RESUMEN

Many small herbivores practice cecotrophy - the ingestion of special feces enriched in microbial protein by colonic separation mechanisms (CSM). In digesta passage experiments, secondary marker excretion peaks in feces are considered indicative of marker-reingestion via cecotrophy, but corroboration by behavioral observation was lacking so far. The paca (Cuniculus paca), a Neotropical hystricomorph rodent, produces two different kinds of feces (hard and soft) and practices cecotrophy either directly (from the anus) or indirectly (from a pile of defecated feces, mostly when hard and soft feces are defecated together). To investigate effects of diet on cecotrophy, we monitored cecotrophy behavior and digesta passage marker excretion of solute and particle markers in four adult pacas, at constant food intake, on four diets varying in protein and fiber content. Marker excretion patterns suggested a 'mucus-trap' CSM typical for hystricomorph rodents, and showed secondary peaks of a similar time lag after cecotrophy as the primary marker peak after marker feeding. However, not every cecotrophy event was followed by a secondary marker peak. On higher fiber/lower protein diets, the number of cecotrophy bouts, the duration of cecotrophy, the number of secondary marker peaks and the difference between solute and particle marker retention increased, whereas the proportion of indirect cecotrophy decreased, indicating a higher degree of digesta phase separation on these diets. Compared to hard feces, soft feces were particularly enriched in solute marker concentration. Cecotrophy depends on a CSM that varies in its efficiency with the nutrient composition of the diet.

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The colonic separation mechanism in lagomorphs and some rodents, associated with caecotrophy, serves to retain microbial protein. As tropical fruits have low protein concentrations, caecotrophy could be an important microbial protein source in frugivorous rodents such as the paca (Cuniculus paca). Due to conflicting reports on the occurrence of caecotrophy in this species, we obtained digestive tracts of three adult animals and observed the behaviour of four specimens maintained on a diet of a pelleted feed (P) and a supplemental mix of fruits and sweet potato (S, a source of structural fibre). In a Latin square design, P and S were both offered either in the morning (M) or in the afternoon (A), or with one item in the morning and the other in the afternoon (SP or PS). The paca's proximal colon is characterized by a distinct furrow typical for the colonic separation mechanism of hystricomorph rodents. Caecotrophy, both "direct" (from the anus) and "indirect" (from a pile of defecated faeces), was a regular component of the paca's behavioural repertoire, and caecotrophs contained more nitrogen and less fibre than hard faeces. Higher food intake led to less overall caecotrophy. With afternoon feeding of S, the onset of caecotrophy was delayed and the proportion of indirect caecotrophy increased, with hard faeces and caecotrophs often defecated together. No indirect caecotrophy occurred on treatment M. The results suggest that the time available after ingestion of structural fibre determines the efficiency of the colonic mechanism for the separation of hard faeces and caecotrophs.

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To assess the ability of the collared peccary ( Pecari tajacu ) to digest dietary fiber, four adult male collared peccaries were randomly assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to determine the effects of feeding non-traditional feed ingredients, taken from palm trees with different levels of dietary fiber, on intake and coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) and mean retention time. Four experimental diets were provided ad libitum: corn and soybean meal-based control diet; corn and palm kernel cake-based diet; corn and peach palm byproduct-based diet; and hay, palm kernel cake, and peach palm byproduct-based diet. The CTTAD of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were 0.80±0.09 and 0.61±0.21, respectively. Increasing levels of ADF in diets also linearly decreased the CTTAD of crude protein and gross energy, while increasing non-fiber carbohydrate linearly decreased the CTTAD of ADF. These results confirm the ability of peccaries to digest fiber. However, the intake of a high-moisture and lignified ingredient, as the peach palm byproduct, decreased feed intake of peccaries due to their relatively small forestomach volume, which in turn may decrease their performance when used for prolonged periods. Despite of that, collared peccary gain a significant benefit in digestibility of dietary fiber due to its complex stomach in which fermentation occurs.(AU)

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A nitrogen (N) balance digestion trial was conducted to determine the protein requirement of collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu). In a 4 × 4 Latin square design, four captive adult male peccaries were fed four isoenergy diets containing four different levels of N (11.7, 16.3, 22.8, and 26.7 g N/kg of dry matter-DM). After 15 days of adaptation, a total collection of feces and urine was carried out for five consecutive days. Regression analyses between N intake and N in feces and urine allowed to calculate the metabolic fecal nitrogen (MFN = 2.3 g N/kg of dry matter intake-DMI) and daily endogenous urinary N (EUN = 185 mg N/kg0.75). Likewise, by regression analyses between consumption of nitrogen and the nitrogen balance (NB = N ingested - N excreted, mg N/kg0.75), a daily requirement of 514 mg N/kg0.75 was calculated. Therefore, if food intake is unrestricted, collared peccaries require a minimum in their diet of about 5.4% crude protein on DM basis. These values are almost as low as those found for browsing and frugivorous wild ruminants, which reinforce the proposition that peccaries' digestive physiology is nearer to that of domestic and wild ruminants than domestic pigs. This relatively low protein requirement of collared peccary and its great ability to digest protein reveal the relevance of the forestomach for the species on nitrogen/protein metabolism and allow the use of diets with lower crude protein levels than the commercial ones used for the domestic pig, which reduces feed costs.

