Surface enlargement in the rumen of free-ranging muskoxen ( Ovibos moschatus )

• Main Authors: Clauss, Marcus, Adamczewski, Jan, Hofmann, Reinhold
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: ovibos moschatus
• Online Access: http://doc.rero.ch/record/313603/files/10344_2009_Article_301.pdf

The intraruminal papillation pattern indicates the degree of rumen contents stratification and is related to the feeding niche of a ruminant. Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) display a variety of morphophysiological adaptations typical for grazers. We investigated the intraruminal papillation of 22 free-ranging muskoxen from five different months by comparing the surface enlargement factor both between seasons and between individual rumen regions. The seasonal pattern of rumen papillation indicated a distinct seasonality in food quality. The intraruminal papillation indicated a moderate degree of rumen contents stratification typical for intermediate feeders. The nutritional ecology of muskoxen is characterised by specific morphophysiological adaptations to a grass-dominated diet that nevertheless allow extensive seasonal use of browse forage