Feeding habits of capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) in afforestation areas of the Lower Delta of the Paraná River, Argentina

QUINTANA, RUBEN DARIO; MONGE, SUSANA; MALVAREZ, ANA INES

MAMMALIA

WALTER DE GRUYTER & CO

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 1994 vol. 58 p. 569 - 580

0025-1461

Seasonal feeding habits of capybaras livina in afforestation areas of the Lower Delta reoion were analyzed. This study was made using a microhistological analysis of facces. Faeces samples were taken seasonally during 2 years. The resuits showed that a Cyperaceae, Carex ¡ iparía, was the main food item in every season. This food item, together with 3 other ones (Panicun? grupnosum. C N,Piodoli dact.vIon and Paspalum spp.) represented more than 70 % of the diet. A similar foragina patterrí was shown by this rodent durin the 2 years, except during Winter time wlien significant changes in the consumption of food items were observed from one year to the other. The botanical composition of the Winter diet ,vas similar to those of the other thrce seasons. The trophic niche breadth were relatively narrow in afl seasons, definin this rodent as a highly selective species. However, the lowest diet diversity and breadth of trophic niche values were observed in Winter, reílecting the lower forage availability during this season. Capybaras showed an inverse foragin bebaviour to that ¡ound in other herbivores, becomino more selective durina the critícal seasons, and more generalist during the remaining seasons. The high consumption of C. típaria, a very abundant species in afforestation cover types, together with the frequent presence of these rodents in these habitats, implies that capybaras have effectively adapted to the afforestation landscape of the Lower Delta ofthe Paraná River.