Restrição alimentar em caprinos: rendimento, cortes comerciais e composição da carcaça

Com o objetivo de estudar o efeito da restrição alimentar sobre as características da carcaça de caprinos leiteiros, realizou-se um experimento utilizando 27 cabritos castrados da raça Saanen. Os animais (PV inicial de 20 kg) foram distribuídos nos tratamentos alimentação à vontade e 30 e 60% de restrição, sendo abatidos aos 35 kg de PV. Foram avaliados o rendimento comercial e biológico, os cortes comerciais, a área de olho-de-lombo e a composição tecidual da perna. O rendimento biológico não foi afetado pela restrição alimentar, mas o comercial diminuiu com o aumento da restrição. A elevação no nível de restrição alimentar promoveu diminuição do lombo e da 6ª a 13ª costelas e aumento da paleta e do pescoço, proporcionalmente à meia-carcaça. A proporção de ossos aumentou e a de gordura total diminuiu com o aumento da restrição. O tecido muscular não foi afetado pela restrição. A restrição alimentar de até 30% não prejudicou a qualidade da carcaça de caprinos leiteiros.

Restrição alimentar qualitativa para suínos com elevado peso de abate

Foram utilizados 60 suínos machos castrados (89,1 ± 4,2 kg) para avaliar o uso de níveis (0, 5, 10, 15 e 20%) de restrição qualitativa, resultando em valores de 3.407, 3.240, 3.060, 2.890 e 2.720 kcal de energia digestível por quilo de ração. Dez animais foram abatidos no início do experimento para determinação da composição corporal inicial, enquanto os demais foram alimentados com as dietas experimentais até atingirem 128 kg. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados para controle das diferenças de peso inicial, com dez blocos, cinco tratamentos (dietas experimentais) e um animal por unidade experimental. Dados de características de desempenho, de carcaça e parâmetros séricos dos animais foram submetidos à análise de variância com posterior desdobramento em regressão em função dos níveis de restrição qualitativa das dietas. O aumento nos níveis de restrição qualitativa não alterou o consumo diário de ração, mas reduziu linearmente o consumo diário de energia digestível e o ganho diário de peso, piorando a conversão alimentar e melhorando a eficiência de utilização de energia pelos animais. Os níveis de restrição qualitativa provocaram redução linear dos níveis séricos de triacilgliceróis e da espessura de toucinho e aumento da porcentagem e quantidade de carne magra e do índice de bonificação das carcaças, mas não alteraram o ganho diário de carne magra. A utilização de restrição qualitativa é eficiente para reduzir a ingestão energética e a deposição de gordura em suínos não reduz a capacidade de produção de carne magra.

Efeito da restrição alimentar sobre algumas características de carcaça de cabritos F1 Boer X Saanen

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito da restrição alimentar nas características de carcaça de cabritos F1 Boer x Saanen. Foram utilizados 21 cabritos, pesando 15 kg de PV, distribuídos em três tratamentos (0, 30 e 60% de restrição). O consumo dos animais do tratamento 0% de restrição determinavam o consumo dos animais dos tratamentos 30 e 60% de restrição. Quando os animais do nível de restrição 0% atingiam 25 kg, estes juntamente com seus pares foram submetidos a jejum de sólido de 24 h e de líquido de 16 h. O abate ocorreu mediante descarga elétrica, seguido de sangria e retirada dos órgãos. Os ganhos de peso foram de 211,03, 126,15 e 11,71g/dia; a eficiência alimentar de 0,20, 0,18 e de 0,03; os pesos de abate de 25,44, 20,91 e 15,82kg para os tratamentos 0, 30 e 60% de restrição, respectivamente. O rendimento de carcaça quente, de carcaça fria e biológico não foram influenciados pela restrição alimentar. Somente a proporção da paleta e a do lombo foram influenciados pela restrição alimentar, com aumento linear do rendimento da paleta e decréscimo linear do rendimento do lombo. Houve efeito da restrição na redução do rendimento de gordura e aumento da proporção de osso. A restrição alimentar em níveis moderados, permitiu a obtenção de carcaças de boa qualidade, com bom rendimento, elevada proporção de músculo e baixa participação de gordura e, dependendo da relação custo:benefício, pode tornar-se boa alternativa para o produtor.

