IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group Library

IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library

View printer friendly
Garcia, J.A.M.; Martinez, G.D.M.; Plata, F.X.; Rosas, O.C.R.; Arambula, L.A.T.; Bender, L.C.
Use of prey by sympatric bobcat (_Lynx rufus_) and coyote (_Canis latrans_) in the Izta-Popo National Park, Mexico
2014 The Southwestern Naturalist (89): 167-172
To investigate dietary differences in two coexisting competing predators, we determined prey consumed by bobcats (_Lynx rufus_) and coyotes (_Canis latrans_) from scats in the Izta-Popo National Park, central Mexico. Use of prey by bobcats and coyotes showed a Pianka's index of overlap of 0.94, much higher than in other studies of the diet of these two species. Diets of bobcats were comprised primarily of eastern cottontail (_Sylvilagus floridanus_, 33.7%), rodents (22.7%), Mexican cottontail (_S. cunicularius_, 13.1%), the endemic and endangered volcano rabbit (_Romerolagus diazi_, 12.5%), Merriam's pocket gopher (_Pappogeomys merriani,_ 9.3%), and long-tailed partridge (_Dendrortyx macroura_, 1.4%). Prey used by coyotes included primarily eastern cottontail (43.8%), rodents (15.7%), Mexican cottontail (12.0%), Merriam's pocket gopher (6.4%), and volcano rabbit (5.5%).
	PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here