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Commonly known Arabian yellow fin sea bream (Acanthopagrus arabicus) were selected for trials. Specimens were procured from the Sonari channel (24°53'13.81"N 66°41'44.57"E.), shifted to laboratory, and placed into 162 liter capacity glass aquaria, where they were subsequently acclimated for 60 days. Fish were fed in ration of 3% live body weight of feed. Two treatments were placed (T1 & T2). Individuals placed under T1 treated with soybean meal (SM) and individuals under T2 treated with fish meal (FM). Physicochemical parameters were recorded. pH, salinity (ppt), and temperature (27°C) were measured on daily basis, while ammonia, dissolved oxygen (DO), and nitrite nitrogen were evaluated on weekly basis. Length (cm) and weight (g) of under treatment individuals recorded thrice in a month. The mean final weight for treatments (T1 and T2) endured 8.11±0.12 and 8.12±0.13 g, respectively, while the mean achieved length was 10.24±0.11 cm and 10.31±0.12 cm. Results showed the minimal weight increase in T2 alongside the slight difference in specific growth rate. Meanwhile, based on weight increase, feed conversion ratio, and specific growth rate there was a minute difference in growth between the two meals (SM & FM), whereas biochemical analysis revealed that SM impacted the individuals as greater levels of crude fat (51.23±0.947), crude protein (62 ±2.8284) found. Hence, soybean meal (SM), which is affordable, proved that it could be a possible diet that can replace traditional fish meal (FM) for cultivation of A. arabicus in aquaculture facilities to achieve marketable size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactobacillus spp. can be beneficial for the prevention or treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). In this study, 153 participants who followed vegan, omnivorous, or high-meat diet were recruited. Compositional analysis of the Lactobacillus community in feces revealed that Lactobacillus fermentum strains were significantly affected by diet. Administration of mixed L. fermentum strains from vegans significantly improved inflammation compared to that from omnivores and high-meat consumers, as evidenced by a significant reduction in colonic tissue damage, improvement in inflammatory cytokines, enhanced expression of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-3, and a significant increase in short chain fatty acids concentration. The effect of a single strain of L. fermentum was similar to that of a mixed strains of L. fermentum group. Genomic analysis suggested that L. fermentum strains from the guts of vegans possessed a higher prevalence of genes involved in carbohydrate catabolism than those from the guts of omnivores and high-meat eaters. In particular, the ME2 gene is involved in the biosynthesis of acetate, a compound considered to possess anti-inflammatory properties. In conclusion, this study indicates strain-specific differences in the ability of L. fermentum strains to alleviate UC in mice, influenced by habitual diets.

Adherence to a vegan diet may lower risk of cardiovascular disease among African Americans (AAs). Feasibility and sustainability of adopting a vegan diet may be challenging among AAs who live in regions where soul food is a predominant cuisine. Our hypothesis was that AAs randomized to a culturally adapted vegan diet will have greater adherence to their assigned diet compared with those randomized to a culturally adapted omnivorous diet. AAs (N = 113) with overweight/obesity from South Carolina were included. Dietary intake was measured at months 0, 3, 6, and 12 using 24-hour recalls. Adherence was defined based on recommended animal product intake for each group. Differences in nutrient intakes and dietary indices (Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 and healthy plant-based diet index) between groups were evaluated using t -tests. At 12 months, adherence was higher to the vegan (51%) versus omnivorous (35%) diet. Participants assigned to the vegan diet had higher intake of carbohydrates (P =.01) and fiber (P <.001), and lower intake of cholesterol P <.001) and protein (P =.001) compared with participants assigned to the omnivorous diet. Participants adherent to the vegan diet had lower cholesterol intake (P <.001) and higher fiber intake (P =.02) compared with those adherent to the omnivorous diet. Compared with those assigned to the omnivorous diet, participants assigned to the vegan diet had higher Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 (P =.01) and healthy plant-based diet index (P <.001) scores. AAs with overweight/obesity were more adherent to a culturally adapted vegan diet versus an omnivorous diet after 1 year, and nutrient and food group intake changes were sustained. We analyzed data from 113 African Americans with overweight/obesity from the Nutritious Eating with Soul Study. Compared with participants assigned to a culturally adapted omnivorous diet, participants assigned to a culturally adapted vegan diet had greater adherence, higher consumption of carbohydrates and fiber, lower consumption of cholesterol and protein, and higher diet quality after 1 year. AHEI-2010, Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010; hPDI, healthy plant-based diet index. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In agroecosystems, arthropod communities may be influenced by bottom-up forces induced by environmental variations (e.g., fertilization) through the modification of plant traits. The way bottom-up forces affect the second trophic level is well documented, but how these effects cascade to the third trophic level is less understood. We aimed to understand: 1) how bottom-up effects vary between natural enemies with contrasted ecology, i.e., parasitoids and predators; and 2) how the diet regime of the predators affected the intensity of bottom-up effects. We set-up a lab experiment measuring the effects of reduced fertilization (from standard rates to no fertilization) on tri-trophic systems in tomato. The selected herbivores are frequent pests on tomato systems (Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Bemisia tabaci and Tuta absoluta). The respective parasitoids were Aphidius ervi and Encarsia formosa, and the respective predators Adalia bipunctata (carnivorous), Macrolophus pygmaeus (omnivorous), Dicyphus errans (omnivorous) and Chrysoperla carnea (carnivorous). We recorded plant growth and leaf carbon and nitrogen content, herbivore fecundity as well as various parasitoid/predator traits including development, longevity, reproduction and biocontrol efficacy. We found evidence of diluted bottom-up forces through trophic levels depending on the herbivore types, with variable but overall marginally positive effects of reducing fertilization from high to intermediate levels on host quality and biocontrol efficacy. Parasitoids were overall less affected than predators. This work offers perspectives in the framework of Integrated Pest Management where reduced fertilization may help better control pest populations without significant impacts on plant growth and thus yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oryzomys texensisAllen, 1894, the Texas Marsh Rice Rat, is a yellowish gray-brown oryzomyine rodent with whitish feet and venter, black eyes, small hairy ears, short vibrissae, and a tail about one-half of total length. It was elevated to species status based on the results of an extensive molecular genetics analysis of the O. palustris complex. The poorly defined eastern boundary of O. texensis includes Mississippi, Arkansas, southern Missouri, and southern Illinois, with populations extending westward to southeastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, eastern and coastal Texas, into northeastern Tamaulipas, Mexico. Present in tidal marshes and other habitats near water, O. texensis is omnivorous, with some populations being highly carnivorous. Resumen: Oryzomys texensisAllen, 1894, es un roedor de la tribu Oryzomyini, de color marrón grisáceo amarillento con pies y vientre blanquecinos, ojos negros, pequeñas orejas velludas, vibrisas cortas y una cola que constituye aproximadamente la mitad de su longitud total. Fue elevado del nivel de subespecie de O. palustris a especie en base a resultados de un extenso análisis de genética molecular del complejo O. palustris. El margen oriental de la distribución geográfica de O. texensis está mal definido e incluye partes de Mississippi y Arkansas, así como el sur de Missouri y sur de Illinois, con poblaciones adicionales extendiéndose en dirección oeste hacia el sureste de Kansas, este de Oklahoma, planicie costera y este de Texas y hasta el extremo suroccidental de Texas y noroeste de Tamaulipas, México. Está presente en marismas, humedales, y otros hábitats cercanos al agua. Si bien es omnívoro, algunas poblaciones constan de individuos mayormente carnívoros. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Tinisu Abaya is home to some fish species. The lake’s native fish species include Barbus and Tilapia zilli. Tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus L.) were stocked in Lake Tinishu Aabaya in 1997. This study aimed to investigate the feeding behaviors of O. niloticus in Lake Tinishu Abaya to develop an appropriate fisheries management approach in the lake. 428 O. niloticus fish samples (2.5 to 30.9 cm and 1.1 to 475 g) were collected to calculate the diet composition. Out of the total of 428 gut contents examined, 55 (12.85%) were found to be empty and 373 (87.15%) to be containing one or more food items. The diet behavior of the stocked fish in the study lake revealed that phytoplankton (39.5% by volume) and macrophytes (25.81% by volume) were the most noteworthy food items followed by detritus (14.39%) and zooplankton (12.95%). With increasing fish size, the importance of phytoplankton, macrophytes, and detritus increased while the contribution of zooplankton, insects, and other foods with an animal origin decreased. Seasonal variation in the diet composition of fish was evident (t-test; p < 0.05). Macrophytes, zooplankton, and detritus were the dominating food items during the wet season, while phytoplankton predominated during the dry season. This study demonstrated that O. niloticus had phytoplanktivores that primarily consumed phytoplankton and that the seasons and fish size had a significant impact on their feeding preferences. The diet of O. niloticus in Lake Tinishu Abaya comprised foods with both plant and animal origins. It concludes that the dietary habit of O. niloticus in the lake is, generally, the omnivorous type.

