Composition of the diet of Netta peposaca (Birds: Anseriformes) in Santa Fe province, Argentina

OLGUIN, P.; ATTADEMO, A. ; BELTZER, A.; RONCHI, ANA LAURA; LORENZÓN, R.; ´CASSELLI, A.; ARCE, S.; PERCARA, A.

ZOOLOGIA (CURITIBA)

SOC BRASILEIRA ZOOLOGIA

Año: 2014 vol. 31 p. 97 - 100

1984-4670

We examined the diet of the Rosy-billed Pochard, Netta peposaca (Vieillot, 1816), (n = 59) during the autumn of 2010 in Santa Fe province, Argentina. Were analyzed a total of 59 ducks (n = 37 females and n = 22 males) to assess their gastrointestinal contents. The trophic spectrum was composed of 16 taxa (plant fraction: animal fraction 9 and 7). The contribution of each food category estimated using the IRI was: Echynochloa sp. (Poaceae) = 4301, Polygonum sp.(Polygonaceae) = 956, and unidentified graminoid species = 53 (females: Echynochloa sp. = 4313, Polygonum sp. = 1095 and males: Echynochloa sp. = 5522, Polygonum sp. = 814). No significant differences were found between females and males in diet composition (Fisher?s test, p < 0.05). Moreover, the diversity index (H?) was significantly (Mann-Whitney, p < 0.05) different between sexes. The Rosy-billed Pochard showed a predominantly phytophagous feeding habit in autumn. Likewise, this is the first contribution on the sexual differences in the feeding biology of the Rosy-billed Pochard.