Foraging differences in cattle: fecal analysis of three racial categories in a harsh environment

Feces from three racial categories of cattle being raised together in degraded, desertic-thorn forest environment in northwestern Mexico were compared for plant epidermal cell content. There were statistically significant group differences for approximately one-third of the plant material found in the feces. The proportional fecal differences between racial categories were similar to those found previously for B-system blood types. The feces of Bos taurus-like cattle contained a greater variety of plants than did those of B indicus-like animals. The findings have implications for studies of behavioral evolution, the effects of cattle on ecology, and cattle husbandry.