Frugivory in Treeshrews (Tupaia)

Four species of treeshrews (Tupaia spp.) studied in the field in Sabah, Malaysia, show intense frugivory concentrated on small, soft, bird-dispersed fruits. Observations of a wild individual and captives of two species show that treeshrews reject indigestible fibers and other parts of fruits before swallowing the pulp. Transit times of fruit through the gut are rapid and body-size dependent, with mean times to first defecation of marker dye of 20 min (range, 13-29 min) for Tupaia minor (≈60 g mass), and 57 min (range, 38-73 min) for Tupaia tana (220 g mass). The intestine of Tupaia species consists of a long small intestine, rudimentary or no cecum, and a greatly reduced, narrow, smooth colon. The fruit-processing method, rapid food transit time, and gut morphology of treeshrews resemble those of frugivorous bats but are unlike those of small primates.