Proximate, vitamins A and E, and mineral composition of free-ranging cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus) from St. Catherines Island, Georgia

Publication Type:
 Journal Article
Year of Publication:
 2004
Authors:
 Jasmine Thomas, Batsheva Glatt, Ellen S. Dierenfeld
Publication/Journal:
 Zoo Biology
Publisher:
 A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services
Keywords:
 , , ,
ISBN:
 1098-2361
Abstract:

Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20007.abs Although rodents are an integral part of numerous carnivore diets, there is little published information regarding nutrient composition in free-ranging mice for comparison with laboratory-reared prey. Cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus, n=6) were captured on St. Catherines Island, Georgia, and analyzed for water, ash, protein, and fat content (proximate constituents), as well as minerals and the fat-soluble vitamins A and E. The overall body composition (mean±SD: 65.8%±1.9% water, 10.9%±2.2% ash, 56.4%±4.1% protein, and 27.2%±3.9% fat) was similar to published values for adult laboratory mice (Mus domesticus). The macro- (Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P) and trace (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) mineral levels were also similar to previously reported values for laboratory mice, and in general met or exceeded the established nutrient requirements for domestic carnivores. Vitamin E ranged from 77 to 170 IU/kg dry matter (DM) in these mice–again, similar to values previously quantified in laboratory mice. However, the vitamin A concentrations (21,947±6,893 IU/kg DM) in the free-ranging mice were consistently and substantially lower than values reported for whole laboratory mice. To our knowledge, this is the first quantification of vitamin A in free-ranging mice used as prey by carnivores. While other nutrients measured were similar between captive-reared and free-ranging mice, the current data suggest the need for further investigation of vitamin A nutrition in the development of optimal diets for carnivores in captivity. Zoo Biol 23:253–261, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Links:

Back to Resources