Polecat predation on frogs and toads at breeding sites in western France

摘要: Surveys of eight radiotracked polecats (Mustela putorius) showed that they caught mainly male terrestrial anurans at spawning sites. Agile frogs Rana dalmatina formed 77.5%, whereas common toads Bufo bufo represented only 14.6% preyed anurans. Throughout the breeding period, were found to be predominant, representing 64.8% available agile frog and 60.7% toad populations in four ponds studied. The number was significantly higher two which not exploited by 1990. Polecats selectively on anuran males (electivity index D = 0.34 0.50 toads). Thus, intensive predation sites can influence sex-ratio populations.