Digestive strategy of the asian colobine genusTrachypithecus |
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Authors: | Judith M Caton |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Geology, The Australian National University, 0200 Canberra, ACT, Australia |
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Abstract: | The Asian colobines,Trachypithecus obscurus andT. cirstantus, eat plant-based diets containing 55–80% leaves. The structural polysaccharides in leaves and other plant parts require microbial
fermentation before they can be used as an energy source by the monkeys. The major compartments of the gastro-intestinal tract
ofTrachypithecus are a voluminous haustrated stomach, a long small itnestine and capacious haustrated hindgut, all of which contribute to
the digestive strategy of these two species. Results of digesta marker passage studies indicate there is prolonged retention
of digesta for fermentation in both the stomach and haustrated colon. The digestive strategy of these colobines is defined
as gastro-colic fermentation, unlike that of other forestomach fermenters in which the hindgut fermentation is of secondary
importance. |
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Keywords: | Colobinae Trachypithecus spp Gastro-colic fermentation Forestomach Colon |
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