Food selection by the guanaco (Lama guanicoe) along an altitudinal gradient in the Southern Andean Precordillera (Argentina)

Abstract

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Lama guanicoe bone collagen stable isotope (C and N) indicate climatic and ecological variation during Holocene in Northwest Patagonia

“…This isotopic broad range is reflecting diet flexibility. The foraging flexibility of guanacos is a common response to climate variation (Puig et al, 2014). It confirms that guanaco shows dietary flexibility that allows it to live in a diversity of habitats with contrasting vegetation structure and composition (Puig et al, 2014).…”

“…Guanacos inhabit preferably in open areas with grasslands, flat terrain and low hiding cover (Cajal, 1980), although they are known to inhabit forested environments . This species typically feeds on the herbaceous stratum, but also alternate seasonally between grazing and browsing, according to forage availability; this behavior allows defining the guanaco as an adaptable mixed feeder that has the ability to digest low quality forage (Puig et al, 1996(Puig et al, , 2014González et al, 2006). There are records from the Monte desert indicating that guanacos do not strongly select against C 4 grasses due to its capacity to digest high fiber content taxa (Puig et al, 1996).…”

“…In the presence of stable climatic conditions and good forage quality, guanaco populations show a tendency to sedentary life or low distance migration (Raedeke, 1979;Franklin, 1982;Puig et al, 2014;Bolgeri, 2016). However, some populations make seasonal movements, in the course of fall, form large herds, through the fusion of territorial and non-territorial groups, to move towards the winter ranges.…”

“…Ecological and behavioral research on modern camelids population proposed this to Payunia (Bolgeri, 2016). Puig et al (2014) mention that in extremely severe weather and extensive deep snow cover the Andean environments force the guanaco to migrate seasonally across the altitudinal gradient (Puig et al, 2011;2014).…”

Browsing evidence of the native and near-threatened Pudu puda deer in restoration plantings on Chiloé Island, Chile

“…In both continents, negative effects of browsing on restoration plantings and regeneration of seedlings have been identified (Motta 1996, Partl et al 2002. In the southern hemisphere, some studies have been set in the temperate forests of Chile and Argentina, where domestic (Echevarría et al 2014), native (Rebertus et al 1997, Martínez Pastur et al 1999, Cavieres & Fajardo 2005, Promis et al 2010, Puig et al 2014, and different types of browsers (Grosse 2001, Collado et al 2008 were considered. However, most of the research on browsing in these forests has been done focusing on introduced-wild species (e.g.…”