AbstractThis study aimed to examine the food and feeding habits of Oreochromis niloticus at the Ribb reservoir for sustainable management. A total of 512 specimens were collected using gillnets of different mesh sizes. Of these, 348 (67.9 %) fish had different foods, while 164 (32.1%) fish had empty stomachs. Mud was the main food item that accounted for 89.1% of estimated stomachs and 55.1% of the total volume in the diet. Detritus and phytoplankton were the second most important food items contributing 25.1% and 14.1% of the total volume respectively. Prey items differed depending on the fish size (ANOVA, p

Oryzomys palustris (Harlan, 1837), the common marsh rice rat, is an Oryzomyine rodent with a tail nearly as long as the head and body, grayish above and white below with long-toed white feet. This account is an update of Mammalian Species 176 on the subject species by James L. Wolfe (1982a), incorporating 103 new references, most published since 1982. Oryzomys palustris, one of six living and two extinct species in this Neotropical genus, is semiaquatic and omnivorous, being highly carnivorous in some populations. It is parapatric with O. texensis in the western portion of its distribution in the southern United States. Oryzomys palustris is classified as "Least Concern" (LC) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although vegetarian and vegan dietary can positively contribute to animal welfare, the environment and health, they also entail social costs for the people following them. These costs may be an increased risk of stigmatization and, presumably, feelings of embitterment.Methods In this study, we investigated for the first time the association between feelings of embitterment and dietary identity centrality and motivation. Dietary motivation, dietary pattern centrality for identity (DIQ-D), and embitterment (PTED scale) were assessed in and compared between people with vegan (n = 489), vegetarian (n = 339) and omnivorous (n = 319) dietary pattern.Results The vegan group reported higher embitterment and discrimination perception than the vegetarian and omnivorous groups. High (vegan) dietary centrality, eating disorder, moral motivation, discrimination perception was associated with embitterment.Conclusions The association between vegan dietary centrality and moral motivation with embitterment is relevant for actions in dietary education and counseling in clinical and public health settings. When dietary pattern becomes relevant for identity building this may come along with problems when it makes the person prone for discrimination perception.

Bats are known reservoirs of seemingly-innocuous pathogenic microorganisms (including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa), which are associated with triggering disease in other zoonotic groups. The taxonomic diversity of the bats' microbiome is likely associated with species-specific phenotypic, metabolic, and immunogenic capacities. To date, few studies have described the diversity of bat blood microbial communities. Then, this study used amplicon-based next generation sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S-rRNA gene in blood samples from omnivorous (n = 16) and frugivorous (n = 9) bats from the department of Casanare in eastern Colombia. We found the blood microbiota in bats to be composed of, among others, Bartonella and Mycoplasma bacterial genera which are associated with various disease phenotypes in other mammals. Furthermore, our results suggest that the bats' dietary habits might determine the composition and the persistence of some pathogens over others in their bloodstream. This study is among the first to describe the blood microbiota in bats, to reflect on co-infection rates of multiple pathogens in the same individual, and to consider the influence of diet as a factor affecting the animal's endogenous microbial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are known reservoirs of seemingly-innocuous pathogenic microorganisms (including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa), which are associated with triggering disease in other zoonotic groups. The taxonomic diversity of the bats’ microbiome is likely associated with species-specific phenotypic, metabolic, and immunogenic capacities. To date, few studies have described the diversity of bat blood microbial communities. Then, this study used amplicon-based next generation sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S-rRNA gene in blood samples from omnivorous (n = 16) and frugivorous (n = 9) bats from the department of Casanare in eastern Colombia. We found the blood microbiota in bats to be composed of, among others, Bartonella and Mycoplasma bacterial genera which are associated with various disease phenotypes in other mammals. Furthermore, our results suggest that the bats’ dietary habits might determine the composition and the persistence of some pathogens over others in their bloodstream. This study is among the first to describe the blood microbiota in bats, to reflect on co-infection rates of multiple pathogens in the same individual, and to consider the influence of diet as a factor affecting the animal’s endogenous microbial community.

