Seasonal Variation In Food Habits Research Articles

Seasonal variation in the diet of sloth bears in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India

We studied seasonal variation in food habits of sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) in the human-dominated buffer zone of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India, during 2017 and 2018. We analyzed 109 sloth bear scats from summer and 103 from winter to characterize the seasonal variation in food habits. We used the Index of Relative Importance (IRI) to determine the importance of each food item. Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) fruits had the highest IRI score in summer and termites had the highest IRI score in winter. There was a distinct seasonal variation in the food habits of the sloth bears (χ2 = 143.3, 10 df, P < 0.01). Insects (termites and ants) were the most important food source for sloth bears, contributing 41% and 95% of the Estimated Dietary Energy Content (EDEC) during summer and winter, respectively. We found that sloth bears fed primarily on the fruits of 6 plant species in summer, including the fruits of the invasive weed, Lantana camara. Fruits of amaltas (Cassia fistula) and char (Buchanania cochinchinensis) were consumed in a lower proportion than available, whereas the fruits of tendu were consumed in proportion to availability. Sloth bears had not consumed any large vertebrate species. The food items stabilization curve showed that 70 scats in summer, and 80 scats in winter, were required to depict the diet of sloth bear adequately. Consumption of L. camara by sloth bears, as well as other wildlife species, has strong management implications in terms of seed dispersal and the spreading of this invasive weed.

Seasonal variation in food habits of the Italian hare in a south Apennine semi-natural landscape

The Italian hare is a species of hare endemic to central and southern Italy and to Sicily. It has been classified as a ‘vulnerable’ species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as it is considered to have a high risk of extinction in the next decade. Despite its endangered status, little is known about its feeding habits. In the present study, the seasonal pattern of diet composition of a population of Italian hare occupying a semi-natural landscape was estimated by using the micro-histological technique of faecal analysis. The results showed that hares had a diversified diet, consuming plant parts from over 70 species. Like other Lepus sp., the Italian hare consumed a large amount of herbaceous plants (e.g. Brachypodium sylvaticum, Trifolium pratense, Allium subhirsutum and Festuca arundinacea), although it complemented its diet seasonally with fruits of Prunus spinosa, Pyrus piraster and Malus sylvestris. Analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) evidenced significant differences among seasons, as a consequence of the seasonal occurrence of the various food items. Spring and autumn (R = 0.7482, P = 0.001), as well as spring and winter (R = 0.7398, P = 0.001), showed low diet similarities; these results were supported by similarity percentage analysis (SIMPER, average dissimilarity: > 71% between spring and autumn; > 69% between spring and winter) with taxa like P. spinosa, Cirsium strictus, T. pratense and Rosa canina making the greatest contributions to these differences. Higher similarities were instead found when comparing other seasons. This seasonal pattern of diet composition was clearly depicted in the graph from nonmetric multidimensional scaling (n-MDS) ordination. Our results highlight the importance of some plant taxa in the diet of the Italian hare and could be useful in managing reintroduction programs.

Studies on the Food and Feeding Habits of Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii) in Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India

Food habits of the swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii) were studied in and around Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve (JJCR), Uttarakhand, for two years. This population (320 in number) was recently rediscovered in the state (2005) and warranted an ecological study because the habitat around this study area is heavily fragmented due to expansion of agriculture, habitation, and various other land use practices. Therefore, this study was initiated by the major objective of studying seasonal variation in food habits of swamp deer. Proportionate food consumption was studied using feeding quadrat method. The study reveals that the overall diet of swamp deer consisted mainly of graminoids (grasses and sedges) and herbs (terrestrial and aquatic). In the protected areas studied earlier, the swamp deer habitat was dominated by grasses, and hence they were reported to be predominantly a grazer who occasionally fed on aquatic plants (Schaller 1967 and others). In contrast, at Jhilmil, the area also has equal presence of other plant types namely, sedges and terrestrial herbs. This resulted in polyphagous feeding habit of animal here.

