Diet, habitat use, and home ranges of sympatric canids in central Brazil

Abstract

Food items consumed by sympatric maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus), crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous), and hoary foxes (Lycalopex vetulus) were investigated in the Cerrado of central Brazil to determine overlap among their diets. Home ranges and spatial segregation among these canids were also investigated. Overlap among diets was greatest for maned wolves and crab-eating foxes, which had generalist diets, although maned wolves fed on larger prey than did crab-eating foxes. Hoary foxes were frugivore - insectivores, with Syntermes termites being the most important food item. In relation to habitat use, hoary foxes were also the most selective canid, preferring more open habitats.