Diet of sympatric pine marten (Martes martes) and stone marten (Martes foina) identified by genotyping of DNA from faeces

摘要: Martes martes and foina occur sympatrically in most of Europe. Little is known about differences between trophic niches these species, because martens are difficult to observe it impossible distinguish scats both species based on their morphological features. To resolve this problem, we used DNA extracted from faeces for identification. This method allowed us compare the diet two area sympatric occurrence central Poland. We analysed composition 287 stone 155 pine martens. Both fed mainly small rodents, birds fruits. Although highly overlapped, found significant quantitative food composition. Pine more frequently rodents birds, fruits insects. These were also visible seasonal perspective. exploited same forest habitat, genetic identification indicate closely related species. © Finnish Zoological Botanical Publishing Board 2007.