Diel and Seasonal Variation in Food Habits of Atlantic Salmon Parr in a Small Stream

ABSTRACT The diel and seasonal food habits of young-of-year (YOY) and post-young-of-year (PYOY) Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr were assayed over the course of 11 months in the West Brook, Massachusetts USA. Gut fullness of YOY salmon did not vary significantly among months. PYOY salmon exhibited significant seasonal differences in gut fullness, with peak fullness occurring in the spring and late fall. Significant diel differences in PYOY gut fullness occurred in June and April, with peak fullness always occurring at dawn. Prey composition varied substantially among months. Dominant prey items of PYOY salmon were baetid mayflies in June, July, and August, limnephilid caddisflies in October and November, and ephemerellid mayflies in February and April. Few differences in prey composition between PYOY and YOY salmon were observed. Fish growth was unrelated to prey availability, but gut fullness explained up to 97% of growth variation across seasons. Results suggest that spring and fall are critical periods of feeding for PYOY salmon and that diel feeding intensity shifts seasonally.

VARIATION IN DIET OF THE MEXICAN FREE-TAILED BAT (TADARIDA BRASILIENSIS MEXICANA)

This study documents the diet of Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana) at Carlsbad Cavern, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Eddy County, New Mexico, and provides information on seasonal variation in food habits of this species throughout its summer residence. Diet was determined from 1,303 fecal samples. Eleven orders and 38 families of insects, unidentified insects, 2 orders of Arachnida (Araneae and Acari), bat hair, and mist net were consumed, with Lepidoptera (moths) and Coleoptera (beetles) occurring at greatest percentage volumes and percentage frequencies in the diet. Diet varied significantly throughout the season. Twenty-two food categories exhibited statistically significant variation among sampling sessions. Amounts of Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Formicidae, Psyllidae, Hymenoptera, and Diptera consumed showed the greatest differences among sampling sessions.

Martens and fishers (Martes) in human-altered environments: an international perspective

Is Mustelid Life History Different?- World Distribution and Status of the Genus Martes in 2000.- Geographical and Seasonal Variation in Food Habits and Prey Size of European Pine Martens.- Territoriality and Home-Range Fidelity of American Martens in Relation to Timber Harvesting and Trapping.- Martes Foot-Loading and Snowfall Patterns in Eastern North America: Implications to Broad-Scale Distributions and Interactions of Mesocarnivores.- Home Ranges, Cognitive Maps, Habitat Models and Fitness Landscapes for Martes.- Relationships Between Stone Martens, Genets and Cork Oak Woodlands in Portugal.- Relationships Between Forest Structure and Habitat Use by American Martens in Maine, USA.- Effect of Ambient Temperature on the Selection of Rest Structures by Fishers.- Zoogeography, Spacing Patterns, and Dispersal in Fishers: Insights Gained from Combining Field and Genetic Data.- Harvest Status, Reproduction and Mortality in a Population of American Martens in Quebec, Canada.- Are Scat Surveys a Reliable Method for Assessing Distribution and Population Status of Pine Martens?- Postnatal Growth and Development in Fishers.- Field Anesthesia of American Martens Using Isoflurane.

FOOD AVAILABILITY AND FOOD HABITS OF INDIAN GIANT FLYING SQUIRRELS (PETAURISTA PHILIPPENSIS) IN TAIWAN

We assessed seasonal variation in food habits of Indian giant flying squirrels (Petaurista philippensis) and food availability at Fushan Experimental Forest in Taiwan. Between July 1997 and December 1998, giant flying squirrels consumed at least 79 species-specific parts belonging to 30 plant species from 19 families. Castanopsis cuspidata was eaten most often (24.95% of annual diet), followed by Ficus superba (14.67%) and Glochidion acuminatum (12.18%). P. philippensis fed mainly on young leaves (27.7% of annual diet) and mature leaves (24.0%). Leaf parts (including buds, petioles, young leaves, and mature leaves) constituted 74.0% of the annual diet. Monthly and annual diet variation was obvious, and this was related to availability of species-specific plant parts. P. philippensis fed on mature leaves and petioles in winter; buds, young leaves, and fruit in spring; and young leaves and fruit in summer and autumn. They preferred buds, young leaves, flowers, and fruit to mature leaves and petioles. However, mature leaves and petioles seemed to be relied on when more favorable food items were scarce.

