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Surface enlargement in the rumen of free-ranging muskoxen ( Ovibos moschatus )

Clauss, Marcus ; Adamczewski, Jan ; Hofmann, Reinhold

In: European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2010, vol. 56, no. 2, p. 181-185

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    Titre
    • Surface enlargement in the rumen of free-ranging muskoxen ( Ovibos moschatus )
    Auteur
    • Clauss, Marcus. Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Adamczewski, Jan. Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, Canada
    • Hofmann, Reinhold. Trompeterhaus (formerly Leibniz-Institute of Zoo and Wildlife Biology IZW Berlin), Baruth, Brandenburg, Germany
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2010, vol. 56, no. 2, p. 181-185. Springer-Verlag
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:313603
    Summary
    The intraruminal papillation pattern indicates the degree of rumen contents stratification and is related to the feeding niche of a ruminant. Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) display a variety of morphophysiological adaptations typical for grazers. We investigated the intraruminal papillation of 22 free-ranging muskoxen from five different months by comparing the surface enlargement factor both between seasons and between individual rumen regions. The seasonal pattern of rumen papillation indicated a distinct seasonality in food quality. The intraruminal papillation indicated a moderate degree of rumen contents stratification typical for intermediate feeders. The nutritional ecology of muskoxen is characterised by specific morphophysiological adaptations to a grass-dominated diet that nevertheless allow extensive seasonal use of browse forage