THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN THE DIET OF MOOSE
The array of plant species eaten by moose (Alces alces) has been well documented however, whether their dietary diversity reflects a basic feeding strategy or simply a scarcity of preferred species has not been tested. Closely observed moose on Isle Royale in summer consumed a number of species duri...
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ftjalces:oai:ojs.pkp.sfu.ca:article/1701 2024-06-16T07:33:09+00:00 THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN THE DIET OF MOOSE Miquelle, Dale G. Jordan, Peter A. 1979-01-01 application/pdf http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1701 eng eng Lakehead University http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1701/1771 http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1701 Alces: A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose; Vol. 15 (1979): Alces Vol. 15 (1979); 54-79 2293-6629 0835-5851 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Peer-reviewed Article 1979 ftjalces 2024-05-22T03:01:08Z The array of plant species eaten by moose (Alces alces) has been well documented however, whether their dietary diversity reflects a basic feeding strategy or simply a scarcity of preferred species has not been tested. Closely observed moose on Isle Royale in summer consumed a number of species during each period of sustained feeding (X̄ = 56 ± 4.8 min). To determine preferences when preferred species are not limited, captive moose were offered common, preferred browse species ad libitum. While showing distinct preferences, the experimental animals did not select a monotypic diet. Vegetation analysis revealed that, given the availability of quantitative needs (21.6 kg/day) by feeding on one preferred species; however, they selected for more than one species, suggesting that diversity was an objective. Preferred foods of captive and wild moose were not the same, suggesting that previous experience and/or diet may affect preference. Speculations on the relationship between availability of various species and the nutritional implications of selecting a diverse diet are made. Article in Journal/Newspaper Alces alces Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose) |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose) |
op_collection_id |
ftjalces |
language |
English |
description |
The array of plant species eaten by moose (Alces alces) has been well documented however, whether their dietary diversity reflects a basic feeding strategy or simply a scarcity of preferred species has not been tested. Closely observed moose on Isle Royale in summer consumed a number of species during each period of sustained feeding (X̄ = 56 ± 4.8 min). To determine preferences when preferred species are not limited, captive moose were offered common, preferred browse species ad libitum. While showing distinct preferences, the experimental animals did not select a monotypic diet. Vegetation analysis revealed that, given the availability of quantitative needs (21.6 kg/day) by feeding on one preferred species; however, they selected for more than one species, suggesting that diversity was an objective. Preferred foods of captive and wild moose were not the same, suggesting that previous experience and/or diet may affect preference. Speculations on the relationship between availability of various species and the nutritional implications of selecting a diverse diet are made. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Miquelle, Dale G. Jordan, Peter A. |
spellingShingle |
Miquelle, Dale G. Jordan, Peter A. THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN THE DIET OF MOOSE |
author_facet |
Miquelle, Dale G. Jordan, Peter A. |
author_sort |
Miquelle, Dale G. |
title |
THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN THE DIET OF MOOSE |
title_short |
THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN THE DIET OF MOOSE |
title_full |
THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN THE DIET OF MOOSE |
title_fullStr |
THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN THE DIET OF MOOSE |
title_full_unstemmed |
THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN THE DIET OF MOOSE |
title_sort |
importance of diversity in the diet of moose |
publisher |
Lakehead University |
publishDate |
1979 |
url |
http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1701 |
genre |
Alces alces |
genre_facet |
Alces alces |
op_source |
Alces: A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose; Vol. 15 (1979): Alces Vol. 15 (1979); 54-79 2293-6629 0835-5851 |
op_relation |
http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1701/1771 http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1701 |
_version_ |
1802012625299570688 |