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The understanding of several interactions between carnivores is very important to plan effective programs of conservation. In this study, we tested the hypothesis of interspecificcompetition when trophic resources are the most limited by comparing the diets of the african golden wolf and the common genet in winter period, and in altitudinal locality on Edough mountain. To achieve this goal, a total of 60 scat samples were collected from the study area.We were able to identify four food categories for genets (arthropods, small mammals, birds and plants) and 6 food categories in the diet of african golden wolf (arthropods, small mammals, large mammals, birds, fruits and anthropogenic wastes).Our results showed a significant variation in the diets between the species,more than 50% of diets consist of fruits and large mammals for the African golden golf, and small mammals and birds for the Common Genet. Prey category richness was highest for the African golden wolf than for genets. The trophic niche overlap was partial between the two predators (Pianka’s overlap index = 0,688). All these results probably reflect a compromise in use of resources in order to minimize the competitive pressure between the two predators.

Hybridization between wolves ( Canis lupus ) and domestic dogs ( Canis familiaris ) can represent a threat to wild populations via genetic introgression and ecological competition. Therefore understanding the ecological role of hybrids may be crucial for developing appropriate conservation strategies. The Italian wolf population has a peculiar genetic composition due to a long-lasting geographic isolation. Nowadays, however, its genetic integrity is threatened by the spread of canine genes as a result of the hybridization with stray dogs in the wild. The aim of the present study was to gain insights into the ecological role of free-ranging wolf–dog hybrids by investigating their winter food habits in comparison with wolves in a mountain area of Central Italy. Levels of genetic introgression from the dogs were assessed in two adjacent areas occupied by up to five different packs by analyzing non-invasive samples and carcasses collected therein with a set of uniparental and bi-parental molecular markers. The obtained results enabled us to classify the two areas as ‘hybrid’ and ‘wolf’ areas based on their level of genetic introgression. Trophic niche and similarity/dissimilarity analyses did not detect significant difference in the diet between the two areas: in both of them, wild boar was the main prey, followed by roe deer. Furthermore, the same age/body mass classes of the two ungulates were selected by wolves and hybrids. Our findings confirmed wolf–dog hybrids as potential competitors for wolves. Further studies on other aspects of their biology and ecology are recommended in order to better estimate the impact of hybridization on natural wolf populations.

The stoat (Mustela erminea) is a small mustelid predator specialising on rodent species. However, they also can eat various alternative prey in different parts of their range. In the literature, sexual dimorphism differences in this species are reflected in different diet preferences with males hunting on larger prey than females. The aim of this study was to assess food habits of stoats trapped in two study sites in Norway. We analysed stomach content in relation to body mass, sex and season. In total, 137 stomachs, 101 of males and 36 of females, were analysed. Males (201.80 ± 37.71 g) were significantly heavier than females (85.06 ± 13.26 g) (F = 258.88, df = 1, p ≤ 0.0001). Six food categories were identified, dominated by small rodents, followed by anthropogenic food, birds, insectivores and invertebrates. The most common prey species were bank vole (Myodes glareolus) and tundra vole (Microtus oeconomus). We found no evidence of trophic niche segregation between male and female stoats despite body size differences between sexes. There were also no significant differences in diet of all stoats between seasons. The trophic annual niche breadth of all stoats was B = 3.88 and highly overlapped between sexes (O jk = 0.97). The results confirm that the stoat in Norway is a generalist predator able to profit on human food refuse found in close proximity to permanent residents and summer cabins.