Frugivory in Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes Schweinfurthii) as Influenced by Fruit Nutrient Composition in Kalinzu Forest Reserve, South Western Uganda | Chapter 7 | Advanced Research in Biological Science Vol. 1

 Chimpanzees are frugivorous anthropoids that eat fruit in abundant quantities compared to added foods. To find suitable product, they must navigate through the vacant fruit resource that form varying concentrations of fibers, toxins, and digestion inhibitors. In this study, two old age all-day trails coupled with faecal analysis were finished to record the fruits bitten by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) of Kalinzu Forest Reserve. A total number of fifteen (15) fresh crops were collected and analysed for their macronutrient and antifeedant content to determine either nutrient arrangement had an influence on chimpanzees' pattern of frugivory. Fruit nutrient content was determined by resolving freeze drained fresh samples using standard methods. Musanga leo-errerae (76.14%) and Ficus spp (66.05 %) formed the most commonly nibbled fruits while added eaten fruits established the remaining 18.68% (N = 2683). With the exception of Musanga feline-errerae, Uvariopsis congoensis, and Aframomum angustifolium, fruit consumption mainly increased for fruits accompanying total phenols and tannins less than 1% per gramm. Only calcium, tannins, raw fat, protein, and energy content significantly envisioned 76.86% of consumption, in accordance with multiple regression study (R2 = 76.86%; P = 0.019). However, the fact that few of the most eaten products like Aframomum angustifolium and Musanga leo-errerae were written to have the highest amounts in tannins shows that chimpanzees have other behavioural augmenting strategies they use to handle such antifeedants. According to this study, Musanga leo errerae unique provided 10253 mg per kilogram of calcium consumed per epoch. Therefore, Chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest have enough calcium intake and its pertaining to food benefits like healthy forceful bones and teeth. Other than product availability, concern of effect of fruit size and management within the existent models of chimpanzees’ diet could hence embellish further the understanding of other crops consumed by chimpanzees.

Author(s) Details:

Grace Kagoro-Rugunda,
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/ARBS-V1/article/view/11470