A conceptual framework is outlined for understanding the reasons why ungulates select the kinds of foods that they do. It consists of four morphological parameters: (1) body size and (2) type of digestive system (cecal or ruminant) determine the overall time-energy constraints within which the ungulate may forage selectively; (3) rumino-reticular volume to body weight ratio determines the type of food the ruminant is most efficient in processing; and (4) mouth size determines the ability of the ungulate to harvest selectively plant parts of individuals. Principal premises are the following: (1) large ungulates and cecal digestors are more limited by time than are small ungulates and ruminant digestors; (2) high rumino-reticular volume to body weight ratio is an adaptation to exploiting thick cell-walled, high cellulose diets (i.e., graminoids); and (3) low rumino-reticular volume to body weight ratio is an adaptation to exploiting thin but lignified cell-walled diets (i.e., browse). This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020
Scholarly peer-reviewed articles published by the Society for Range Management. Access articles on a rolling-window basis from vol. 1, 1948 up to 5 years from the current year. Formerly Journal of Range Management (JRM). More recent content is available by subscription from SRM.