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1 April 2011 Diet Composition and Quality in Indian Bison (Bos gaurus) Based on Fecal Analysis
Suman Digamber Gad, Soorambail Keshava Shyama
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Abstract

Diet composition and quality of the Indian Bison (Bos gaurus) was estimated by fecal analysis. The results, together with studies in other parts of India, indicate that gaurs are primarily intermediate or adaptable mixed feeders. Fecal composition varied seasonally, with high proportion of grasses, forbs, and woody plant leaves, particularly Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus in monsoon and post monsoon, and Strobilanthes callosus, Strobilanthes ixiocephalus, Grewia tiliaefolia and Syzygium cumini in winter and summer. Gaur selected herbs, shrubs, and grasses, and avoided eating woody plants for most of the year. Seasonal changes in the chemical composition of the feces were related to changes in phenology. The levels of crude protein, within certain limitations, and lignin in the feces were probably the most reliable indicators of diet quality. The ratio of crude protein:lignin was highest in monsoon and winter, corresponding early growing and fruiting seasons respectively. The usefulness of feces in estimating the composition and quality of the diet of an intermediate feeder is assessed.

© 2011 Zoological Society of Japan
Suman Digamber Gad and Soorambail Keshava Shyama "Diet Composition and Quality in Indian Bison (Bos gaurus) Based on Fecal Analysis," Zoological Science 28(4), 264-267, (1 April 2011). https://doi.org/10.2108/zsj.28.264
Received: 13 May 2010; Accepted: 1 September 2010; Published: 1 April 2011
KEYWORDS
Bos gaurus
crude protein
diet quality
fecal analysis
Indian Bison
lignin
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