1
|
Hilevski S, Manolis C, Siroski P. A true facultative carnivore? Effects of replacing ground chicken carcasses with soybean meal on the growth of captive broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) and its economics implications. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2024. [PMID: 38591221 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
A specific diet for broad-snouted caiman, Caiman latirostris has not been designed despite the value of farm-raised caiman as an aquaculture product. To fill this gap, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance dietary replacement of ground chicken carcasses by of soybean meal (SM) as diet complement for C. latirostris. We conducted a 3-month growth trial to determine effects of graded levels of dietary SM on caiman growth as measured by increase in body length, body weight gain, food consumption (FC) and food conversion rate (FCR). Forty-eight hatchling caimans were fed with diets, composed primarily of practical feed ingredients, with 0, 25, or 40% dietary SM. Diets were fed three times per week for 90 days under temperature controlled. Body lengths and body weights were measured at 30-day intervals, and FC samples were taken between the 31-60-day interval. The results of this study indicate that the inclusion of SM in the diet of C. latirostris at levels of 25% increases in body length, body weight gain, FC and improve the FCR indicated that a concentration of 25% dietary SM (as fed) was adequate for growth of caimans under the conditions of this study. Results suggest that SM have a real nutritional contribution in the diet of broad-snouted caiman and can be used as an ingredient of the diet of the crocodilians raised in captivity, reducing production costs for sustainable use and conservation programs of this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Hilevski
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular Aplicada (LEMA), Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Zoología Aplicada, Gobierno de Santa Fe, Facultad Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Charlie Manolis
- Wildlife Management International, Karama, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Pablo Siroski
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular Aplicada (LEMA), Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Zoología Aplicada, Gobierno de Santa Fe, Facultad Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Flint M, Flint J. Use of soybean as an alternative protein source for welfare-orientated production of American alligators ( Alligator mississippiensis). PeerJ 2023; 11:e16321. [PMID: 37904841 PMCID: PMC10613434 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Soybean meal based diets have been suggested to cause gastrointestinal issues in certain species when used as a protein alternative. Using a randomized design, we tested 1,728 alligators in one of 13 communal pens offered one of two diets (seven pens (n = 928) of soybean-based protein diets and six pens (n = 800) of animal-based protein diets) to determine if soybeans would negatively affect the growth, hide quality, behavior and health, when compared with an otherwise identical diet using animal-based protein. Both feeds were nearly identical in composition for protein and fat percentages and identical for all minerals and elements. Crude protein was a minimum of 50%, crude fat a minimum of 12%, crude fiber a minimum of 4%, and phosphorous was maintained at 1%. From this information we estimated the One Welfare of using soy as a protein in commercial diets. Although there was a statistically significant decrease in belly width (p = 0.0009; harvested hide size) for alligators fed soybean-based protein diets, all other measured parameters of soybean vs. animal-based protein diets were comparable, suggesting this environmentally sustainable alternative protein source warrants consideration as a feed base. Weight was not significantly different suggesting either diet would yield similar volumes of meat. Total length was significantly affected by diet. Hide quality was not negatively impacted by protein type, with both diets producing high quality hides free of defects (assessed at the salted hide stage prior to tanning). Behaviors were not influenced by the feed type, with animals fed either diet using the pen structures the same. Further, feeding times were the same suggesting the soybean-based protein diet was equally easy to eat and palatable as the animal-based protein diet. Behavior and feeding suggested soy-based diets do not alter time budgets or activities. There were no differences in the frequency or severity of pathologies for animals fed either diet. Respiratory (lung and trachea as a proxy to measure dust inhalation), gastrointestinal (small intestine as a proxy to measure digestive disturbances), and renal (kidney as a proxy for excretory stress) histopathology demonstrated neither diet was causing overt problems. One Welfare conclusions were feeding a soybean-based protein diet did not cause production or welfare issues. Further, soybean protein-based diets may be an environmentally sustainable alternative to currently used animal-based diets. Research examining different soybean protein concentrations and sources is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Flint
