How to translate text using browser tools
1 September 2016 Tragelaphus strepsiceros Browse During the Wet Season in the Mopani Veld of Limpopo Province, South Africa
Rudzani A. Makhado, Martin J. Potgieter , Wilmien J. Luus-Powell, Susan M. Cooper, Grzegorz Kopij
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Tragelaphus strepsiceros (greater kudu) has adapted to the harsh conditions of southern Africa's mopani woodland. However, there is still limited information on the diet composition and selection of browse by greater kudu, particularly during the wet season. This poses a challenge to manage these ungulates effectively within their habitat. The study used rumen content to quantify the diet composition of greater kudu during thewet season. The study was conducted at the Sandown Game Farm, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Rumen samples were collected fromfour adult female and four adult male greater kudu culled inMarch 2015 and statistically analyzed using the t-test: paired two sample for means and Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. Findings show that Combretum apiculatum contributed most (43%) to the diet of greater kudu during the wet season. Other browse plant species were Sclerocarya birrea (24%), Colophospermum mopane (12%), and Acacia nigrescens (8%), with the contribution of the remaining species to the diet being insignificant. Leaves were the plant parts browsed most often and contributed 81% to the diet during this season. The remaining 19% of the diet consisted mainly of S. birrea fruit. Gender differences in diet selection were observed. The diet of female greater kudu consisted mainly of C. apiculatum (44%) and C. mopane (20%), while the diet of male greater kudu mostly contained S. birrea (38%) and C. apiculatum (34%). Implications for the management and conservation of greater kudu in mopani veld are discussed.

© 2016 The Society for Range Management. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Rudzani A. Makhado, Martin J. Potgieter , Wilmien J. Luus-Powell, Susan M. Cooper, and Grzegorz Kopij "Tragelaphus strepsiceros Browse During the Wet Season in the Mopani Veld of Limpopo Province, South Africa," Rangeland Ecology and Management 69(5), 408-413, (1 September 2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2016.06.005
Received: 3 February 2016; Accepted: 1 June 2016; Published: 1 September 2016
KEYWORDS
browse
browsing selectivity
diet
greater kudu
mopani veld
wet season
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top