Feeding ecology of central Chilean foxes, Dusicyon culpaeus and Dusicyon griseus.

摘要: We examined 318 scats of Dusicyon culpaeus and 278 D. griseus , collected in central Chile between 1973 1978; they represented all seasons except winter. Both species preyed mainly upon rodents (diurnal, crepuscular, or nocturnal) that inhabited open vegetation patches. Frequency occurrence rodent prey items the droppings tended to match their relative abundance field. Predation rabbits was rare on juveniles. A small number birds, avian eggs, snakes were eaten. Mean size remained constant from spring fall, as estimated by average dimensions adult droppings. Moreover, mean did not differ significantly fox throughout year. Numbers contained berries increased fall. concluded Chilean foxes opportunistic predators hunted patches vegetation. Similarities feeding ecology suggest competitive exclusion may be important maintenance allopatric distributions.