ECOLOGIA TRÓFICA DE ONÇA-PARDA (Puma concolor) EM PAISAGEM AGRÍCOLA

Carnivoresare important ecological components of ecosystems since they control abundance, distribution and diversity of prey populations. They are key-species in the maintenance and restoration of diversity and resilience of ecosystems. The Pumaconcolor (onca-parda) is a forest mammalwith wide distribution in the western hemisphere. Its requirements in area size, life span and feed are a restriction factor on the survival of the species due to hunting pressure, prey decrease and deforestation. Current analysis evaluates the diet of P. concolor in a silviculturalenvironment in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The environment comprises savannah remnants, plantations of eucalyptus trees and pasture. One hundred and three excrement samples were retrieved, selected and analyzed. Results show the consumption of great amounts of fowland small-size mammals. Feed differs from that of species within their natural habitat where preyed mammalsare the main items. Diet variation confirms the pumaas a generalist predator consuming available preys without any preference for certain species.