Despite the known effects of diet on gut microbiota composition, not many studies have evaluated the relationship between distinct dietary patterns and gut microbiota. The aim of our study was to determine whether gut microbiota composition could be a useful indicator of a long-term dietary pattern. We collected data from 89 subjects adhering to omnivorous, vegetarian, vegan, and low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that were equally distributed between groups and homogenous by age, gender, and BMI. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed with a metabarcoding approach using V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. K-means clustering of gut microbiota at the genus level was performed and the nearest neighbor classifier was applied to predict microbiota clustering classes. Our results suggest that gut microbiota composition at the genus level is not a useful indicator of a subject's dietary pattern, with the exception of a vegan diet that is represented by a high abundance of Prevotella 9. Based on our model, a combination of 26 variables (anthropometric measurements, serum biomarkers, lifestyle factors, gastrointestinal symptoms, psychological factors, specific nutrients intake) is more important to predict an individual's microbiota composition cluster, with 91% accuracy, than the dietary intake alone. Our findings could serve to develop strategies to educate individuals about changes of some modifiable lifestyle factors, aiming to classify them into clusters with favorable health markers, independent of their dietary pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although vegetarian and vegan dietary can positively contribute to animal welfare, the environment and health, they also entail social costs for the people following them. These costs may be an increased risk of stigmatization and, presumably, feelings of embitterment. In this study, we investigated for the first time the association between feelings of embitterment and dietary identity centrality and motivation. Dietary motivation, dietary pattern centrality for identity (DIQ-D), and embitterment (PTED scale) were assessed in and compared between people with vegan (n = 489), vegetarian (n = 339) and omnivorous (n = 319) dietary pattern. The vegan group reported higher embitterment and discrimination perception than the vegetarian and omnivorous groups. High (vegan) dietary centrality, eating disorder, moral motivation, discrimination perception was associated with embitterment. The association between vegan dietary centrality and moral motivation with embitterment is relevant for actions in dietary education and counseling in clinical and public health settings. When dietary pattern becomes relevant for identity building this may come along with problems when it makes the person prone for discrimination perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera Miridae) is an omnivorous predator widely used in the control of tomato pests. This zoophytophagous mirid is capable of inducing plant defences in tomato due to its phytophagous behaviour with significant adverse effects on mites and whiteflies. However, the effects of plant defence induced by N. tenuis on Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera Gelechiidae) have not been searched in detail. In this study, the density threshold of N. tenuis nymphs per plant for induction of defence on T. absoluta was searched by placing 3, 6 or 10 nymphs on each of the top and bottom leaf of young tomato plants for 4 days. The results showed that oviposition by T. absoluta females was significantly reduced on the plants punctured by the highest predator density in comparison to control plants. Further experiments showed that plants punctuated with the highest predator density were more repellent to T. absoluta for either period of 7 or 14 days after the removal of predators, compared to control plants. The systemic nature of the induced defences was also confirmed in all periods post treatment. The results offer valuable information in critical aspects of plant defence effects induced by N. tenuis on T. absoluta such as the number of predators required per plant, their systemic nature and the persistence of the effects induced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choline is an essential nutrient that is involved in various developmental processes during pregnancy. While the general adequate choline intake (AI) for adults has been set at 400 mg/day by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an AI of 480 mg/day has been derived for pregnant women. To date, the choline intake of pregnant women in Germany has not been investigated yet. Therefore, in this survey, the total choline intake from dietary and supplementary sources in pregnant women was estimated using an online questionnaire. A total of 516 pregnant women participated in the survey, of which 283 met the inclusion criteria (13 to 41 weeks of gestational age, 19–45 years). 224 (79%) of the participants followed an omnivorous diet, 59 (21%) were vegetarian or vegan. Median choline intake was 260.4 (±141.4) mg/day, and only 19 women (7%) achieved the adequate choline intake. The median choline intake of omnivores was significantly higher than that of vegetarians/vegans (269.5 ± 141.5 mg/day vs. 205.2 ± 101.2 mg/day; p < 0.0001). 5% (13/283) of pregnant women took choline-containing dietary supplements. In these women, dietary supplements provided 19% of the total choline intake. Due to the importance of choline for the developmental processes during pregnancy, the study results prove the urgent need for an improved choline supply for pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research analyzes Taiwan data from a national attendance survey of four performing arts categories - music, dance, contemporary drama, and traditional theatre - and uses econometric models to examine the determinants of performing arts attendance for these four genres from various aspects. We find that the audience of traditional theatre is quite different from the audiences of the other three performing arts categories, and that the pair-wise correlation coefficients for the participations among music, dance contemporary, and traditional theatre performing arts are all positive. The study further categorizes the audiences into four groups based on variety and frequency of participation: sporadic univores, sporadic omnivores, frequent univores, and frequent omnivores. A multinominal logistic regression identifies what factors influence a respondent's decision to attend more than one type of performing arts events, allowing to identify segments of the audiences that exhibit a high degree of omnivorousness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the diet quality of different dietary patterns among college students from Latin American countries, including vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study was conducted including a non- probabilistic sample of university students from 10 countries. University students were invited to participate in the study through social network platforms. Participants were self-reported to have followed a specific dietary pattern; either the Prudent diet, Western diet, Ovo-dairy-vegetarian diet, Fish-vegetarian diet, Strict vegetarian diet (vegan) or other. The last three patterns (vegetarians and vegans) were grouped as following a plant-based diet. A self-assessment survey was used to evaluate healthy eating habits using a questionnaire with values between 1 (do not consume) and 5 (consume) for a total of 9–45 points (higher values represent better eating habits). Unhealthy habits were assessed with nine questions. A total of 4,809 students filled out the questionnaire, and the majority of them were females (73.7%). A high percentage have been in lockdown for more than 5 months and were in lockdown when the survey was released. 74.3% were self-reported to follow a prudent diet, while 11.4% reported following a western dietary pattern and 8.8% a plant-based diet. When compliance with healthy and unhealthy dietary habits was analyzed, although all groups had low compliance, the plant-based diet group (56.09 ± 6.11) performed better than the Western diet group (48.03 ± 5.99). The total diet quality score was significantly higher for plant-based diet followers, who also tended to better achieve the recommendations than omnivorous students, especially the ones following a western diet. These results present evidence that young adults such as college-aged students have unhealthy dietary habits. However, the ones who follow a plant-based diet such as vegetarians and vegans exhibit better scores and healthier dietary conducts.

