Dietary specialization depending on ecological context and sexual differences in Asiatic black bears

摘要: The food habits of the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) are well studied, but there is a little evidence dietary specialization—that is, when individuals use narrower set resources compared to population as whole. To examine composition at individual level, seasonal patterns specialization, and sex-based differences in bears, we attached Global Positioning System (GPS) collars 15 bears collected their scats Nagano Prefecture, Japan from 2017 2018. Our results showed that differed among individuals, although changes were observed level. Dietary specialization was high summer (resources less abundant) low spring autumn more abundant), indicating relationship with general abundance diversity bears. In spring, all consumed green vegetation and/or seed Fagaceae family previous autumn; early- late- summer, composition, such vegetation, insects, fruits, greatly individuals. autumn, most heavily depended on seeds which high-quality for bears. Although did not find statistical between sexes terms diversity, found variations timing feeding family, being earlier females males. We also considerable variation within sexes, suggesting depends multiple factors besides abundance, sex.