Potential predators of Dolichotis patagonum in the surroundings of its burrows, in Sierra de las Quijadas National Park, San Luis, Argentina

Abstract

Dolichotis patagonum (common name: mara) is a large sized rodent, endemic of Argentina, which raises its juveniles in burrows. It has recently been categorized as vulnerable. This is the first study to evaluate D. patagonum interactions with potential predators in the surroundings of the dens. We monitored 20 burrows, using camera-traps, with a total of 5644 camera-days, obtained over two years (2015 and 2016). Five potential predator species were detected (Lycalopex griseus, Puma concolor, Leopardus geoffroyi, Salvator sp. and Chaetophractus villosus). L. griseus and L. geoffroyi were the species with the highest frequency of visits. Both species were photographed attacking the juveniles. Four out of five potential predator species registered presented agonistic interactions with adults of mara. Overlap between all species analyzed and mara was low to moderate, and potential predator visits to the surrounding of the burrows did not vary according to the presence of juveniles. Our results suggest that in this system, predators behave as opportunistic predators of mara's juveniles. Mara's social and reproductive behavior varies along the distribution range of the species, therefore it is of great ecological value to analyze and understand the variations of its interactions with predators in different regions and environments.