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Abreu, K.C.; Moro-Rios, R.F.; Silva-Pereira, J.E.; Miranda, J.M.D.; Jablonski, E.F.; Passos, F.C.
Feeding habits of ocelot (_Leopardus pardalis_) in Southern Brazil
2008  Mammalian Biology (73): 407-411

The goal of the present study is to provide qualitative and quantitative data regarding the diet of _L. pardalis_ in this environment. The present study was carried out in an approximately 700 ha forest remnant. The study area is located in the Bugre district, municipality of Balsa Nova, Eastern Parana, Brazil. Fecal samples of _L. pardalis_ were collected between February of 2002 and March of 2005 from all the vegetational formations in the study area. Feces were identified based on the monitoring of defecation sites using camera traps, associated tracks, and their characteristic length and diameter, with unidentifiable samples being discarded A total of 42 fecal samples were analyzed, from which 24 food items were distributed among 100 occurrences. Mammalia accounted for most of the animals eaten by _L. pardalis _(FO = 100%; PO = 78%), followed by Aves (FO = 38%; PO = 16%) and Squamata (FO = 12%; PO = 5%). Among mammals, the smallest prey (<100 g) were the most frequently consumed (FO = 76%; PO = 51%). The prey with body mass >1000 g were the second most consumed (FO = 50%; PO = 15%), followed by prey of intermediate mass (100-1000 g) (FO = 12%; PO = 5%). Terrestrial mammals were the most commonly consumed (FO = 98%; PO = 60%; consumed biomass = 36.5%), although arboreal mammals were also significantly recorded and contributed most biomass (FO = 41%; PO = 17%; consumed biomass = 63.6%). An analysis based on the estimate of consumed biomass showed the great importance of the consumption of _Alouatta clamitans_ (38.3%) and Rodentia (30.6%), particularly the species _Sphiggurus_ _sp._ (25.1%). The Xenarthra represented the third most-consumed biomass (16.3%), followed by Artiodactyla (14.5%).

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