Diet Composition and Quality in Indian Bison (Bos gaurus) Based on Fecal Analysis
Abstract
Diet composition and quality of the Indian Bison (Bos gaurus) was estimated by fecal analysis. The results, together with studies in other parts of India, indicate that gaurs are primarily intermediate or adaptable mixed feeders. Fecal composition varied seasonally, with high proportion of grasses, forbs, and woody plant leaves, particularly Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus in monsoon and post monsoon, and Strobilanthes callosus, Strobilanthes ixiocephalus, Grewia tiliaefolia and Syzygium cumini in winter and summer. Gaur selected herbs, shrubs, and grasses, and avoided eating woody plants for most of the year. Seasonal changes in the chemical composition of the feces were related to changes in phenology. The levels of crude protein, within certain limitations, and lignin in the feces were probably the most reliable indicators of diet quality. The ratio of crude protein:lignin was highest in monsoon and winter, corresponding early growing and fruiting seasons respectively. The usefulness of feces in estimating the composition and quality of the diet of an intermediate feeder is assessed.
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In a multisite study from central India, graminoids accounted for >60% of epidermal fragments found in B. gaurus feces.
“graminoids (grasses, sedges, and bamboo) accounted for > 60% of epidermal fragments found in their feces in a multisite study from central India (Gad and Shyama 2011);”
From Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) (2018) · cites this paper as Gad and Shyama 2011
B. gaurus eating of shoots is generally associated with its foraging on bamboo.
“its eating of shoots is generally associated with its foraging on bamboo (Forsyth 1889;Krishnan 1972;Gad and Shyama 2011).”
From Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) (2018) · cites this paper as Gad and Shyama 2011
Bos gaurus eats far more species than just grasses.
“Bos gaurus, however, eats far more species than just grasses.”
From Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) (2018) · cites this paper as Gad and Shyama 2011
In their histologic study, Gad and Shyama found that 87% of B. gaurus diet was composed of leaves.
“in their histologic study, Gad and Shyama (2011) found that 87% of B. gaurus diet composed of leaves.”
From Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) (2018) · cites this paper as Gad and Shyama 2011
Although B. gaurus feeds on different plant parts, it primarily eats leaves.
“Although B. gaurus feeds on different plant parts, it primarily eats leaves.”
From Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) (2018) · cites this paper as Gad and Shyama 2011
In a 4-year study, the proportion of browse consumed by B. gaurus increased from 15% in winter to 40% in summer.
“in a 4-year study, Gad and Shyama (2011) found that the proportion of browse consumed by B. gaurus increased from 15% in winter to 40% in summer.”
From Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) (2018) · cites this paper as Gad and Shyama 2011
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References 17 · Cited by 12
- Authors
- Gad, S. D., & Shyama, S. K.
- Affiliations
- Goa University (IN)
- Corresponding author
- Gad, Suman Digamber
- Venue
- Zoological Science
- Publisher
- Zoological Society of Japan
- Published
- 2011-04
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 264-267
- ISSN
- 0289-0003 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2061590546
- Cited by
- 12
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- BioOne Complete (BioOne) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Keywords
- Indian bison, Bos gaurus, diet composition, diet quality, fecal analysis, mixed feeding, seasonal diet variation, plant selection, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus, Strobilanthes, crude protein, lignin, phenology, herbivore foraging
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Animal Feed, Diet, Feces, Food Preferences, India, Lignin, Ruminants
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