Nature ecology & evolutionHerbivoryAnimalsSodiumAfrica South of the SaharaFeces
Sodium constraints on megaherbivore communities in Africa.
Andrew J Abraham, Gareth P Hempson, Elizabeth le Roux, Celesté Maré, Lyla L Taylor, Andrea B Webster, Ethan S Duvall, Tomos Prys-Jones, John Coppock, Chase Ridenour, Pieter de Jager, David Augustine, Colin A Chapman, Peter J Fashing, Michael B J Harfoot
Published: 202610.1038/s41559-025-02917-y
Abstract
Sodium (Na) is an essential nutrient for animals, but not for most plants. Consequently, herbivores may confront a mismatch between forage availability and metabolic requirement. Recent work suggests that larger-bodied mammals may be particularly sus…
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