Citrus pulp and corn effects on ruminal parameters

A polpa de citrus é um subproduto da indústria de suco de laranja que tem sido utilizado principalmente na alimentação de vacas leiteiras. Para avaliar os efeitos da polpa de citrus e do milho sobre as condições ruminais, estes alimentos substituíram parte da silagem de milho em rações para vacas leiteiras em lactação. Foram utilizadas 4 vacas holandesas providas de fístula ruminal, 5 períodos e 5 dietas experimentais em um delineamento estatístico em Quadrado Latino Incompleto. Amostras de fluido ruminal foram coletadas nos tempos 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 e 24 horas após a alimentação para determinação de ácidos graxos voláteis, pH e nitrogênio amoniacal. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas 2 e 4 horas após a alimentação para determinação de uréia sangüínea. Amostras de feno foram incubadas no rúmen por 0, 4, 6, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48 e 72 horas para determinação da degradação efetiva da matéria seca utilizando o modelo proposto por McDONALD (1981). A produção e a porcentagem de ácido acético foram maiores (p0,05). As diferenças de degradação efetiva das amostras de feno não foram expressivas. Nestas condições experimentais os resultados sugerem que a polpa de citrus pode ser utilizada em substituição ao volumoso causando alterações desejáveis nas condições ruminais. Os efeitos do milho sobre o padrão de fermentação ruminal são característicos de um alimento concentrado. A associação do milho com a polpa de citrus é uma alternativa para minimizar estes efeitos.Citrus pulp is a by-product of the orange juice industry that has been used specially in dairy cattle feeding. To evaluate the citrus pulp and com effects in the ruminal conditions, these feeds replaced a portion of corn silage in lactating dairy cattle rations. Four Holstein cows with ruminal fistula were used in five periods and five experimental rations in an lncomplete Latin Square experimental design. Ruminal fluid samples were collected 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 e 24 hours after feeding to determine volatile fatty acids, ruminai pH and ammonia nitrogen. Blood samples were collected 2 and 4 hours after feeding to determine blood urea. Hay samples were incubated in the rumen during 0, 4, 6, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours to evaluate dry matter effective degradability using the McDONALD (1981) model. The production and percentage of acetic acid were higher (p0,05). The differences of effective degradability of dry matter of hay samples were not expressive. Under these experimental conditions, the results suggests that citrus pulp can be used in substitution of roughage, resulting in desirable changes in the ruminal conditions. The corn effects in the ruminal fermentation pattern are characteristics of a concentrate feed. The association of corn with citrus pulp is an alternative to minimize these effects

Palma gigante e genótipos resistentes à cochonilha do carmim em dietas para ruminantes

