Diet composition of the South-American grey fox, Pseudalopex griseus Gray, 1837 in Northeastern Mendoza, Argentina

GONZALEZ DEL SOLAR, R; PUIG, S; VIDELA, F; ROIG, VG; SILVIA PUIG

MAMMALIA

WALTER DE GRUYTER & CO

Lugar: Paris; Año: 1997 vol. 61 p. 617 - 621

0025-1461

The large range of distribution of the grey fox includes a diversity of habitats and suggests the important biological plasticity of P. griseus. The objectives of this study were to analize the diet composition of the grey fox in Northeastern Mendoza, and to compare two techniques of processing data from feces analysis. Four season samplings were carried out throughout the Telteca protected area. A total of 116 feces were collected and analysed. Twelve categories of prey were recognized in macroscopic remains. Hair separated from each scat was identified using a local key made with material stored in the Iadiza Zoological Collection. Proportions to each category were assigned according to the mean dry weight of remains, and to the frequency of occurrence of each category. The gray fox was a generalist onmivore, with a considerable proportion of fruits (Prosopis flexuosa, Prosopanche americana, and Geoffroea decorticans). Both techniques of analysis gave similar results, assigning fruit the first place in the diet. The high number of Prosopis flexuosa seeds found in the feces suggests a possible role of the grey fox as a seed disperser.