Dimensions of the intestine, diet and faecal water loss in some African antelope
Abstract
Measurements of the intestine of 16 species of antelope were allometrically analysed. Moisture content of the digesta showed greatest interspecific variation in the spiral and distal colon. Small intestine length showed positive allometry, its circumference showed negative allometry, resulting in a surface area which was isometric or related to metabolic rate. Dimensions of the villi were non‐allometric. Grazers had lower surface areas of the small intestine than intermediates/concentrate selectors owing to smaller circumferences. In the large intestine, the dimensions of the distal colon showed the greatest interspecific variation. Lengths of the large intestine showed positive allometry except for the caecum which was isometric. Circumferences and areas of the large intestine were isometric or related to metabolic rate. Species producing dry dung had larger lengths and areas of the large intestine but a smaller circumference of the proximal and spiral colon and also showed greater drying of digesta per unit area than those producing wetter dung. Grazers had smaller lengths, circumferences and areas of the large intestine than intermediates/concentrate selectors.
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The aridity of the habitat is thought to influence GIT anatomy.
“Other factors than diet thought to influence GIT anatomy include special adaptations to a volant [15, 21, 22] or a marine [23-25] lifestyle, or the aridity of the habitat [16, 26, 27].”
From Mammalian intestinal allometry, phylogeny, trophic level and climate (2021) · cites this paper as [26]
Animals in more xeric environments need more intestinal capacity for water reabsorption.
“The findings that both precipitation and actual evapotranspiration were negatively related with colon/rectum and hence large intestine length support the concept that animals in more xeric environments need more intestinal capacity for water reabsorption [16, 26, 27]”
From Mammalian intestinal allometry, phylogeny, trophic level and climate (2021) · cites this paper as [26]
As previously described for different datasets except for a study in rodents, intestinal lengths scale at a higher exponent than expected based on simple geometry (i.e., positive allometry at an exponent > 0.33).
“As previously described for different datasets [15-17, 23, 26] except for a study in rodents [18], intestinal lengths scale at a higher exponent than expected based on simple geometry (i.e., positive allometry at an exponent > 0.33).”
From Mammalian intestinal allometry, phylogeny, trophic level and climate (2021) · cites this paper as [26]
Cites
Scaling: Why is Animal Size so Important?
Schmidt-Nielsen, K. (1984) · doi:10.1017/cbo9781139167826 · Cited by 2,677 · see citing works
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Mammalian intestinal allometry, phylogeny, trophic level and climate
Duque-Correa, M. J., Codron, D., Meloro, C., McGrosky, A., Schiffmann, C., Edwards, M. S., & Clauss, M. (2021) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2020.2888 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
- Authors
- Woodall, P. F., & Skinner, J. D.
- Affiliations
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- University of Pretoria (ZA)
- Venue
- Journal of Zoology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1993-03
- Volume
- 229
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 457-471
- ISSN
- 0952-8369 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-7998
- OpenAlex
- W1997316371
- Cited by
- 70
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 1.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Zoology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Comparative Animal Anatomy Studies
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Keywords
- antelope, allometry, small intestine, large intestine, colon, cecum, villi, metabolic rate, interspecific variation, African antelopes
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