Abstract

LASPINA, Celeste Anabel; ORTIZ, S. G.; REUS, M. L.  and  DE LOS RIOS, C.. Diet of Oryctolagus cuniculus (European wild rabbit) and availability of trophic resources in Leoncito National Park (San Juan, Argentina). Multequina [online]. 2013, vol.22, n.1, pp.37-44. ISSN 1852-7329.

The composition and diversity of the diet of the Oryctolagus cuniculus (European wild rabbit) and the seasonal availability of food resources in wetland was determined in the Leoncito National Park. The sampling was carried out during the wet and dry seasons (2009-2010). We made 20 line transects of 20 meters each one, randomly distributed. Each transect contained five 2 m² squares;in each square the percentage of vegetation cover was measured. To quantify the diet we collected fresh feces by transect in both seasons. The diet analysis was performed using the microhistological technique. The results showed that the availability of food resources did not vary seasonally as the percentage of vegetation cover and species remained constant during sampling. The categories with the highest availability percentage were graminoids and forbs in both seasons. The European wild rabbit selected specially Bromus unioloides and shrubs such as Adesmia trijuga. In this environment the European rabbit did not consume the most abundant categories and plant species in the wetland.

Keywords : Diet; Exotic herbivore; Leoncito National Park.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )