<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Cities intensely modify natural environments and impose pressures on biodiversity. In this sense, carnivorous mammals are one of the groups most affected due to their food and space requirements. The feeding and spatial behavior of the chilla fox (<italic>Lycalopex griseus</italic>, G., 1837) and dogs were studied in the vicinity of a peri-urban protected area in south-central Chile. The diet of both canids was compared seasonally, for which feces were collected along trails in three habitats: native forest, exotic plantations and scrublands. Dog feces were collected at the same site to establish whether they were avoided by foxes. Chilla fox has been highlighted for consuming a high proportion of hares followed by rodents of the Muridae family, both being exotic mammals in Chile, whereas dogs showed a predominant consumption of anthropogenic food. Significant differences were observed for chilla fox in dietary diversity, mainly in summer and fall. No spatial segregation was observed with the domestic dog, which was evidenced in a high overlap in the use of all habitats. This scenario, together with continuous human presence, are elements that must be considered in the medium-term to evaluate the effects of anthropogenic pressures on native carnivores in the study area.</p>
</abstract>

Cities intensely modify natural environments and impose pressures on biodiversity. In this sense, carnivorous mammals are one of the groups most affected due to their food and space requirements. The feeding and spatial behavior of the chilla fox (Lycalopex griseus, G., 1837) and dogs were studied in the vicinity of a peri-urban protected area in south-central Chile. The diet of both canids was compared seasonally, for which feces were collected along trails in three habitats: native forest, exotic plantations and scrublands. Dog feces were collected at the same site to establish whether they were avoided by foxes. Chilla fox has been highlighted for consuming a high proportion of hares followed by rodents of the Muridae family, both being exotic mammals in Chile, whereas dogs showed a predominant consumption of anthropogenic food. Significant differences were observed for chilla fox in dietary diversity, mainly in summer and fall. No spatial segregation was observed with the domestic dog, which was evidenced in a high overlap in the use of all habitats. This scenario, together with continuous human presence, are elements that must be considered in the medium-term to evaluate the effects of anthropogenic pressures on native carnivores in the study area.

Landscape use and food habits of the chilla fox (<italic>Lycalopex griseus,</italic> Gray) and domestic dog (<italic>Canis lupus familiaris</italic>) in a peri-urban environment of south-central Chile

Department of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Laboratory of Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences & Biodiversity

Nahuelbuta Biodiversity Conservation Network

Folia Oecologica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Landscape use and food habits of the chilla fox ( Gray) and domestic dog () in a peri-urban environment of south-central Chile

Cities intensely modify natural environments and impose pressures on biodiversity. In this sense, carnivorous mammals are one of the groups most affected due...

Landscape use and food habits of the chilla fox (Lycalopex griseus, Gray) and domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) in a peri-urban environment of south-central Chile

Published Online: Aug 05, 2022

Page range: 159 - 167

Received: Nov 02, 2021

Accepted: May 20, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2022-0018

Keywords
biomass, canids, exotic prey, habitat, spatial overlap

© 2022 Alfredo H. Zúñiga et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Landscape use and food habits of the chilla fox (Lycalopex griseus, Gray) and domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) in a peri-urban environment of south-central Chile

Published Online: Aug 05, 2022

Page range: 159 - 167

Received: Nov 02, 2021

Accepted: May 20, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2022-0018

Keywordsbiomass, canids, exotic prey, habitat, spatial overlap

© 2022 Alfredo H. Zúñiga et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
biomass, canids, exotic prey, habitat, spatial overlap