Title
Dialium and Seed Reingestion from Faeces in Western Gorillas: A Source of Protein and "Cooking" Effect (meeting abstract, 7th European Federation for Primatology)
Author(s)
Masi, S.;Breuer, T.
Published
2017
Publisher
Folia Primatologica
Abstract
Unraveling the relationship between the nutritional intake of endangered species and their
unusual feeding behaviours may provide crucial information for understanding their response to
seasonal and unpredictable variation in food availability in their environments. Primates sometimes
re-ingest fruit seeds from faeces (coprophagy). We investigate the ecological correlates of
coprophagy in wild western gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla ), particularly testing if it occurs during periods
of lower fruit availability and if it leads to higher nutrient intake. Data included behavioural
observations collected at two field sites in Central Africa (Mbeli Bai: ad libitum observations
based on 11,511 h; Bai Hokou: 720 h of 5-min scans on focal animals from December 2004-December
2005), phenological records, faecal sample inspections and nutritional analysis of food
items. Gorilla coprophagy occurred at the end of the high-fruiting season and correlated positively
with the presence of Dialium spp. in gorilla dung and feeding bouts of Dialium , as well as
Dialium fruit availability. Dialium seeds have very high levels of protein content and of phenols
and tannins compared to other gorilla food items. This suggests that coprophagy in western gorillas
may be linked to a search for protein. The gut processing likely improves their ability to
extract macro- and micro-nutrients while concurrently softening indigestible fibre and reducing
antifeedant content. In this sense, coprophagy by western gorillas can be regarded as having a
‘cooking’ effect on seeds, helping to increase nutrient intake while concurrently decreasing the
effect/presence of secondary compounds.
Keywords
Zoology
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