Food selectionin the blesbok on pasture with low plant diversity

Abstract

Factors influencing food plant selection by the blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas) were studied in an area with simple plant composition. Dicanthium pyllosum leaves were specifically selected by the blesbok. Cuticle analysis gave a ratio of 1 Dicanthium to 1,85 of all other species. A strong negative correlation was found between ADL and digestibility which explains the low digestibility of Aristida and Dicanthium stalks. Although Cynodon had a higher CP content than Dicanthium its apparent rejection was probably related to a high lignin content and hence low digestibility.T he animals appeart o select indirectly for the most highly digestible species.

Faktore wat die plantvoedsel keuse van die blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas/ beinvloed, is ondersoek in 'n gebied met 'n eenvoudigep lantsamestelling. Dicanthium pyllosum blare is spesifiek uitgesoek deur die blesbok. Kutikulum analise het 'n verhouding van 1 Dicanthium tot 1,85 van alle ander spesies aangetoon.' n Sterk negatiewek orrelasiei s gevindt ussen ADL en verteerbaarheidw at die lae verteerbaarheidv an Aristida en Dicanthium stingels verklaar. Hoewel Cynodon'n hodr CP inhoud as Dicanthium gehad het is dit skynbaar verwerp op grond van die hoe lignien inhoud en gevolglik lae verteerbaarheid. Dit lyk asof die diere indirek selekteer vir die mees verteerbare spesies.

Keywords: Food selection, blesbok, fibre, protein, digestibility