Avaliação econômica do uso da restrição alimentar qualitativa para suínos com elevado peso de abate

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar economicamente o uso da restrição alimentar qualitativa para suínos machos castrados em terminação sobre o desempenho e as características de carcaça de 60 animais. Dez suínos foram abatidos no início da fase experimental (89,0 ± 4,2 kg) e os demais, alimentados com rações contendo cinco níveis de restrição nutricional qualitativa (0, 5, 10, 15 e 20%), obtidas pela inclusão de casca de arroz finamente moída, até o final do experimento (127,8 ± 2,9 kg). Foram calculados os custos com alimentação durante o período experimental (R$alimento) e estimados os valores de receita bruta de cada carcaça de animais abatidos aos 128 kg (RBsuíno128kg) ou no início do experimento (RBmédia_suíno89kg). A partir destes três dados, foi calculado o resultado líquido (RL) do uso das dietas experimentais (RL = RBsuíno128kg - RBmédia_suíno89kg - R$alimento). Também foram analisadas as variações mensais dos preços do milho, do farelo de soja e do suíno, sendo determinado o preço do milho como o fator de maior impacto sobre a lucratividade do uso da restrição qualitativa. A equação de predição da probabilidade de aumento linear do resultado líquido pelo uso da restrição qualitativa foi determinada em função dos diferentes preços do milho - PM (valor de P RL = 0,392 - 0,625PM, R² = 0,73). Efeito significativo foi observado para preços do milho de cerca de quatro vezes ou mais acima do custo da casca de arroz. Assim, conclui-se que a viabilidade do uso da restrição qualitativa, até o nível de 20%, depende do cenário econômico, mas sobretudo do preço do milho, o principal ingrediente substituído nas rações ao empregar-se a restrição qualitativa, e de sua relação com o custo do resíduo utilizado para diluição energética.

Preferência alimentar e aspectos biológicos de Leptoglossus zonatus Dallas,1852 (Hemiptera: Coreidae) em diferentes genótipos de milho

The present research was accomplished under field and laboratory conditions (T= 25[plus or minus]2[degree] C, R.H.= 70[plus or minus] 10 % and fotoperiod= 12 horas) at FCA/UNICASTELO from Fernandopolis-SP, Brazil. The feeding preference of corn bug Leptoglossus zonatus Dallas, 1852 (Hemiptera: Coreidae) was evaluated on corn genotypes AL-Bianco, AL-Manduri, AL-25 Piratininga, AL-34 e AL-Manduri in the field. Besides, some behavioral factors relative to infestation and oviposition were observed. In laboratory, the nymph's development was evaluated on ears from each corn genotype, aiming to verify the non-preference and/or antibiosis ocurrence. The females of L. zonatus preferred to oviposite on sheats from leaves. Adults and nymphs may occur in whole parts of the plants. The AL-25, AL-34, AL-Manduri and AL-Bandeirante corn genotypes were classified as moderately resistant, expressing non-preference and/or antibiosis against the corn bug. In other way AL-Bianco was the most suscetible to nymphs of the insect.

Preferência alimentar de percevejos por frutos e botões florais de genótipos de maracujazeiro

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Seletividade alimentar e influência da idade da folha de Eucalyptus SPP. para Thyrinteina Arnobia (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) é considerada uma das mais sérias pragas do eucalipto no Brasil. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estudar a preferência alimentar de T. arnobia em seis espécies de eucalipto e a influência da idade foliar sobre a seleção hospedeira, utilizando-se folhas jovens e velhas de Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus robusta e Eucalyptus cloeziana. Lagartas de T. arnobia alimentadas na geração anterior com folhas de E. grandis preferiram folhas jovens de E. grandis e E.cloeziana, enquanto as alimentadas com E. saligna, na geração anterior, preferiram folhas velhas de E. grandis. A espécie preferida por lagartas de T. arnobia foi E. grandis, observando-se, também maior preferência por folhas jovens que por folhas velhas nas espécies utilizadas nos testes.

