Two models for assessing the prey mass of European ungulates from wolf scats |
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Authors: | Ferdinand Ruehe Ina Buschmann Almuth Wameling |
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Institution: | 1.Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management,University of Goettingen,Goettingen,Germany;2.Institute for Forest Biometry and Applied Computer Science,University of Goettingen,Goettingen,Germany |
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Abstract: | Among the prey of wolfCanis lupus Linnaeus, 1758, in many European regions, roe deerCapreolus capreolus, red deer Cervuselaphus and wild boarSus scrofa are of primary significance. Up to now, these species were not represented in models which allow an estimation of the consumed
biomass on the basis of wolf scats. To develop such formulae for roe deer, red deer and wild boar, we fed these species to
5 captive adult wolves of European origin. In 10 feeding trials, the wolves were fed 10 prey, whose body mass ranged from
15.3 to 118.5 kg. We related the body mass of the prey in accordance with Weaver (1993) to one collectable scat (Model l:y=0.00554+0.00457x) and, as it is difficult to define one unit scat, we alternatively related it to one meter length of scats (Model 2:y=0.141+0.0487x). The Model 1 equation differed from both of Weaver’s (1993) regressions, which he had calculated on the basis of his own
feeding trials and on the basis of the summarised data of Floydet al. (1978), Traves (1983) and Weaver (1993). Applying an equation gained through the European ungulates resulted in lower estimates
of prey mass. Model 1 and Model 2 estimates were comparable in size. |
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