
Elephants are known to consume plants, but the exact types of plants they eat can vary daily. A recent study involving conservation biologists from Brown University (USA) used innovative techniques to accurately analyze the dietary habits of two elephant groups in Kenya, identifying the specific plants they consumed.
The study, published in the Royal Society Open Science journal, provides insights into the foraging behaviors of elephants and aids in understanding conservation strategies that ensure elephants are not only nourished but also content.
“It’s crucial for conservationists to understand that animals may survive without sufficient food, but they may not flourish,” said Tyler Kartzinel, the study’s author and an assistant professor at Brown University. “By better understanding each individual’s diet, we can better manage iconic species like elephants, rhinos, and bison to ensure their populations can grow sustainably.”
The study employed DNA metabarcoding, a cutting-edge genetic technique that identifies the composition of biological samples by matching extracted DNA fragments with a library of plant DNA barcodes. This technique was used to answer questions about social feeding ecology, such as how members of a social group decide what foods to eat.
Kartzinel explained that it has been challenging to determine exactly what these large charismatic mammals eat in the wild due to their elusive nature and the difficulty in identifying their food visually. The research group compared this new genetic technique with a method called stable isotope analysis, which involves a chemical analysis of animal hair.
The team combined stable carbon isotope analyses from elephant feces and hair with DNA diet metabarcoding, GPS tracking, and remote sensing data to assess the dietary variation of individual elephants from two groups. The analysis showed that dietary differences among individuals were often much larger than previously assumed.
This study helps resolve a classic paradox in wildlife ecology: “How do social groups keep family groups together in a world with limited resources?” Kartzinel explained that elephants change their diet based on availability, preferences, and physiological needs. For example, a pregnant elephant may have different cravings and requirements at different times during the pregnancy.
These findings can provide valuable insights for conservation biologists. To protect elephants and other major species, animals need a variety of plants to eat. This can also reduce the chances of competition between species and prevent animals from encroaching on human food sources such as crops.
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