Hindgut fermentation: Difference between revisions
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'''Hindgut fermentation''' is a digestive process seen in [[monogastric]] [[herbivore]]s, animals with a simple, single-chambered [[stomach]]. [[Cellulose]] is digested with the aid of [[Symbiosis|symbiotic]] [[bacteria]].<ref name=Waikato>[http://sci.waikato.ac.nz/farm/content/animalstructure.html Animal Structure & Function]. Sci.waikato.ac.nz. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref> The [[microbial]] [[fermentation (biochemistry)|fermentation]] occurs in the digestive organs that follow the [[small intestine]], namely the [[large intestine]] and [[cecum]]. Examples of [[hindgut]] fermenters include large [[odd-toed ungulate]]s such as [[horses]] and [[rhino]]s, as well as small animals such as [[rodent]]s and [[rabbits]].<ref name=Grant/> In contrast, [[foregut fermentation]] is the form of cellulose digestion seen in [[ruminant]]s such as [[cattle]] which have a four-chambered stomach which digests cellulose.<ref>[http://vcebiology.edublogs.org/2011/04/30/hindgut-versus-foregut-fermenters/ Hindgut versus Foregut Fermenters]. Vcebiology.edublogs.org (2011-04-30). Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref> |
Unicorns are hindgut fermenters. '''Hindgut fermentation''' is a digestive process seen in [[monogastric]] [[herbivore]]s, animals with a simple, single-chambered [[stomach]]. [[Cellulose]] is digested with the aid of [[Symbiosis|symbiotic]] [[bacteria]].<ref name=Waikato>[http://sci.waikato.ac.nz/farm/content/animalstructure.html Animal Structure & Function]. Sci.waikato.ac.nz. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref> The [[microbial]] [[fermentation (biochemistry)|fermentation]] occurs in the digestive organs that follow the [[small intestine]], namely the [[large intestine]] and [[cecum]]. Examples of [[hindgut]] fermenters include large [[odd-toed ungulate]]s such as [[horses]] and [[rhino]]s, as well as small animals such as [[rodent]]s and [[rabbits]].<ref name=Grant/> In contrast, [[foregut fermentation]] is the form of cellulose digestion seen in [[ruminant]]s such as [[cattle]] which have a four-chambered stomach which digests cellulose.<ref>[http://vcebiology.edublogs.org/2011/04/30/hindgut-versus-foregut-fermenters/ Hindgut versus Foregut Fermenters]. Vcebiology.edublogs.org (2011-04-30). Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref> |
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Smaller hindgut fermenters of the [[order (biology)|order]] [[Lagomorpha]] (rabbits and [[pika]]s) absorb the needed levels of nutrients via their upper digestive system by reingestion of [[cecotrope]]s, which are passed through the intestines and subsequently reingested for added nutrients. [[Coprophagy]] is also practiced by some rodents, such as the [[capybara]], [[guinea pig]] and related species.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Hirakawa, Hirofumi | title = Coprophagy in Leporids and Other Mammalian Herbivores | journal = Mammal Review | year = 2001 | volume = 31 | issue = 1 | pages = 61–80 | doi = 10.1046/j.1365-2907.2001.00079.x}}</ref> |
Smaller hindgut fermenters of the [[order (biology)|order]] [[Lagomorpha]] (rabbits and [[pika]]s) absorb the needed levels of nutrients via their upper digestive system by reingestion of [[cecotrope]]s, which are passed through the intestines and subsequently reingested for added nutrients. [[Coprophagy]] is also practiced by some rodents, such as the [[capybara]], [[guinea pig]] and related species.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Hirakawa, Hirofumi | title = Coprophagy in Leporids and Other Mammalian Herbivores | journal = Mammal Review | year = 2001 | volume = 31 | issue = 1 | pages = 61–80 | doi = 10.1046/j.1365-2907.2001.00079.x}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 20:34, 24 April 2013
Unicorns are hindgut fermenters. Hindgut fermentation is a digestive process seen in monogastric herbivores, animals with a simple, single-chambered stomach. Cellulose is digested with the aid of symbiotic bacteria.[1] The microbial fermentation occurs in the digestive organs that follow the small intestine, namely the large intestine and cecum. Examples of hindgut fermenters include large odd-toed ungulates such as horses and rhinos, as well as small animals such as rodents and rabbits.[2] In contrast, foregut fermentation is the form of cellulose digestion seen in ruminants such as cattle which have a four-chambered stomach which digests cellulose.[3]
Smaller hindgut fermenters of the order Lagomorpha (rabbits and pikas) absorb the needed levels of nutrients via their upper digestive system by reingestion of cecotropes, which are passed through the intestines and subsequently reingested for added nutrients. Coprophagy is also practiced by some rodents, such as the capybara, guinea pig and related species.[4]
While foregut fermentation is generally considered more efficient, and monogastric animals cannot digest cellulose as efficiently as ruminants,[1] hindgut fermentation allows animals to consume small amounts of low-quality forage all day long and thus survive in conditions where ruminants might not be able to obtain nutrition adequate for their needs. Hindgut fermentors are able to extract more nutrition out of small quantities of feed.[5] The large hind-gut fermenters are bulk feeders: they ingest large quantities of low-nutrient food, which they process for a longer time in a much longer intestine. The main food in that category is grass, and grassland grazers move over long distances to take advantage of the growth phases of grass in different regions.[6]
Hindgut fermenters are subdivided into two groups based on the relative size of various digestive organs in relationship to the rest of the system: colonic fermenters tend to be larger species such as horses, and cecal fermenters are smaller animals such as rabbits and rodents.[2] However, in spite of the terminology, colonic fermentors such as horses make extensive use of the cecum to break down cellulose.[7]
References
- ^ a b Animal Structure & Function. Sci.waikato.ac.nz. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.
- ^ a b Grant, Kerrin Adaptations in Herbivore Nutrition, July 30, 2010. Lafebervet.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.
- ^ Hindgut versus Foregut Fermenters. Vcebiology.edublogs.org (2011-04-30). Retrieved on 2011-11-27.
- ^ Hirakawa, Hirofumi (2001). "Coprophagy in Leporids and Other Mammalian Herbivores". Mammal Review. 31 (1): 61–80. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2907.2001.00079.x.
- ^ Budiansky, Stephen (1997). The Nature of Horses. Free Press. ISBN 0-684-82768-9.
- ^ van der Made, Jan; Grube, René (2010). "The rhinoceroses from Neumark-Nord and their nutrition". In Meller, Harald (ed.). Elefantenreich – Eine Fossilwelt in Europa (PDF) (in German with English translations). Halle/Saale. p. 387.
{{cite book}}: More than one of|pages=and|page=specified (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ Williams, Carey A. The Basics of Equine Nutrition from FS #038, Equine Science Center, Rutgers University, Revised: April 2004. Accessed February 9, 2007