Effect of different feeding regimes on cecotrophy behavior and retention of solute and particle markers in the digestive tract of paca (Cuniculus paca)

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
Leticia Guerra AldriguiMarcus Clauss

Abstract

Many small herbivores practice cecotrophy - the ingestion of special feces enriched in microbial protein by colonic separation mechanisms (CSM). In digesta passage experiments, secondary marker excretion peaks in feces are considered indicative of marker-reingestion via cecotrophy, but corroboration by behavioral observation was lacking so far. The paca (Cuniculus paca), a Neotropical hystricomorph rodent, produces two different kinds of feces (hard and soft) and practices cecotrophy either directly (from the anus) or indirectly (from a pile of defecated feces, mostly when hard and soft feces are defecated together). To investigate effects of diet on cecotrophy, we monitored cecotrophy behavior and digesta passage marker excretion of solute and particle markers in four adult pacas, at constant food intake, on four diets varying in protein and fiber content. Marker excretion patterns suggested a 'mucus-trap' CSM typical for hystricomorph rodents, and showed secondary peaks of a similar time lag after cecotrophy as the primary marker peak after marker feeding. However, not every cecotrophy event was followed by a secondary marker peak. On higher fiber/lower protein diets, the number of cecotrophy bouts, the duration of cecotrophy...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 10, 2019·Zoo Biology·Ali KianiAngela Schwarm
Jan 28, 2021·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Selene S C NogueiraMichael Mendl
May 28, 2019·Physiology & Behavior·Ikki MatsudaMarcus Clauss
May 11, 2021·Journal of Applied Microbiology·P L G CairoS L G Nogueira-Filho
Aug 20, 2021·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology·Annelies De CuyperMarcus Clauss

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