Three Methods Compared for Analysis of Pronghorn Diets

• Published in: The Journal of wildlife management Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 612 - 619
• Main Authors: Kessler, Winifred B., Kasworm, Wayne F., Bodie, Walter L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Wildlife Society 01-07-1981
• Subjects: Analytical estimating; Antelopes; Diet; Digestion; Estimation methods; Food; Forbs; Game fishes; Ranches; Rumen
• ISSN: 0022-541X; 1937-2817
• DOI: 10.2307/3808694

Paired rumen and fecal samples were collected from 38 pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) for comparison of (1) volumetric analysis of rumen contents based on macroscopic plant features, (2) microhistological analysis of rumen contents, and (3) microhistological analysis of feces. Differences (P < 0.05) in percentage of diet estimates occurred for 6 browse and 4 forb species, with lower values reported for macroscopic analysis than for either microhistological technique. Microhistological analysis detected more species than macroanalysis, and allowed separation of unidentifiable plant material into browse, forbs, and grass herbage classes. Agreement in dietary composition, as evaluated by Spearman's rank correlation and multivariate analysis of variance, was variable among collection sites. The utility and potential biases of microhistological techniques are discussed.