Surface enlargement in the rumen of free-ranging muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus)
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...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2010
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/33062/ https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/33062/40/EurJWildlRes.pdf https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/33062/45/ClaussAM1.pdf https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/33062/34/ZORA_NL_33062.pdf https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-33062 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-009-0301-4 |
| Summary: | 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 5 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 intermedate feeders. The nutritional ecology of muskoxen is characterized by specific morphophysiological adaptations to a grass-dominated diet that nevertheless allow extensive seasonal use of browse forage. |
|---|