Characterization of grazing behaviour microstructure using point-of-view cameras

Grazing patterns, intake structure, and diet selection are dynamic responses to animals’ feeding environment. This study uses video sequences from animal-borne cameras to capture time- and scale-dependent grazing behaviour variables related to sward explanatory conditions. We observed grazing ‘through’ the sheep’s eyes using point-of-view (POV) cameras coupled with event logging software. Time-specific sward features were measured by sampling ‘really’ grazed patches identified by applying a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) precision-grazing approach. Sward variables on a Mediterranean native sward were measured for two years during the active spring plant-growth cycle. Overall, the results demonstrate that POV cameras were able to capture grazing behaviour fine-tuning to changes in sward characteristics. Sheep compensate for the decrease in sward quantity and nutritive value by increasing the size and duration at each behavioural scale (i.e., meal, bout, and station) while increasing the bout rate and decreasing the station rate. Diet composition also changed as sward matured. The proportion of forbs in the diet remained high in early and late spring, and forbs and legumes were preferred to grasses in early spring. Grazing selectivity was more pronounced in late spring, with sheep favouring the middle stratum of the sward’s vertical structure, preferring green vegetative material, while enlarging the feeding niches’ span and spending more time at each niche, consequently reducing the station rate. Although data collected by individual animal-borne POV cameras were representative of the flock behaviour, they may underestimate the total grazing time outside major meals. The results indicate that the use of animal-borne video cameras is suitable for assessing variations in sheep grazing behaviour patterns in complex swards

Comportamento ingestivo de ovinos e seleção de taninos no campo nativo do Bioma Pampa e em confinamento

The Pampa grassland biome has high plant biodiversity, some with significant secondary compound concentrations such as tannins. Tannin inclusion in ruminant diets may improve meat quality and productivity. However, voluntary intake of this phenolic compound can be a challenge. This dissertation includes three studies within this context. The first study documented whether sheep consume tannin-rich Desmodium incanum (DI), the most common Pampa herbaceous legume species. The second study evaluated how forage tannin and protein concentration influenced sheep feedlot feed selection and the diet affects performance parameters. The third study evaluated sheep feeding behavior in a Pampa native pasture, and how season, sward characteristics and parasite infection influenced it. Tagging individual DI plants allowed identification of those sheep consumed. After 3 days of grazing, >70% were grazed. In the second study, feed intake decreased when tannin was added alongside a high-protein feed. However, when tannin- free feed was not a choice, the 4% tannin extract inclusion did not affect feed intake, aside from decreasing blood urea nitrogen and increasing fecal nitrogen excretion. Average daily gain was not affected by the inclusion of tannins. Fall grazing time was greater, while spring and summer showed no difference. Ruminating time decreased with season progression: spring > summer> fall. There was a moderate positive correlation between dead material percentage in the pasture and grazing time (P < 0.000, r = 0.462), and a moderate negative correlation between dead material and ruminating time (P < 0.000, r = -0.488). When managed correctly, Pampa offers optimal conditions for sustainable sheep farming, producing high-quality meat resulting from forage tannin ingestion. Further studies are encouraged to address DI tannin intake influence on sheep performance.O campo nativo do bioma Pampa possui grande biodiversidade de plantas, algumas das quais com concentrações significativas de compostos secundários, como taninos. A inclusão de taninos na dieta de ruminantes pode melhorar a qualidade e a produtividade da carne. No entanto, a ingestão voluntária desse composto fenólico ainda é um desafio. Esta tese inclui três estudos dentro deste contexto. O primeiro estudo questionou se os ovinos consomem a tanífera Desmodium incanum (DI), a espécie de leguminosa mais comum no Pampa. O segundo estudo avaliou como a seleção da dieta em ovinos é influenciada pela concentração de taninos e proteínas, além de avaliar os efeitos da dieta escolhida em parâmetros de desempenho. O terceiro estudo avaliou o comportamento alimentar de ovinos em pastagem nativa do Pampa, e como ele é influenciado pela estação do ano, características do pasto e infecção parasitária. O pastejo de DI foi observado através do método de plantas marcadas. Após três dias de pastejo pelo menos 70% das plantas foram pastejadas. No segundo estudo, o consumo diário total diminuiu quando o tanino foi adicionado à ração preferida, com alto teor de proteína. No entanto, quando a alimentação isenta de tanino não foi uma opção, a inclusão de 4% extrato de tanino não afetou o consumo diário total, além de diminuir nitrogênio ureico do sangue e aumentar excreção de nitrogênio fecal. Ganho médio diário não foi afetado pela adição de tanino. O tempo de pastejo foi maior no outono, enquanto a primavera e o verão não apresentaram diferença. O tempo de ruminação diminuiu com a duração da luz do dia: o valor da primavera foi maior que o do verão, que foi maior do que o do outono. Houve uma correlação positiva moderada entre a porcentagem de material morto no pasto e o tempo percentual de pastejo (P<0,000, r = 0,462), e uma correlação negativa moderada entre o material morto e o tempo de ruminação (P<0,000, r = -0,488). Quando bem manejado, o campo nativo do bioma Pampa oferece condições ótimas para a ovinocultura sustentável, produzindo carne de alta qualidade, resultante da ingestão de taninos no pasto. Mais estudos são encorajados a abordar o efeito da ingestão de taninos de DI nos resultados de desempenho

