Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, M. Daniela  and  DACAR, María Ana. Diet composition of the mara (Dolichotis patagonum) in the southeast of the Monte desert of La Pampa province, Argentina. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2008, vol.15, n.2, pp.215-220. ISSN 0327-9383.

The mara (Dolichotis patagonum) is a cursorial, endemic-rodent from central-south Argentina. It feeds on grass and herbs, and is considered to be a generalist and opportunistic herbivore. To assess the composition of mara's diet in the center of its range, we sampled 15 habitat patches used by the species. Twelve plant species were present in the fecal samples. Perennial grasses had the highest relative frequency (46.8%), being Setaria sp. the most frequent one. Annual herbs and grasses were next in frequency. These results confirm that in the studied area the mara is a grazer on grasses and herbs.

Keywords : Diet; Monte-Espinal; Patagonian hare.

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