Feeding specialisations are known to play an important role in the ecology and evolution of many organisms. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis based on the data of the gut content of eight species of the genus Limia (family Poeciliidae) to explore the potential role of feeding ecology in the radiation of this genus in the Caribbean. We analysed the feeding strategies using the modified Costello's graphical method. In addition, we estimated the contribution of each food item to the diet by calculating the alimentary index of six different functional categories that summarised the variation in main type of consumed items. We also compared the niche breadth for all analysed species and the niche breadth variation between wet and dry seasons in four species we were able to sample in both periods of the year. Most of the analysed species showed preference for detritus and algae. Species that exhibited a more omnivorous diet such as L. versicolor and L. perugiae revealed moderate levels of consumption of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. Nonetheless, some species such as L. yaguajali and L. nigrofasciata showed specialisations towards detritus as the dominant food item found in the gut content analysis. In general, niche breadth values were higher in the wet season than in the dry period. Our study showed that the majority of species analysed tend to be feeding generalists, but some degree of specialisation occurs in some species from Hispaniola where the diversity of the genus Limia is remarkably higher compared to the rest of the Greater Antilles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) in insects play an important role in mating and oviposition host selection. A plant bug, Yemma signatus is a Hemiptera omnivorous insect that feeds on plants and small insects, but little chemical communication information is available on this species. Here, using antennal transcriptome data from Y. signatus, 22 OBPs (19 'Classic' OBPs and three 'Plus-C' OBPs) and 14 CSPs were identified. The expression profiles of these putative OBP and CSP genes were examined using real-time quantitative PCR. Our results revealed that OBP and CSP genes were mainly expressed in male and female antennae of Y. signatus. Only YsigCSP10 was more highly expressed in body parts than in the antennae of both sexes. Our study provides valuable biological information for studying olfactory communication systems in Y. signatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feeding habits of two omnivorous fish species, Vimba vimba (L., 1758) and Scardinius erythrophthalmus (L., 1758) from the Büyükçekmece Reservoir (Turkey) were investigated through stomach content analyses. Samplings were carried out monthly to describe the dietary composition of two species and to assess whether it overlapped. The diet spectrum of V. vimba consisted of eight prey categories: Diptera, Insecta extremities, plants, Cladocera, Bivalvia, Ostracoda, Pisces and detritus. Detritus has the highest value in terms of modified index of relative importance and it was followed by Insecta. The diet composition of S. erythrophthalmus consisted of four prey categories: Insecta extremities, plants, Bivalvia and detritus. Plant has the highest value in terms of modified index of relative importance and it was followed by detritus. No dietary overlap was detected, except for the fish collected in spring. Fractional trophic level (TROPH) and its standard error (SE) were estimated as 2.62±0.25 for V. vimba and 2.45±0.19 for S. erythrophthalmus.

This present study delves into the first to quantify the diet composition of Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) in the middle confines of the Yellow River, China. 24 stomach content samples were collected from wild-caught individuals from natural habitats, the analysis result showed that the species diet was noted to be primarily omnivorous and comprised 23 prey taxa classified into nine groups: plant (4), fish (1), frog (1), earthworm (1), insect (9), mollusk (3), shrimp (2), and other miscellaneous items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Parasites can exert selection pressure on their hosts through effects on survival, on reproductive success, on sexually selected ornament, with important ecological and evolutionary consequences, such as changes in population viability. Consequently, hemoparasites have become the focus of recent avian studies. Infection varies significantly among taxa. Various factors might explain the differences in infection among taxa, including habitat, climate, host density, the presence of vectors, life history and immune defence. Feeding behaviour can also be relevant both through increased exposure to vectors and consumption of secondary metabolites with preventative or therapeutic effects that can reduce parasite load. However, the latter has been little investigated. Psittaciformes (parrots and cockatoos) are a good model to investigate these topics, as they are known to use biological control against ectoparasites and to feed on toxic food. We investigated the presence of avian malaria parasites (Plasmodium), intracellular haemosporidians (Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon), unicellular flagellate protozoans (Trypanosoma) and microfilariae in 19 Psittaciformes species from a range of habitats in the Indo-Malayan, Australasian and Neotropical regions. We gathered additional data on hemoparasites in wild Psittaciformes from the literature. We considered factors that may control the presence of hemoparasites in the Psittaciformes, compiling information on diet, habitat, and climate. Furthermore, we investigated the role of diet in providing antiparasitic secondary metabolites that could be used as self-medication to reduce parasite load. Results We found hemoparasites in only two of 19 species sampled. Among them, all species that consume at least one food item known for its secondary metabolites with antimalarial, trypanocidal or general antiparasitic properties, were free from hemoparasites. In contrast, the infected parrots do not consume food items with antimalarial or even general antiparasitic properties. We found that the two infected species in this study consumed omnivorous diets. When we combined our data with data from studies previously investigating blood parasites in wild parrots, the positive relationship between omnivorous diets and hemoparasite infestation was confirmed. Individuals from open habitats were less infected than those from forests. Conclusions The consumption of food items known for their secondary metabolites with antimalarial, trypanocidal or general antiparasitic properties, as well as the higher proportion of infected species among omnivorous parrots, could explain the low prevalence of hemoparasites reported in many vertebrates.

