Estimation of the Digestibility of Diets of Small Mammals in Natural Habitats

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Abstract
Two methods for determining the digestibility of the diets of pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) in natural habitats were evaluated. Digestion coefficients for 24 diets estimated by the lignin tracer technique were compared to the actual digestibilities as determined by the total collection method. The lignin tracer technique underestimated the actual diet digestibilities and was unreliable for use with pine voles. Regression equations developed from a Van Soest chemical analysis of stomach contents of pine voles fed the same 24 diets provided reliable estimates of digestible dry matter (DDM) and digestible energy (DE) in the diets of voles. The DDM and DE estimates of the 3 wild pine vole populations as determined by chemical analyses and prediction equations were comparable to reported digestibility values of grasses and forbs for various microtines.

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