Nutritional composition of plants and preliminary assessment of nutrition in free-ranging bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus)

Fiona F. Casey, Blaire T. Vallin, Jack Wolfenden, Julie M. Old, Hayley J. Stannard

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1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Nutrition is essential for not only survival but also successful growth and reproduction. Dietary demands are increased in a diseased state due to the increased energy and nutritional requirements associated with immune response, inflammation and convalescence. The herbivorous bare- nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus) is notably susceptible to sarcoptic mange, a disease caused by the mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, which causes debilitating pruritic skin disease and leads to secondary bacterial infections and increased wombat morbidity and mortality, as well as regionally variable population declines. It is unknown why wombats are so susceptible to sarcoptic mange and if nutrition may play a role in disease expression, particularly relating to seasonality. The objective of this study was to quantify the differences in the nutritive value, over four seasons, of plants (mostly grasses and sedges) that are available as food items for bare-nosed wombats. We collected plants over four seasons from five wombat habitats that were known to have wombats affected by sarcoptic mange. We found seasonal and site differences for macro and micronutrients in the plants analysed. Monitoring the diet quality of wombats in the wild is useful for managing their populations and understanding population dynamics in relation to food resource quality.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberAM23013
Number of pages7
JournalAustralian Mammalogy
Volume46
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)).

Keywords

  • faecal nitrogen
  • minerals
  • lipids
  • wombat health
  • grasses
  • Energy
  • Sarcoptes scabiei
  • sarcoptic mange
  • protein
  • marsupial
  • herbivore

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