Miridae is the largest Heteroptera family, with a tremendous worldwide economic impact, both as pests and natural enemies. Unlike most Hemiptera, herbivorous and omnivorous mirid bugs are lacerate/macerate and flush feeders, not phloem feeders. Plant responses to damage by arthropods of this feeding guild therefore occur via jasmonic acid or ethylene signaling pathways rather than the salicylic acid pathway. Moreover, unlike most other Heteroptera that lay eggs on the plant surface, mirids insert their eggs in plant tissues, resulting in oviposition injury. Similarly, regarding phytopathogenic fungi and oomycetes, a distinction should be made between biotrophic fungi (triggering the salicylic acid pathway plant response), and necrotrophic and/or hemibiotrophic fungi or oomycetes (triggering jasmonic acid or ethylene pathway plant responses). In that respect, phytopathogenic fungi or oomycetes (PFO) differ from phytopathogenic viruses and bacteria, the former being all biotrophic while the latter are theoretically hemibiotrophic. Here, for the first time, we review tripartite interactions between mirids, PFO, and crop plants. The major deliverables are as follows: Five major interaction frameworks are identified: (i) crop plant infection by PFO mechanically facilitated by prior mirid infestation; (ii) crop plant infection by PFO hampered by prior mirid infestation via crop plant signaling; (iii) crop plant infestation by mirids facilitated by prior PFO infection via crop plant signaling; (iv) crop plant infestation by mirids hampered by prior PFO infection via crop plant signaling; (v) crop plant infestation by mirids and/or infection by PFO hampered by prior mirid infestation and/or PFO infection via crop plant resource quality alteration. PFO and mirids may also occur concomitantly, favored by the same conditions, i.e., climatic or linked to endogeneous factors (e.g., redox status) in crop plant. Instances from each framework are described, and highlighted interactions are examined in view of managing mirid–PFO complexes on crop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present debate outlined opposing views regarding the role of animal products in human diets. The YES position argues that the health benefits and safety of plant-based diets have been clearly established by consistent findings of randomized trials and observational studies; that animal products skew the diet toward saturated fat, excess protein, cholesterol, lactose, and exogenous hormones; and that vulnerable populations are better nourished by vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains than by striated muscle and cow milk. In contrast, the NO position asserts that animal foods are not only benign but are also key elements of the human omnivore diet, facilitating the global challenge of adequate essential nutrition. This view holds that the portrayal of animal foods as unhealthy is not supported by the evidence and that a restrictive vegan diet decreases nutritional flexibility and robustness, increasing risk for vulnerable population groups. Points of agreement and controversy were identified, as well as opportunities for further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the diet composition and the feeding strategy of Kalyptodoras bahiensis by verifying variations during the hydrological cycle and between males and females. Samples were collected during the periods of rain and drought using various fishing gears adapted to each microhabitat. In laboratory, the fishes were weighed and measured. An abdominal incision was made to observe the gonads for sex determination and the stomach was removed for identification and quantification of food items. The importance of each item in the diet was calculated using the Feeding Index. Amundsen graphic analysis was used to define the feeding strategy. Kalyptodoras bahiensis was classified as an omnivorous species with an invertivorous tendency. The species presented a generalist feeding strategy and many individuals fed on Melanoides tuberculatus, an exotic mollusk that has spread to Brazilian rivers, causing damages to the native community. The high amount and frequency of M. tuberculatus in the diet of K. bahiensis suggest that the species may have a predatory impact on the local population of this mollusk. However, further studies are needed to better understand the interaction between K. bahiensis and M. tuberculatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of the worldwide ecological relevance of Calanus australis and Calanoides carinatus , little is known on the morphology of their mandibular gnathobase edges (MGEs). Thus, in order to further learn about the relationship between MGEs and diet, adults and copepodites of C. australis and C. carinatus collected from northern Patagonian coasts, Argentina, were morphologically analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy in transmission mode and scanning electron microscopy. In C. australis males as well as in C. australis and C. carinatus females, MGEs were found to end in one dorsal seta and to have one ventral tooth, four central teeth and three dorsal teeth. In contrast, in C. carinatus males, MGEs were observed to be rudimentary and with no dorsal seta, and −contrary to published data− they were found to have three cone-shaped, short and small tooth-like structures and three-four tooth-like structures that were long and pointed. The main differences between MGEs from copepodites and adults of C. australis and C. carinatus females lied in the number of cuspids observed on the different teeth and the presence of a short inner lateral peak found only in C. australis ventral tooth. Overall, the evidence gathered from our study leads us to classify C. australis and C. carinatus as omnivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edges are on the increase world-wide due to increasing fragmentation and loss of natural habitats. After formation, edges are maintained by various processes (natural vs. continued anthropogenic interventions: forestry, agriculture, urbanization) which influence the reaction of individual species to edge effects (history-based edge effect hypothesis), and this will be reflected in the diversity of assemblages. Diversity, however, is not the most appropriate indicator of the edge effect because species with different traits may respond differently to the edges. To further articulate the history-based edge effect hypothesis, we evaluated the edge effect on one of the most commonly used life-history traits, the feeding habit of ground beetles in forest edges. A meta-analysis based on 28 publications and 422 comparisons showed that natural vs. continued anthropogenic interventions as edgemaintaining processes reflected at the trait level. Abundance of herbivorous, omnivorous, and predatory ground beetle species were all higher in the natural edges than in the forest interiors, while no similar pattern occurred in edges with continued anthropogenic influence. These results suggest that structural and environmental changes at edges sustained by repeated anthropogenic influence adversely influencing ecosystem functions, with negative effects on ecosystem services like pest or weed control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many species of carabid beetles are important pre- and post-dispersal seed feeders of herbaceous plants. Here we summarise data from dissections, field observations, rearing and "cafeteria" experiments on 55 granivorous and 188 omnivorous species that occur in Italy. We tested the hypothesis that seed feeding carabids are restricted to taxa with pronounced morphological adaptations for manipulating and crushing seeds in both the larval and adult stages. The feeding guilds of carabids were rearranged into the following groups: (i) strict predators with long mandibles and predaceous larvae, often depending also on non-prey food; (ii) omnivorous species with stout mandibles and larvae of a seed-eating morphotype; (iii) granivorous species, feeding only on seeds with larvae sometimes of the scarabeoid c-form type. The seed feeding carabids in the Italian fauna belong to the tribe Zabrini (Amara and Zabrus genera) and to all the Harpalinae (sub)tribes, from Anisodactylini to Ditomina. The time of reproduction seems to be associated with habitat preference; wetland or dry open land, rather than true granivorous versus omnivorous habits, but in stenophagous seed feeders, a phenological coincidence with particular plants is sometimes recorded.

