Do Feed Plants Provide Sufficient Sodium, Calcium and Magnesium to Sika Deer in Japan? An Analysis Using Global Plant Trait Data.

ABSTRACT: Deficient minerals in overabundant populations could act as an attractant to cull sika deer (Cervus nippon). Because selective culling of female deer is reported to be effective in reducing sika deer populations, it is particularly important to clarify the differences in mineral requirements between males and females. Here, using global plant trait data and a published list of sika deer feed plants in Japan, we estimated whether feed plants provide sika deer sufficient sodium (Na), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), and compared the results between males and females. An analysis of 191 feed plant species suggested that feed plants can provide sufficient Mg, whereas sufficient Na and Ca is not always provided, especially when the intake is small or the deer large. Na deficiency was mor

SUBMITTER: Mori T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10044698 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature