Is food quality important for carnivores? The case of Puma concolor

2011 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuriana Gómez-Ortiz ◽  
Víctor Fajardo ◽  
Octavio Monroy-Vilchis ◽  
Germán D. Mendoza ◽  
Vicente Urios
Keyword(s):  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
Food Quality ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Dasypus Novemcinctus ◽  
Nasua Narica ◽  
Natural Reserve ◽  
Energetic Analysis ◽  
Number Of Individuals

AbstractThe composition and energetic content of puma (Puma concolor) diet in Sierra Nanchititla Natural Reserve (SNNR), Mexico, were determined. We collected 183 scats, where 27 components were identified by occurrence (88.07% mammals). The puma's diet was mainly composed of armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus, 40.33%), white-nosed coati (Nasua narica, 11.93%) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus, 6.17%). Energetic analysis of prey indicates that the puma prefers those with higher energetic content (kcal/kg). The prey with the most energetic contribution is armadillo (2398.70 kcal/kg), followed by white-nosed coati (2225.25 kcal/kg) and finally white-tailed deer (2165.52 kcal/kg). The differences in energetic content between prey species were statistically significant. The number of individuals killed/year on average to support a puma was 51 armadillos, 16 white-tailed deer and 7 white-nosed coatis. The results indicate a greater consumption of prey that provide more kilocalories to the predator, and suggests the importance of quality meat in the diet of pumas.

Activity pattern of puma (Puma concolor) and its main prey in central Mexico

2016 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leroy Soria-Díaz ◽  
Octavio Monroy-Vilchis ◽  
Zuleyma Zarco-González
Keyword(s):  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Dasypus Novemcinctus ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Main Prey ◽  
Nasua Narica

Predator–prey dynamics are primarily determined by the predator’s ability to hunt and the prey’s strategies to avoid it. This dynamic can be influenced by ecological, environmental or anthropogenic factors. We analyzed the activity pattern of puma (Puma concolor) and its main prey species, armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), coati (Nasua narica) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) by means of photographic records. The pattern of activity of the predator species is not distributed uniformly throughout the day. No dependence of the activity pattern of the species on the moon phase was found. In addition, a statistically significant relationship between the activity pattern of puma and its main prey (armadillo) was obtained.

scholarly journals MONITOREO DE LA FAUNA SILVESTRE EN BOSQUE TROPICAL SECO SECUNDARIO, NANDAROLA, NANDAIME, NICARAGUA

La Calera ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 24-32
Author(s):  
Miguel Garmendia-Zapata
Keyword(s):  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Procyon Lotor ◽  
Nasua Narica ◽  
Boa Constrictor ◽  
Felis Pardalis ◽  
Tayassu Tajacu ◽  
Ctenosaura Similis ◽  
Los Grupos ◽  
Thryothorus Pleurostictus

Los animales silvestres obtienen refugio, hábitat, alimento y agua de la cobertura que les ofrece la vegetación dentro del bosque. En los años 60s, la mayoría de las áreas boscosas de Nandarola fueron deforestadas y usadas en la producción agrícola de granos (frijoles, maíz, arroz) y áreas ganaderas. Los campos fueron recientemente abandonados y están siendo colonizados por un joven bosque secundario (González, 2005). La fauna silvestre también sufre procesos de colonización de las áreas abandonadas, de esta forma, es importante conocer que especies son las primeras en ser parte de esa colonización y evaluar los cambios en composición de las comunidades animales en el tiempo, principalmente porque muchos vegetales dependen de éstos para realizar procesos biológicos y ecológicos tan importantes como lo son la dispersión y la polinización. Hasta el momento se han realizados dos muestreos para el monitoreo de la fauna silvestre en un parche de bosque seco secundario de 3.5 ha en Nandarola, realizándose 17 visitas en el primero (año 2007) y 15 en el segundo (año 2009), distribuidas en ocho meses (octubre-mayo en cada muestreo). El área era agrícola y fue abandonado hace 17 años con fines de convertirlo en área forestal. Para la toma de datos se establecieron seis transectos de 20 x 100 m y seis puntos de conteo de 25 m de radio. Fueron contados e identificados todos los animales silvestres de los grupos mamíferos, aves, reptiles y anfibios mediante la técnica de avistamiento, para los cuales se calculó, se comparó la riqueza, abundancia, diversidad biológica y se describió la composición de especie, la preferencia de hábitat, los hábitos alimenticios y también se determinaron las especies de probable ocurrencia en el área de estudio. En promedio entre los dos muestreos fueron determinaron 113 individuos, agrupados en 35 especies, 34 géneros y 26 familias de fauna silvestre. De estas especies cuatro fueron mamíferos, 21 aves, siete reptiles y tres anfibios. Las familias más representadas según el número de especies fueron: Columbidae (3 especies) e Iguanidae (3). Las especies con mayor promedio de abundancia fueron: Campylorynchus rufinucha (22.5 individuos), Thryothorus pleurostictus (11.5), Calocitta formosa (10.5), Turdus grayi (8), Pachyrampuhus aglaiae (7), Eumomota supersiliosa (6.5) y Trogon melanocephalus (6). La abundancia y la riqueza no varió significativamente entre los muestreos, la diversidad fue mayor en el primero, debido al aumento de la dominancia específica (principalmente por Campylorynchus rufinucha) en el segundo muestreo. El grupo de los mamíferos, reptiles y anfibios fue poco representado en el área de estudio, pudiéndose deber a factores antropogénicos. El paisaje esta mayormente representado por especies de aves de hábitats abiertos y que se alimentan mayoritariamente de invertebrados y semillas. Por otro lado con una relación menos específica los mamíferos y reptiles fueron principalmente de hábitats generalistas y mayormente consumidores de frutas, hierbas y vertebrados. Entre las especies de probable ocurrencia en el área de estudio se determinaron: Bufo coccifer, Boa constrictor, Ctenosaura similis, Mabuya unimarginata, Amazilia rutila, Aratinga canicularis, Ciccaba virgata, Crax rubra, Polyborus plancus, Dasypus novencintus, Dasyprocta punctata, Felis pardalis, Felis wiedii, Philander opossum, Nasua narica, Odocoileus virginianus, Procyon lotor, Puma concolor, Sylvilagus sp, Tayassu tajacu, entre otros. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/calera.v11i16.749 La Calera Vol. 11, No 16 p. 24-32/junio 2011

scholarly journals Habitat selection when killing primary versus alternative prey species supports prey specialization in an apex predator

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Cristescu ◽  
S Bose ◽  
LM Elbroch ◽  
ML Allen ◽  
Heiko Wittmer
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Apparent Competition ◽  
Selection Function ◽  
Alternative Prey ◽  
Odocoileus Hemionus Columbianus ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Selection Of

© 2019 The Zoological Society of London Many predators specialize on one or several prey species that they select from the range of potential prey. Predator specialization on primary versus alternative prey is driven in part by encounter rates with prey and a predator’s habitat selection. Although habitat selection changes with behavioural state, this has not been well-recognized in the resource selection function (RSF) literature to date, often because auxiliary data on the predator’s behavioural states (e.g. hunting) are absent. We monitored habitat selection of pumas Puma concolor in a multi-prey system in northern California, where pumas specialized on black-tailed deer Odocoileus hemionus columbianus. We employed multiple RSF analyses on different datasets to test the following three hypotheses: (1) Pumas utilize habitats in proportion to their availability; (2) Pumas select specific habitat features when killing black-tailed deer, their primary prey; (3) Pumas do not select distinct habitats from those identified under hypothesis 1 when killing alternative prey. We found that pumas in our study selected for specific habitats and habitat features in general, but that their selection was more pronounced when killing black-tailed deer. In summer, kill sites of deer were associated with rugged terrain, but gentle slopes and northerly aspects. In winter, pumas killed deer at low elevations, on gentle slopes and on northerly and westerly aspects. Overall, evidence suggested that pumas tracked their primary prey across seasonal migrations, which were short in distance but resulted in pronounced changes in elevation. When killing alternative prey, pumas showed little evidence of habitat selection, suggesting they may kill alternative prey opportunistically. Our results hold implications for how data should be partitioned when modelling baseline habitat selection of predators, hunting habitat selection and predation risk for prey species, as well as for how we model ecological processes such as apparent competition.

scholarly journals Predatory Behavior of Yellow Baboons

Behaviour ◽  
1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 44-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn Hausfater
Keyword(s):  
Prey Item ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Predatory Behavior ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Papio Cynocephalus ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Lepus Capensis ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Prey Items

