Determinants for the Diet of Captive Agoutis (Dasyprocta spp.)

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A critical factor affecting the dietary requirements of captive Dasyprocta species is their previous classification as a frugivore when there is evidence that supports classification as an omnivore. Other factors relevant to feeding captive Dasyprocta include the gastrointestinal tract anatomy, endogenous ascorbic acid, scatter-hoarding behavior, metabolic rate, apparent dietary requirements, life stage nutrition, diabetes, and dental caries and pathology. This article presents information currently available in the literature relevant to the dietary needs of captive Dasyprocta species.

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Diet classification

There is much evidence supporting classification of Dasyprocta species as a frugivore.6, 7, 8, 9 For example, D leporine is reported to have a wild diet that is 87% fruit, 6% animal matter, 4% fibrous foods, and 2% leaves.8, 9 There is an equal—if not overwhelming—amount of evidence that species of Dasyprocta are omnivores, however.

Dasyprocta, as members of the order Rodentia, have the generalist feeder, rodent dentition to support an omnivorous adaptation.14 Similar to most caviomorphs, the

Gastrointestinal tract

There is a lack of detail describing the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of Dasyprocta species, which might be attributed to the assumption of frugivory and assumptions of homology with species that have been studied, such as the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) and the paca (Agouti paca). These assumptions of frugivory and of homology with other species mean that there is a tendency for literature to rely on existing information for other species. At this time, there is also a lack

Endogenous ascorbic acid

There is some conflicting evidence for the physiologic ability of Dasyprocta species to endogenously synthesize ascorbic acid. In support of the need for a dietary source of ascorbic acid, the assumption of classification as a frugivore would indicate lack of an evolutionary ability to endogenously create ascorbic acid.7 Captive Dasyprocta seem to preferentially select foods high in ascorbic acid and this may indicate an inability to synthesize ascorbic acid.7 Such an apparent preference may

Scatter-hoarding behavior

Dasyprocta species are terrestrial scatter-hoarders and various studies report similar caching behavior.8, 9, 23, 25 In general, seeds (and nuts) are cached one at a time after the pulp of a fruit is eaten or discarded8, 20, 23 and retrieved at some point after the fruiting season.9, 23 Retrieval can be as long as 8 months after burial.23 Caches are covered with soil and usually a leaf or twig is placed on top after burial in a hole 2 to 8 cm deep.23

Metabolic rate

The metabolic rate of Dasyprocta species varies according to territorial conditions or the housing conditions of captives.16 For example, males bonded to a female are more active and have higher respiration rates and body temperatures (use more energy) than animals housed alone, male/male or all-male groups, or male and female non-bonded pairs. The activity of bonded males seems to be related to territoriality, and behaviors include digging, scrape-marking, and scenting.26 Adult males defend

Apparent dietary requirements

Studies on the captive diets of Dasyprocta are nonexistent. Captive Dasyprocta are reported to eat carrots, potatoes, cassava, and cooked ground beef.23 In general, they eat meat only if cooked but this does not mean they will not eat uncooked flesh. For example, a group of captive Dasyprocta killed and ate an adult male Liomys pictus (painted spiny pocket mouse).23

The high proportion of seeds and nuts in the diets of wild Dasyprocta along with the selection of foods higher in energy and lower

Life stage nutrition: reproduction

Sexual maturity in Dasyprocta can occur as early as 6 months of age.8 Gestation is approximately 120 days and the precocial pups (one to two) are born furred with their eyes open.11, 23, 30 Neonates weigh about 22.7 g, and the young are tolerated within a territory even after weaning.23, 31 The mating season of wild D punctata is February to April,23 but in captivity D punctata often has two litters per year with about 4 months between litters.8, 11

In the wild, pregnant Dasyprocta increase the

Diabetes

Rodent species have been used for decades as models for human diabetes.31 In addition, wild caviomorph rodents (not including Dasyprocta species) have a low physiologic activity of insulin (1%–10% of the activity of most mammals),32 and in serum glucose tests, caviomorph species produced more insulin than most mammals.31 The current hypothesis states that the higher insulin response in these species is a compensatory mechanism for the lower physiologic activity of their insulin.31 This

Dental caries and pathology

Studies of wild Dasyprocta suggest that captives are at high risk for developing dental caries and dental pathology. Dental caries were found in wild populations of caviomorphs, and this seems related to dietary carbohydrates (mainly those containing fructose, glucose, and sucrose)37, 38 that promote plaque and bacteria.39 Dental caries have been induced in laboratory animals by feeding a soft diet high in carbohydrates.40 In wild populations of caviomorphs, frugivores had the highest incidence

Summary

Although there is no existing research on the dietary physiology and nutrition of captive Dasyprocta species, there are several recommendations that can be made for feeding captives. These include:

  • Feed as omnivores: There is overwhelming evidence that these species are omnivorous despite a preference for fruit when given food choices. Captive diets should have a high percentage (40% as fed) of foods providing protein and fats (avocado, seeds, nuts, legumes) supplemented with plant matter (40%

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