Analysis of Wildlife Geophagic Termitaria in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46325/afj.v9i2.198Keywords:
Clay, Detoxification, Diet, SupplementAbstract
There have been several debates on the cause of geophagy (deliberate consumption of soil) for wildlife but yet to be fully understood. This study compared physico-chemical properties of geophagic termitaria (GT) with that of non-geophagic soil (NS = Control) in Old Oyo National Park (OONP). Standard procedures were used to analyze the soils for texture, colour, pH, electrical conductivity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, available phosphorus, copper, zinc, manganese, iron, exchangeable acid and cation exchange capacity. The means of each parameter were statistically analyzed and compared between GTs and NSs using one-way ANOVA and Turkey test at p < 0.05. The textures of soils were majorly loamy sand with brown colour. Of other tested parameters, only magnesium [(cmol kg-1): 2.31±0.80 (F1, 22 = 5.66; p = 0.026)], available phosphorus [(mg kg-1): 14.09±5.46 (F1, 22 = 9.25; p = 0.006)] and clay contents [(%): 12.93±7.43, F1, 22 = 12.41; p = 0.002] were significantly elevated in the GT over NS. Wildlife in OONP may consume GT to supplement magnesium and available phosphorus; and clay content to detoxify toxins in their diets.
Keywords : Clay, Detoxification, Diet, Supplement.
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