| Nutritional geometry: gorillas prioritize non-protein energy while consuming surplus protein. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21632622 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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It is widely assumed that terrestrial food webs are built on a nitrogen-limited base and consequently herbivores must compensate through selection of high-protein foods and efficient nitrogen retention. Like many folivorous primates, gorillas' diet selection supports this assumption, as they apparently prefer protein-rich foods. Our study of mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei) in Uganda revealed that, in some periods, carbohydrate-rich fruits displace a large portion of protein-rich leaves in their diet. We show that non-protein energy (NPE) intake was invariant throughout the year, whereas protein intake was substantially higher when leaves were the major portion of the diet. This pattern of macronutrient intake suggests that gorillas prioritize NPE and, to achieve this when leaves are the major dietary item, they over-eat protein. The concentrations of protein consumed in relation to energy when leaves were the major portion of the diet were close to the maximum recommended for humans and similar to high-protein human weight-loss diets. By contrast, the concentrations of protein in relation to energy when gorillas ate fruit-dominated diets were similar to those recommended for humans. Our results question the generality of nitrogen limitation in terrestrial herbivores and provide a fascinating contrast with human macronutrient intake. |
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Authors:
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Jessica M Rothman; David Raubenheimer; Colin A Chapman |
Publication Detail:
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Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2011-6-1 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Biology letters Volume: - ISSN: 1744-957X ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2011 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-6-2 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101247722 Medline TA: Biol Lett Country: - |
Other Details:
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Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Affiliation:
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Department of Anthropology, and New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, , New York, NY, USA. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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