Abundance of wild prey modulates consumption of supplementary food in the Iberian lynx

摘要: Abstract Food supplementation is increasingly used as a conservation tool. However, little known about how much supplemental food by target populations or the degree to which abundance of natural affects utilization food. Long-term programmes could cause individuals rely almost exclusively upon and, consequently, lose some skills needed forage efficiently on This may result in reduced fitness discontinuation The Iberian lynx ( Lynx pardinus ) preys European wild rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus ), and are thought be limited. We quantified contribution supplemented domestic rabbits, whose guard hairs distinguished from diet lynx. also examined whether consumption varied with availability duration exposure Domestic made up over 50% diet. Consumption decreased non-linearly relative increased; however, this pattern was true only above threshold density one rabbit km −1 . Below threshold, apparently strictly necessary retain did not increase length period. continued consuming proportionally their abundance, suggesting become dependent Understanding modulates help adjust schedules needs populations.