The dietary overlap between red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) and sheep (Ovis aries) in the arid rangelands of Australia

摘要: The interaction between red kangaroos and sheep in the more arid areas of Australia was examined by means a large-scale manipulative experiment. diets grazing together separately large paddocks were studied to assess whether competition for food might influence diet selection these species. Diets amount intra- interspecific dietary overlap varied accordance with pasture conditions. At biomasses ranging from 50 200 g m−2 (dry weight [wt]), overlapped 58–73%, forbs grasses being major items both under different experimental regimes similar. In dry times (pasture biomass 40–50 wt) shrubs eaten species tended be lower (52–66%). similar paddocks. However, containing consumed proportionately chenopodaceous fewer than those ‘kangaroo-free’