Feeding selection by Timor deer (Cervus timorensis Blainville) in relation to chemical and physical properties of the forage plants at Bali Barat National Park

This study was conducted to determine the relationship feeding selection of timor deer (Cervus timorensis) by a factor of the chemical and physical properties of forage available in the habitat. Composition of plants in habitat analyzed with quadrat method and composition of the plant in the deer diet using microhistological analysis of feacal sample. Forage species selection were assessed using a ivlev's index of electivity. Chemical properties analyzed were crude protein with Semi-micro Kjeldahl technique; gross energy content (GE) with a bomb calorimeter technique; ADF fibers with Goering and Van Soest method; mineral content of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) by using the technique of Atomic Absobs Spectrophotometer; and tannin content was analyzed by folin denish reaction. The physical properties of food plants tested were water regain capacity and water solubility. Relationship between selection with chemical and physical properties of forage were determined by multiple regression statistical test. The results showed that feeding selection of timor deer are influenced by the chemical (content of CP, GE, ADF) and physical properties (water regain capacity and water solubility) of forage plants species. Feeding selection index increases with an increase in protein content, calcium content, the value of water regain capacity and water solubility of forage species. The content of CP and tannins, water regain capacity and water solubility of forage species can be a predictor variables to predict the feeding selection of forage species by timor deer in the habitat, with the regression model are as follows: Y = -2.31 + 0.14X1 + 0.04X2 + 1.99X3 -0.12X4 (Y= selection index; X1 = content of CP; X2 = water regain capacity; X3 = water solubility; and X4 = content of tannin; R2 = 0.706; P <0.05). Keywords: Timor deer, feeding selection, chemical properties, physical properties.