Determinación de la dieta estacional del coyote (Canis latrans) en la región norte de la Reserva de la Biosfera Mapimí, México

Abstract

In this study we determined and compared coyote diet within and out of the Mapimí Biosphere Reserve. We collected 201 coyote scats, 62 in the dry season and 139 in the rainy season from March 2000 to March 2001. Samples were analyzed for the general area and by sites. We identified 50 and 45 items for the dry and rainy season, respectively. Out of 299 items identified for the dry season and 894 for the rainy season, the more frequent items were arthropods, mainly Acrididae, Cicadellidae, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera; mammals, mainly Lepus californicus and Sylvilagus audubonii. Plant material, reptiles and birds were less frequently consumed items. Mammals provided the greatest biomass, 86.5% in the dry season and 72.5% in the rainy season. Plant material was consumed more frequently at less modified sites. These results support the idea that coyote is a generalist, omnivore and opportunist predator, with a strong tendency to consume arthropods during the whole year, although the greatest biomass is obtained from mammals.