Incomplete degradation of lichen usnic acid and atranorin in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)
Previous studies of Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Norway indicate that their rumen microbiota play a key role in degrading lichen secondary metabolites. We investigated the presence of usnic acid and atranorin in faecal samples from Svalbard reindeer (R. tarandus platyrhyn...
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Norwegian Polar Institute
2019
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v38.3375 https://doaj.org/article/d8e5e6f5f0624274a70b7e03541f9405 |
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:d8e5e6f5f0624274a70b7e03541f9405 2023-05-15T15:10:30+02:00 Incomplete degradation of lichen usnic acid and atranorin in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) Michał Hubert Węgrzyn Paulina Wietrzyk-Pełka Agnieszka Galanty Beata Cykowska-Marzencka Monica Alterskjær Sundset 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v38.3375 https://doaj.org/article/d8e5e6f5f0624274a70b7e03541f9405 EN eng Norwegian Polar Institute https://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/3375/9087 https://doaj.org/toc/1751-8369 1751-8369 doi:10.33265/polar.v38.3375 https://doaj.org/article/d8e5e6f5f0624274a70b7e03541f9405 Polar Research, Vol 38, Iss 0, Pp 1-11 (2019) Lichen secondary metabolites ruminant faecal samples Spitsbergen Arctic Environmental sciences GE1-350 Oceanography GC1-1581 article 2019 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v38.3375 2022-12-31T04:30:32Z Previous studies of Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Norway indicate that their rumen microbiota play a key role in degrading lichen secondary metabolites. We investigated the presence of usnic acid and atranorin in faecal samples from Svalbard reindeer (R. tarandus platyrhynchus). Samples were collected in Bolterdalen valley together with vegetation samples from the study site. The mesic tundra in this area was dominated by vascular plants (59% of vegetation cover). Bryophytes (16%) and lichens (25%) were also present. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of usnic acid and atranorin in lichen and faeces samples were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Contents of atranorin averaged 12.49 ± 0.41 mg g–1 in the thalli of Stereocaulon alpinum, while the average level of usnic acid was lowest in Cladonia mitis (12.75 ± 2.86 mg g–1) and highest in Flavocetraria cucullata (34.87 ± 0.47 mg g–1). Atranorin and usnic acid were detected in the faecal samples, averaging 0.41 ± 0.53 and 0.74 ± 1.11 (mean ± SD) mg g–1 dry matter, respectively. The presence of lichen secondary compounds in faeces from Svalbard reindeer shows that lichens are indeed included in their diet, although probably in small amounts because of depleted pastures. Contrary to previous findings in reindeer on mainland Norway, atranorin and usnic acid are not completely degraded or absorbed in Svalbard reindeer. To elucidate the mechanisms behind detoxification of lichen secondary compounds in reindeer, more research is needed on their respective rumen microbiomes and digestive enzymes. Article in Journal/Newspaper Arctic Polar Research Rangifer tarandus Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Svalbard svalbard reindeer Tundra Spitsbergen Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Arctic Bolterdalen ENVELOPE(15.945,15.945,78.146,78.146) Norway Svalbard Polar Research 38 0 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Lichen secondary metabolites ruminant faecal samples Spitsbergen Arctic Environmental sciences GE1-350 Oceanography GC1-1581 |
spellingShingle |
Lichen secondary metabolites ruminant faecal samples Spitsbergen Arctic Environmental sciences GE1-350 Oceanography GC1-1581 Michał Hubert Węgrzyn Paulina Wietrzyk-Pełka Agnieszka Galanty Beata Cykowska-Marzencka Monica Alterskjær Sundset Incomplete degradation of lichen usnic acid and atranorin in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) |
topic_facet |
Lichen secondary metabolites ruminant faecal samples Spitsbergen Arctic Environmental sciences GE1-350 Oceanography GC1-1581 |
description |
Previous studies of Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Norway indicate that their rumen microbiota play a key role in degrading lichen secondary metabolites. We investigated the presence of usnic acid and atranorin in faecal samples from Svalbard reindeer (R. tarandus platyrhynchus). Samples were collected in Bolterdalen valley together with vegetation samples from the study site. The mesic tundra in this area was dominated by vascular plants (59% of vegetation cover). Bryophytes (16%) and lichens (25%) were also present. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of usnic acid and atranorin in lichen and faeces samples were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Contents of atranorin averaged 12.49 ± 0.41 mg g–1 in the thalli of Stereocaulon alpinum, while the average level of usnic acid was lowest in Cladonia mitis (12.75 ± 2.86 mg g–1) and highest in Flavocetraria cucullata (34.87 ± 0.47 mg g–1). Atranorin and usnic acid were detected in the faecal samples, averaging 0.41 ± 0.53 and 0.74 ± 1.11 (mean ± SD) mg g–1 dry matter, respectively. The presence of lichen secondary compounds in faeces from Svalbard reindeer shows that lichens are indeed included in their diet, although probably in small amounts because of depleted pastures. Contrary to previous findings in reindeer on mainland Norway, atranorin and usnic acid are not completely degraded or absorbed in Svalbard reindeer. To elucidate the mechanisms behind detoxification of lichen secondary compounds in reindeer, more research is needed on their respective rumen microbiomes and digestive enzymes. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Michał Hubert Węgrzyn Paulina Wietrzyk-Pełka Agnieszka Galanty Beata Cykowska-Marzencka Monica Alterskjær Sundset |
author_facet |
Michał Hubert Węgrzyn Paulina Wietrzyk-Pełka Agnieszka Galanty Beata Cykowska-Marzencka Monica Alterskjær Sundset |
author_sort |
Michał Hubert Węgrzyn |
title |
Incomplete degradation of lichen usnic acid and atranorin in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) |
title_short |
Incomplete degradation of lichen usnic acid and atranorin in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) |
title_full |
Incomplete degradation of lichen usnic acid and atranorin in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) |
title_fullStr |
Incomplete degradation of lichen usnic acid and atranorin in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) |
title_full_unstemmed |
Incomplete degradation of lichen usnic acid and atranorin in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) |
title_sort |
incomplete degradation of lichen usnic acid and atranorin in svalbard reindeer (rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) |
publisher |
Norwegian Polar Institute |
publishDate |
2019 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v38.3375 https://doaj.org/article/d8e5e6f5f0624274a70b7e03541f9405 |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(15.945,15.945,78.146,78.146) |
geographic |
Arctic Bolterdalen Norway Svalbard |
geographic_facet |
Arctic Bolterdalen Norway Svalbard |
genre |
Arctic Polar Research Rangifer tarandus Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Svalbard svalbard reindeer Tundra Spitsbergen |
genre_facet |
Arctic Polar Research Rangifer tarandus Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Svalbard svalbard reindeer Tundra Spitsbergen |
op_source |
Polar Research, Vol 38, Iss 0, Pp 1-11 (2019) |
op_relation |
https://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/3375/9087 https://doaj.org/toc/1751-8369 1751-8369 doi:10.33265/polar.v38.3375 https://doaj.org/article/d8e5e6f5f0624274a70b7e03541f9405 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v38.3375 |
container_title |
Polar Research |
container_volume |
38 |
container_issue |
0 |
_version_ |
1766341520905994240 |