Abstract1. A group of 32 yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus) in the Masai-Amboseli National Park, Kenya, caught and ate 45 vertebrate prey items during 2519.19 hours of observation. 2. Eighty percent of the prey items were mammals and the most frequently eaten species were African hares (Lepus capensis), vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) and neonate gazelle (Cazella granti and G. thomsoni) in that order. The details of predatory behavior for each prey species are described. 3. Rates of predation were significantly higher during the long dry season than during other months of the year, although no correlation was found between total monthly rainfall and monthly rates of predation. A lognormal model however provided a good fit to the monthly rate of predation data suggesting that the rate of predation by Amboseli baboons was affected by several factors that acted multiplicatively with respect to each other and were themselves related to rainfall or dryness. 4. A mean of 2.3 individuals fed directly from the carcass of each prey item. A mean of 3.5 individuals per prey item fed directly or indirectly, i.e., on scraps, from each carcass. In general, both the number of individuals who fed from each carcass and the duration of their feeding bouts was dependent upon the gross body size of the prey item. Adult males fed directly from the carcass of prey items for about three times more minutes than expected from their number in the group; other classes of individuals fed directly from prey carcasses for only one-fourth as many minutes as expected. In general, an adult male would be expected to feed on each category of vertebrate prey at least once per year, while individuals of all other age-sex classes would be expected to feed on most prey categories only once every two years. 5. The most frequent social behavior around prey items was agonistic bouts; no cooperation, simultaneous feeding or specific begging gestures were observed. 6. Estimates of the total number of prey killed annually by Amboseli baboons indicate that baboon predation probably has a negligible effect on prey populations other than vervet monkeys. 7. It is speculated that the need for vitamin B12 underlies baboon predatory behavior, and perhaps that of other primate species as well.

scholarly journals Observations of Interactions between Puma, Puma concolor, and Introduced European Red Deer, Cervus elaphus, in Patagonia

2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werner T. Flueck
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Antipredator Behavior ◽  
Generalist Predator ◽  
Considerable Time ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Natural Predation ◽  
Large Predators

Direct observations of interactions between native Puma (Puma concolor) and introduced European Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in Patagonia are discussed with respect to the absence of evolutionary sympatry. Although the founding stock of European Red Deer had been lacking natural predation pressure for considerable time due to the previous extinction of large predators, these observations suggested that inherent antipredator behavior of European Red Deer toward this novel predator, once detected, was effective and may partially explain the success of European Red Deer as an invasive species. Puma behavior supported the view that they are a generalist predator which opportunistically utilizes new prey species like European Red Deer.

scholarly journals Food habits of the Cougar Puma concolor (Carnivora: Felidae) in the Central Andes of the Colombian Coffee Region

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 ◽  
pp. e20206023
Author(s):  
Diana Camila Muñoz Castillo ◽  
Pauline Perry Arbeláez ◽  
Héctor Fabio Arias-Monsalve ◽  
Héctor E. Ramírez-Chaves
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Central Andes ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
General Nature ◽  
History Museum ◽  
Domestic Species ◽  
Important Region

The feeding habits of the cougar have been scarcely studied in Colombia, despite its importance in the ecosystems it inhabits. In this study, we analysed the diet of the cougar using 53 feces samples collected from several sites in the Central Andes of Colombia’s Coffee Growing Region. To identify prey species, we examined and compared bone fragments and hairs found in each sample with descriptions published in relevant literature and with specimens from the Natural History Museum of the Universidad de Caldas, Colombia. We found that rabbits (Sylvilagus sp.) provided half of the relative biomass consumed by the cougar (50%). Other preys identified belong to representatives of medium and large mammals such as marsupials (Didelphis: 10%), sloths (Choloepus: 9%), rodents (Coendou: 10%, Cuniculus: 9%), and deer (Mazama: 9%). Of the preys, Coendou rufescens has not, to our knowledge, been previously included in cougar diet literature. The curve of accumulation of species indicated that the number of samples obtained in this work fully describe the diet of this feline. Neither domestic species were recorded in this work, nor were there any relationships between the dry or rainy seasons and the consumption of prey species. The comparison of the information reported in this study and others carried out in the Andes may indicate the general nature of this feline’s diet and its adaptability to the prey species found in each area, since these vary in each one of them. It is probable that the obtained trophic niche value (0.33) is due to the abundance of rabbits present in the study area. It is also probable that the cougar has not consumed domestic species since, although it is close to cattle ranches, it has enough of wild prey in the area to supply its needs. The results of this study may help to improve our understanding of the feeding habits of this predator and its interaction with other species in this important region of Colombia. This will, in turn, promote major comprehension of the role of cougars in the Colombian Cordilleras and lead actions for their conservation.

