Nutritional status of free-ranging Mexican howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata mexicana) in Veracruz, Mexico: Serum chemistry; lipoprotein profile; vitamins D, A, and E; carotenoids; and minerals
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10078.abs The purpose of this work was to measure important nutritional status parameters for a group of free-ranging Mexican mantled howler monkeys (A. palliata mexicana) and compare those data to published data for primates. The nutritional status of six free-ranging Mexican mantled howler monkeys was examined using biochemical analysis. Blood samples were analyzed for […]
Lipid composition, fatty acid profiles, and lipid-soluble antioxidants of eggs of the Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1008.abs The major lipid classes, their fatty acid profiles, and the amounts of the lipid-soluble components, vitamin E, vitamin A, and carotenoids, were determined for egg yolks of the Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) with the aim of identifying any features that may potentially impair the adaptation of this endangered species to deteriorations in […]
Canthaxanthin pigment does not maintain color in carmine bee-eaters
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1996)15:23.3.CO;2-C Carmine bee-eaters (Merops nubicus) in captivity lost feather color when fed diets supplemented with canthaxanthin (23 mg/kg dry matter), a pigment and concentration known to maintain adequate color in numerous other bird species. Supplementation of whole insects with natural mixed carotenoids including α- and β-carotene, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, and lutein resulted in a quantifiable […]
Life history trade-offs are influenced by the diversity, availability and interactions of dietary antioxidants
The expression of most life history traits, such as immunity, growth and the development of sexual signals, is negatively affected by high levels of oxidative stress. Dietary antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress and have therefore been the focus of numerous studies in behavioural and evolutionary ecology in the last few decades. Most of this research […]
Carotenoid supplementation enhances reproductive success in captive strawberry poison frogs (Oophaga pumilio)
Amphibians are currently experiencing the most severe declines in biodiversity of any vertebrate, and their requirements for successful reproduction are poorly understood. Here, we show that supplementing the diet of prey items (fruit flies) with carotenoids has strong positive effects on the reproduction of captive strawberry poison frogs (Oophaga pumilio), substantially increasing the number of […]
Minutes matter: brief hatching asynchrony adversely affects late-hatched hihi nestlings, but not life beyond the nest
Size hierarchies are often seen when nestlings hatch asynchronously over a period of days. Shorter hatch periods are common across passerines, however, and while these may also give rise to asymmetries, their effects are rarely considered. Regardless of hatch period, the long-term consequences for later hatched nestlings that survive to fledge is unknown for wild […]