The Influence of Seasonal Frugivory on Nutrient and Energy Intake in Wild Western Gorillas.

ABSTRACT: The daily energy requirements of animals are determined by a combination of physical and physiological factors, but food availability may challenge the capacity to meet nutritional needs. Western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) are an interesting model for investigating this topic because they are folivore-frugivores that adjust their diet and activities to seasonal variation in fruit availability. Observations of one habituated group of western gorillas in Bai-Hokou, Central African Republic (December 2004-December 2005) were used to examine seasonal variation in diet quality and nutritional intake. We tested if during the high fruit season the food consumed by western gorillas was higher in quality (higher in energy, sugar, fat but lower in fibre and antifeedants) than during the low fruit se

SUBMITTER: Masi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4495928 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature