Interactions of exotic and native carnivores in an ecotone, the coast of the Beagle Channel, Argentina

• Published in: Polar biology Vol. 33; no. 10; pp. 1371 - 1378
• Main Authors: Gomez, Jonatan J, Gozzi, Ana C, Macdonald, David W, Gallo, Emilce, Centrón, Daniela, Cassini, Marcelo H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Berlin/Heidelberg : Springer-Verlag 01-10-2010; Springer-Verlag; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Carnivores; Coasts; Community ecology; Diet; Ecology; Endangered species; Foxes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Habitat utilization; Habitats; Indigenous species; Introduced species; Life Sciences; Lontra; Mammals; Marine; Marine ecosystems; Marine mammals; Marine resources; Microbiology; Oceanography; Original Paper; Otters; Particular ecosystems; Plant Sciences; Predators; Prey; Pseudalopex culpaeus; Pseudalopex griseus; Synecology; Zoology; South America; Argentina; America; Patagonia; PSW, Argentina, Patagonia; PSW, South America, Beagle Channel; Competition; Habitat use; Otter; Diet; Patagonia; Fox; Coastal habitat; Introduced species; Interaction; For; Habitat selection; Carnivorous animal; Ecotone; Habitat; Polar region; Native species
• ISSN: 0722-4060; 1432-2056
• DOI: 10.1007/s00300-010-0826-8

In coasts bordering highly productive seas, there can be a flux of resources to the terrestrial ecosystem, and terrestrial carnivores can use marine prey extensively. Two native, endangered species (otter Lontra provocax and culpeo fox Pseudalopex culpaeus lycoides) and two exotic species (mink Neovison vison and grey fox Pseudalopex griseus) inhabit the Beagle coast. The objectives of this paper are: (1) to describe the diet, habitat use and distribution of otters, mink and foxes on the coast of the Beagle channel and (2) to discuss the role of marine resources in the ecological interactions among these species. Diet was determined from the analysis of 245 faeces, and distribution was established from sign surveys. Marine prey occurred in the scats of 98.3, 70.4, 35.5 and 18.2% of otters, mink, culpeo and grey foxes, respectively. Other terrestrial species also use marine resources in Southern Patagonia. All this evidence suggests that the Fueguian coastal channels provide an illuminating example of allochthonous food subsidies from the sea. In the community of four sympatric predators, two native (and endangered) and two exotic, coexistence appears to be facilitated by a renewing marine food subsidy.