Title
Proximate, vitamins A and E, and mineral composition of free-ranging cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus) from St. Catherines Island, Georgia
Author(s)
Thomas J., Glatt B., Dierenfeld E.S.
Published
2004
Publisher
Zoo Biology
Abstract
Although rodents are an integral part of numerous carnivore diets, there is little published information regarding nutrient composition in free-ranging mice for comparison with laboratory-reared prey. Cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus, n = 6) were captured on St. Catherines Island, Georgia, and analyzed for water, ash, protein, and fat content (proximate constituents), as well as minerals and the fat-soluble vitamins A and E. The overall body composition (mean ± SD: 65.8% ± 1.9% water, 10.9% ± 2.2% ash, 56.4% ± 4.1% protein, and 27.2% ± 3.9% fat) was similar to published values for adult laboratory mice (Mus domesticus). The macro- (Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P) and trace (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) mineral levels were also similar to previously reported values for laboratory mice, and in general met or exceeded the established nutrient requirements for domestic carnivores. Vitamin E ranged from 77 to 170 IU/kg dry matter (DM) in these mice-again, similar to values previously quantified in laboratory mice. However, the vitamin A concentrations (21,947 ± 6,893 IU/kg DM) in the free-ranging mice were consistently and substantially lower than values reported for whole laboratory mice. To our knowledge, this is the first quantification of vitamin A in free-ranging mice used as prey by carnivores. While other nutrients measured were similar between captive-reared and free-ranging mice, the current data suggest the need for further investigation of vitamin A nutrition in the development of optimal diets for carnivores in captivity. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Keywords
Cricetinae; Fraxinus; Gossypium hirsutum; Mus; Mus musculus domesticus; Peromyscus; Peromyscus gossypinus; Rodentia
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PUB11138