Comparative rumen and fecal diet microhistological determinations of European mouflon

The population of European mouflon (Ovis musimon Pallas) established on an island of the sub-Antarctic Kerguelen archipelago is characterized by a dem ographic cycle. Every 2-5 years, there is a massive winter mortality due to food shortage. A good knowledge of food resources utilization appeared ess ential to understand the population growth dynamics. We investigated the va lidity of the microhistological analysis of feces by a comparative analysis of 30 paired rumen and fecal samples collected in winter. Sixteen and 17 f ood items were identified respectively in rumen and fecal samples. Most fra gments could be accurately determined because plant diversity was low. Both methods gave similar results Though quantitative differences appeared betw een methods for some items, the same 4 major food constituents were identif ied in relatively close proportions in both rumen and fecal samples. There is a risk of slight overestimation of annual meadow-grass (Poa annua L,) an d mosses in feces, and of Azorella selago Hook, f. in the rumen.