Trophic relations in a community of African rainforest carnivores

摘要: The factors that promote ecological separation among closely related sympatric carnivores in tropical forests are poorly understood due to a paucity of field studies. Here, we report on community-wide food resource utilization patterns eight co-existing the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve, Central African Republic, based collection 666 scats were identified using combination methods, including thin-layer chromatography. Members assemblage took advantage diverse array resources characteristic forest habitats by adopting variety feeding strategies, such as carnivory, insectivory, frugivory, and piscivory. Broad-scale dietary was evident most pairs, with only 6 21 exhibiting niche overlaps exceeded 50%. marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus) civet (Civettictis civetta) specialized respect habits. Highest trophic between carnivorous [leopard (Panthera pardus) golden cat (Profelis aurata)] or insectivorous [mongooses (Herpestes naso Bdeogale nigripes)] species. Unlike other animal groups, species richness base not key factor structuring this rainforest community. Stronger roles instead played size diversity abundance mammalian prey, perhaps superabundant at least highly renewable nature insects. Ecological further facilitated some segregation along spatial (habitat) temporal (activity) dimensions. average weight prey taken leopards considerably lower than Asian sites. Mammals weighing over 20 kg rarely, while use small (<5 kg) unusually high, signaling either relatively depauperate former, high level and/or profitability latter.