- One Welfare and Sustainability Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Jaylene Flint
- One Welfare and Sustainability Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wehrle BA, German DP. Reptilian digestive efficiency: Past, present, and future. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2023; 277:111369. [PMID: 36646309 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Digestion and assimilation of nutrients and energy is central to survival. At its most basic level, investigations of digestion in animals must examine digestive efficiency, or how much of a given meal (i.e., energy) or a specific nutrient an organism can acquire from its food. There are many studies examining this in reptiles, but there is large variation in methodology, and thus, in the conclusions drawn from the gathered data. The majority rely on ratio-based analyses that can jeopardize the reliability of their findings. Therefore, we reviewed the literature to identify common themes in the digestive efficiency data on reptiles. Due to the sheer number of available studies, we largely focused on lizards, but included data on all reptilian groups. As an example of what the current data can reveal, we performed a meta-analysis of digestive efficiency in lizards as a function of temperature using regression analyses. We detected a weak positive trend of soluble carbohydrate digestibility as a function of temperature, but no similar trend in broad-scale digestive efficiency, and propose that these patterns be reevaluated with non-ratio data. We conclude with calls to end conducting analyses on ratios and instead employ covariate methods, for more studies of reptilian digestive efficiency and related processes using consistent methodology, more representation of each population (e.g., many studies focus on males only), and more detailed studies examining the effects of temperature on digestion (since the current data are inconclusive).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beck A Wehrle
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Biology, Bryn Mawr College, 101 N. Merion Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, USA.
| | - Donovan P German
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA. https://twitter.com/dgermanuci
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Somaweera R, Nifong J, Rosenblatt A, Brien ML, Combrink X, Elsey RM, Grigg G, Magnusson WE, Mazzotti FJ, Pearcy A, Platt SG, Shirley MH, Tellez M, Ploeg J, Webb G, Whitaker R, Webber BL. The ecological importance of crocodylians: towards evidence‐based justification for their conservation. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:936-959. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruchira Somaweera
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity Floreat WA 6014 Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| | - James Nifong
- IFAS‐Fort Lauderdale Research & Education Center, University of Florida Fort Lauderdale FL 33314 USA
| | - Adam Rosenblatt
- University of North Florida 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville FL 32224 USA
| | - Mathew L. Brien
- Queensland Parks and WildlifeDepartment of Environment and Science Cairns QLD 4870 Australia
| | - Xander Combrink
- Department of Nature ConservationTshwane University of Technology Pretoria South Africa
| | - Ruth M. Elsey
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Grand Chenier LA 70643 USA
| | - Gordon Grigg
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Queensland St Lucia QLD 4072 Australia
| | - William E. Magnusson
- Coordenação da Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional da Pesquisas da Amazônia Manaus 69067 Brazil
| | - Frank J. Mazzotti
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and ConservationEverglades Research and Education Center, University of Florida Gainesville FL 32603 USA
| | - Ashley Pearcy
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of BioScienceAarhus University Aarhus Denmark
| | - Steven G. Platt
- Wildlife Conservation Society ‐ Myanmar Program Yangon Myanmar
| | - Matthew H. Shirley
- Tropical Conservation InstituteFlorida International University Miami FL 33181 USA
| | | | - Jan Ploeg
- Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia
| | - Grahame Webb
- Wildlife Management International Karama NT 0812 Australia
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University Casuarina NT 0810 Australia
| | - Rom Whitaker
- The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust & Centre for Herpetology Mahabalipuram 603104 India
| | - Bruce L. Webber
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity Floreat WA 6014 Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia Crawley WA 6009 Australia
- Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute Perth WA 6000 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Francis M, Morel PCH, Wilkinson BHP, Wester TJ. Alginate increases water stability whilst maintaining diet digestibility in farmed saltwater crocodiles (). J Anim Sci 2017; 95:820-826. [PMID: 28380593 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2016.0908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Saltwater crocodile () farming in Papua New Guinea is an emerging industry that supplies high-quality skins to the fashion industry. Crocodiles are semiaquatic and fed high-quality feed made from extrudated animal byproducts (i.e., forced through a die at low pressure but not heat treated); however, it disintegrates on contact with water, and this leads to low utilization. Alginate is used extensively in food and pharmaceutical processes because it quickly forms a gel at room temperature; however, its effects on nutrient availability are equivocal, and its utility in crocodile diets is unknown. Extrudated chicken byproduct-based crocodile diets were formulated (as-fed) with and without 1.7 and 3.3% Na alginate with either CaCl or CaCO to cross-link. After immersion in water at 30°C for 24 h, feed retained on a 0.5-mm screen was measured to determine DM retention (DMR). Regardless of inclusion level, alginate addition resulted in a 13-fold increase in DMR ( < 0.05) when CaCO was used as a Ca source; however, CaCl use resulted in a much lower DMR. In a digestibility trial, 10 juvenile crocodiles (2.2 to 2.4 yr of age; 1.2 to 1.9 kg BW) were chosen from farm-raised stocks and fed extrudated chicken byproduct-based diets with and without 1.5% Na alginate and 1.9% CaCO. Animals fed 2% BW for 12 d and with excreta collected the last 5 d were slaughtered and had digesta sampled from the ileum. There were no differences in apparent ileal digestibilities of any AA, N (65.0 vs. 55.8%, SE = 12.2%), and OM (46.8 vs. 39.6%, SE = 12.8%) between diets with and without alginate, respectively. Total-tract digestibilities of OM (69.8 vs. 39.2%, SE = 9.1%) and energy (72.2 vs. 44.4%, SE = 8.3%), however, were greater in alginate-containing diets ( < 0.05). Our study showed that alginate addition to crocodile feed improved its stability in water and did not impair nutrient digestion. Application of these findings should greatly decrease feed wastage, which ultimately will benefit Papua New Guinea by simultaneously increasing economic returns and decreasing environmental impacts.
Collapse
|
6
|
EFFECTS OF PLANT PROTEIN DIETS ON THE HEALTH OF FARMED AMERICAN ALLIGATORS (ALLIGATOR MISSISSIPPIENSIS). J Zoo Wildl Med 2017; 48:131-135. [DOI: 10.1638/2016-0067.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
|
7
|
Tracy CR, McWhorter TJ, Gienger CM, Starck JM, Medley P, Manolis SC, Webb GJW, Christian KA. Alligators and Crocodiles Have High Paracellular Absorption of Nutrients, But Differ in Digestive Morphology and Physiology. Integr Comp Biol 2015; 55:986-1004. [PMID: 26060211 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icv060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Much of what is known about crocodilian nutrition and growth has come from animals propagated in captivity, but captive animals from the families Crocodilidae and Alligatoridae respond differently to similar diets. Since there are few comparative studies of crocodilian digestive physiology to help explain these differences, we investigated young Alligator mississippiensis and Crocodylus porosus in terms of (1) gross and microscopic morphology of the intestine, (2) activity of the membrane-bound digestive enzymes aminopeptidase-N, maltase, and sucrase, and (3) nutrient absorption by carrier-mediated and paracellular pathways. We also measured gut morphology of animals over a larger range of body sizes. The two species showed different allometry of length and mass of the gut, with A. mississippiensis having a steeper increase in intestinal mass with body size, and C. porosus having a steeper increase in intestinal length with body size. Both species showed similar patterns of magnification of the intestinal surface area, with decreasing magnification from the proximal to distal ends of the intestine. Although A. mississippiensis had significantly greater surface-area magnification overall, a compensating significant difference in gut length between species meant that total surface area of the intestine was not significantly different from that of C. porosus. The species differed in enzyme activities, with A. mississippiensis having significantly greater ability to digest carbohydrates relative to protein than did C. porosus. These differences in enzyme activity may help explain the differences in performance between the crocodilian families when on artificial diets. Both A. mississippiensis and C. porosus showed high absorption of 3-O methyl d-glucose (absorbed via both carrier-mediated and paracellular transport), as expected. Both species also showed surprisingly high levels of l-glucose-uptake (absorbed paracellularly), with fractional absorptions as high as those previously seen only in small birds and bats. Analyses of absorption rates suggested a relatively high proportional contribution of paracellular (i.e., non-mediated) uptake to total uptake of nutrients in both species. Because we measured juveniles, and most paracellular studies to date have been on adults, it is unclear whether high paracellular absorption is generally high within crocodilians or whether these high values are specific to juveniles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Tracy
