Microscopic Analysis of Faeces, a Technique for Ascertaining the Diet of Herbivorous , Mammals

Abstract

A technique is described that is being used in diet studies in kangaroos and wallabies. It is based on the identification of the epidermis of leaves and stems of plants recovered in faeces. Data obtained with it are qualitative and quantitative because (1) there is little or no digestion of epidermis that is encased in cutin, (2) epi. dermis is usually identifiable to species under low·power miscroscope, and (3) there is a determinable relation in each species of plant between the surface area and dry weight of its ~oliage.