Cape genet Genetta tigrina diet in the Albany Thicket Biome, South Africa

African Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 59(2), P. 111 - 117

Published: June 28, 2024

AbstractThe diet of the Cape genet Genetta tigrina is only well known in coastal forests South Africa, where either arthropods or small mammals are their dominant prey. Here, we aimed to demonstrate this species' opportunistic behaviour by investigating its feeding habits Albany Thicket Biome (Great Fish River Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape). We analysed 61 scats collected across four seasons year deposited at 15 latrines genets, as confirmed through video-recordings. Small were primary and secondary prey, respectively. recorded seasonal variations both percentage occurrence volume food remains, with peaks consumption winter, spring–summer. The supplementary items such plant material was higher spring autumn, particularly seeds/fruit autumn. Reptiles other occurred trace foods throughout year, although birds reached a peak winter. Intermediate high diversity low intermediate breadth indices obtained for all seasons. Inter-seasonal overlap depending on descriptor pairs considered. therefore generalist opportunist forager that likely adjusts according main prey availability, potentially leading apparent local "specialisms".Keywords: Carnivoradietgeneralist foragerGenetta tigrinascat analysisseasonal

Language: Английский

Influence of season, sex, and interspecific interactions on the diel activity patterns of two sympatric African small carnivores

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Nov. 29, 2024

Animal activity patterns vary seasonally and between species, facilitating species coexistence. In Africa, however, factors affecting the of many small carnivores remain poorly understood, especially for congeneric sympatric whose similar sizes may lead to interspecific competition. Here, we investigated differences variations in two Viverridae a seasonal African landscape. We continuously radio-tracked 15 small-spotted genets (Genetta genetta) five Cape (G. tigrina) over 24-h cycles throughout year. analysed effects season, sex, interactions on circadian rhythms using multi-cosinor regression models. Both maintained nocturnal pattern year-round, decreasing significantly during cold-dry season. This aligns with thermoregulatory hypothesis-especially an elongated body like genets-suggesting decreased under extreme cold weather conditions conserve energy. Females both were less active than males, possibly due their smaller home ranges, These particularly pronounced genets, which primarily inhabit riverine forests. Female adjusted onset, minimize encounters mostly hot-wet season when caring offspring. Small-spotted shifted onset peak forests-areas potential contact genets-compared areas without genets. Overall, our study underscores critical role environmental changes shaping carnivore within semi-arid Albany Thicket

Language: Английский