Coprophagy in Brandt's vole (Microtus brandti) from the Inner Mongolian grasslands
Title:
Coprophagy in Brandt's vole (Microtus brandti) from the Inner Mongolian grasslands Rodens et spatium VII Proceedings of an International Conference, České Budějovice, Czech Republic, July 10-14, 2000
We studied coprophagous behaviour in Brandt's vole using a solute food marker (Co-EDTA). Examination of marker concentrations in the stomach, small intestine, caecum and colon of voles killed at half-hour intervals after a pulse dose of Co-EDTA indicated that the marker was recycled to the stomach by coprophagy. Recycling of digesta via coprophagy enables Brandt's vole to utilise diets of higher fibre contents. This is the first evidence for coprphagy in this species.