Digestion of Sugarcane by the Polynesian Rat
1970; Wiley; Volume: 34; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.2307/3798856
ISSN1937-2817
AutoresMelvyn V. Garrison, C.P. Breidenstein,
Tópico(s)Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
ResumoPolynesian rats (Rattus exulans) were fed semi-purified rations containing varying levels of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) pith in order to determine digestibility. As the percentage of sug- arcane pith increased in the rations, the dry matter digestibility decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The Polynesian rat is probably the most important of three species of rats creating costly damage to sugarcane crops in Hawaii (Hood 1967). Kami (1966) showed that sugarcane was the largest single component in the stomachs of Polynesian rats found in the sugarcane fields (67 percent of the food material) and in gulches between cane fields (52 percent). One way of controlling damage by these animals may be through nutritional means. For example, if sugarcane were found to lack essential nutrients or to be indigestible, removing other food sources from the cane fields could cause the rats to starve or leave. This study was conducted to determine, if possible, why Polynesian rats eat large quantities of sugarcane-whether it is of value to them as a food source (that is, well digested), or whether it is ingested simply as a luxury to obtain the sweet cane juice. METHODS
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