Comportamento ingestivo diurno de cordeiros em diferentes sistemas de alimentação

O uso de suplementação para os animais criados a pasto tem se mostrado como boa estratégia complementar de aporte nutricional. Entretanto, o fornecimento de suplemento interfere no ritmo de atividade natural de pastejo, revelando a importância do estudo do comportamento ingestivo. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos das suplementações com concentrado ou leguminosa tropical (Cajanus cajans) sobre o comportamento ingestivo diurno de cordeiros submetidos ao pastejo de uma gramínea cespitosa (Panicum maximum cv. IZ-5) durante o verão. Avaliou-se tempo de pastejo, ruminação, ócio, consumo no cocho, ingestão de água e consumo de sal em cordeiros mantidos em quatro sistemas de alimentação cujos tratamentos foram: somente capim Aruana (Panicum maximum cv. IZ-5); suplementação a 1,5% e 2,5% de peso vivo com concentrado e acesso controlado a feijão guandu (Cajanus cajans). Também foi avaliada a influência do horário da avaliação sobre o tempo de pastejo. O concentrado foi fornecido diariamente próximo ao meio dia. As observações foram realizadas a cada cinco minutos, de 06:40h às 18:40h, em três dias. Foram registradas médias de temperatura, umidade relativa do ar, radiação solar e sensação térmica de cada período de avaliação. Houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos para as variáveis tempo de pastejo, ócio, ruminação, água e sal. Os cordeiros que receberam suplementação concentrada (1,5 e 2,5% de peso vivo) apresentaram menor tempo de pastejo e maior tempo de ócio em relação aos demais. Além disso, o tempo de consumo de água foi significativamente superior em relação àqueles cuja dieta era apenas de capim Aruana. Os cordeiros mantidos sem suplementação apresentaram menor tempo de ruminação e consumo de sal em relação aos demais. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos que receberam suplementação com concentrado para o tempo de cocho. Houve diferença significativa entre os dias para as atividades de pastejo e ócio. Foram observados menor tempo de pastejo e maior tempo de ócio no terceiro dia de avaliação em relação aos demais dias. Além disso, o terceiro dia registrou temperatura média e sensação térmica (29,9ºC e 31,1ºC, respectivamente) superior aos demais. O tempo de ingestão de água do terceiro dia foi superior em relação ao do segundo dia. Houve diferença significativa para todas horas de avaliação no tempo de pastejo entre os tratamentos, com exceção das duas últimas. O comportamento ingestivo diurno varia de acordo com a hora do dia, variações climáticas e tipo de suplementação que podem gerar importantes reflexos no sistema de produção de cordeiros.The use of supplementation to the animals reared on pasture has been shown as good complementary strategy to the nutritional intake of the animals. However, the provision of supplementation interferes with the natural activity rhythm of grazing animals, revealing the importance of the study of ingestive behavior. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with concentrated or tropical legume (Cajanus cajans) on the daytime ingestive behavior of lambs subjected to grazing of a cespitosa grass (Panicum maximum cv. IZ-5) during the summer. The variables evaluated were grazing, rumination, idleness, consumption in the trough, water intake and consumption of salt; in lambs in four feeding systems whose treatments were only Aruana grass (Panicum maximum cv.IZ-5); supplementing the 1.5% and 2.5% of live weight with concentrated; and controlled access to Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajans). It was also evaluated the influence of time of evaluation over time of grazing. The concentrate was provided daily around noon. The observations were carried out every five minutes from 06:40am to 06:40pm, on three days. Average values of temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and thermal sensation of each evaluation period were registered. There was significant difference between the treatments for the variables time of grazing, idleness, rumination, water and salt. Lambs that received concentrated supplementation (1.5 and 2.5% of live weight) showed reduced grazing time and greater idleness time compared to the others. In addition, the time of water consumption was higher than those whose diet was just Aruana grass. The sheep kept without supplementation presented less rumination time and showed reduced salt intake compared to the others. There was no significant difference between treatments that received supplementation with concentrated concerning to the trough time. There was significant difference between the days for grazing activities and idleness. Less time grazing and greater idleness time were observed on the third day of evaluation in relation to other days. In addition, the third day recorded average temperature and thermal sensation (29.9° C and 31.1° C, respectively) higher than the other periods. The time of water intake on the third day was higher compared to the second day. There were significant differences for all evaluation hours in grazing time among treatments, except the last two. Ingestive daytime behavior varies according to the time of day, climatic variations and type of supplementation that can generate important reflections on the lambs’ production system

