「普通」の生態系での植物食動物のナトリウム獲得戦略

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We evaluated (1) sodium availability in the forests, (2) sodium content of foods of wild herbivorous animals and (3) aldosterone (a hormone which enhances reabsorption of sodium from urine) level of wild and captive herbivorous animals. Sodium content of live leaves was higher in Yakushima highland and lowland (distance from the seas: 100 m~7 km) than in mainland forests (>20 km). Some foods eaten by herbivorous animals contained more sodium than others. Captive animals and wild herbivorous animals habitually contacting with sea water showed higher concentration of fecal aldosterone than other wild populations.