Feeding behavior and assimilation efficiency of the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter

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dc.contributor.authorLópez-Calleja, MV
dc.contributor.authorBozinovic, F
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-21T01:31:57Z
dc.date.available2025-01-21T01:31:57Z
dc.date.issued1999
dc.description.abstractWe examined the feeding behavior and nutritional ecology of one of the smallest species of avian herbivores (ca. 44 g), the Rufous-tailed Plant-cutter Phytotoma rara (Phytotomidae). This species inhabits forests and scrublands, as well as crop fields and orchards in central Chile. Field and laboratory data revealed that P. rara is a herbivorous bird with marked preferences for leaves in comparison to fruits and insects. When P. rara eats a highly diluted plant material (such as lettuce), a shorter digesta retention time and a lower apparent digestibility was observed in comparison to a high-quality diet. Wet-mass daily intake of plant material was 5.4 times body mass, two times higher compared with the high-quality diet. The larger proportion of water and refractory materials in lettuce diet may explain the variation in ingestion rates. Feeding bouts were longer with lettuce diet, because birds spent more time handling and chewing previous ingesta. Chewing may increase overall digestibility through physical breakdown of cell walls, making available the highly digestible cell contents. These strategies may allow P. rara to maintain body mass balance when feeding on highly diluted plant material.
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.issn0010-5422
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/97176
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:000082002300031
dc.issue.numero3
dc.language.isoen
dc.pagina.final710
dc.pagina.inicio705
dc.revistaCondor
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectassimilation efficiency
dc.subjectchewing
dc.subjectfeeding behavior
dc.subjectfood preferences
dc.subjectherbivore
dc.subjectPhytotoma rara
dc.subjectRufous-tailed Plantcutter
dc.subject.ods15 Life on Land
dc.subject.ods13 Climate Action
dc.subject.odspa15 Vida de ecosistemas terrestres
dc.subject.odspa13 Acción por el clima
dc.titleFeeding behavior and assimilation efficiency of the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen101
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
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