Feeding by Didelphis albiventris on treegum in the Northeastern Atlantic Forest of Brazil

摘要: White-eared opossums, Didelphis albiventris (Didelphidae, Marsupialia) are widely distributed in Brazil (Emmons and Feer, 1997), very common the urban region of State Pernambuco. Most available information on biology this species comes from studies conducted patches forests southern part country (e.g., Caceres, 2000; Caceres Monteiro-Filho, 2001), little is known its highly-modified environments although appears to be well adapted habitats (Alessio, unpub. data) Based mark-recapture it has been shown that white-eared opossums present a generalist feeding habit, inclusion variety food items appear opportunistic (Eisenberg, 1989; Rodriguez Barque, 1992; Santori et al., 1995; Leite 1996; Malcolm, 1997; Carvalho 1999; 2001; 2002). Another mammals live patchy where semi natural mingle north-eastern Tufted-eared marmoset Callithrix jacchus, Callithrichidae, Primates (Alonso Langguth, Mendes Pontes Monteiro da Cruz, Roda Pontes, 1998); sympatric with shows fairly similar diet composed fruits, insects, invertebrates, small vertebrates Stevenson Rylands, 1988; Alonso 1989). marmosets have developed ability actively exploit exudates number tree by scratching off trunks thus inducing flow gum; especially dry season activity may take more than 70% their foraging time (Fonseca Lacher, 1984; Silva 1993). Langguth (1989) also showed usually scratch trunk at dusk return feed gum first hours following morning. In study we show for (Didelphis albiventris) FEEDING BY DIDELPHIS ALBIVENTRIS ON TREE GUM IN THE NORTHEASTERN ATLANTIC FOREST OF BRAZIL