Comportamento ingestivo diurno de cordeiros em diferentes sistemas de alimentação

O uso de suplementação para os animais criados a pasto tem se mostrado como boa estratégia complementar de aporte nutricional. Entretanto, o fornecimento de suplemento interfere no ritmo de atividade natural de pastejo, revelando a importância do estudo do comportamento ingestivo. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos das suplementações com concentrado ou leguminosa tropical (Cajanus cajans) sobre o comportamento ingestivo diurno de cordeiros submetidos ao pastejo de uma gramínea cespitosa (Panicum maximum cv. IZ-5) durante o verão. Avaliou-se tempo de pastejo, ruminação, ócio, consumo no cocho, ingestão de água e consumo de sal em cordeiros mantidos em quatro sistemas de alimentação cujos tratamentos foram: somente capim Aruana (Panicum maximum cv. IZ-5); suplementação a 1,5% e 2,5% de peso vivo com concentrado e acesso controlado a feijão guandu (Cajanus cajans). Também foi avaliada a influência do horário da avaliação sobre o tempo de pastejo. O concentrado foi fornecido diariamente próximo ao meio dia. As observações foram realizadas a cada cinco minutos, de 06:40h às 18:40h, em três dias. Foram registradas médias de temperatura, umidade relativa do ar, radiação solar e sensação térmica de cada período de avaliação. Houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos para as variáveis tempo de pastejo, ócio, ruminação, água e sal. Os cordeiros que receberam suplementação concentrada (1,5 e 2,5% de peso vivo) apresentaram menor tempo de pastejo e maior tempo de ócio em relação aos demais. Além disso, o tempo de consumo de água foi significativamente superior em relação àqueles cuja dieta era apenas de capim Aruana. Os cordeiros mantidos sem suplementação apresentaram menor tempo de ruminação e consumo de sal em relação aos demais. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos que receberam suplementação com concentrado para o tempo de cocho. Houve diferença significativa entre os dias para as atividades de pastejo e ócio. Foram observados menor tempo de pastejo e maior tempo de ócio no terceiro dia de avaliação em relação aos demais dias. Além disso, o terceiro dia registrou temperatura média e sensação térmica (29,9ºC e 31,1ºC, respectivamente) superior aos demais. O tempo de ingestão de água do terceiro dia foi superior em relação ao do segundo dia. Houve diferença significativa para todas horas de avaliação no tempo de pastejo entre os tratamentos, com exceção das duas últimas. O comportamento ingestivo diurno varia de acordo com a hora do dia, variações climáticas e tipo de suplementação que podem gerar importantes reflexos no sistema de produção de cordeiros.The use of supplementation to the animals reared on pasture has been shown as good complementary strategy to the nutritional intake of the animals. However, the provision of supplementation interferes with the natural activity rhythm of grazing animals, revealing the importance of the study of ingestive behavior. