Fall and winter diet of Martens, Martes americana, in central Labrador related to small mammal densities

Abstract

Central Labrador trappers returned 252 Marten carcasses from the 1995 through 1997 trapping seasons Small mammals, mostly Clethrionomys gapperi, were the most frequently occurring food category followed by fish (likely trapper's bait), and medium mammals, mostly Lepus americana. Frequency of food did not differ between sexes but was different among years. The 1996-1997 diet had a lower proportion of small mammals, and higher proportions of birds and berries than those proportions in the other two seasons. The reduced occurrence of small mammals in the 1996-1997 diet coincided with a reduction in small mammal numbers in Labrador. The reduced adult female per juvenile ratio in 1996-1997 season and reduced Marten harvest in 1997-1998 indicates a food shortage and reduced recruitment.