Fig 1.
Comparison of stomach pH (mean ± S.E.) across trophic groups with gastrointestinal tracts of representative birds and mammals.
Different letters above error bars represent statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) using ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test. Obligate scavengers (1.3 ± 0.08), facultative scavengers (1.8 ± 0.27), generalist carnivore (2.2 ± 0.44), omnivore (2.9 ± 0.33), specialist carnivore (3.6 ± 0.51), hindgut herbivore (4.1 ± 0.38) and foregut herbivore (6.1 ± 0.31).
Table 1.
Stomach pH data included in empirical analysis.
Taxonomic class, order, species’ common and scientific names, trophic groups, stomach pH and reference(s). Fermentation strategy and specialized diets are indicated within trophic group category.