and elongated intestine. The implications of these in the formulation of artificial feed for cultured species and in sustainable rural aquaculture in the new millenium are discussed.Key words: Food and feeding habits, D. engycephalus, sustainable aquaculture.

Diet of giant kokopu, Galaxias argenteus

The stomach contents of 105 preserved specimens of giant kokopu, Galaxias argenteus (Gmelin 1789), collected from various locations around New Zealand between c. 1963 and 1994, were used to investigate giant kokopu diet. A total of 76 food taxa, predominantly invertebrates, were identified and categorised as either of aquatic or terrestrial origin from the 91 stomachs that contained food items. Aquatic Trichoptera, Gastropoda, and Hemiptera comprised 29.1, 12.6, and 14.4% by abundance respectively, and terrestrial Coleoptera 12.2% by abundance. Adult terrestrial Coleoptera were the most commonly occurring taxa, and were found in 59% of the stomachs that contained food. Food items of aquatic origin occurred in 94.5% of the giant kokopu stomachs that contained food and comprised 74.9% of the items by abundance. Although fewer items of terrestrial origin were encountered, they nevertheless appeared to be a significant component of the diet, and occurred in 83.5% of the giant kokopu stomachs that contained food, and comprised 25.1% of the items by abundance. Items of terrestrial origin occurred slightly more frequently in giant kokopu from lotic habitats than from lentic habitats. The significance of terrestrial food may be associated with giant kokopu preference for habitats with riparian cover. Fish also appeared to be a significant component of the diet, as 26% of the giant kokopu examined contained fish remains. Giant kokopu are probably best described as generalist feeders, as they utilise a wide range of foods of both aquatic and terrestrial origin.

Thecamoebians in Lake Winnipeg: a tool for Holocene paleolimnology

Holocene sediments in Lake Winnipeg are expressed in the lower Lake Agassiz sequence which is unconformably overlain by the Lake Winnipeg sequence. Nine sites, covering the North and South basins and the connecting Narrows, were selected for analysis of Holocene changes in thecamoebian faunae. Only the Lake Winnipeg sequence contains thecamoebians. This study indicates that biologic productivity and consequently the type of organic material in the sediments is the main control on thecamoebian taxa in Lake Winnipeg. Other factors controlling the distribution of thecamoebians are water chemistry and turbidity. Inorganic sediment geochemistry and water temperature do not appear to significantly influence the thecamoebian fauna of Lake Winnipeg. Variations in the abundance of key thecamoebian species along a north-south transect divide Lake Winnipeg into three distinct areas. The North Basin has remained relatively unchanged since the retreat of Lake Agassiz as indicated by the domination of Difflugia manicata throughout its history. This species appears to prefer Cyanophyta and diatoms as its food source. In the Narrows harsh conditions created by turbid waters and lack of algal food taxa result in Centropyxis aculeata replacing Difflugia manicata as the dominant species. In the South Basin three thecamoebian assemblages are recognized. Cucurbitella tricuspis, indicative of eutrophic conditions, dominates the most recent sediments of the South Basin. The underlying sediments are characterized by Difflugia globulus. In Lake Winnipeg this species is not a cold climate (arctic) indicator as suggested elsewhere but instead seems to prefer sediments containing green and yellow-green algal material. A Centropyxis-Arcella Assemblage occurs only at the base of the southernmost core where it is indicative of an early phase of hyposaline conditions as developed in shallow pools during the southward transgression of Lake Winnipeg. This study illustrates the usefulness of thecamoebians as paleolimnological indicators. Environmental changes are more significant in the restricted South Basin resulting in distinct thecamoebian assemblages. In contrast, the North Basin provided a stable environment throughout the late Holocene reflected in only subtle faunal changes.

Dietary overlap in plocepasserine weavers (Aves: Ploceidae)

The food taken by the closely related white-browed sparrow-weavers Plocepasser mahali and sociable weavers Philetairus socius includes both plant material and insects. An analysis placing food items into taxonomic categories indicates that the important food sources of both species are identical. Seasonal utilization of different food taxa was also similar between the two species. These similarities are interpreted in an evolutionary perspective.

