Biotemas (Feb 2017)
Dinomys branickii Peters, 1873 (Rodentia, Dinomyidae): consumption and food preference in captivity
Abstract
Dinomys branickii is a large rodent listed as Endangered (EN), that suffers pressure from anthropogenic activities such as hunting and habitat destruction. Captive breeding methods are viable for supplementation of conservation projects, and may enhance our knowledge of main aspects of the biology of this species. The objective of this study was to determine consumption and food preferences in a captive group of D. branickii. To determine feeding preferences, the Food Preference Index (P) was used for the type of food with highest consumption. The mean amount of food provided was 6.6 kg per day per group, with 4.4 kg per day/group consumed (66%). An average of 11 ± 2.9 types of food were offered daily. The consumption of fruits (71%) was higher than the consumption of other food groups, followed by roots/tubers (65.3%). The food groups least consumed were cereals and seeds (39.4%) and leaves (38.3%). The preferred foods were: Brassica oleracea (P = 1.38), Zea mays (P = 1.25), Ipomoea batatas (P = 1.17), Mangifera indica (P = 1.13), Cucurbita moschata (P = 1.10), Talinum esculentum (P = 1.00) and Manihot esculenta (P = 1.00). These results suggest that foods with high fiber and carbohydrate content are the best choices for D. branickii development and well-being in captivity.
