Diet overlap between small ruminants and the European hare in a Mediterranean shrubland

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 729-737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilias Karmiris ◽  
Anastasios Nastis
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Dietary Overlap ◽  
Quercus Coccifera ◽  
European Hare ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Mediterranean Shrubland ◽  
Microhistological Analysis ◽  
Kermes Oak

AbstractSeasonal diets of goats, sheep and European hares (Lepus europaeus) were examined using microhistological analysis of feces collected when these herbivores grazed together in a typical Mediterranean shrubland. Approximately half of the total diet content of goats was shrubs (mainly kermes oak, Quercus coccifera), while that of hares was grasses (mostly brush grass, Chrysopogon gryllus). Sheep had a more balanced diet consisting mainly of grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Dietary overlap between goats and sheep was high throughout the year. In contrast, there was very low dietary overlap between small ruminants and hares. Dietary diversity was high in spring and low in winter across all species, with sheep in general displaying higher dietary diversity across all seasons than goats and hares. Goats had intermediate and hares had low dietary diversity across all seasons. Communal grazing by small ruminants and hares ensures that there is a more uniform use of the available forage resources than if a single herbivore is left to graze an area.

Diet selection and habitat use by the mountain vizcacha (Lagidium viscacia) in the Southern Andean Precordillera (Argentina)

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-335
Author(s):  
Silvia Puig ◽  
María I. Rosi ◽  
Fernando Videla ◽  
Viviana P. Seitz
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Diet Selection ◽  
Central Place ◽  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Dietary Overlap ◽  
Rock Formations ◽  
Microhistological Analysis ◽  
Lagidium Viscacia

AbstractLagidium viscacia is considered as a fragile species with patchy distribution, a strict habitat specialist and an obligatory diet specialist. The Southern Andean Precordillera constitutes an interesting environment to analyze the species’ presence across the altitudinal gradient. Diet selection and habitat use were studied in the summit plateau, characterized by rigorous conditions and vegetation representative of the Southern Puna. Pellet groups were counted in transects perpendicular to rock formations, and diet and vegetation were seasonally analyzed using microhistological analysis and point-quadrat transects. Vizcachas were strictly associated with rock formations at middle and high altitudes, with higher occurrence on the mountain summit where grasslands surrounded the rock formations. Vizcachas avoided shrubs associated with rock formations and preferred grasses on sandy soils. Phenological changes slightly affected the selective diet that involves a considerable search effort and risky feeding activity. Puna grasslands constituted attractive feeding places where L. viscacia’s activity decreased with distance from rock shelters as expected for a central-place forager. Habitat partitioning allows coexistence with Ctenomys mendocinus, despite the high dietary overlap between these central-place species. The high mobility and broad diet of Lama guanicoe reduce the competition risk. Lepus europaeus preferred shrubs and forbs, determining a discrete dietary overlap with vizcachas.

scholarly journals Resource partitioning between kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis) and coyotes (Canis latrans): a comparison of historical and contemporary dietary overlap

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 497-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.A. Byerly ◽  
R.C. Lonsinger ◽  
E.M. Gese ◽  
A.J. Kozlowski ◽  
L.P. Waits
Keyword(s):  
Great Basin ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Canis Latrans ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Dietary Overlap ◽  
Kit Fox ◽  
Prey Diversity ◽  
Vulpes Macrotis

Range expansions by generalists can alter communities and introduce competitive pressures on native species. In the Great Basin Desert, USA, coyotes (Canis latrans Say, 1823) have colonized and are now sympatric with native kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis Merriam, 1888). Since both species have similar diets, dietary partitioning may facilitate coexistence. We analyzed coyote and kit fox diets, then compared our results to an earlier study. Because populations are dynamic, we expected that decreases in prey or increases in predator abundance could alter dietary patterns. We found no significant changes in population-level prey diversity for kit foxes or coyotes, but found high levels of dietary overlap between species. We did detect a significant decrease in the relative importance of leporids (family Leporidae) in the diets of both canids, but they remained important for coyotes. The relative importance of small mammals was greater for kit foxes than coyotes, but their importance had not changed significantly over time. We detected significant declines in prey diversity per sample (scat-level dietary diversity) for both canids, suggesting that during a foraging event, individuals may encounter less diverse prey now than historically. These findings suggested that kit foxes and coyotes were not limited by prey, despite high dietary overlap.