Avoidance of intensive rice cultivation (IRC) and soil amendments are potential practices to enhance soil properties. There is only limited information on the effects of reduced IRC and its mixture with compost or silicate fertilizer (Si) on the soil nematode community in salt–affected soils. This study aimed to assess the shifts of soil nematode community by reducing a rice crop from triple rice system (RRR) to a double rice system and mixed with compost or Si in paddy fields in acid sulfate soil (ASS) and alluvial soil (AL) in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Field experiments were designed with four treatments in four replicates, including RRR and a proposed system of double–rice followed by a fallow (FRR) and with 3 Mg ha–1 crop−1 compost or 100 kg ha–1 crop−1 Si. Soils were collected at harvest after the 2 year experiment, reflecting the fifth and third consecutive rice crop in RRR and FRR system, respectively. Results showed that reduced IRC gave a significant reduction in abundance of plant–parasitic nematodes (PPN), dominated by Hirschmanniella and increased abundance bacterivorous nematodes when mixed to compost and silicate fertilizer in ASS. In addition, reduced IRC increased nematode biodiversity Hill’s indices and reduced herbivorous footprint in ASS. Proposed system having compost or Si had strongly increased in bacterivorous and omnivorous footprints. Particularly, reduced IRC mixture with Si increased abundance of Rhabdolaimus, Mesodorylaimus and Aquatides, metabolic footprints (structure footprint, bacterivorous, omnivorous and predator) and diversity Hill’s N1 index in ASS. Our results highlighted that reduced IRC was a beneficial practice for decreasing abundance of PPN in salt-affected soils and increasing abundance of FLN in ASS. IRC mixture with compost or Si had potential in structuring the nematode communities with increasing biodiversity, trophic structure, and metabolic footprints.

ABSTRACT The digestive tract of Trachelyopterus striatulus (Steindachner, 1877) was studied using morphological, histological, and histochemical techniques. The barbels, lips and tongue had stratified squamous epithelium with mucous, claviform cells, and taste buds. Trachelyopterus striatulus had a dental plaque with villiform teeth. The bucopharyngeal cavity was formed by the gill apparatus and pharyngeal teeth with vilifform denticles. The oesophagus presented stratified squamous epithelium with mucous cells and taste buds. The stomach included cardiac, fundic, and pyloric regions and a simple prismatic epithelium with prismatic cells that reacted positively to periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and amylase+PAS. Only the cardiac and pyloric regions responded positively to alcian blue pH 2.5 (Ab pH 2.5) and alcian blue pH 0.5 (Ab pH 0.5). The cardiac and fundic regions exhibited tubular gastric glands. The intestine was 118.90 ± 22.49 mm long with an intestinal coefficient (CO) of 0.83 ± 0.13. The epithelium was simple prismatic with a brush border and goblet cells, and a greater number of goblet cells were found in the caudal region of the intestine. The mucous cells and goblet cells reacted positively to PAS, amylase+PAS, Ab pH 2.5, and Ab pH 0.5. We analysed if the function of the mucosubstances and morphological characteristics of the digestive tract of T. striatulus are compatible with omnivorous feeding habit.

