SEASONAL COMPOSITION AND QUALITY OF RED DEER CERVUS-ELAPHUS DIETS IN NORTHEASTERN CHINA

Seasonal composition and quality of diets of red deer Cervus elaphus L innaeus, 1758 were investigated, basing on microhistological analysis of composite fecal samples in the Less Xingan Mountains, northeastern China. Red deer consumed more graminoids (46%) in spring, shifted to f orbs (45%) in summer, and returned to graminoids (35%) in autumn. Avai lability and high quality [high level of crude protein (CP), and low l evel of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) i n forbs in summer] appeared to be two key factors causing these change s in diets. Winter diets were dominated by browses (74%) and the horse tails Equisetum hiemale (21%). Three forbs (Oxalix corniculata, Caltha palustris, Agrimonia pilosa) were prevalent in diets during snow-free seasons, and aspen (Populus spp.) was an important browse species in all seasons, especially in winter (32%). Forage and diet quality chang ed seasonally. Dietary CP and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD ) declined significantly from spring to winter (from 19.6 to 6.4% and from 61.1 to 32.9%, respectively). In contrast, dietary NDF and ADF in creased from 55.6 to 69.9% and from 27.9 to 54.3%, respectively. Red d eer diets showed different patterns of seasonal variation in mineral c ontents. In most cases, dietary Ca, P and K were adequate, but Na appe ared deficient all the year round. It is concluded that red deer in th is region are typical mixed feeders and their diet shows seasonal chan ges in quality, similar to those of North American wapiti. Although re d deer may have enough protein in most seasons, energy might be a key limiting factor in severe winters.