Utilization of shrubs for forage and shelter by Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in Jataí Ecological Station, Brazil : an analysis of stable carbon isotopes and of GPS tracking data
The South American marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) is a wetland living species which is in risk of extinction in the wild. Since not much is known about its requirements concerning habitat and forage, this study aims at their choice of forage and habitat, with focus on use of shrubs available fo...
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| Format: | L3 |
| Language: | Inglés Swedish |
| Published: |
SLU/Dept. of Animal Environment and Health (until 231231)
2008
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| Subjects: |
| _version_ | 1855571749553307648 |
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| author | Orrell, Linda |
| author_browse | Orrell, Linda |
| author_facet | Orrell, Linda |
| author_sort | Orrell, Linda |
| collection | Epsilon Archive for Student Projects |
| description | The South American marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) is a wetland living species which is in risk of extinction in the wild. Since not much is known about its requirements concerning habitat and forage, this study aims at their choice of forage and habitat, with focus on use of shrubs available for shelter and forage. The study was performed in Jataí Ecological Station, São Paulo state, Brazil. I examined if marsh deer, like many other deer species, chose bed-sites in close proximity to large shrubs, which can provide cover from weather and predators. GPS-data from two marsh deer equipped with GPS-collars was analyzed to find the bed-sites of the deer. The bed-site coordinates were plotted on a map divided into vegetation zones with different densities of shrubs. The density and duration of bed-sites in each different vegetation zone was calculated. The results showed that the marsh deer did prefer bed-sites close to shrubs but not when shrubs become too dense. An analysis of stable carbon isotopes in hair taken from 30 marsh deer from two different populations was also performed to show the proportion between browse and grass ingested. These results estimated that only 4 - 14 % of the marsh deer's diet consists of grasses. However, it is not possible to tell from this type of analysis if the browse ingested consists of forbs or shrubs and if the marsh deer also feed on aquatic plants. No differences were seen between populations and genders. |
| format | L3 |
| id | RepoSLU10774 |
| institution | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences |
| language | Inglés swe |
| publishDate | 2008 |
| publishDateSort | 2008 |
| publisher | SLU/Dept. of Animal Environment and Health (until 231231) |
| publisherStr | SLU/Dept. of Animal Environment and Health (until 231231) |
| record_format | eprints |
| spelling | RepoSLU107742017-09-13T09:50:48Z Utilization of shrubs for forage and shelter by Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in Jataí Ecological Station, Brazil : an analysis of stable carbon isotopes and of GPS tracking data Orrell, Linda Marsh deer blastocerus dichotomus stable carbon isotopes GIS herbivore diet bed-sites The South American marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) is a wetland living species which is in risk of extinction in the wild. Since not much is known about its requirements concerning habitat and forage, this study aims at their choice of forage and habitat, with focus on use of shrubs available for shelter and forage. The study was performed in Jataí Ecological Station, São Paulo state, Brazil. I examined if marsh deer, like many other deer species, chose bed-sites in close proximity to large shrubs, which can provide cover from weather and predators. GPS-data from two marsh deer equipped with GPS-collars was analyzed to find the bed-sites of the deer. The bed-site coordinates were plotted on a map divided into vegetation zones with different densities of shrubs. The density and duration of bed-sites in each different vegetation zone was calculated. The results showed that the marsh deer did prefer bed-sites close to shrubs but not when shrubs become too dense. An analysis of stable carbon isotopes in hair taken from 30 marsh deer from two different populations was also performed to show the proportion between browse and grass ingested. These results estimated that only 4 - 14 % of the marsh deer's diet consists of grasses. However, it is not possible to tell from this type of analysis if the browse ingested consists of forbs or shrubs and if the marsh deer also feed on aquatic plants. No differences were seen between populations and genders. Den sydamerikanska sumphjorten är en våtmarkslevande art som är utrotningshotad i det vilda. Eftersom inte mycket är känt angående dess behov gällande habitat och föda syftar den här studien mot deras födo- och habitatval med fokus på deras utnyttjande av buskar för skydd och föda. Studien genomfördes i Jataí Ecological Station i delstaten São Paulo, Brasilien. Jag undersökte om sumphjorten, liksom många andra hjortdjur, väljer legor i närheten av stora buskar som kan ge skydd från väder och rovdjur. GPS-data från två hjortar utrustade med GPS-halsband analyserades för att lokalisera hjortarnas legor. Legornas positioner plottades på en karta indelad i vegetationszoner med olika busktäthet. När tätheten och durationen av legorna i varje vegetations zon beräknades visade det att sumphjortarna föredrar legor nära buskar men inte när busktätheten blir för hög. En analys av stabila kolisotoper i hår från 30 sumphjortar från två populationer utfördes också för att visa proportionen mellan intag av blad och gräs. Dessa resultat visade att enbart 4 – 14 % av sumphjortens diet består av gräs. Med denna typ av analys är det däremot inte möjligt att avgöra om löven de äter kommer från örter eller buskar och om sumphjorten också äter akvatiska växter. Ingen skillnad sågs mellan olika populationer eller kön. SLU/Dept. of Animal Environment and Health (until 231231) 2008 L3 eng swe https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/10774/ |
| spellingShingle | Marsh deer blastocerus dichotomus stable carbon isotopes GIS herbivore diet bed-sites Orrell, Linda Utilization of shrubs for forage and shelter by Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in Jataí Ecological Station, Brazil : an analysis of stable carbon isotopes and of GPS tracking data |
| title | Utilization of shrubs for forage and shelter by Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in Jataí Ecological Station, Brazil : an analysis of stable carbon isotopes and of GPS tracking data |
| title_full | Utilization of shrubs for forage and shelter by Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in Jataí Ecological Station, Brazil : an analysis of stable carbon isotopes and of GPS tracking data |
| title_fullStr | Utilization of shrubs for forage and shelter by Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in Jataí Ecological Station, Brazil : an analysis of stable carbon isotopes and of GPS tracking data |
| title_full_unstemmed | Utilization of shrubs for forage and shelter by Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in Jataí Ecological Station, Brazil : an analysis of stable carbon isotopes and of GPS tracking data |
| title_short | Utilization of shrubs for forage and shelter by Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in Jataí Ecological Station, Brazil : an analysis of stable carbon isotopes and of GPS tracking data |
| title_sort | utilization of shrubs for forage and shelter by marsh deer (blastocerus dichotomus) in jataí ecological station, brazil : an analysis of stable carbon isotopes and of gps tracking data |
| topic | Marsh deer blastocerus dichotomus stable carbon isotopes GIS herbivore diet bed-sites |