The digestive tract of Puntius conchonius were studied using anatomical, histological and histochemical techniques. The mouth is terminal, moderate sized and protrrusible buccopharyngeal cavity possess long and hard gill rakers, with supra and infra pharyngeal teeth, thick tubular oesophagus opens into a swollen intestinal bulb, which continue into a thin long tubular and coiled intestine. The short rectum opens through cloaca. The relative gut length is 2.3. The oesophagus presented cerosa with flat uni nucleated cells, circular and longitudinal muscle layer, cannective tissue of sub mucosa and single layer collumnar epithelial cells in the mucosa. The intestinal bulb has cerosa muscle layer and sub mucosa. The inner most mucosal layer consisting of long and deep villi. The histological picture of intestine was quite comparable to the bulb. The comparable four layers rectum showed less number of villi which are blunt. The liver is tri-lobed, polygonal hepatic cells, hepatic canals and sinusoids are distinct. Pancreatic islets are distributed in the hepatic tissues, organizational specificities of Puntius conchonius are compatible with omnivorous feeding habit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alterations in stream environments can alter fish food availability, but there is little research data related to the impacts of urbanization on fish diets in tropical streams. Thus, we sought to compare the diet of ten fish species in urbanized and non-urbanized streams reaches. Fish stomach contents were obtained for four urban and five non-urban stream reaches from two medium-sized cities. We verified the similarity of diet composition from urbanized/non-urbanized streams. In-stream features mainly related to the substrate highlighted a perturbation gradient: gravel, pebbles and cobbles were associated to the wider urban reaches while silt were representative in the narrow pools from non-urban streams. Fishes changed their diet in response to urban and non-urban treatments. Omnivorous fishes consumed more detritus and Chironomidae and less terrestrial adult insects in urban reaches, while invertivorous fish consumed more terrestrial adult insects and Trichoptera larvae in the non-urbanized stream reaches. Although the management of the physical structure of streams in Brazil has been basically focused on riparian reforestation, our results suggest that a restoration plan for urban streams cannot be limited to reforestation of its surroundings, but also need to consider the physical structure of the channel, especially the substrate, which contributes to promote in-stream variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diet of an invasive crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (Von Martens 1868), in Lake Kariba, was investigated using stomach content analysis (SCA) and stable isotope analysis (SIA). The frequency of occurrence of macrophytes and detritus ranged between 63.6-97.1% and 20-45.5%, respectively, and the index of relative importance ranked these as the two most important food items across all size classes. Significant differences in the ranking of fish, macroinvertebrates and crayfish were found between size classes 29-37.9, 38-46.9 and 47-55.9 mm. Stomach content analysis showed 16% of crayfish stomachs were empty. Feeding intensity differed significantly between size classes and ranged from 3.46 to 5.21. Stable isotope analysis was done by comparing δ13C, δ15N and C/N ratios in crayfish muscle and potential dietary items in the lake. Macrophytes were the most dominant food item (57%), followed by macroinvertebrates (20%), then detritus, and finally fish and crayfish. Stable isotope analysis revealed that all crayfish size classes analysed were in the same trophic level. Nevertheless, while SCA showed high dietary overlap among all crayfish size classes (>65%), SIA showed that small crayfish (< 28.9mm) had limited overlap with large crayfish (> 56mm), with the former showing a higher proportion of macroinvertebrates in their diet. In Lake Kariba, C. quadricarinatus predominantly feeds on macrophytes, macroinvertebrates and detritus, which may bring about nutrient cycle alterations in the lake. Littoral habitat changes caused by the feeding characteristics of C. quadricarinatus might also lead to competition with, and eventual displacement of, some native littoral fishes in this lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Some fish species have a limited ability to metabolize dietary carbohydrates. An important tool for understanding carbohydrate metabolism is the application of the glucose tolerance test, which can be performed orally or intraperitoneally. To evaluate carbohydrate tolerance in the fruit‐eating fish pacu, two experiments were performed, one with oral administration by gavage of three carbohydrate types (glucose, fructose and starch, 2.0 g/kg body weight (BW)) and the other with intraperitoneal injection (IP) of glucose (500 mg/kg BW). Oral glucose resulted in an increase in plasma glucose 2 hr later with the peak at 4 hr (8.30 mmol/L), and return to baseline between 6 and 12 hr; starch administration promoted a peak after 4 hr (7.70 mmol/L), returning to the baseline at 6 hr. The administration of fructose promoted a moderate peak after 2 hr (5.71 mmol/L), and return to baseline for the time points that followed. Elevated serum cholesterol levels were observed 2 and 24 hr after administration of glucose and starch. Hepatic glycogen levels increased within 24 hr, regardless of the type of carbohydrate administered. IP glucose load resulted in a peak of plasma glucose 3 hr post injection (6.91 mmol/L), returning to baseline 6 hr later. There was a reduction in the concentration of triglycerides at 24 hr. The results demonstrate that pacu metabolize both oral (glucose or starch) and intraperitoneal (glucose) carbohydrate loads after 6 hr, suggesting good ability to deal with dietary carbohydrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dietary habits play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. The objective of this study was to verify if vegetarian (VEG) diet could be related a better profile of subclinical vascular disease evaluated by arterial stiffness and functional and structural properties of carotid arteries, compared to omnivorous (OMN) diet. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 44 VEG and 44 OMN apparently healthy men ≥ 35 years of age, in order to not have confounding risk factors of subclinical atherosclerosis, were assessed for anthropometric data, blood pressure, blood lipids, glucose, C reactive protein (CRP), and arterial stiffness determined by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Also, carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) and distensibility were evaluated. Results VEG men had lower body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting serum total cholesterol, LDL and non-HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, glucose and glycated hemoglobin values in comparison with OMN individuals (all p values < 0.05). Markers of vascular structure and function were different between VEG and OMN: PWV 7.1 ± 0.8 m/s vs. 7.7 ± 0.9 m/s ( p < 0.001); c-IMT 593 ± 94 vs. 661 ± 128 μm ( p = 0.003); and relative carotid distensibility 6.39 ± 1.7 vs. 5.72 ± 1.8% ( p = 0.042), respectively. After a multivariate linear regression analysis, a VEG diet was independently and negatively associated with PWV ( p value 0.005). Conclusions A VEG diet is associated with a more favorable cardiovascular diseases biomarker profile and better vascular structural and functional parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se evaluó la intensidad de daño en el hábitat después del huracán Dean y su influencia en la abundancia de fauna, en la selva del centro sur del estado de Quintana Roo, México. Se situaron 20 sitios de muestreo ordenados de mayor a menor afectación. En cada sitio se realizó un muestreo de vegetación para determinar las características del hábitat y el impacto de huracán. Para la fauna, cada sitio fue muestreado para obtener índices de abundancia relativa de rastros (rastros/km). Se realizaron entrevistas con informantes clave para determinar las especies arbóreas consumidas por la fauna. El porcentaje de daño disminuyó gradualmente hasta menos de 4% a una distancia de 120 km perpendiculares al huracán. El hábitat fue relativamente homogéneo y no se encontraron diferencias entre los parámetros y atributos medidos en la vegetación, la única variable que resultó diferente fue el porcentaje de daño en los árboles. El 65% de las especies arbóreas, fueron registradas como alimento para frugívoros, herbívoros y omnívoros. En sitios de alto impacto, la abundancia de herbívoros fue menor mientras que la abundancia de omnívoros fue mayor. El daño en los árboles fue la única variable que se correlacionó negativamente con la abundancia de los herbívoros, lo cual no fue evidente con los omnívoros.We assessed the damage on the habitat after Hurricane Dean and its influence on the abundance of wildlife. We used 20 sampling sites along an area of high to low impact. At each site, vegetation sampling was conducted to determine the characteristics of habitat and the impact of hurricane Dean. For fauna, each site was sampled to obtain indices of relative tracks abundance (tracks/km). Interviews were conducted with key informants to determine which tree species were consumed by the local fauna. Damage gradually declined to less than 4% at a distance of 120 km perpendicular to the hurricane. The habitat was relatively homogeneous and no differences were found between the parameters and attributes measured in the vegetation, the only variable that differed was the percentage of trees damage. Of tree species, 65% were reported as food for frugivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous species. At high-impact sites the abundance of herbivores was lower while abundance of omnivores was higher. Damage to trees species was the only variable that negatively correlated with the abundance of herbivorous species, which was not evident with omnivorous species.

Freshwater decapod crustaceans are important components of food webs in these environments, but little is known about the diet of species that live in tropical waters. We studied the feeding ecology of the prawn Pseudopalaemon bouvieri and its population structure in two different areas with six lagoons, with a different composition and abundance of aquatic macrophytes. At each site of macrophytes banks, 18 prawns sample was collected with a hand net (1mm mesh size) from 1m². In the laboratory, prawns cephalothorax length was measured, sex determined, and a total of 208 stomachs were examined for food items. Our results showed that the population abundance varied between 10 ind/m² and 1 411 ind/m². The cephalothorax length ranged between 6mm and 21mm, and the male:female ratio varied between 0.3 and 1.0, with a higher proportion of ovigerous females (21%) in area one than area two. P. bouvieri is omnivorous, and its diet was principally based on algae, plant remains, Protozoa, Rotifera, Oligochaeta, Crustacea, Insecta, detritus and other items. The analysis of the stomach content did not reveal any significant difference in the diet between juveniles and adults, and males and females of both areas consumed a similar diet (Kruskal-Wallis test p=0.8273). We concluded that the dietary items consumed by prawns and the niche breadth were similar between the two areas, although the proportion of items consumed varied between lagoons of both areas. The density of P. bouvieri was different between areas, but the size of cephalothorax (CL) was similar.Los crustáceos decápodos de agua dulce son un componente importante de la cadena trófica, pero poco se sabe sobre la dieta de las especies que viven en aguas tropicales. Nosotros estudiamos la ecología alimentaria del camarón Pseudopalaemon bouvieri y la estructura de su población en dos áreas diferentes con seis lagunas, con una diferente composición y abundancia de macrófitas acuáticas. En cada sitio poblado con macrófitas, se tomaron 18 muestras con una red manual (1mm de tamaño de malla) de 1m². En laboratorio, se midió la longitud de cefalotórax de los camarones y se determinó el sexo. Asimismo, fueron examinados un total de 208 estómagos para determinar su alimentación. Nuestros resultados mostraron que la abundancia de la población varió entre 10 ind/m² y 1 411 ind/ m². La longitud de cefalotórax osciló entre 6 y 21mm, y la razón macho:hembra varió entre 0.3 y 1.0, con una mayor proporción de hembras ovígeras (21%) en el área 1 que en el área 2. P. bouvieri es omnívoro y su alimentación se basa principalmente en algas, restos de plantas, protozoos, rotíferos, Oligochaeta, crustáceos, Insecta, detrito y otros ítems. El análisis del contenido estomacal no reveló ninguna diferencia significativa en la dieta entre juveniles y adultos, y los machos y hembras de ambas áreas consumieron una dieta similar (Kruskal-Wallis, p=0.8273). Nosotros concluimos que los ítems alimentarios consumidos por los camarones y la amplitud de nicho fueron similares entre las dos áreas, aunque la proporción de ítems consumidos varió entre lagunas de ambas áreas. La densidad de P. bouvieri fue diferente entre áreas, pero el tamaño del cefalotórax (CL) fue similar.

