HÁBITOS ALIMENTARIOS DEL PUMA (Puma concolor) E INCIDENCIA DE LA DEPREDACIÓN EN LA MORTANDAD DE GUANACOS (Lama guanicoe) EN EL NORESTE DE LA PATAGONIA.

In Patagonia, the functional relationships between pumas and their native prey species have been modified as a result of the introduction of exotics. We studied the feeding habits of Puma concolor in northeastern Chubut province during 3 years and found that (1) the native guanaco, Lama guanicoe, was the most important prey in the diet of pumas; (2) pumas expanded their trophic niche by incorporating smaller prey species to their diets after a substantial reduction in the abundance of the introduced sheep; and (3) puma predation was the main cause of guanaco mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]