Trophic strategy of the wildcat Felis silvestris in relation to seasonal variation in the availability and vulnerability to capture of Apodemus mice

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThe aim of this study was to assess the trophic strategy of the wildcat (Felis silvestris) by examining the availability and vulnerability of its main prey. Live traps were used to estimate Apodemus mouse availability. The vulnerability to capture of wildcat main prey -Apodemus mice -was studied by focal sampling of live-trapped individuals; slow escape behaviour and body weight were used as indicators of vulnerability to capture. The seasonal consumption of Apodemus mice did not depend on their availability, although seasonality was the only factor that explained the variation in slow escape behaviour, which was more commonly seen in the autumn when the consumption of these mice was higher. Variation in mouse body weight was related to reproductive condition but not to seasonality. These results indicate that the wildcat is a facultative specialist in the consumption of Apodemus mice, with vulnerability to capture the main factor determining the rate of mouse consumption.

Wood mice aggressiveness and flight response to human handling: Effect of individual and environmental factors

“…Furthermore, predator habitat preferences have been previously documented in the study area: the pine marten positively selected pine and deciduous forest (Barja, ), and the wildcat seems to select deciduous forests over the scrubland and mature pine forest areas (Barja & Bárcena, ). Moreover, as we already stated, predation pressure can seasonally vary, as for example the wildcat increases mice consumption during autumn and winter (Piñeiro & Barja, ). Therefore, differences in predation pressure and composition can be seasonally accentuated, leading to a possible diversification in A. sylvaticus behaviours patterns not only between habitats but also depending on the time of the year.…”

“…Furthermore, the main mammal predators of this species, the wildcat ( Felis silvestris ) and the pine marten ( Martes martes ), are more abundant in forest habitats in the study area (Barja, ; Barja & Bárcena, ) which is expected to intensify the aggression levels in mice since individuals would be more experienced and effective (Brown & Dreier, ; Brown, Rive, Ferrari, & Chivers, ; McCormick & Holmes, ). Moreover, since offensive antipredator behaviours have been successful for other prey species (Pettifor, ; Rissing, ; Tamura, ) and attacking a predator has found to be a common response in rodents when the contact is unavoidable (Blanchard & Blanchard, ; Blanchard et al., ), we expected intensified aggression levels during autumn and winter due to higher predation pressure (Piñeiro & Barja, ; Rosellini, Barja et al., ). Furthermore, higher levels of aggression are expected throughout the breeding period due to the increased interactions between individuals under intensive competition for resources and to maximize their reproductive success.…”

Evaluating the function of wildcat faecal marks in relation to the defence of favourable hunting areas

“…Therefore, our results suggest that faecal marking in wildcats is not influenced by seasonal parameters, such as mating or breeding. Furthermore, the fact that the faecal marking index did not vary between seasons could be related to the facultative specialist characteristic of the wildcats in the study area (PIÑEIRO & BARJA 2011). In this study, the seasonal consumption of small mammals depended on the ease of capture rather than their availability in the area (PIÑEIRO & BARJA 2011).…”

“…Previous studies conducted in the study area indicated that small mammals constitute the principal prey of wildcats and that their abundance varies with habitat type (PIÑEIRO & BARJA 2011). Therefore, to determine the abundance of small mammals, the main trophic resource of the wildcat in the study area (PIÑEIRO & BARJA 2011), from August 2005 to June 2007, live trapping were undertaken over 9 days per season in the most representative habitats of the study area (deciduous forest, mature pine, and scrubland).…”

“…Therefore, to determine the abundance of small mammals, the main trophic resource of the wildcat in the study area (PIÑEIRO & BARJA 2011), from August 2005 to June 2007, live trapping were undertaken over 9 days per season in the most representative habitats of the study area (deciduous forest, mature pine, and scrubland). In each habitat, three trapping sites spaced at least 3 km apart were selected in a total of 9 different 1-km 2 UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) cells to conduct the live trapping.…”