Efeito do tamanho de partícula do volumoso e da freqüência de alimentação sobre o consumo e a digestibilidade em ovinos

Avaliou-se o efeito de quatro tamanhos de partícula do volumoso e de dois manejos alimentares sobre o consumo, a digestibilidade aparente e o comportamento ingestivo em ovinos. Utilizaram-se 24 carneiros com peso vivo médio de 37,0kg, alimentados com relação volumoso:concentrado (V:C) 25:75%. Foi utilizado o feno de Tifton-85 como volumoso e um concentrado comercial. Adotou-se esquema fatorial 2x4 em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso (dois manejos de alimentação e quatro tamanhos de partícula) o que totalizou 6 animais por tratamento. Os tratamentos não afetaram as variáveis referentes ao consumo e à digestibilidade aparente. O consumo médio de matéria seca foi de 97,43g/dia/UTM e a digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca média observada foi de 66,12%. O consumo de fibra em detergente neutro foi de 47,22g/dia/UTM. O menor tamanho de partícula (2mm) apresentou os menores tempos gastos (minutos/dia) com a ruminação (214,58) e com a atividade mastigatória total (360,41). Os animais gastaram 423,48min/dia/kg do consumo de fibra em detergente neutro ruminando e 676,19min/dia/kg do consumo de fibra em detergente neutro com atividade mastigatória total. Os tempos gastos com a ruminação e com a atividade mastigatória total em ovinos são diminuídos com a redução do tamanho de partícula do volumoso. Os tamanhos de partícula do volumoso e a frequência de fornecimento da dieta não afetam o consumo e a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes em ovinos

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data