scholarly journals Lepus europaeus (Lagomorpha: Leporidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (997) ◽  
pp. 125-142
Author(s):  
Anni Bock
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
European Hare ◽  
International Union ◽  
Declining Populations ◽  
The 1960S

Abstract Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778, commonly called the European hare, is one of 32 species of Lepus. It is widely distributed in Europe and Asia where it was not native but introduced by humans for sport. L. europaeus does not burrow, nor hibernate, and gives birth to precocial young (leverets). It prefers open grassland, fields, agricultural farmland, and pastures with hedgerows and bushes. Declining populations in several countries since the 1960s led to increased research to investigate the reasons; L. europaeus is considered threatened in several countries, but of “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

scholarly journals Impact of Microtus arvalis and Lepus europaeus on apple trees by trunk bark gnawing

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 142-147
Author(s):  
Josef Suchomel ◽  
Jan Šipoš ◽  
Ladislav Čepelka ◽  
Marta Heroldová
Keyword(s):  
Apple Tree ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Microtus Arvalis ◽  
European Hare ◽  
Bark Damage ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Apple Cultivars ◽  
Common Voles

A unique evaluation of the apple tree trunk bark damage caused by common vole and European hare was presented. Damage was found in an apple orchard under organic farming, in Central Moravia (Czech Republic), at 700 m a.s.l. There were two cultivated apple cultivars Red Spring and Melodie/Angold. Damage occurred in winter with the snow cover lasting from December to February. In total 1 012 trees and 95.7% of trees were damaged. The cv. Red Spring was damaged more than cv. Melodie/Angold. Almost 90% of the dead trees were killed by common voles. While hares damaged both cultivars equally, voles damaged the cv. Red Spring to a significantly greater extent (P = 0.04). The study confirms the need of further research on the development of methodologies for orchard protection from damage caused by small mammals.

scholarly journals Coffee pulp supplementation prior to breeding improves oxidative status without affecting fertility of primiparous ewes

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lizbet K Gutiérrez-Prado ◽  
María T Sánchez-Torres-Esqueda ◽  
Teodulo Salinas-Rios ◽  
José L Figueroa-Velasco ◽  
José A Martínez-Aispuro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Oxidative Status ◽  
Coffee Pulp ◽  
Estrous Synchronization ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Short Period

Background: Coffee pulp has a high content of antioxidants capable of modifying the oxidative status in small ruminants. However, high amounts for a prolonged time can reduce fertility. Objective: To determine the effect of two inclusion levels of coffee pulp during estrous synchronization on reproductive variables and oxidative status of primiparous ewes. Methods: Sixty Suffolk x Dorset primiparous ewes were distributed into three treatments in a completely randomized design; T0: (n=20) 1.5 kg balanced diet, Tl: (n=20) 1.5 kg balanced diet and 5% coffee pulp, T2: (n=20) 1.5 kg balanced diet and 10% coffee pulp. Supplementation was given for 16 days before estrus synchronization and until the beginning of the breeding season. A progestogen (CIDR®) was inserted for ll days and a dose of PGF2a was applied two days prior to its withdrawal. Estrus detection started 12 hours after CIDR withdrawal. Blood samples were obtained during the supplementation period to measure oxidative status, antioxidant capacity, glucose and insulin, and up to 9 days after breeding to determine progesterone concentration. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at 30 and 60 days post-breeding. An analysis of repeated measures of mixed effects and frequency analysis were carried out. Results: Inclusion of coffee pulp for a short period prior to breeding did not affect reproductive parameters, nor progesterone, glucose or insulin concentrations (p>0.05); however, antioxidant capacity increased, while lipid oxidation showed an opposite trend (p<0.05). Conclusion: Inclusion of up to 10% coffee pulp in the diet of ewe lambs for 16 days prior to breeding improves oxidative status without causing adverse effects on pregnancy, estrus or prolificacy.

scholarly journals ECTOPARASITES OF THE EUROPEAN HARE (LEPUS EUROPAEUS (PALLAS)) IN TWO REGIONS OF VICTORIA

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROSAMOND C. H. SHEPHERD ◽  
I. F. NOLAN ◽  
I. L. LANE ◽  
J. W. EDMONDS
Keyword(s):  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
European Hare
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