Dinâmica populacional e alimentar de Stegastes fuscus, (Osteichthyes:pomacentridae) em arrecifes da praia de Búzius, no Rio Grande do Norte

The damselfish, Stegastes fuscus Cuvier, 1830 (Osteichthyes: Perciformes: Pomacentridae), is abundant in the coastal reefs of Búzios Beach, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil and they play an important role in the reef community ecology. The present study investigated the feeding strategy of this species considering the food habits and morfo-histology of the digestive tract. Influence of the environmental correlates such as temperature, rainfall and luminosity in the tidal rock pools were studied. The fish were captured on a monthly basis from September 2004 to August 2005, during which period 842 individuals of S. fuscus were captured, 125 males, 437 females and 280 individuals without sex identification. The sex ratio observed was 1 M : 3,5 F. The total body length of males varied from 3.6 to 11.3 cm, with a mean of 7.77 cm; that of females varied from 2.9 to 11.4 cm, with a mean of 7.85 cm, and that of sex grouped individuals varied from 2.9 to 11.4 cm, with a mean of 7.83. However, there was no difference between males and females in total body length. This species presented a positive alometric growth and the equations obtained for the relation between body mass and total body length were: Wt =0,0174Lt 3,1123 for males; Wt =0,0137Lt 3,2294 for females and Wt = 0,0148Lt 3.1928 for sex grouped individuals. The relation between total body length and standard length was L t = 1 ,3223Ls + 0,1527 for sex grouped individual s. February to August was associated to a long period of gonadal resting. The fish spawned during January and in September -October. The frequency of fish with empty stomachs occurred during August to December, whereas frequency of fish with food contents i n stomachs occurred during January to July. This species is considered as a preferential herbivore based on the volume of macroalgae in its diet composition. The morfo -histological aspects of S. fuscus confirm herbivory. Among the environmental factors con sidered only rainfall showed a correlation with the feeding habits of this species

Ecologia alimentar do boto cinza, sotalia guianensis (van banédén, 1864), no litoral do rio grande do norte (rn)

This study investigated factors that influence the group size during the behavior foraging of estuarine dolphin Sotalia guianensis in the coast south of the state Rio Grande do Norte (RN), it also characterized the diet of estuarine dolphins and elaborated an otoliths catalog for aid in the identification of the preys found in the stomach contents. In relation to the group size during behaviour foraging, inside of the Curral Bay, larger frequency of solitary hunt was observed. Factors as tide variation, group composition and seasons didn't present correlation with the number of animals observed during a feeding episode. Capture success for participant was shown significantly larger when the animals hunted alone, what possibly explains the largest frequency of solitary hunt inside of the Curral Bay. About diet, were identified 18 bone fishes species, with predominance of species the families Haemulidae and Sciaenidae and five cephalopods species, including two new species in the diet of Sotalia guianensis in Brazil. Our results indicated that estuarine dolphin in the coast oriental from Rio Grande do Norte (RN) feeds predominantly of fish that form shoal, of habitat estuarino and producing of sounds. The analysis of the images, otoliths of 43 species of coastal fish of the coast of the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), aided by the offered descriptions, demonstrated to be an effective methodology for the knowledge of those structures, as well as it represented a form of reducing the subjectivity in the identification of the bone fishes found in stomach content

Atividades comportamentais e comportamento alimentar de rã touro, Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802), de pigmentação normal e albina em cativeiro

The behavior of bullfrogs reared in captivity must be well understood to support management practices that use efficient feeding regimes. In general, bullfrogs reared in captivity have normal pigmentation, but to develop an enhanced product, some studies have investigated the introduction of albino individuals in frog farms. The present study characterized the behavior of both pigmented and albino bullfrogs reared in captivity. In an initial experiment, 48 bullfrogs (70.5 ± 25.6 g) housed in small stalls were fed once a day at random times. Frogs were filmed and the images showed that both the pigmented and albino varieties behaved similarly: food intake was more frequent at dawn followed by light periods; moving and resting in dry areas may be associated to feeding events; frogs appeared to anticipate feeding time and to rest in the water more frequently in periods other than feeding time; daylight is the recommended period for feeding both pigmented and albino frogs. In a second experiment, 72 albino bullfrogs were fed at fixed times (10 a.m. or 4 p.m.) in small stalls. An initial weight of 23.8 ± 7.6 g was considered to evaluate frog performance, and after the animals reached 60.0 ± 20.0 g, they were filmed for behavior analyses. Food intake varied as a function of feeding time, and frogs were more likely to eat during the early hours of the day and immediately after receiving fresh food. Frogs fed only in the afternoon changed their behavior. Food supplied twice a day stimulated the albino frogs to eat at different times, but did not increase growth. Although fresh food stimulated feeding behavior, food intake was more frequent at dawn. Food supplied at this time of day should therefore be further investigated. The results did not indicate a more suitable feeding time (10 a.m. or 4 p.m.) for albino bullfrogs, or any advantage in using two feedings per day. The results provide xvi important information about bullfrogs in terms of food supply regime and activity preferences throughout the day. This novel information will contribute to future studies in this area

