We hypothesized that increased feeding frequency in captive @entity16341 would increase nutrient loads and thus reduce retention time and the digestive efficiency of natural prey. We measured daily feed intake and excretion during 6 feeding trials and fed herring (49% lipid), @entity25512 (22% lipid) or an equal mix of each diet over 24 months. Animals were accustomed to feeding at either high or low frequency. Body mass and intake did not vary with season. Although mean retention times were similar between diets and feeding frequencies, solute and particulate digesta markers separated at high feeding frequency. Consistent dry matter digestibility resulted in greater gut fill from @entity25512 than from herring. Digestible energy intakes from @entity25512 were approximately 25% greater than from either herring or the mixed diet. Lipid digestibility of herring declined from 90% to 50% when lipid intake exceeded 60 g kg(-0.75) day(-1). Our hypothesis of a trade-off between intake and digestion was not supported for protein but was supported for lipid. Results of this study imply that a flexible digestive system for @entity16341 can compensate for ingesting prey of lower energy density by increasing gut fill and enhancing protein and lipid assimilation, to sustain digestible energy intake.

Digestive constraints on an aquatic carnivore: effects of feeding frequency and prey composition on XXXX .

@entity16341 :: ('9720', 'Species') :: ['harbor seals'] @entity25512 :: ('8060', 'Species') :: ['pollock']
@entity16341 :: (9720,Species) :: ['harbor seals']
