Influence of livestock grazing on the capybara’s trophic niche and forage preferences

摘要: Trophic niche parameters and forage preferences of capybaraHydrochaeris hydrochaeris Linnaeus, 1766 were studied at three areas east-central Argentina: Lower Delta Islands (LDI), only capybara present; Puerto Constanza (PC), cattle, Villaguay (VI), capybara, cattle sheep. Significant correlation was found in the annual botanical composition faeces LDI PC, but no between faecal these two those VI. The narrowest trophic corresponded to LDI, while widest VI, with significant differences values among areas. Capybara consumedCarex riparia, Cynodon dactylon andPanicum grumosum andP. milioides VI proportion greater than availability. Three eight food items consumed less availability respectively. species number density livestock animals, more generalist behavior possibly due direct interaction use grazing resources. Changes foraging may influence capybara’s preference patterns consumption suboptimal feeding indicate a pressure on resources where capybaras share their habitat livestock.