2003/01/01 by Marcia Chame, Márcia Chame · 3 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Bat Biology and Ecology Studies #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
paper · pdf · doi:10.1590/s0074-02762003000900014
openalex publication_date 2003/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
The study of feces of terrestrial mammals brings out biological and ecological data such as the species presence, diet, behaviour, territory, parasitic fauna, and home-range use, which can be applied for conservation projects and support paleoecological research that use coprolites as the main source of study. Although the new biotechnological techniques allow more accurate data, the diagnosis based on morphometric analyses permits the primary identification of the taxonomic group origin to support the best choice of subsequent analyses. We present the compilation list of fecal shape and measurements available in the literature published in North America, Eastern and Southern Africa, Europe, and new data from Brazil. Shape and diameters are the best characteristics for taxonomic identification. Feces were assembled in 9 groups that reflect the Order, sometimes the Family, and even their common origin.