Feeding Ecology of Ring-Necked Ducks in Northwestern Minnesota

Feeding ecology of ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris) was studied in northwestern Minnesota, from April to August 1978-80. Adult male and female diets were similar throughout reproduction. Food use by adult birds before recrudescence of female gonadal tissue varied by habitat: diets for birds using temporary wetlands were dominated by plant material, whereas animal foods made up one-half of the diet of males and females collected on semipermanent and permanent wetlands later used for nesting. The proportion of invertebrates consumed by adult birds increased after the arrival period. Female reproductive protein requirements are drawn primarily from the diet during prelaying and laying. Based on estimated consumption rates, females may feed up to 19 hours/day to obtain required protein. Consumption of invertebrates by nonlaying birds suggests that their use can be energetically profitable; however, food selection by prelaying/laying hens on a noncaloric basis (e.g., minerals) may result in expenditure of fat reserves. Juveniles ate mostly invertebrates, but the proportion of animal material in the diet differed between ageclasses. Although significant food preferences were exhibited by adults and juveniles, availability played a prominent role in food selection. Food habits of adult and juvenile ring-necked ducks appear to be more generalized than those of congenerics, but there is considerable overlap in the food taxa consumed by diving ducks (Tribe Aythyini). J. WILDL. MANAGE. 49(3):546-557 Energetic costs of gonadal growth for female ducks and geese are large relative to those of other major groups of birds (King 1973, Ricklefs 1974). Among waterfowl, dependence on breeding ground food resources for reproductive energy and nutrient requirements varies by species and group. Whereas Arctic nesting geese and common eiders (Somateria mollissima) are essentially independent of food resources from arrival on the breeding grounds through incubatio by virtue of reserves accumulated on wintering and staging areas (Korschgen 1977, Ankney and MacInnes 1978, Raveling 1979), most ducks feed intensively on the breeding area. Food needs of breeding waterfowl also vary within species by sex and female body condition (e.g., renesting mallard [Anas platyrhynchos] hens) (Krapu 1981). The diets of 'Present address: Delta Waterfowl Research Station, Rural Route 1, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba R1N 3A1, Canada. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.131 on Sat, 15 Oct 2016 04:19:25 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms J. Wildl. Manage. 49(3):1985 RING-NECKED DUCK FEEDING * Hohman 547 breeding female ducks change seasonally, reflecting changing protein demands. Invertebrates, which are digestible sources of protein with high caloric densities (Reinecke 1977), predominate in female diets during gonadal recrudescence and ovulation (Krapu 1974, Swanson et al. 1974b, Serie and Swanson 1976, Drobney and Fredrickson 1979, Reinecke and Owen 1980, Noyes 1983). Their availability to females may be a major determinant of clutch size (Krapu and Swanson 1975) and laying date (Krapu 1974). Ring-necked ducks are small-bodied (500-900 g), inland diving ducks, which have been studied principally in the Northeast (Mendall 1958). They commonly nest in northern bog-marshes, wetlands of low primary production (Reader 1978, Richardson 1979) that are little used by other ducks. This work was undertaken as part of a study examining energetics of breeding ring-necked ducks. The objectives were to: (1) examine adult ring-necked duck diets in relation to sex and stage of reproduction, and juvenile food habits by age; (2) assess preferences among foods; and (3) estimate rate of food consumption. This paper represents a portion of my Ph.D. thesis work supervised by M. W. Weller and submitted to the Univ. of Minnesota at St. Paul. I was also advised by E. F. Cook, J. A. Cooper, F. McKinney, and J. R. Tester. L. J. Korschgen assisted with seed identifications. R. D. Crawford, R. T. Eberhardt, L. G. Sugden, and M. W. Weller commented on drafts of the manuscript. This is Journal Paper 13838 of the Minn. Agric. Exp. Stn., St. Paul. Financial support was provided by the North Am. Wildl. Found. through the Delta Waterfowl Res. Stn., Minn. Dep. of Nat. Resour., Univ. of Minnesota, Dep. of Fish. and Wildl., Computing Cent., Agric. Exp. Stn., and Graduate School, and the Minn. Waterfowl Assoc.

Pelagic Feeding Ecology of Dovekies, &lt;i&gt;Alle alle&lt;/i&gt;, in Lancaster Sound and Western Baffin Bay

Adult (AD), Subadult (SA), and hatching year (HY) dovekies were collected at sea in 1976, 1978, and 1979 (n=410) for food habits studies. In May and June, AD and SA dovekies ate mostly copepods (99.8% of dry weight in AD, 100% in SA); in August, amphipods became more important (59% in AD, 90% in SA). Adult males accompanied chicks to sea where both groups fed largely on Parathemisto amphipods (99.7% in AD, 97% in chicks). Once abandoned by the adults, HY dovekies ate Parathemisto (59.8% of dry weight), Apherusa glacialis (13.6%), and Onisimus glacialis (5.6%) amphipods; arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) (14.5%); calenoid copepods (5.5%); and other items (1%). Seasonal changes in diet were, in part, related to a presumed seasonal increase of suitable amphipods in surface waters. HY dovekie diets varied geographically and with year. Some food taxa were larger in dovekies collected in waters associated with an intrusive current flowing into and out of the mouth of Lancaster Sound than in those collected in offshore Baffin Bay. In 1978, Parathemisto and Apherusa glacialis were smaller than in 1979 or 1976: HY dovekies apparently compensated by taking more copepods. HY dovekies were smaller on a given date in 1978 but ate similar total amounts of food and grew at similar rates in all three years. The small size of amphipods in 1978 was probably due to unusually late breakup of ice and its probable inhibitory effects on primary and secondary production. In 1978, many non-breeding (AD and SA) dovekies molted in pack ice that persisted until mid-August. In 1979, when pack ice dispersed early, no non-breeding dovekies were collected in August.Key words: dovekie, Alle alle, trophic relationships, pelagic seabird ecology, arctic marine systems, molt&nbsp;