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with concentrated or tropical legume (Cajanus cajans) on the daytime ingestive behavior of lambs subjected to grazing of a cespitosa grass (Panicum maximum cv. IZ-5) during the summer. The variables evaluated were grazing, rumination, idleness, consumption in the trough, water intake and consumption of salt; in lambs in four feeding systems whose treatments were only Aruana grass (Panicum maximum cv.IZ-5); supplementing the 1.5% and 2.5% of live weight with concentrated; and controlled access to Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajans). It was also evaluated the influence of time of evaluation over time of grazing. The concentrate was provided daily around noon. The observations were carried out every five minutes from 06:40am to 06:40pm, on three days. Average values of temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and thermal sensation of each evaluation period were registered. There was significant difference between the treatments for the variables time of grazing, idleness, rumination, water and salt. Lambs that received concentrated supplementation (1.5 and 2.5% of live weight) showed reduced grazing time and greater idleness time compared to the others. In addition, the time of water consumption was higher than those whose diet was just Aruana grass. The sheep kept without supplementation presented less rumination time and showed reduced salt intake compared to the others. There was no significant difference between treatments that received supplementation with concentrated concerning to the trough time. There was significant difference between the days for grazing activities and idleness. Less time grazing and greater idleness time were observed on the third day of evaluation in relation to other days. In addition, the third day recorded average temperature and thermal sensation (29.9° C and 31.1° C, respectively) higher than the other periods. The time of water intake on the third day was higher compared to the second day. There were significant differences for all evaluation hours in grazing time among treatments, except the last two. Ingestive daytime behavior varies according to the time of day, climatic variations and type of supplementation that can generate important reflections on the lambs’ production system

Desenvolvimento de tecnologia para a melhoria da nutrição de cordeiros criados em pastagens tropicais

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NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data

Growing knowledge: an overview of Seed Plant diversity in Brazil

Abstract An updated inventory of Brazilian seed plants is presented and offers important insights into the country's biodiversity. This work started in 2010, with the publication of the Plants and Fungi Catalogue, and has been updated since by more than 430 specialists working online. Brazil is home to 32,086 native Angiosperms and 23 native Gymnosperms, showing an increase of 3% in its species richness in relation to 2010. The Amazon Rainforest is the richest Brazilian biome for Gymnosperms, while the Atlantic Rainforest is the richest one for Angiosperms. There was a considerable increment in the number of species and endemism rates for biomes, except for the Amazon that showed a decrease of 2.5% of recorded endemics. However, well over half of Brazillian seed plant species (57.4%) is endemic to this territory. The proportion of life-forms varies among different biomes: trees are more expressive in the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest biomes while herbs predominate in the Pampa, and lianas are more expressive in the Amazon, Atlantic Rainforest, and Pantanal. This compilation serves not only to quantify Brazilian biodiversity, but also to highlight areas where there information is lacking and to provide a framework for the challenge faced in conserving Brazil's unique and diverse flora