Dois experimentos foram conduzidos com o objetivo de avaliar genótipos de palma forrageira resistentes à cochonilha do carmim em dietas para ruminantes. No experimento realizado com ovinos foram avaliados os efeitos dos genótipos Miúda, IPA Sertânia, Orelha de Elefante Mexicana e Orelha de Elefante Africana sobre consumo, digestibilidade, parâmetros ruminais, balanço de nitrogênio e síntese de proteína microbiana, comparados aos efeitos da palma Gigante. Foram utilizados cinco ovinos machos, castrados, providos de cânula ruminal, com peso corporal médio de 53,2 ± 4,8 kg. Os tratamentos experimentais continham um genótipo de palma forrageira (400 g/kg de MS), feno de alfafa (585 g/kg de MS) e mistura mineral (15 g/kg de MS). A dieta contendo palma Gigante (PGG) foi considerada o tratamento controle. Não foram observados efeitos dos genótipos resistentes à cochonilha do carmim sobre os consumos de matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), carboidratos totais (CHT), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF) e energia metabolizável (EM), porém a dieta contendo palma Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (PMX) proporcionou maior consumo de PB e a dieta contendo palma Orelha de Elefante Africana (PAF) menor consumo de EE que a dieta controle. A dieta controle apresentou menor digestibilidade da PB do que a dieta contendo palma IPA Sertânia (PST) e do que a dieta PMX, assim como menor digestibilidade da FDN que a dieta contendo palma Miúda (PMD) e que as dietas PST e PMX. A dieta controle promoveu menor pH ruminal que a dieta PAF, menor concentração de N-NH3 ruminal que as dietas PST e PMX e menor proporção molar de acetato do que as dietas PMD, PMX e PAF. No experimento realizado com vacas leiteiras os mesmos genótipos foram avaliados, exceto a palma Orelha de Elefante Africana, sendo os efeitos sobre consumo, digestibilidade, produção e composição do leite e síntese de proteína microbiana comparados aos da palma Gigante. Foram utilizadas oito vacas da raça Girolando, distribuídas em dois quadrados latinos 4 x 4. Os tratamentos experimentais consistiram de ração completa contendo um genótipo de palma forrageira (443 g/kg MS), silagem de sorgo (380 g/kg MS), farelo de soja (150 g/kg MS), uréia (8 g/kg MS) e mistura mineral (19 g/kg MS). A dieta PMD proporcionou maiores consumos de MS, MO e NDT que a dieta controle. Observou-se maior consumo de PB quando fornecidas as dietas PMD e PST e menor consumo de CNF quando fornecidas as dietas PST e PMX. A dieta controle apresentou menor digestibilidade da MS e MO que as dietas PMD e PST e menor digestibilidade da PB e FDN que PMD, PST e PMX. Foram observadas menores produções de leite, proteína, lactose e sólidos totais quando fornecidas as dietas PST e PMX e menores produção de leite corrigido para gordura e teor de proteína no leite quando fornecida PMX. A dieta PMX proporcionou maior relação entre ácidos graxos insaturados e ácidos graxos saturados e maior proporção de ácidos graxos desejáveis no leite. Não houve efeito das dietas contendo genótipos resistentes à cochonilha do carmim sobre a síntese de proteína microbiana. Para ovinos e de acordo com os parâmetros avaliados, conclui-se que a palma Miúda, a palma IPA Sertânia, a palma Orelha de Elefante Mexicana e a palma Orelha de Elefante Africana podem substituir a palma Gigante. No caso de vacas em lactação, considerando os dados de desempenho e consumo, a palma Miúda é o genótipo resistente à cochonilha do carmim mais indicado para substituir a palma Gigante.Two studies were conducted to evaluate cactus pear genotypes resistant to carmine cochineal in diets for ruminants. In the study conducted with sheep were evaluated the effects of the “Miúda”, “IPA Sertânia”, “Orelha de Elefante Mexicana and “Orelha de Elefante Africana” cactus pear genotypes on intake, digestibility, ruminal parameters, nitrogen balance and microbial protein synthesis and compared with the effects of the “Gigante” cactus pear. Five male castrated sheep (53.2 ± 4.8 kg BW) with rumen cannula were used. The experimental diets contained one genotype of cactus pear (440 g/kg DM), alfalfa hay (585 g/kg DM) and mineral mixture (15 g/kg DM). The diet containing “Gigante” cactus pear (PGG) was the control treatment. There were no differences in the intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and metabolizable energy (ME) for PGG diet and others. The diet containing “Orelha de Elefante Mexicana” cactus pear (PMX) provided higher crude protein (CP) intake. The PGG diet showed lower CP digestibility than diet containing “IPA Sertânia” cactus pear (PST) and PMX diet and lower FDN digestibility than the diet containing “Miúda” cactus pear (PMD) and the PST and PMX diets. The control diet promoted lower ruminal pH than the diet containing “Orelha de Elefante Africana” cactus pear (PAF), lower ruminal ammonia concentration than PST and PMX diets and lower molar proportion of acetate than the diets PMD, PMX and PAF. In the study conducted with lactating dairy cows the same cactus pear genotypes were evaluated, except “Orelha de Elefante Africana” cactus pear. Eight Girolando cows were used, distributed into two 4 x 4 Latin squares. The experimental treatments consisted of a complete feed containing one genotype of cactus pear (440 g/kg DM), sorghum silage (380 g/kg DM), soybean meal (150 g/kg DM ), urea (8 g/kg DM) and mineral mixture (17 g/kg DM). The diet PMD provided greater intakes DM, OM and total digestible nutrients (TDN) than the control diet. Greater CP intake was observed when the PMD and PST diets were provided; a lower non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) intake was observed when the PST and PMX diets were provided. The control diet showed lower DM and OM digestibility than PMD and PST and lower CP and NDF digestibility than PMD, PST and PMX. Lower milk, protein, lactose and total solids yield were observed when PST and PMX were supplied. The supply of PMX promoted lower fat-corrected milk yield and milk protein content. The PMX diet provided a greater ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids and a greater proportion of desirable fatty acids. The control diet showed microbial protein synthesis similar to other diets. For sheep and according to the evaluated parameters, it is concluded that the “Miúda”, “IPA Sertânia”, “Orelha de Elefante Mexicana” and “Orelha de Elefante Africana” cactus pear can replace “Gigante” cactus pear. Considering data of intake and performance, the ‘Miúda’ cactus pear is the carmine cochineal resistant genotype that is most suitable to be supplied in diets for lactating cows

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data

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