Dataset Information

Comparing effects of food mechanical properties on oral processing behaviors in two sympatric lemur species.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The link between diet and the masticatory apparatus in primates is complex. We investigated how food mechanical properties (FMPs) and food geometry affect feeding behaviors and subsequent jaw loading. We compared oral processing in two sympatric lemur species with distinct diets and mandibular morphologies.

Materials and methods

All-day focal follows of Lemur catta (Lc) and Propithecus verreauxi (Pv) were conducted in both the dry and wet seasons at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve. We collected activity budget data, filmed feeding bouts, and collected food items to measure their mechanical properties with an FLS-1 portable tester. Feeding videos for the top food items they spent the most time consuming were analyzed frame-by-frame to assess bite and chew numbers and rates.

Results

Lc bite more and at a slower rate on tougher (maximum) foods, chew more for tougher (average) foods, and chew less for stiffer leaves. Pv initially increase chew number for tougher (average) foods, but their behavior is less affected as food toughness increases. Pv chew less and more slowly but spend more of the day feeding than Lc. Additionally, they have a tougher (maximum) diet than Lc.

Discussion

Lc adjust their feeding behaviors depending on the FMPs of their top food items, while Pv feed more consistently. The more robust masticatory apparatus of Pv may not require them to adjust their feeding behaviors for more mechanically challenging foods. Furthermore, the two species show distinct differences in chewing. Exploring chewing on a daily scale could aid in understanding its impact on the loading of the masticatory apparatus.

SUBMITTER: Flowers N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10952892 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Comparing effects of food mechanical properties on oral processing behaviors in two sympatric lemur species.

Flowers Nina N Fogaça Mariana Dutra MD Razafindrabe Maminiaina Haja Fabrice HF Razafimampiandra Jean Claude JC Dolezal Marlies M Yamashita Nayuta N

American journal of biological anthropology 20230711 1

<h4>Objectives</h4>The link between diet and the masticatory apparatus in primates is complex. We investigated how food mechanical properties (FMPs) and food geometry affect feeding behaviors and subsequent jaw loading. We compared oral processing in two sympatric lemur species with distinct diets and mandibular morphologies.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>All-day focal follows of Lemur catta (Lc) and Propithecus verreauxi (Pv) were conducted in both the dry and wet seasons at Beza Mahafaly Specia ...[more]

PMID: 37431971

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Dataset Information

Comparing effects of food mechanical properties on oral processing behaviors in two sympatric lemur species.

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

Publications

Comparing effects of food mechanical properties on oral processing behaviors in two sympatric lemur species.

Similar Datasets

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