Sex-driven differences in Egyptian mongoose’s (Herpestes ichneumon) diet in its northwestern European range

摘要: Sexual dimorphism in carnivores can result from, or induce, variations diet and foraging behaviour between individuals of different sexes. Sex-driven behavioural changes feeding habits may also a reduction intraspecific competition for resources, avoiding dietary overlap by concentrating on prey sizes/types. We therefore evaluated the variation both males females an invasive range expanding southern European carnivore, Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon), through gut content analysis road predator-control killed animals. The 59 samples, collected Portugal, revealed that northwestern populations mongooses mostly upon mammals [especially lagomorphs, percentage biomass (PB) = 44%], reptiles (PB 28%) arthropods 2% but occurrence 35%). However, seem to focus mainly 51%) 38%), whilst consume 75%). results suggest this maybe sexual (since some is documented few mongoose’s skull measures, namely condylobasal length canine diameter), with shifting their diets from which they obtain more energy. Females be focused predating lighter animals, probably juveniles, fact has important game management implications.