DISTRIBUTION OF NUTRIENTS AND MINERALS IN THE ALIMENTARY-TRACT OF MUSKOXEN, OVIBOS-MOSCHATUS

1. Distribution of nutrients in the alimentary tract of muskoxen, Ovibos moschatus. 2. In muskoxen shot on high Arctic ranges in northeast Greenland the alimentary tract was developed in accordance with that of a typical "grazer" or "roughage feeder". 3. Typical features were a large omasum and a small caecum. 4. The rumen-reticulum was a dominating nutrient pool containing 34-78% of total alimentary contents. 5. In the summer most nutrient concentration in the rumen were lower than in winter, indicating increased demands for extra supplements of e.g. Na in the summer. 6. Although the caecal-colon complex is relatively small it plays an important role in scavenging the digesta for important nutrients.