Retention of solute and particle markers in the digestive tract of chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger). Issue 5 (9th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hagen, K. B.; Dittmann, M. T.; Ortmann, S.; Kreuzer, M.; Hatt, J.‐M.; Clauss, M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition. Volume 100:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 801
• Page End: 806
• Publication Date: 2016-02-09
• Subjects: chinchilla -- digestion -- coprophagy -- caecotrophy -- herbivory -- fermentation; Animal nutrition -- Periodicals; Feeds -- Periodicals; 636.085
• DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12441
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0931-2439

Abstract

Summary: The chinchilla ( Chinchilla laniger ) is a herbivorous hystricomorph South American rodent for which no mean digesta retention times have been reported so far. Six animals (mean body mass ± standard deviation: 513 ± 99 g) on a diet of grass hay and lucerne‐based pellets were given a pulse dose of a solute (cobalt‐EDTA) and a particle (chromium‐mordanted fibre, <2 mm) marker with subsequent frequent faecal collection. Dry matter intake was 45.2 ± 8.0 g/kg 0.75 /day. Mean retention times were 22.2 ± 5.3 h for solutes and 25.4 ± 5.2 h for particles, with the difference being not significant within individuals. This indicates the presence of a 'mucus‐trap' colonic separation mechanism, which is in accord with morphological descriptions of the typical colonic furrow in chinchillas. Corresponding to a strategy of colonic digesta separation and caecotroph formation, secondary marker excretion peaks indicated coprophagic events that were spaced approximately 12 h apart. Given that these retention times appear longer than measures reported for rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) or guinea pigs ( Cavia procellus ), it would be interesting to compare the digestive efficiency of chinchillas on high levels of dietary fibre to other species.