Diet selection in captivity by a generalist herbivorous rodent (Octodon degus) from the Chilean coastal desert

Five captive adult female degus (Octodon degus) were offered leaves and twigs to eat from three woody (Adesmia bedwellii,Porlieria chilensisandProustia pungens) and two suffruticose (Baccharis paniculataandChenopodium petiolase) shrubs that provide cover in their natural habitat. The degus discriminated among the plant species, consuming lower amounts ofP. chilensis. Daily body mass losses of degus were significantly higher when they were fed uponP. pungensandP. chilensis. The nutritional value of plants, concomitant with degu nutritional requirements, may explain changes in shrub cover previously found to follow removal of degus from experimental plots.