Predator-prey interactions: jaguar predation on caiman in a floodplain forest

Author(s)

Azevedo, F. C. C. ^{[1, 2]} ; Verdade, L. M. ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Joao Rei, Dept Ciencias Nat, BR-36301160 Sao Joao Del Rei, MG - Brazil

^[2] Inst Procarnivoros, Atibaia - Brazil

^[3] USP, Lab Ecol Isotop, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY; v. 286, n. 3, p. 200-207, MAR 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

Advances in the understanding of ecological factors determining predatorprey interactions have provided a strong theoretical background on diet preferences of predators. We examined patterns of jaguar predation on caiman in southern Pantanal, Brazil. We investigated factors affecting predation rates and vulnerability of caiman to predation by jaguars. We recorded 114 caiman mortality incidents. Predation accounted for 62.3% (n = 71) of all caiman found dead, while other causes of mortality (nonpredation) accounted for 37.7% (n = 43). We found that jaguars prey on a broad size range of caiman body and caiman predation was influenced by distance to forests. During dry seasons, 70% (n = 49) of deaths were due to predation, while 30% (n = 21) were due to nonpredation causes. However, we found no significant relationship between annual and monthly killings of caiman and rainfall totals by year and month (r = 0.130, r = -0.316). The annual flooding regime may be a more important factor influencing prey selection by jaguars. Although neotropical crocodilians are relatively well studied, their interactions with jaguars have been mostly ignored and should be prioritized in future studies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/00976-7 - Predisposing factors to livestock depredation by jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor) in Pantanal region, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
• Grantee: Fernando Cesar Cascelli de Azevedo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral