The flexibility of an intermediate feeder: dietary selection by mountain hares measured using faecal n-alkanes

摘要: Herbivores with an intermediate feeding strategy either vary their diet between a grazing (bulk roughage feeders) or browsing (concentrate selectors) on seasonal basis select mixed at any one time. The underlying ecological causes of the dietary shift in small non-ruminant feeder - mountain arctic hare (Lepus timidus L.) were determined. Diet composition and selection relative to availability investigated for 41 individual free-ranging hares (of which 18 female radio-collared) occupying upland mosaic landscape north-east Scotland. was determined using faecal n-alkane analysis. Radio-collared designated as pasture, woodland moorland according habitat that predominated home-range. In common previous studies, switched from browse-dominated during winter Gramineae-dominated summer, although it only significant reproductively active females peak breeding season. remained consistent regardless occupied. However, radio-tracked differed significantly biomass available home-ranges; Gramineae preferentially selected over browse species throughout year. During particular early season, feeders, such hares, ate material when higher quality restricted. ability graze represents flexible foraging permitting survival production through periods changing unpredictable forage availability.