Abstract
Twigs from five ponderosa pine trees (Pinus ponderosa) used by Abert squirrels (Sciurus aberti) as feed trees and five nonfeed trees were collected every 45 days and their monoterpenoid and nutrient content determined. Thet tests (unpaired observations) detected no significant difference in the level of monoterpenoids in the outer bark of feed (0.77%) and nonfeed (0.75%) trees. The same was true for inner bark of feed (0.10%) and nonfeed (0.16%) trees. Monoterpenoid levels in outer bark (0.75%) were significantly higher than inner bark (0.13%). The inner bark is what is eaten by Abert squirrels. Protein and other nutrients did not differ significantly between feed and nonfeed trees. However, both outer and inner bark were easier to remove from the woody portion of the feed tree twigs than those twigs collected from nonfeed trees. Therefore, due to the lack of differences in monoterpenoid and nutrient content between feed and nonfeed trees, we attributed the use of certain trees for use as feed trees to the ease of peeling and separating outer from inner bark.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Association of Official Analytical Chemists. 1980. Official methods of analysis. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, D.C.
Bierl, J.G., Stoewand, G.S., Biggs, G.M., Phillips, R.W., Woodward, J.C., andKnapka, J.J. 1977. Report of the American Institute ad hoc committee on standards for nutritional studies.J. Nutr. 107:1340–1348.
Connolly, G.E., Ellison, B.O., Fleming, J.W., Geng, S., Kepner, R.E., Longhurst, W.M., Oh, J.H., andRussell, G.F. 1980. Deer browsing of Douglas-fir trees in relation to volatile terpene composition and in vitro fermentability.For. Sci. 26:179–193.
Coughlin, L.E. 1938. The case against the tuft-eared squirrel.USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mt. Reg. Bull. 21(4):10–12.
Da Silveira, A.J., Teles, F.F., andStuff, J.W. 1978. A rapid technique for total nonstructural carbohydrate determination of plant tissue.J. Agric. Food Chem. 26:770–772.
Farentinos, R.C., Capretta, R.J., Kepner, R.E., andLittlefield, V.M. 1981. Selective herbivory in tassel-eared squirrels: Role of monoterpenes in ponderosa pines chosen as feeding trees.Science 231:1273–1275.
Hall, J.G. 1981. A field study of the Kaibab squirrel in Grand Canyon National Park.Wildl Monogr. 75.
Patton, D.R., andGreen, W. 1970. Abert's squirrels prefer mature ponderosa pine. USDA For. Serv. Res. Note RM-169, Rocky Mtn. For. and Range Exp. Stn., Fort Collins, Colorado.
Pederson, J.C.,Hasenyager, R.N., andHeggen, A.W. 1976. Habitat requirements of the Abert squirrel (Sciurus aberti navajo) on the Monticello district, Manti-LaSal National Forest of Utah. Utah Div. Wildl. Resourc. Publ. No. 76-9.
Radwan, M.A., andCrouch, G.L. 1978. Selected chemical constituents and deer browsing preference of Douglas-fir.J. Chem. Ecol. 4:675–683.
Remington, T.E. 1983. Food selection, nutrition, and energy reserves of sage grouse during winter: North Park, Colorado. MS thesis. Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 89 pp.
Scholl, J.P., Kelsey, R.G., andShafizadeh, F. 1977. Involvement of volatile compounds ofArtemisia in browse preference by mule deer.Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 5:291–295.
Schwartz, C.C., Regelin, W.L., andNagy, J.G. 1980. Deer preference for juniper forage and volatile oil treated foods.J. Wildl. Manage. 44:114–120.
Sheehy, D.P., andWinward, A.M. 1981. Relative palatability of sevenArtemisia taxa to mule deer and sheep.J. Range Manage. 34:397–399.
Stephenson, R.L. 1975. Reproductive biology and food habits of Abert's squirrels in central Arizona. MS thesis. Arizona State University, Tempe.
Stephenson, R.L., andBrown, D.E. 1980. Snow cover as a factor influencing mortality of Abert's squirrels.J. Wildl. Manage. 44:951–955.
Welch, B.L. 1983. Improving the nutritive value of winter range forage,in S.B. Monsen and N. Shaw (compilers). Managing Intermountain Rangelands—Improvement of Range and Wildlife Habitats. USDA/FS, INT. Gen. Tech. Rep INT-157.
Welch, B.L., andMcArthur, E.D. 1981. Variation of monoterpenoid content among subspecies and accessions ofArtemisia tridentata grown in a uniform garden.J. Range Manage. 34:380–384.
Welch, B.L., McArthur, E.D., andDavis, J.N. 1983. Mule deer preference and monoterpenoids (essential oils).J. Range Manage. 36:485–487.
White, S.M., Flinders, J.T., andWelch, B.L. 1982. Preference of pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) for various populations of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata).J. Range Manage. 35:724–726.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Located at Shrub Sciences Laboratory, 735 North 500 East, Provo,Utah 84601.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pederson, J.C., Welch, B.L. Comparison of ponderosa pines as feed and nonfeed trees for abert squirrels. J Chem Ecol 11, 149–157 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988197
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988197