Feeding interactions in an assemblage of terrestrial carnivores in central Mexico

Abstract

Background: We evaluated the strategies of resources partitioning among species, dietary overlap and niche breadth in an assemblage of carnivores integrated by top predators (Puma concolor and Panthera onca) and mesopredators (Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii, Puma yagouaroundi, Nasua narica and Urocyon cinereoargenteus). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms explaining the coexistence among species at a temperate zone in central Mexico. Results: We collected 259 scats of carnivores and identified 45 food items. The analysis showed the common consumption of mammals in the assemblage, and the correspondence analysis showed three guilds: 1) top predators associated with the use of medium-sized mammals and the exclusive consumption of large mammals, 2) carnivore mesopredators associated with the consumption of small mammals and birds and 3) omnivore mesopredators associated with the consumption of arthropods and plants. The dietary overlap analysis indicated a low overlap between guilds and a high overlap within them. Top predators were specialist foragers, whilst the carnivore mesopredators showed generalist consumption. Conclusions: The coexistence in this carnivore assemblage seems to be related to body size, morphology and prey segregation because such characteristics suggest the presence of three guilds. We observed high dietary overlap within guilds and resource partitioning between guilds.

Patterns of coexistence between two mesocarnivores in northern Patagonia in the presence of invasive hares and anthropogenic disturbance

“…different proportions of prey items) seems to allow coexistence with high dietary overlap in a carnivore assemblage in Mexico (Gómez‐Ortiz et al . ), which is in agreement with our results.…”

Density and activity pattern of Leopardus wiedii and Leopardus pardalis in Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, Mexico

“…Leopardus pardalis is 2 to 3 times larger than L. wiedii (Sunquist and Sunquist 2002;Wilson and Mittermeier 2009), and shows plasticity in habitat use and feeding habits (Sunquist and Sunquist 2002;de Oliveira et al 2010). L. pardalis is relatively common and its habitat use, diet, and activity pattern overlaps with those of other felids such as Puma concolor (Cougar) and Panthera onca (Jaguar; Moreno et al 2006;Di Bitetti et al 2010;Davis et al 2011; but see Gómez-Ortiz et al 2015). Some studies indicate that L. pardalis exerts a strong influence on other smaller felids in the Neotropic (de Oliveira et al 2010).…”

Functional responses of cougars (Puma concolor) in a multiple prey‐species system

“…Transects were between 6 and 8 km long, with a separation of around 5 km. Cougar scats were identified based on the extraction of bile acid using thin-layer chromatography (see Gómez-Ortiz et al 2015), to avoid confusing cougar scats with jaguar, as the scats of both species have similar morphological characteristics. Cougar scats were processed following the method proposed by Monroy-Vilchis et al (2009).…”