Binturong (Arctictis binturong) and Kinkajou (Potos flavus) Digestive Strategy: Implications for Interpreting Frugivory in Carnivora and Primates

摘要: Exclusive frugivory is rare. As a food resource, fruit temporally and spatially patchy, low in protein, variable terms of energy yield from different carbohydrate types. Here, we evaluate the digestive physiology two frugivorous Carnivora species (Potos flavus, Arctictis binturong) that converge with primates diversity ecological anatomical traits related to consumption. We conducted feeding trials determine mean retention times (MRT) on captive animals at Carnivore Preservation Trust (now Carolina Tiger Rescue), Pittsboro, NC. Fecal samples were collected study subjects for vitro analysis methane, pH, short chain fatty acid profiles; fiber was assayed using standard neutral detergent (NDF) (ADF) methods. Results indicate both carnivoran have rapid passage mammals consume predominantly plant-based diet: A. binturong MRT = 6.5 hrs (0.3); P. flavus 2.5 (1.6). In experiments revealed no fermentation structural polysaccharides – methane levels did not shift 0 h either 24 or 48 hours acids detected. species, however, pH declined one incubation period another suggesting acidification bacterial activity microbes soluble carbohydrates. A comparison indicates are most similar Ateles anthropoid primate taxon.