Intake, digestibility and performance of lambs fed with diets containing cassava peels

Sheep farming is designated to economic exploitation, and dry matter intake is the most important factor that influences the performance of animal, thus seeking alternative foods. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of inclusion levels of cassava peel on intake, digestibility and performance of feedlot lambs. We used 32 crossbred lambs Santa Inês uncastrated, mean body weight of 21 ± 1.5 kg. Treatments were arranged in a randomized design to animals, with inclusion levels of cassava peel (0, 10, 20, 30%) in the diet dry matter and forage cassava leaf hay. During 70 days, there have been weighing the food provided, leftovers, and animals, and feces collection. The intake of dry matter (DMI), organic matter (OMI), crude protein (CPI), ether extract (EEI), neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDIap), total carbohydrates (CTI), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFCI), total digestible nutrients (TDNI), as well as DMI and NDFap/kgCP, DMI and NDFIap/PC0.75 levels have not been affected by the inclusion of cassava peel. Similar results for DM digestibility, NDF, CP, MO, CT and the TDN. DEE had a growing linear effect whereas DNFC presented a quadratic effect. Average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion (FC), initial body weight (BWinitial), final body weight (BWfinal), warm carcass weight (WCW) and warm carcass yield (WCR) showed no changes. It is concluded that the peel cassava may be included in diet until 30%, without change dry matter intake and animal performance

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