Feeding Habits of Trisopterus minutus capelanus (Gadidae) Off the Eastern Coast of Spain (Western Mediterranean)

Abstract. The stomach contents of poor cod, Trisopterus minutus capelanus (Lacepède), were taken at monthly intervals off the eastern coast of the Gulf of Valencia (Spain). A total of 1276 were analyzed to determine diet according to fish size and season. The basic food consists of crustaceans (Mysidacea and Decapoda) and teleosts. Feeding habits varied with size: decapods and fishes were more abundant in the stomachs of larger specimens. Little seasonal variation in food habits was recorded.

Food Habits and Dietary Overlap of Two Heteromyid Rodents from the Mesquite Plains of Texas

Winter and spring diets of Perognathus hispidus and Dipodomys ordii were analyzed and compared to food availability at three collecting sites in the mesquite-grasslands of west-central Texas. Important winter foods of P. hispidus were Prosopis juliflora, Helianthus annuus, Mammalaria sp., Artemisia ludoviciana , and Opuntia lindheimeri . Spring foods of P. hispidus included Prosopis juliflora, Gaillardia pulchella, Opuntia lindheimeri , carabid beetles, and Andropogon hallii . Insects made up 13.9 per cent of the spring diet. Major foods were selected for in amounts greater than expected on the basis of availability. Important winter foods of D. ordii were unidentified dry stems, Paspalum stramineum , and Prosopis juliflora . Insects made up 8.0 per cent of the winter diet. Major components of the spring diet of D. ordii were Andropogon hallii, Ambrosia artemisifolia, Prosopis juliflora , and Gaillardia pulchella ; insects and other arthropods made up 18.3 per cent of the spring diet. Few foods in the winter and spring diets of D. ordii were selected for. Both species of rodents exhibited little seasonal variation in food habits. The dietary overlap was significant for both species for winter months, but spring diets were dissimilar. The significance of dietary overlap and degree of competition in P. hispidus and D. ordii is discussed.

The Natural History of the Red-Tailed Skink, Eumeces egregius Baird

Eumeces egregius, a small fossorial skink of the south- eastern Coastal Plain was studied in the laboratory and in the field to obtain information on its ecology, life history, behavior, and geographic range. Most of the specimens used in the study were obtained by raking throug.h mounds of sand pushed up by the pocket gopher, Geomys pinetis; and by certain geotrupine scarab beetles. The mounds apparent- ly serve as basking sites for the skinks and for certain other fossorial animals. The preferred temperature range for E. egregius lies between 26 and 34 C. Food studies indicate seasonal variation in food habits and reveal peculiarities in the diets of certain populations. Courtship and mating occur mostly during the fall and winter. Males recognize females chiefly by odor. The stereotyped courtship ends with the assumption of a mating position in which the male seizes the female on the side and directs his body first over then under hers. Copulation usually lasts from 15 to 30 minutes. In captivity males are inclined to fight among themselves. Homosexual behavior was noted among captive female lizards. The females undergo a 3- to 4-week period of relative inactivity following mating, after which they feed voraciously and develop fat stores. Nesting activity is greatest from April through June. Usually, from 3 to 7 eggs are laid in nest cavities constructed in the soil at depths vary- ing from several inches to 6 feet. The females remain in their nests constantly from the time they construct them until the young have dispersed. In the laboratory young lizards of Florida parents grew rapidly and attained sexual maturity and mated during the first fall. Those of Georgia and Alabama parents grew more slowly and were still immature at almost 1 year of age. Red-tailed skinks appear to be gregarious. There is no evidence of territoriality among males. Known predators are the snakes, Masticophis flagellum, Coluber constrictor, Lampropeltis doliata, and Sistrurus mili- arius. One per cent of the specimens collected were parasitized by trom- biculid mites; 3.5% by nematodes; and 0.5% by cestodes.