scholarly journals Mamíferos de médio e grande porte e sua relação com o mosaico de habitats na cuesta de Botucatu, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

2012 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Telma R. Alves ◽  
Renata C. B. Fonseca ◽  
Vera L. Engel
Keyword(s):  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Dasypus Novemcinctus ◽  
Leopardus Pardalis ◽  
Cerdocyon Thous ◽  
Eira Barbara

A região da cuesta de Botucatu caracteriza-se por um gradiente topográfico contendo um mosaico de ambientes com diferentes formações de vegetação natural (floresta estacional semidecidual, cerrado e matas ciliares), além de áreas antropizadas com a predominância de pastagens, plantações de cana-de-açúcar, laranja, e reflorestamentos de eucalipto, com paisagem fragmentada. Inserida nesta região, a Fazenda Experimental Edgardia, pertencente à Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus de Botucatu, representa uma amostra desta heterogeneidade ambiental, tendo grande importância para a conservação da biodiversidade, tanto de flora como fauna. Entretanto, poucos são os estudos sobre a sua fauna, principalmente de mamíferos. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo conhecer a fauna de mamíferos de médio e grande porte nesta área, e sua relação com o mosaico de habitats. Foram obtidos registros indiretos da presença de mamíferos através de vestígios (pegadas e fezes) em transectos (trilhas pré-existentes), ao longo de um ano. De março de 2004 a março de 2005 foram registradas 18 espécies de mamíferos silvestres de médio e grande porte. Quanto à ocorrência destacou-se Mazama sp., presente em todos os ambientes, com maior abundância relativa no ambiente de transição de floresta/Cerradão. Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771), Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758), Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766), Procyon cancrivorus (Cuvier, 1798) e Dasypus novemcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) também foram encontradas em praticamente todos os ambientes, e espécies como Chironectes minimus (Zimmermann, 1780), Cuniculus paca Linnaeus, 1766, Eira barbara (Linnaeus, 1758) e uma espécie do gênero Conepatus Gray, 1837 estiveram restritas a ambientes específicos. A análise de correspondência mostrou oito espécies com ocorrência em todos os ambientes: sete mais associadas aos ambientes de várzea, floresta e pastagem e três aos ambientes de cultura de arroz, transição entre floresta/Cerradão e vegetação natural em estádio sucessional secundário. Os resultados sugerem que a fauna de mamíferos de médio e grande porte na Fazenda Experimental Edgardia está sujeita às modificações ambientais que a região vem sofrendo. Embora existam preferências de algumas espécies por determinados hábitats, parece ocorrer certa plasticidade em relação às modificações de seus hábitats originais.

scholarly journals Puma (Puma concolor) predation on tapir (Tapirus terrestris)

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Cesar Cascelli Azevedo ◽  
Vagner Canuto ◽  
Fernanda Souza ◽  
Cynthia Elisa Widmer
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fragmentation ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Anthropogenic Habitats ◽  
First Report ◽  
Top Predators ◽  
Tapirus Terrestris ◽  
Generalist Diet ◽  
Different Levels

The process of forest fragmentation affects mostly top predators, which are more prone to first disappear. Pumas, Puma concolor, are known to have a generalist diet that includes a wide variety of wild and domestic prey species. The capacity of adapting their diet to consuming prey in anthropogenic habitats may be the reason for this species' success in incorporating anthropogenic areas with different levels of fragmentation as part of its habitat. Here we report a case of puma consumption of a large wild prey species, the tapir, Tapirus terrestris. From March 2012 to October 2013 we collected 85 puma's scats opportunistically inside fragments of the Atlantic Forest in the Parana state, Brazil. In one of the scats we found hairs and some hooves of a tapir, as well as puma hairs. We propose two hypotheses that may explain the occurrence of tapir in a pumás scat: (1) an event of scavenging or (2) an event of predation on a juvenile tapir. The most likely explanation for this event may be the predation of a juvenile in response to a possible abundant presence of tapirs in the study area. This event adds to our understanding of the great plasticity of this species to adapt to an altered landscape. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a puma scavenging or predation event on a tapir.