Aprendizado espacial-temporal em um ambiente complexo sem restrição alimentar em ratos

Timeplace learning is the capacity of organisms to associate both space and time with a biological relevant stimulus such as food. Experiments are usually done with food restricted animals due to the belief that food system activation is necessary for timeplace learning. Another line of thought suggest that, in addition to food system activation, response cost should be increased to effectively allow timeplace discrimination. The purpose of this experiment was to test whether a complex environment, which presumably implied in a heightened response cost, would facilitate timeplace association in satiated rats using a highly palatable food as reward. Nine rats were trained in a timeplace task for 30 nonconsecutive days. A large experimental box (1x1m) divided in four compartments was used. To access each compartment the animal had to overcome a series of obstacles such as ramps, staircases and mazes. Two feeders localized in opposite compartments were rewarded with sunflower seeds in two daily sessions. One feeder offered the reward during the morning sessions while the second feeder in afternoon sessions. After the 15th day of training, the animals began to show a preference for the correct feeder during the correct time of day expressed by increased frequency of visits as well as lower latency to access the feeders. These results suggest that satiated animals are also capable of learning a timespace task as far as the experimental context is complex enough to result in a higher response cost

Comportamento social e territorialidade alimentar na garça-azul, Egretta caerulea (L) = Feeding territoriality in the little blue heron, Egretta caerulea (L)

The use of habitat is an important part of a species biology. One resource of great importance for the survivor and reproduction of an individual is the food resource. Thus, the social interactions an animal has during the feeding activities are of extremely importance within its behavioral aspects, which represents the part of an organism trough which it interacts with the environment, adapting to changes and variations. Herons are known to form feeding aggregations of even more than thousands of individuals, in which social components of foraging have been identified and studied for several species. More profound studies of these aspects are yet to poor for the Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the social behavior (display postures, vocalizations and co-specific interactions) and the territoriality of the specie during the feeding period in an area of mud bank in the estuarine system of Cananéia, south coast of São Paulo state, Brazil. The defense of a fixed and exclusive area, closest to the mangrove, trough expulsion was observed; some thing that have not yet been registered with concrete data for the specie. Higher capture and success rates, and lower investment rates (steps/min and stabs/min) were registered for individuals foraging in areas corresponding to the defended territory. This could be one of possible reasons for the establishment of territories in the area. Four display postures were registered for the specie, two of then new in the literature, which are used in the interactions between individuals; one vocalization, that apparently is important in the social context of foraging for the specie and, possibly, has a function of advertising and proclaiming the dominance position of the territorial individual within the group. A territorial individual uses three behaviors, of the ones described: expulsion, vocalization and encounter (agonistic encounter between individuals, without physical aggression). Of these, the expulsion is apparently used in the actual defense, actively; while the other two behaviors are used in a more passive way, in the maintenance of the dominance position of the individual, helping it in the defense of its territory in a less direct manner. Therefore, with the results presented in here, new components of the social utilization of the feeding resource for the Little Blue Heron were identified, incorporating aspects of the territorial behavior for a future understanding of its possible adaptive significance. And it also reinforces the importance of the social interactions of herons foraging in great aggregations, in areas ecologically important

Hierarquia social e sucesso alimentar em callithrix jacchus (Primates, Callithrichidae), sob condições naturais

The competition for resources is one of the costs of group living. The scramble competition is considered an indirect type of competition, mainly associated with factors like group size and distribution of resources. Contest competition occurs when individuals compete directly for resources. In species that exibit this type of competition the establishment of dominance hierarchy can occur, resulting in differences on feeding and reproductive benefits for each member of the group. In these cases, aggressive and submissive behaviors are expected as a way to signal social status. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of social hierarchy over food ingestion in Callithrix jacchus. Data recording was from September/2006 to March/2007, eight days by month, at Floresta Nacional de Açu do Instituto Chico Mendes de Biodiversidade. The observation time started at 05:00 AM and finished after the last animal was on the sleeptree. Analyses of aggressive interactions, behavioral profile and diet, reveals a lot of advantages for dominat animals in the study group. Dominant individuals had higher intake of animal matter that subordinates. The last ones, consumed fruits, exsudate and, eventually, explored itens that were not common to the diet. We suggest that dominance hiearchy enable the reproductive female to assure priority on access to food resources, a important caracteristc to supply tha costs to maintain tha high reproductive taxa of the specie. We also suggest that reproductive male, due to the participation on food transfer, had the forage efficience reduced