Feeding habits of the Molina's hog-nosed skunk, Conepatus chinga (Molina, 1782) in the extreme south of Brazil. We analyzed 60 stomachs of road-kills of C. chinga in the extreme south of Brazil. The contents revealed 808 prey parts, including invertebrates (frequency of occurrence - FO = 96.7% and relative abundance - RA = 94.7%), vertebrates (FO = 18.3% and RA = 2.8%) and plants (FO = 31.7% and RA = 2.3%). We identified 18 kinds of food, including the invertebrate order Coleoptera which showed the highest FO (86.7%) and RA (75.2%). Other important orders were Orthoptera (FO = 35% and RA = 10.4%) and Araneae (FO = 41.7% and RA = 4%). The combination of occurrence and abundance of the preys consumed allowed classifying C. chinga as an omnivorous with a predominance of insects, especially Coleoptera, consuming other invertebrates, vertebrates and plants in smaller numbers. Behavioral and morphological adaptations of C. chinga favor the predation of insects, which are preys that offer low physical resistance and are available in all terrestrial environments.

The ingestion of invertebrates by herbivores on rocky intertidal shores is traditionally considered a casual phenomenon. However, a recent study of 29 species in northern Chile shows that animal consumption is widespread, consistent, and important, suggesting that some of these herbivores may actually be omnivores. Therefore, we examined the capability of three common Chilean herbivores (the key-hole limpets Fissurella limbata and Fissurella pida and the polyplacophoran Chiton granosus) to digest animal food. For each species, we conducted no-choice feeding experiments using artificial foods based on either algal or animal tissue from one of their frequent prey (Ulva rigida, Perumytilus purpuratus). After the feeding trials, we evaluated the total proteolytic activity (availability of free amino acids) in the digestive contents of the species studied and, as a reference, we evaluated this activity in animals obtained directly from the field. We found that all three species were able to eat animal food, and this consumption was not significantly different from that of algal food, suggesting that both foods were not only edible but at least similarly palatable. In addition, we detected comparable levels of proteolytic activity under the three feeding conditions for the three species. No statistical differences were found for C. granosus, but activity was significantly higher with animal food in F. limbata and with algal food in F. pida. Our data show the high digestive flexibility of these species, suggesting their ability for adaptive modulation and the possibility that they are true omnivorous consumers. We discuss the implications of these results for our current view of the structure of rocky intertidal food webs.La ingestión de invertebrados por herbívoros de costas intermareales rocosas se considera tradi-cionalmente un fenómeno casual. Sin embargo, un estudio reciente en 29 especies del norte de Chile muestra que el consumo animal es generalizado, consistente e importante, sugiriendo que algunos de estos herbívoros pueden ser realmente omnívoros. Por tanto, se examinó la capacidad de tres herbívoros chilenos comunes para digerir alimento animal: las lapas Fissurella limbata y Fissurella pida, y el poliplacóforo Chiton granosus. Para cada especie, se efectuaron experimentos de alimentación sin elección usando alimentos artificiales basados en tejido animal o algal de algunas de sus presas frecuentes (Ulva rigida, Perumytilus purpuratus). Luego de los ensayos de alimentación se evaluó la actividad proteolítica total (disponibilidad de aminoácidos libres) en sus contenidos digestivos, y como referencia, se determinó la actividad en animales obtenidos directamente desde condiciones de terreno. Se encontró que las tres especies fueron capaces de comer alimento animal, y este consumo no fue significativamente distinto al de alimento algal, sugiriendo que ambos alimentos fueron no sólo comestibles sino al menos similarmente palatables. Además, se detectaron niveles comparables de actividad proteolítica bajo las tres condiciones de alimentación en las tres especies, sin diferencias estadísticas en C. granosus, pero con una actividad significativamente más alta con alimento animal en F. limbata y con alimento algal en F. pida. Los datos muestran la alta flexibilidad digestiva de estas especies, sugiriendo su capacidad para modulación adaptativa y la posibilidad de que sean verdaderos omnívoros. Se discuten las implicancias de estos resultados sobre la visión actual de la estructura de tramas tróficas del intermareal rocoso.

Generally known like have a diet exclusively composed from vegetable, the orthoptera species still surprising by few species whereon the type of the track is different. Some species prefer an omnivorous food regime, which have combination between vegetables and animal protein, other have an exclusively carnivorousfood regime, some species manifesting even cannibalism phenomena. For Danube Delta Biosphere Reservation it was find much more orthoptera species even genre that have an food regime other then one exclusively vegetable.

The long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis; also called crab-eating monkeys) have broad geographic distribution in continent and archipelago of Southeast Asia. They have wide ecological plasticity to adapt to various environments. Due to disturbance of habitat and intensive contact with human, long-tailed macaques change their feeding behavior. Here we present food preferences of long-tailed macaques that live in Cikakak Monkey Park in Central Java. By recording the number of individuals who fed on a food patch and the duration of eating the food, we found that proportion of their food from natural resources is greater than those from human sources. They shifted to omnivory feeding mode to adapt to the changing environment. At many times, this omnivorous feeding brought forth crop-raiding which were not in natural behavioral repertory. Conservation effort of long-tailed macaques, and primate in general, should consider the aspect of human-modulated behavior in feeding ecology if we wish to be successful.