Guanacos’ winter diet in ecotone of “Tierra del Fuego” (Argentina)

Abstract

In the fuegian ecotone coexist native (guanaco) and introduced (cow, horse, sheep) herbivores, which is why they are conducting different studies on the behavior of the guanaco in this area, in order to establish a balance between development of livestock and forestry activity and the conservation of native species and their environment. Our aim was to evaluate and compare the diet of the guanaco and the cow during the winter (unfavorable season) to contribute to the ingestive behavior of the herbivores and to provide information on the use of the vegetal communities of the fuegian ecotone. The diet was analyzed by identifying botanical remains present in the pretreated feces. The relative frequencies of ingested taxa were obtained and analyzed according to their functional groups, being the grasses, herbaceous dicotyledons and graminoid the most consumed. There were few species consumed during the winter compared to other times and only significant differences were found in the intake of the Gunnera magellanica, with greater consumption by the guanaco. These results complement the studies on trophic overlap made in the area, broadening the knowledge of the ingestive behavior of the different herbivores and thus be able to elaborate a sustainable management on the area.