Skip to main content

Which Diets Are the Most Similar?

Complete the table below using the Sorenson’s index formula. Two of the calculations have already been done for you. Refer to the plant species tables to complete the other calculations. Use the links below to switch the plant species tables by animal pair.

Sorenson’s index values for pairs of herbivores
Grevy's zebra Cape Buffalo Impala Dik-dik
Grevy's zebra
Cape Buffalo .42
Impala
Calculation Error
.37
Dik-dik
Calculation Error
Calculation Error
Calculation Error

Sorenson's index formula 2 × number (no.) of shared plant species 2 × no. of shared species + no. species for animal 1 only + no. species for animal 2 only

Plant species found in dung samples from Grevy's Zebra and Cape Buffalo. (Table scrolls horizontally) Show Venn diagram
Animal Plant Species
Grevy's Zebra Only Aristida congesta, grass Crassulaceae (family), browse Lintonia nutans, grass Eragrostis sp., grass Digitaria velutina, grass Chloris virgata, grass Eragrostis racemosa, grass
Cape Buffalo Only Garnotia (genus), grass Echinochloa pyramidalis, grass Leersia hexandra, grass Pennisetum sp., grass Acacia drepanolobium, browse Malva parviflora, browse Abutilon mauritianum, browse
Grevy's Zebra and Cape Buffalo Themeda triandra, grass Aristida kenyensis, grass Eragrostis superba, grass Panicum maximum, grass Setaria sphacelata, grass