The feeding habits of wolves in relation to large prey availability in northern Italy

摘要: We investigated wolf feeding habits in relation to the abundance of wild and domestic ungulates test hypothesis that large prey are preferred their affects use other food categories diet breadth. determined composition by scat analysis from December 1987 1992. The research was carried out three study areas located northern Italy characterised marked differences ungulate abundance. In area A (low availability) fruits, livestock, vertebrates made up bulk (71% volume). B (high availability livestock) mainly based on sheep boars (80% C ungulates) were main wolves (90% Significant found among mean percentage volume all particular for ungulates, fruits (p < 0.0001 cases). Diet breadth decreased with high herbivores. livestock species lower where there abundance, richness diversity guild. Selection partially alfected abundance; however factors as social behaviour, adaptability habitat (for introduced species), body size could have an important role selection wolves. selected for, roc red deers avoided. fallow mouflons used available. Livestock accessibility, cattle avoided: but if calves born pastures considered only available cattle, they Large herbivores be great importance population maintenance Italy, one most recovery Mediterranean