dc.description.abstract | Thomson's gazelle and the related species
have been described. Three areas consisting of the
Loroghi and Kapiti plains and Elmenteita were
chosen to represent the habitat of this species in
Kenya. The first two areas were overgrazed by
domestic livestock while Elmenteita was selected
to demonstrate the feeding behaviour of thomsonii
in the absence of overstocking and deteriorating
range conditions. The vegetation of the study
areas was described.
It was observed that in the wet season
Thomson's gazelle was a pure grazer, preferring
only grass leaf. During this period the selectivity
of diet was minimal, the variance ratio was 98 +
1.73 S.D.
However, in the dry season the available
pasture herbage and dicotyledon forbs became scarce
and the animals had to spend more time picking bits
here and there. Consequently, the variance ratio
increased to 58 ± 19 S.D. The grass components
consumed included,sheath (2,0%) and stem (15%) and
a little fraction of leaf (3%).
Statistical analysis revealed that protein
digestibility is related to faecal N in the organic
matter (OM). The average percentage of organic
matter digestibility of the forage and the nitrogen
content in the faeces of thomsonii revealed a
general decline in the dry season. Thus, the
regression coefficient could be used to determine
approximately the digestibility of the forage.
Two animals, a male and a female Thomsonts
gazelle, were fixed with formalin in the standing
position and dissected in order to show the topographical
situation of the stomach. This was
necessary in describing the parts and their
function.
Finally, the histology of the rumen epithelium
was investigated and any structural variation
exterpolated in terms of the season. It was observed
that there were changes in the micropapillary
body which could be related to either dry or wet
season. Generally in the dry season the micropapillary
body was poorly developed at the same time
when the papillae regressed. The wet season showed
long and broad papillae with a thick or high epithelium
and little keratinization. | en |