Comparative bromatological analysis of Cecropia glaziovii Snethl leaf and its importance in the nutritional requirement of Bradypus variegatus from São Paulo, Brazil.

Brazilian landscapes have undergone extreme transformations due to deforestation. Consequently, the size and dynamics of Bradypus variegatus - the brown-throated three-toed sloth - populations are directly affected. These groups of mammals representing the superorder Xenarthra, have herbivorous and even insectivorous habits, showing food selectivity by the tree of the genus Cecropia spp. mainly the red leaves instead of the green ones. It is estimated that the three-fingered Bradypus variegatus consumes 15g of dry food (kg/day) during a dry season. This study aimed to compare by centesimal analysis the green and red leaves of the Embauba tree (Cecropia glazioviiSnethl) to understand the preference for the younger leaf, also known as tender/red. The results obtained for the red and green leaves were respectively: dry matter 21.29% and 31.17%, ashes 9.18% and 11.05%, ethereal extract 0.80% and 2.68%, digestibility 23.14% and 23.15%, Vit C 1.86 mg and 1.35 mg, crude fiber 22.30% and 23.47% protein 16.54% and 14.55%. From these results, it was possible to identify that the red leaf has higher levels of crude protein and moisture, allowing the understanding of the preference of Bradypus variegatus.