INVESTIGADORES
TRAVAINI Alejandro
artículos
Título:
Summer food haits of the patagonian opossum, lestodelphys halli (thomas, 1921), in southern arid Patagonian shrub-steppes
Autor/es:
SONIA CRISTINA ZAPATA; DIEGO PROCOPIO; ALEJANDRO TRAVAINI; ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ
Revista:
GAYANA (CONCEPCIóN)
Editorial:
EDICIONES UNIV
Referencias:
Lugar: Concepción; Año: 2013 vol. 77 p. 25 - 28
ISSN:
0717-652X
Resumen:
The summer diet of the Patagonian opossum Lestodelphys halli was studied in Argentinean southern Patagonia. Faeces of opossums captured alive and stomach contents from dead animals were collected and analyzed. A wide variety of invertebrates (87.2% frequency of occurrence) followed by birds and reptiles (10.64%) occurred both in faeces and stomachs, and fruits were occasionally consumed. Although the Patagonian opossum was reported as a carnivorous species in captivity, feeding mainly on rodents, reptiles, birds and invertebrates, we did not fi nd remains of rodents in the diet of the opossums. We suggest that Patagonian opossums are not an effi cient rodent predator in the wild. The high consumption of invertebrates, reptiles, birds and fruits during the warmer season when these items are abundant refl ects the opportunistic behavior of this species.Lestodelphys halli was studied in Argentinean southern Patagonia. Faeces of opossums captured alive and stomach contents from dead animals were collected and analyzed. A wide variety of invertebrates (87.2% frequency of occurrence) followed by birds and reptiles (10.64%) occurred both in faeces and stomachs, and fruits were occasionally consumed. Although the Patagonian opossum was reported as a carnivorous species in captivity, feeding mainly on rodents, reptiles, birds and invertebrates, we did not fi nd remains of rodents in the diet of the opossums. We suggest that Patagonian opossums are not an effi cient rodent predator in the wild. The high consumption of invertebrates, reptiles, birds and fruits during the warmer season when these items are abundant refl ects the opportunistic behavior of this species.fi nd remains of rodents in the diet of the opossums. We suggest that Patagonian opossums are not an effi cient rodent predator in the wild. The high consumption of invertebrates, reptiles, birds and fruits during the warmer season when these items are abundant refl ects the opportunistic behavior of this species.fi cient rodent predator in the wild. The high consumption of invertebrates, reptiles, birds and fruits during the warmer season when these items are abundant refl ects the opportunistic behavior of this species.fl ects the opportunistic behavior of this species.