Abstract

LOPEZ-PEREZ, Elvia; SERRANO-ASPEITIA, Nahum; AGUILAR-VALDES, Beatriz C.  and  HERRERA-CORREDOR, Alejandra. Nutritional composition of the diet of white-tailed deer (Odocoileous virginianus ssp. mexicanus) in Pitzotlán, Morelos. Rev. Chapingo ser. cienc. for. ambient [online]. 2012, vol.18, n.2, pp.219-229. ISSN 2007-4018.  https://doi.org/10.5154/r.rchscfa2011.01.006.

A study was conducted to determine the nutritional composition of the diet of white-tailed deer in Pitzotlán, Morelos during three seasons of the year: spring, autumn and winter (including dry and rainy periods). Each season, a diet was simulated based on fecal microhistological analysis. Crude protein (CP), ashes, ether extract, neutral fiber detergent (NFD) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), Ca, P, Se and in vitro digestibility of dry matter were determined. The amount of CP and ADF were lower in winter diet (10.8 and 23.0 %) compared to autumn diet (15.0 and 31.0 %) or spring diet (14.2 and 26.2 %). The digestibility during autumn was the highest (52.4 %) compared to other seasons. Sida sp. was the most consumed plant having the greatest digestibility (67.1 %) and crude protein (17.9), followed by Randia aculeata (13.8 %). Nutritional quality of the diet selected (during autumn and spring) by white tail deer can be considered appropriated based on digestibility and CP content. However, in winter CP was deficient for the requirements of white-tailed deer.

Keywords : White-tailed deer; simulated diet; chemical composition; digestibility.