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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Use of δ
13
C values to determine vegetation selectivity in East African herbivores
Oecologia, Volume 37, No. 3, Year 1979
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Description
The quantitative plant species composition of the rumen contents of a large number of individuals from eight East African herbivores was determined by direct visual analysis. All plant species were classified as either C3 or C4, and an estimated δ13C for the rumen sample was calculated. This estimated value was compared to a measured value determined directly from rumen subsample. The two methods of determining quantitative C3 and C4 composition differed by less than 1%, and the isotopic analysis has the advantage of being rapid and totally objective. The isotopic analysis allowed us to differentiate between grazers and browsers and to determine the quantitative dependence of each animal on C3 and C4 photosynthetic types. Kongoni, wildebeest, cattle, and sheep were nearly pure grazers on the Athi Kapiti Plains; and the Grant's gazelle were predominantly browsers. Thompson's gazelle, goast and impala were intermediate. The species most dependent upon browse showed a marked and rapid shift to grass within a few days following rain. This isotopic method may have general utility in the study of East African ecology. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.
Authors & Co-Authors
Tieszen, Larry L.
United States, Sioux Falls
Augustana University
Hein, Dennis
United States, Sioux Falls
Augustana University
Qvortrup, Svend A.
Unknown Affiliation
Troughton, John H.
New Zealand
New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
Imbamba, Simeon K.
Kenya, Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Statistics
Citations: 118
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1007/BF00347911
ISSN:
00298549
e-ISSN:
14321939
Study Approach
Quantitative