New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts

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Diet and diet preferences of introduced ungulates (Order: Artiodactyla) in New Zealand

D. M. Forsyth*
D. A. Coomes†
G. Nugent
G. M. J. Hall

Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln 8152, New Zealand
*Present address: Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, P.O. Box 137, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia. Email: Dave.Forsyth@nre.vic.gov.au
†Present address: Department of Plant Sciences, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom.

Abstract   Understanding the diet and diet preferences of introduced ungulates is a crucial step towards modelling their trophic interactions and managing their impacts. We collated information on the diet of 8 introduced ungulates (Order: Artiodactyla) from 19 studies in New Zealand. A total of 185 indigenous plant genera (379 species) was recorded as eaten. Five studies assessed diet choice by 4 ungulate species (red deer, fallow deer, white-tailed deer, and feral goats) in forests. Of the 60 plant species or genera present in two or more studies, 8 were always “preferred” (eaten more than expected from their availability) and 15 were always “avoided” (proportionately less eaten than was available); most others were “not selected” (eaten in proportion to their availability). From these data we constructed a table of preferences for commonly occurring forest plant species. Ungulates preferred woody species with low foliar lignin. Although there was no significant relationship between diet choice and foliar N, avoided species all had low foliar N. Ungulate preferences for fern species were closely related to foliar P concentrations, but not to foliar N concentrations. Since relatively few plant species were consistently preferred, we conclude that many native species have neutral resistance to ungulate herbivory, a conclusion that is contrary to the notion that the New Zealand flora is especially vulnerable to introduced herbivores.

Keywords   Cervidae; fallow deer; diet selection; feral goats; herbivory; red deer; rumen studies; ungulates; white-tailed deer

Z02010 Received 3 April 2002; accepted 1 August 2002; published 27 November 2002
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2002, Vol. 29: 323-343
0301-4223/02/2904-0323 $7.00/0 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2002

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