Publications by authors named "Maura R Plocek"
Article Synopsis
- - This study examines the diets of zoo-housed colobus monkeys and langurs in AZA institutions, highlighting the dietary diversity and nutritional content across 34 surveyed zoos.
- - A total of 95 food items and 229 types of browse were recorded, with leafy greens being the only item consistently offered, while other food categories showed significant variability.
- - The research reveals that while there are no major dietary differences between the two species, there is considerable inconsistency in how browse is provided and valued among the institutions, suggesting a need for future studies on the impact of diet on animal health and welfare.
Spatiotemporal walking gait kinematics of semi-arboreal red pandas (Ailurus fulgens).
J Exp Zool A Ecol Integr Physiol
October 2023
Semi-arboreal mammals must routinely cope with the differing biomechanical challenges of terrestrial versus arboreal locomotion; however, it is not clear to what extent semi-arboreal mammals adjust footfall patterns when moving on different substrates. We opportunistically filmed quadrupedal locomotion (n = 132 walking strides) of semi-arboreal red pandas (Ailurus fulgens; n = 3) housed at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and examined the effects of substrate type on spatiotemporal gait kinematic variables using linear mixed models. We further investigated the effects of substrate diameter and orientation on arboreal gait kinematics.
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