Evidence for prey selection by spotted hyaena in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

• Autorzy: Wentworth J. C. , Tambling C. J. , Kerley G. I. H.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

We tested the widely accepted hypothesis that spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) are non-selective in their diet. The prey preference of spotted hyaena was studied in the Addo Elephant National Park (AENP), South Africa. Diet (frequency of occurrence of prey items in the diet) was quantified through the analysis of 55 scats, and compared with available prey. A combination of large- and medium-sized mammals (buffalo (Syncerus caffer), red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) and common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) were the most preferred prey items. The most abundant species, warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) and kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), were ignored and avoided, respectively. These results show that the assumption that hyaena prey on the most abundant available prey species may be overly simplistic. Predation patterns, such as the ones observed in AENP, may have important ramifications for less common species that are selected by hyaena in small enclosed reserves

Słowa kluczowe

EN

evidence; prey selection; spotted hyaena; Crocuta crocuta; Eastern Cape; South Africa; laughing hyena zob.spotted hyaena; hyaena; diet; prey preference

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Theriologica
• Rocznik: 2011
• Tom: 56
• Numer: 4
• Opis fizyczny: p.389-392,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Wentworth J. C.

• Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, , PO Box 77000, 6031, South Africa

autor

Tambling C. J.

• Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, , PO Box 77000, 6031, South Africa

autor

Kerley G. I. H.

• Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, , PO Box 77000, 6031, South Africa

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