Dietary Quality, Fecal Nitrogen and 2,6 Diaminopimelic Acid in Black-Tailed Deer in Northern Califorinia

摘要

Range managers need easily measured indices of dietary quality to ensure high quality forage for deer. Levels of fecal nitrogen and fecal 2,6 diaminopimelic acid, which have been suggested as such indices, were monitored for two herds of black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in northern California. Both values were highest in summer collections, suggesting high quality summer diets, and were lowest in winter collections. Nitrogen levels appeared to differ between herds, but the cause could not be determined. DAPA levels did not appear to differ between herds.