Concentration and size distribution of plant fiber in the digestive tract of muroid rodents
- Authors: Naumova E.I.1, Zharova G.K.1, Chistova T.Y.1, Varshavskii A.A.1, Ivlev Y.F.1
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Affiliations:
- Severtsov Institute of Problems of Ecology and Evolution
- Issue: Vol 44, No 5 (2017)
- Pages: 517-523
- Section: Zoology
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/1062-3590/article/view/182466
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359017050119
- ID: 182466
Cite item
Abstract
The weight parameters that characterize the size and the degree of fullness of fermentation chambers (forestomach and cecum), namely, the weight of the walls and the content of these organs, and the concentration and size distribution of fibers in the chyme have been investigated in five muroid rodent species (Arvicola terrestris, Microtus oeconomus, Microtus arvalis sp., Clethrionomys glareolus, and Sylvaemus flavicollis). No distinct regularities were observed in the above-mentioned parameters of the forestomach. These parameters of the cecum were generally found to be in good agreement with the conventional concept of dietary specialization of the rodent species under investigation, but the results have provided a more precise assessment of the role of dietary fiber in the diet of free-living rodents under specific environmental conditions.
About the authors
E. I. Naumova
Severtsov Institute of Problems of Ecology and Evolution
Author for correspondence.
Email: einaumova@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071
G. K. Zharova
Severtsov Institute of Problems of Ecology and Evolution
Email: einaumova@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071
T. Yu. Chistova
Severtsov Institute of Problems of Ecology and Evolution
Email: einaumova@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071
A. A. Varshavskii
Severtsov Institute of Problems of Ecology and Evolution
Email: einaumova@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071
Yu. F. Ivlev
Severtsov Institute of Problems of Ecology and Evolution
Email: einaumova@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071