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Abstract(s)
Os ungulados são animais que consomem uma grande variedade de material vegetal, mas
as razões de escolha destes animais ainda são pouco conhecidas. Com o objetivo de
melhor compreender o alimento e as possíveis escolhas alimentares em relação ao sabor
por corços e veados, foram estudadas setes espécies vegetais comuns no Parque Natural
de Montesinho, Portugal. Durante 14 meses foram recolhidas amostras da parte aérea
vegetal de Cistus ladanifer, Cytisus scoparius, Cytisus striatus, Erica australis, Halimium
alyssoides, Pterospartum tridentatum e Quercus rotundifolia. As amostras foram secadas
em estufa a 60-65ºC e nelas foram medidos teores de matéria seca, sacarose, glicose,
frutose e polifenóis. Ainda foram avaliados os componentes nutricionais de duas destas
espécies, escolhidas estrategicamente: C. scoparius e C. striatus. A informação resultante
forneceu uma visão geral das variações sazonais dos teores estudados. Estas observações
permitiram verificar que as escolhas destes animais variam ao longo das estações do ano,
e os motivos deste comportamento diferem de acordo com as espécies de plantas. No
entanto, podemos afirmar que os polifenóis parecem afetar mais as escolhas do veado que
as escolhas do corço. Quanto às giestas, apesar do comportamento alimentar que favorece
uma das espécies destas plantas, pequenas diferenças foram observadas com as variáveis
nutricionais, enquanto nenhuma diferença foi observada com as variáveis dos açúcares
simples e polifenóis. Ademais, as relações dos sentidos dos animais com a seleção de
pastagem são complexas, havendo a necessidade de mais estudos para tentar perceber a
dinâmica entre a escolha alimentar e outros fatores.
Ungulates feed on a wide variety of plant species, but why these animals choose certain species over others is still unknown. To better understand the likings and feeding habits in relation to taste by roe deer and red deer, seven common plant species were studied in the Montesinho Natural Park, Portugal. For 14 months, aerial plant samples were collected from Cistus ladanifer, Cytisus scoparius, Cytisus striatus, Erica australis, Halimium alyssoides, Pterospartum tridentatum and Quercus rotundifolia. The samples were dried in an oven at 60-65ºC, and the contents of dry matter, sucrose, glucose, fructose and polyphenols. The nutritional components of two of these species, strategically selected: C. scoparius and C. striatus, were also evaluated. The resulting information provided an overview of seasonal variations in the levels studied. These findings allowed us to conclude that the food choices of these animals vary throughout the seasons, and the reasons for this behaviour change depending on the plant species in question. However, we can conclude that polyphenols appear to have a greater impact on the choices of red deer than on the choices of roe deer. Regarding the Cytisus spp., despite the food selection for one of the species, small differences were observed with nutritional variables, while no difference was observed in the variables of simple sugars and polyphenols. In addition, the relation between animal senses and forage selection is complex, and more studies are needed to try to understand the dynamics between food choice and other factors.
Ungulates feed on a wide variety of plant species, but why these animals choose certain species over others is still unknown. To better understand the likings and feeding habits in relation to taste by roe deer and red deer, seven common plant species were studied in the Montesinho Natural Park, Portugal. For 14 months, aerial plant samples were collected from Cistus ladanifer, Cytisus scoparius, Cytisus striatus, Erica australis, Halimium alyssoides, Pterospartum tridentatum and Quercus rotundifolia. The samples were dried in an oven at 60-65ºC, and the contents of dry matter, sucrose, glucose, fructose and polyphenols. The nutritional components of two of these species, strategically selected: C. scoparius and C. striatus, were also evaluated. The resulting information provided an overview of seasonal variations in the levels studied. These findings allowed us to conclude that the food choices of these animals vary throughout the seasons, and the reasons for this behaviour change depending on the plant species in question. However, we can conclude that polyphenols appear to have a greater impact on the choices of red deer than on the choices of roe deer. Regarding the Cytisus spp., despite the food selection for one of the species, small differences were observed with nutritional variables, while no difference was observed in the variables of simple sugars and polyphenols. In addition, the relation between animal senses and forage selection is complex, and more studies are needed to try to understand the dynamics between food choice and other factors.
Description
Keywords
Açúcares Ungulados silvestres Comportamento alimentar Palatabilidade Compostos fenólicos Nutrição