Stable Carbon Isotope Analysis of the Diets of West African Bovids in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, Northern Benin

摘要: Bovid diets have been studied for decades, but debate still exists about the of many species, in part because geographical or habitat-related dietary variations. In this study we used stable carbon isotope analyses faeces to explore seasonal preferences 11 bovid species from a West African savanna, Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (PBR), along browser/grazer (or C3/C4) continuum. We compare our values with those eastern and southern bovids, as well predictions based on continent-wide averages derived field studies. Oribi reedbuck, expected be grazers were found predominantly C3-feeders (browsers) PBR. Bushbuck, common duiker red-flanked consumed more C4 grass than reported previous When comparing wet dry season diets, kob, roan oribi showed least variation C3 plant proportions, while duiker, bushbuck, reedbuck waterbuck most marke...