Abstract

GARCIA ESPONDA, César M. et al. Microvertebrates preyed by Leopardus pajeros (Carnivora: Felidae) in southern Mendoza province, Argentina. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2009, vol.16, n.2, pp.455-457. ISSN 0327-9383.

The Pampas cat (Leopardus pajeros) is a small South American felid with a broad geographic distribution; in spite of this, little is known about its biology. Based on fecal analysis, we present data on microvertebrates preyed upon by the Pampas cat in southern Mendoza province, Argentina. Feces were assigned to this felid species by bile-acid analysis. Leopardus pajeros preyed mainly upon rodents (92% of all microvertebrate prey); lizards and birds constituted the remainder prey surveyed. Most rodents were represented by cricetids, followed in importance by tuco-tucos (Ctenomys).

Keywords : Diet; Leopardus pajeros; Mendoza; Rodents.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )