Apparent digestibility and nutritional status of capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.) under human care.

BACKGROUND: Studing the nutritional needs and dietary habits of primates is essential to ensure their health and well-being. This includes the understanding of the use of nutrients and its correlation with health parameters. METHODS: Diet and nutritional parameters of 13 captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.) were assesed. Apparent digestibility of dry matter and nutrients were evaluated. Nutritional status was established based on body condition score (BCS) and muscle mass score (MMS). RESULTS: High apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) were observed for crude protein and ether extract, but low for minerals and crude fiber. The ADC of EE and CF were related to MMS, and the biochemical parameters did not correlate with the AD coefficients obtained in the group. The nutritional status of the animals remained inadequate in 84.6% of the individuals, suggesting a reformulation of the diet and nutritional management.

Combined use of body condition score, radiography, ultrasonography and computed tomography in body condition evaluation of crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous).

This study aimed to evaluate the application of radiography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) as auxiliaries in the determination of body fat and musculature in crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous). Eight animals were evaluated and classified based on the body condition score (BCS) scale. The total cut volume, total visceral volume, total subcutaneous volume, visceral fat volume, subcutaneous fat volume, and total fat volume were measured. The correlation of the BCS with the other data was determined. In the ultrasound, there was a correlation of the vertebral epaxial musculature score (VEMS) with body weight, BCS, muscle mass score (MMS), animal's height, and height at the withers. In the radiographic analysis, the amount of subcutaneous fat obtained in L3 vertebrae did not present a significant correlation with BCS, as opposed to L6. In the tomographic analysis, TFV/L6, VFV/L6, and SFV/L6 correlated with BCS in L3, and only SFV /L6 in L6. When the ratios between fat volumes were correlated, the correlation with BCS occurred only in L6 in the TFV/TBV, SFV/SVC, and VFW variants. Radiography and CT were effective and had a good association with BCS. With the CT it was possible to demonstrate the distribution of total fat at the level of the L3 slice. The ratio of calculations considering the length of the L6 vertebra was more adequate, while at the level of L6 the ratio between the volumes of the compartments was more effective.

Preferência alimentar de uma fêmea e um filhote de Dasypus novemcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) em cativeiro / Feeding preference of a female and young Dasypus novemcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) in captivity

Em cativeiro, as dietas para Dasypus novemcinctus, em geral, constituem-se de proteína animal misturadas com frutas, verduras e suplemento vitamínico-mineral. Porém, não há estudos relacionados com a preferência alimentar de tatus em cativeiro. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a preferência alimentar de uma fêmea adulta e de um filhote mantidos em cativeiro, expostos a quatro dietas com origem e porcentagens proteicas diferentes. Desta forma, o experimento foi realizado durante cinco semanas, sendo que as quatro primeiras semanas foi um período de manejo preliminar e a quinta semana foi realizada a coleta dos dados. A preferência alimentar, segundo a frequência de consumo, foi diferente para mãe e filhote, sendo que o filhote apresentou uma maior preferência pela dieta 1 e a mãe procurou igualmente as dietas. Quanto ao consumo, a dieta 1 apresentou maior ingestão. Assim, conclui-se que a preferência alimentar do filhote está em consonância ao requerimento proteico da espécie e a mãe apresentou um comportamento alimentar diverso, relacionado ao seu comportamento de espera de escolha do filhote. (AU)