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Wang, E.
Diets of ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), margays (L. wiedii), and oncillas (L. tigrinus) in the Atlantic rainforest in southern Brazil
2002 Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment (37): 207-212
Felids play an important role in structuring the prey community, and thus in the dynamics of the plant community in tropical forests. The diets of three species of small cats, _Leopardus pardalis_ (ocelot), _L. wiedi_ (margay), _and L. tigrinus_ (oncilla) were investigated by analysis of scats and regurgitations during a one-year study at Parque Estudal Serra do Mar, N£cleo Santa Virginia, southeastern Brazil. Small non-volant mammals were the most frequent prey in all the diets. The diets of the three cats were similar but although they consumed the same prey items, they showed differential use of them. Ocelots consumed more reptiles than other species, oncillas preyed on birds and arboreal marsupials, whereas margays were generalists.
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