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A study was conducted to determine the protein requirement of the white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) performing a nitrogen (N) balance digestion trial. In a 4 × 4 Latin square design, four adult captive male peccaries were fed four isoenergetic diets containing four different levels of N (13.3, 19.2, 28.7, and 37.1 g N/kg dry matter). After 15 days of adaptation, the total collection of feces and urine was carried out for five consecutive days. By regression analysis between N intake and N in feces and urine, the metabolic fecal nitrogen (MFN = 3.1 g/kg of dry matter intake) and daily endogenous urinary N (EUN = 91.0 mg/kg(0.75) ) were determined. Likewise, by regression analyses between consumption of nitrogen and the nitrogen balance [NBN consumed-(fecal N + Urine N)] we estimated the daily requirement of 336.5 mgN/kg(0.75) . Therefore, if food intake is unrestricted, white-lipped peccaries require a minimum content in their diet of about 4.5% crude protein as percentage of dry diet. These values are similar to those found in frugivorous wild ruminants, which reinforces the proposition that peccaries have a digestive physiology nearer to that of ruminants than of domestic pigs. Furthermore, the low nutritional maintenance requirements for white-lipped peccary may explain how this species thrive in the Neo-tropical region eating predominantly palm-fruits that normally have low crude protein contents.

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This study aimed to evaluate the investment profitability of a collared peccary farming. The economical indexes for the captive breeding of 30 females and eight males, on a semi-confinement regime, were determined in the southern Bahia. The purchase of reproducers (34%) and the building of facilities (47%) represented the main expenses at implantation. These expenses, however, represent, respectively, less than half and up to one tenth of the amount required for starting a semi-confinement or intensive domestic pig farm. Feeding represented 80%, while the manpower represented 18% of the variable costs. The benefit cost index obtained showed that for each R$ 1.00 (ca USA$0.55) of investment returns ranged from R$1.15 to 1.26 (ca USA$0.64 to 0.70). From the beginning of the activity, there is a three year period to turn the balance between revenues and expenses positive. The commercial captive breeding of collared peccaries is an alternative of animal production in the south of Bahia and similar regions where local conditions constrain traditional livestock and/or agricultural production.

O objetivo neste estudo foi verificar a rentabilidade dos investimentos para a criação comercial de caititus. Foram determinados os índices econômicos para criação de 30 matrizes e oito reprodutores de caititus, mantidos em sistema de semiconfinamento na região cacaueira do sul da Bahia. Aquisição de reprodutores (34%) e construção das instalações (47%) foram os principais custos para implantação da atividade, os quais, no entanto, representaram menos da metade a um décimo do necessário para o estabelecimento de uma suinocultura semi-confinada ou intensiva, respectivamente. A alimentação representou 80% dos custos variáveis, enquanto a mão-de-obra apenas 18%. No que se refere ao índice de relação benefício/custo, determinou-se que para cada R$ 1,00 (ca USA$0.59) de custo, esta atividade retorna de R$1,15 a R$ 1,26 (ca USA$0.670.74). A partir da implantação da atividade serão necessários três anos para se tornar positivo o saldo dos fluxos de receitas e despesas. A criação comercial de caititus é uma alternativa de diversificação de produção e renda para produtores rurais da região sul da Bahia e regiões similares onde as condições locais limitam a produção agropecuária tradicional.

RESUMEN

This study aimed to evaluate the investment profitability of a collared peccary farming. The economical indexes for the captive breeding of 30 females and eight males, on a semi-confinement regime, were determined in the southern Bahia. The purchase of reproducers (34%) and the building of facilities (47%) represented the main expenses at implantation. These expenses, however, represent, respectively, less than half and up to one tenth of the amount required for starting a semi-confinement or intensive domestic pig farm. Feeding represented 80%, while the manpower represented 18% of the variable costs. The benefit cost index obtained showed that for each R$ 1.00 (ca USA$0.55) of investment returns ranged from R$1.15 to 1.26 (ca USA$0.64 to 0.70). From the beginning of the activity, there is a three year period to turn the balance between revenues and expenses positive. The commercial captive breeding of collared peccaries is an alternative of animal production in the south of Bahia and similar regions where local conditions constrain traditional livestock and/or agricultural production.

O objetivo neste estudo foi verificar a rentabilidade dos investimentos para a criação comercial de caititus. Foram determinados os índices econômicos para criação de 30 matrizes e oito reprodutores de caititus, mantidos em sistema de semiconfinamento na região cacaueira do sul da Bahia. Aquisição de reprodutores (34%) e construção das instalações (47%) foram os principais custos para implantação da atividade, os quais, no entanto, representaram menos da metade a um décimo do necessário para o estabelecimento de uma suinocultura semi-confinada ou intensiva, respectivamente. A alimentação representou 80% dos custos variáveis, enquanto a mão-de-obra apenas 18%. No que se refere ao índice de relação benefício/custo, determinou-se que para cada R$ 1,00 (ca USA$0.59) de custo, esta atividade retorna de R$1,15 a R$ 1,26 (ca USA$0.670.74). A partir da implantação da atividade serão necessários três anos para se tornar positivo o saldo dos fluxos de receitas e despesas. A criação comercial de caititus é uma alternativa de diversificação de produção e renda para produtores rurais da região sul da Bahia e regiões similares onde as condições locais limitam a produção agropecuária tradicional.