Composição bromatológica de alimentos ofertados para Peixes-Bois-Marinhos (Trichechus manatus manatus) no litoral leste cearense

Abstract

Providing an adequate diet is essential for the success of wild animal rehabilitation, however the requirements for most species are unknown, so knowing the ecology and food composition of animals in the wild can help to understand nutrition, health and nutritional management in captivity. Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) is the main feed of Antilean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) found on the east coast of Ceará, however animals kept in rehabilitation are fed with cabbage, chard, lettuce, elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), red alga of the genus Gracilaria sp. dehydrated, beet and banana and oat biscuits. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the composition of the diet offered at the Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Center (CRMM) for fourteen Antileans manatees distributed in three tanks and the shoal grass found on the east coast of Ceará. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (PB), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), ether extract (EE), mineral matter (MM), crude energy (EB), total carbohydrates (CHOT) and non-fibrous carbohydrates were analyzed (CNF). The results showed a higher concentration of NDF, MM and MS in shoal grass and higher values of PB, CHOT, CNF and EB in the diet offered in captivity. The differences found in the concentration of NDF, CHOT and CNF between shoal grass and the CRMM diet can change the microbial population existing in the cecum and colon of these animals and, subsequently, the concentration of lactate and volatile fatty acids, facilitating the appearance of metabolic disorders for animals kept in captivity and possibly affecting the food adaptation of animals that will be reintroduced into the natural environment.