Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1978

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Abstract

Pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) in northwestern South Dakota consumed at least 32 different plants species. Major forage plants were big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate), silver sage (A. cana), yellow sweet clover (Meliotus officinalis), gold aster (Chrysopsis villosa), and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis). Cultivated small grain crops were not a major food source of pronghorn. Differences in diet composition, plant groups, plant groups and time of use and plant group, area, month interaction were significant. Average in vitro digestion of 31 food plants was 51 percent. Mean digestion of grasses was 57 percent, forbs 42 percent, and shrubs 55 percent. Yearling male pronghorn needed 85.91 g/kg water and 123.17 kcal/kg to maintain themselves for one day.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Pronghorn -- Food
Antelope -- South Dakota -- Harding County -- Food

Description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 40-43)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

60

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/

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