Publication Date

1998

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Meserve, Peter L.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

LCSH

Leopard--Congo (Brazzaville); Leopard--Food; Profelis aurata--Food; Felidae--Congo (Brazzaville); Felidae--Food; Predation (Biology)--Congo (Brazzaville)

Abstract

Leopard {Panthera pardus) and golden cat (Profelis aurata) scat, and mammalian track data were collected along logging roads in Ndoki National Park, Republic of Congo. Prey species were identified by comparing scat contents with material from the mammal collection of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago. Relative volumes and frequencies of occurrence of prey were determined for each felid scat. Prey size partitioning between these cats was found, with leopards consuming substantially larger prey than golden cats. Dietary analyses of both felids and tracking data show that all have high diversity indices which do not differ significantly, supporting the view that these cats hunt opportunistically. The niche overlap index was 67%, due mainly to prey less than 5 kg. Evidence did not suggest that these felids select for the largest available prey. While golden cats generally consumed more arboreal prey than leopards, arboreal prey was an important dietary component for both.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [45]-48)

Extent

48 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

Download

Share

COinS