Diets of, and prey selection by, sables (Martes zibellina) in Northern China

Abstract

The sable (Martes zibellina) shows close phylogenetic ties to the Eurasian pine marten (M. martes) and American marten (M. americana), but ecological comparisons among these species are uncommon. To test for hypothesized similarities among these sibling species of martens, we studied diets of, and prey selection by, sables in northeastern China for three winters. We inferred diets from feces of sables, and availability of small mammals from snap trapping. Remains of mammals occurred in 89% of feces of sables, followed in frequency by soft and hard mast, and birds. Sables were highly selective from among small mammals, preying upon Clethrionomys rufocanus more than expected based on captures of small mammals, shrews (Sorer caecutiens) less than expected, and Clethrionomys rutilus in proportion to its availability. This pattern closely parallels that of the American marten, providing evidence for functional similarities among martens inhabiting boreal forests.