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Rumen and fecal samples were collected simultaneously from mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (0. virginianus) in southeastern Arizona. Rumen samples were analyzed volumetrically and fecal samples microscopically to compare results obtained by the two techniques. Comparisons of the data acquired by these techniques show that results from microscopic fecal analysis are quite similar to those from volumetric rumen analysis. Fecal analysis appears to be a useful technique for studying deer diets in the arid Southwest. The utility of this technique for other areas and species is discussed as are sampling rates and suggestions for successful use of fecal analysis. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 38(3):535-540 The most commonly used procedure for studying food preferences of ungulates has been rumen analysis by volumetric (Dirschl 1962, Martinka 1968) or point analysis (Chamrad and Box 1964) methods. These methods of rumen analysis have been compared and evaluated on the basis of accuracy and time requirements by Robel and Watt (1970). When rumen samples must be collected from secretive and/or endangered species of ungulates, rumen analysis is not always a feasible technique. Consequently, biologists have often analyzed fecal samples microscopically for the remains of identifiable plant cuticles. Since every plant species has unique cuticle characteristics, and most plant cuticles are not digested in ruminant digestive processes, forage plants can be identified microscopically in fecal samples of grazing or browsing herbivores (Stewart 1965, 1967; Stewart and Stewart 1970; Adams 1957; Hercus 1960; Martin 1955). This technique has been used to study food habits of cottontail rabbits (Dusi 1949), waterbuck in Africa (Kiley 1966), pocket gophers (Myers and Vaughn 1964), many African game species (Stewart 1967, Stewart and Stewart 1970), and deer (Zyznar and Urness 1969). While using fecal analysis one must assume that the epidermis of each plant species survives digestion sufficiently to be identifiable in the feces (Stewart 1970). The validity of this assumption is questionable, and results from fecal analysis have not been compared with those of other techniques. The purpose of this research was to compare the results from rumen and fecal analysis when these samples are secured from individual deer simultaneously. Our results provide information on the usefulness of fecal analysis for studying deer diets in the Southwest. METHODS AND MATERIALS Simultaneous collections of rumen and fecal samples were obtained from 13 mule deer killed by hunters in the Dos Cabezas Mountains and from 9 white-tailed deer by special collections in the Santa Rita Mountains, southeastern Arizona. Samples from male mule deer were acquired in November during the 1970 and 1971 regular hunting seasons, and samples from female whitetailed deer were taken during the summer of 1970. Rumen samples were washed and preserved in a 10 percent formalin solution, 1 Present address: School of Forest Resources, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802. J. Wildl. Manage. 38 (3):1974 535 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.92 on Tue, 21 Jun 2016 05:28:25 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 536 RUMEN AND FECAL ANALYSIS Anthony and Smith and fecal samples were preserved in formal acetic acid (85 parts-70 percent alcohol, 10 parts-40 percent formaldehyde, and 5 parts-glacial acetic acid) until they could be analyzed.

The difference between the mean standard metabolic rates of Microtus longicaudus acclimated to 15°C (2.62 cubic centimeters 02 per gram-hour) and those acclimatized at natural temperatures averaging 11°C (2.67 cc 02/g-hr) is not statistically significant. These values are 60 to 70 per cent higher than predictions based on body weight. The relationship of oxygen consumption to ambient temperature (0 to 40°C) was determined for voles in and out of their nests. The zone of thermoneutrality while in the nest (20 to 30°C) was 5° wider than when not in the nest (25 to 30°C). The relationship of oxygen consumption to ambient temperature below thermoneutrality was linear, described by the equation Y = 5.54 − .146 X (in the nest) and Y = 7.26 − .181 X (out of the nest). Above thermoneutrality, the relationship becomes curvilinear and is described by the equation log Y =.455 − .017 X . Visual observations at temperatures above thermoneutrality revealed no special behavioral patterns for thermoregulation. Body temperature of M . longicaudus was independent of ambient temperature between 5° and 25°C, averaging 37.4°C.

can highland birds. Publ. Nuttall Ornithol. Club, No. 7. SLUD, P. 1965. Report on the ornithological portion of the 1964-65 WNRE ecological investigation in Costa Rica. Advanced Research Projects Agency. Order No. 578. Wilson, Nuttall, and Raymond, Engineers. Chestertown, Md. 126 p. VUILLEUMIER, F. 1969. Systematics and evolution in Diglossa (Aves, Coerebidae). Amer. Mus. Novitates, No. 2381. WAGNER, H. 0. 1945. Notes on the life history of the Mexican Violet-ear. Wilson Bull. 57:165-187. WILBUR, R. L. 1969. A new Costa Rican species of Centropogon (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae). Brittonia 21:355-358.