scholarly journals History of canids in Chile and impacts on prey adaptations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamín Silva ◽  
Meredith Root-Bernstein
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
South American ◽  
Antipredator Defense ◽  
Hunting Behaviour ◽  
Hunting Dogs ◽  
Feral Dogs ◽  
Group Hunting

Artiodactyl prey species of Chile, especially guanacos (Lama guanicoe) are reported to be very susceptible to predation by pack hunting feral dogs. It has been previously suggested that guanacos and endemic South American deer may have evolved in the absence of pack-hunting cursorial predators. However, the paleoecology of canid presence in southern South America and Chile is unclear. Here, we review the literature on South American and Chilean canids, their distributions, ecologies and hunting behaviour. We consider both wild and domestic canids, including Canis familiaris breeds. We establish two known antipredator defense behaviours of guanacos: predator inspection of ambush predators, e.g. Puma concolor, and rushing at and kicking smaller cursorial predators, e.g. Lycalopex culpaeus. We propose that since the late Pleistocene extinction of hypercarnivorous group-hunting canids east of the Andes, there were no native species creating group-hunting predation pressures on guanacos. Endemic deer of Chile may have never experienced group hunting selection pressure from native predators. Even hunting dogs (or other canids) used by indigenous groups in the far north and extreme south of Chile (and presumably the center as well) appear to have been used primarily within ambush hunting strategies. This may account for the susceptibility of guanacos and other prey species to feral dog attacks. We detail seven separate hypotheses that require further investigation in order to assess how best to respond to the threat posed by feral dogs to the conservation of native deer and camelids in Chile and other parts of South America.

scholarly journals Mamíferos não-voadores e ataques por cães domésticos em Morro Branco, Vargem Alta, ES

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-54
Author(s):  
Helimar Rabello ◽  
Luan Gonçalves Bissa ◽  
Gabriel Permanhane da Silva ◽  
Gilson Silva Filho ◽  
Cíntia Cristina Lima Teixeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Dasypus Novemcinctus ◽  
Mata Atlântica ◽  
Nasua Nasua ◽  
Mata Atlantica ◽  
Didelphis Aurita ◽  
Mazama Americana ◽  
Callithrix Flaviceps

A redução populacional de mamíferos é causada principalmente pela perda e fragmentação de habitats, em especial, no contexto da Mata Atlântica, além da caça e a introdução de espécies exóticas em ambientes naturais, como os cães domésticos. Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento de mamíferos não-voadores e avaliar o impacto predatório de Canis lupus familiaris sobre esta comunidade, em uma área selecionada para a implantação da futura Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) 'Morro Branco', no Sítio Morro Branco, Vargem Alta - ES, realizado entre fevereiro de 2015 e fevereiro de 2016. O levantamento ocorreu por meio de busca ativa por vestígios (pegadas, fezes e carcaças) e uso de armadilhas de gaiola e fotográficas. Foram registrados 18 táxons, distribuídos em 6 ordens e 10 famílias, totalizando 84 indivíduos. Três táxons foram classificados como abundantes (CTA): Nasua nasua (26%), Canis lupus familiaris (15%) e Didelphis aurita (14%). Quatro espécies constam como ameaçadas: Puma yagouaroundi, Puma concolor, Mazama Bororo e Callithrix flaviceps. A técnica que registrou maior número de táxons foi o registro de carcaças de animais predados, com 9 táxons, seguido de registro visual, com 8 espécies e uso de armadilha fotográfica, com 7 espécies. O registro de carcaças de animais predados por Canis lupus familiaris foi o método com maior número de registros exclusivos, como Puma yagouaroundi, Galisctis cuja e Mazama bororo, registrados apenas desta forma. 13 animais foram encontrados abatidos, com marcas de mordidas evidentes, correspondendo a 18% do total. As espécies mais predadas foram Didelphis aurita, Dasypus novemcinctus e Mazama americana. Canis lupus familiaris apresentou alta Abundância Relativa (15,48%) na área, tornando-se um fator de risco para a conservação de espécies ameaçadas, como Puma yagouaroundi e Puma concolor, que além de ataques, podem sofrer por competição. É urgente a tomada de ações conservacionistas e a elaboração de um plano de manejo para a criação da Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) 'Morro Branco', tendo em vista a influência de animais exóticos sobre a fauna nativa, implicando diretamente na conservação da biodiversidade.

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