Caracterização da neofobia alimentar em crianças de três a seis anos

Alimentation is essential in life. Concerning omnivores, characterized by the necessity of a varied diet to satisfy their metabolic needs, it is extremely advantageous the assumption of new foods. However, the assumption of new unknown foods is, potentially dangerous, because of possible intoxications. In this sense, one of the most important behaviors related to reducing risks is the so called food neophobia, characterized by the rejection of new foods and/or an ingestion of very little amounts. The aim of the present study was to investigate if age, sex and socio-economical status were able to influence food neophobia. The neophobia has been described in a range of 3-6 years old children taken both from public and private schools within the city of Natal-RN. Four different type of ice-creams, each one characterized by a different flavor, have been utilized. Two flavors were known to the young and the remaining two flavor were new. We didn't find significant differences between the investigated variables. However, the exploitation of data from the survey conducted showed that the ease or not to accept new foods obtained, was correlated with the variables under the same guidelines observed in literature. Aspects related to the stimulus used probably eased the neophobic answer. Then, it is suggested that the food neophobia can be influenced by sex, age and socioeconomic factors of individuaIs. Neophobia tends to be more common in girls, with ages between three to four years old and with a low leveI socioeconomic. In this sense, given the importance of kid neophobic reaction to the development of dietary patterns of other life's stages, it is necessary to make further studies to better explain this phenomenon. Given the pivotal role of food neophobia to the development of alimentary habits within all ages of life, other studies will be necessary for a better comprehension of such phenomena. Key-words: food neophobia; Evolutionary Psychology;children food intake; diet restriction; children's diet development

Comportamento alimentar do camarão marinho farfantenaeus subtilis em condições laboratoriais

Shrimp culture represents an important activity to brazilian economy. The northeastern region has presented high levels of production because of its climatic conditions. An important factor for the activity´s major development is related to the introduction of the species Litopenaeus vannamei. The use of an exotic species can disturb the ecosystem. In the last decades, L. vannamei has been the only species cultivated in Brazilian farms, there not being an alternative species for shrimp culture. So, there is an urgent need to developing new studies with the native species, which might represent an alternative concerning shrimp production, with emphasis on Farfantepenaeus subtilis. Another important aspect related to the activity is feeding management, once it is quite usual that feed offer on the pond does not take into account either the species´ physiology and behavior or the influence of environmental variables, such as light cycle and substrate. That knowledge may optimize management and so reduce the impact of effluents in the environment. This study´s objective was characterizing feeding behavior of F. subtilis in laboratory. For that, an ethogram was developed, using 20 wild animals which were observed through ad libitum and all occurrences methods. Two experiments were developed in order to register feeding behavior on different substrates, along 15 days, each. In the first experiment, 40 animals were distributed in eight aquaria, half being observed during the light phase of the 24 hour cycle and the other half in the dark phase, both in halimeda substrate. In the second experiment, 20 animals were distributed in four aquaria, under similar conditions as the previous ones, but in sand substrate. In both experiments, animals were observed respectively one, four, seven and ten hours after the beginning of the phase, for light phase, for the dark phase, in ten minute observation windows, before and immediately after feed offer. The following behaviors were registered: feed ingestion, ingestion of other items, inactivity, exploration, vertical exploration, swimming, crawling, digging, burrowing, and moving by the animals. Observation windows after feed offer also included latency to reach the tray and to ingest feed. Nineteen behaviors were described for the species. F. subtilis presented more behavioral activities in halimeda substrate even in the light phase, while burrowing was predominant in sand substrate. In both substrates, moving, crawling and exploration were more frequent after feed offer, but inactivity and burrowing were more frequent before that. Feed ingestion was more frequent in halimeda, both in light and dark phases. Weight gain was also more prominent in that substrate. In sand substrtate, ingestion was more frequent in the dark phase, which suggests that higher granulometry facilitates feed ingestion in F. subtilis juveniles. Our results demonstrate the importance of studies for the better knowledge of the species, specially its response to environmental stimuli, in order to improve animal management