Trophic ecology of cats (Felis catus) in montaña de Guaza: implications for the conservation of the critically endangered giant lizard of Tenerife (Gallotia intermedia)

Abstract

Cats have accompanied humans since they were domesticated, spreading and settling in a large number of islands where they modify environments and prey on native species. In the Canary Islands, several studies have shown that cat’s prey on native species, including Critically Endangered species such as the giant lizards of Tenerife (Gallotia intermedia), La Gomera (G. bravoana) and El Hierro (G. simonyi). This study focuses on the trophic ecology of the cat in Montaña de Guaza, where a population of the giant lizard of Tenerife is located. The current results show important changes in the diet of this alien species at this area in relation to the obtained by others author in 2004. The main changes detected are the low level of consumption of mammals and the high levels of birds and lizards. These changes seem to be a direct consequence of a low density of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), the main prey at the different habitats of Canary Islands, probably due to the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) incidence. The high consumption of reptiles detected in this study could explain the reduction of both distribution area and number of giant lizards at this locality.