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Browse intake rates by bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus ) and boergoats ( Capra hircus)
Author(s) -
HASCHICK S. L.,
KERLEY G. I. H.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2028.1997.072-89072.x
Subject(s) - capra hircus , foraging , biology , zoology , veterinary medicine , ecology , medicine
Foraging efficiencies of bushbuck ( Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas) and boergoats ( Capra hircus Linnaeus) were evaluated in terms of browse intake rates attained when foraging from a selection of Valley Bushveld plants. Intake rates were calculated as the product of bite size and bite rate. Boergoats were capable of greater bite sizes and bite rates and were therefore more efficient foragers in terms of intake rates. Intake rates increased with increasing bite size and conformed to an asymptotic relationship, while bite rates declined with increasing bite sizes. Plant spinescence and fibre content influenced the intake rates of both species.