- *Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia; Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA;
| | - Todd J McWhorter
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Adelaide, SA 5371, Australia
| | - C M Gienger
- *Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia; Department of Biology and Center of Excellence for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 37044, USA
| | | | - Peter Medley
- Department of the Environment, Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, GPO Box 461, Darwin, NT 0801, Australia
| | - S Charlie Manolis
- **Wildlife Management International Pty. Limited, Berrimah, NT 0828, Australia
| | - Grahame J W Webb
- *Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia; **Wildlife Management International Pty. Limited, Berrimah, NT 0828, Australia
| | - Keith A Christian
- *Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Platt SG, Elsey RM, Liu H, Rainwater TR, Nifong JC, Rosenblatt AE, Heithaus MR, Mazzotti FJ. Frugivory and seed dispersal by crocodilians: an overlooked form of saurochory? J Zool (1987) 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - R. M. Elsey
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge; Grand Chenier LA USA
| | - H. Liu
- Department of Earth and Environment; Florida International University; Miami FL USA
- Center for Tropical Plant Conservation; Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden; Coral Gables FL USA
| | | | - J. C. Nifong
- Department of Biology; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
| | - A. E. Rosenblatt
- Department of Biological Sciences; Marine Sciences Program; Florida International University; Miami FL USA
| | - M. R. Heithaus
- School of Environment, Arts and Society; Florida International University; Miami FL USA
| | - F. J. Mazzotti
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center; University of Florida; Davie FL USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ritz J, Hammer C, Clauss M. Body size development of captive and free-ranging Leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis). Zoo Biol 2009; 29:517-25. [DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
10
|
Pinheiro MS, Lavorenti A. Growth of broad-nosed caiman, Caiman latirostris (Daudin, 1802) hatchlings, fed with diets of animal origin. BRAZ J BIOL 2001; 61:421-9. [PMID: 11706569 DOI: 10.1590/s1519-69842001000300011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The study was carried out to evaluate the growth rate of broad-nosed caiman, Caiman latirostris hatchlings, fed on four animal protein diets: (a) dead poultry from a poultry farm; (b) dead piglet from nursery and farrowing house in a swine farm; (c) whole tilapia (Tilapia rendalli e Oreochromis niloticus); and (d) a balanced mixture of a, b, and c sources. Sixteen seven-month old caimans, average weight of 208 g and, 38 cm of total length (TL) were distributed in four treatments. Four groups of four caimans each were placed in cement enclosures inside a greenhouse. Diets were supplied at the average rate of 97.8% +/- 34.8% of the body weight per week (average and standard deviation; wet weight basis). Body mass and total length of caimans were measured every 30 days for six months (Nov. 1995-April. 1996). An analysis of variance with repeated measures was performed. Diets provided suitable growth for weight and TL (mean +/- standard deviation, respectively): (a) 2,157 +/- 743 g and 79.5 +/- 6.9 cm; (b) 1,811 +/- 222 g and 75.7 +/- 1.9 cm; (c) 2,431 +/- 780 g and 80.7 +/- 5.8 cm; (d) 1,683.5 +/- 736 g and 74.5 +/- 7.2 cm. There was no significant effect of diet on weight, but diet effect on TL of hatchlings approached significance (p < 0.10). It is concluded that all diets have good potential, in growth sense, to be used in commercial farms or ranches and for captivity propagation programs of caimans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M S Pinheiro
- Embrapa Clima Temperado, CPACT, Estação Experimental Terras Baixas, ETB, Capão do Leão s/n, C.P. 553, CEP 96001-970, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Morpurgo B, Robinzon B, Lance V, Gelman A. Plasma fatty acid composition in wild and captive nile crocodile, crocodylus niloticus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1993. [DOI: 10.1016/0300-9629(93)90332-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|