Diets of mammalian herbivores in Australian arid shrublands: seasonal effects on overlap between red kangaroos, sheep and rabbits and on dietary niche breadths and electivities

摘要: Abstract A 12-year study examined the diets of red kangaroos ( Macropus rufus ), domestic sheep Ovis aries ) and wild European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus on open plains in arid, shrub rangeland southern Australia. Also were levels dietary overlap between these animals their foraging relation to resource availability. The potential for interspecific competition different conditions was examined. Insights also sought into impact herbivores arid zone pastures. diet based around grasses, except wet seasons when forb intake high. In dry shrubs eaten but severe drought grass almost 90%. showed a similar pattern more variable. While important diet, they ate forbs times much than kangaroos. However, had high with Rabbits broad good browse (bark, twigs roots) drought. data pointed marked herbivores, impacting pasture began deteriorate. decline perennial rangelands considered probable because emphasis them times; dominant chenopod do not survive persistent heavy grazing.