Temporal variation of the diet of a top terrestrial predator: the jaguar as a case study

Abstract

Here, we aimed to evaluate the existence of temporal variation in the jaguar’s diet and to determine if the adjustments in the diet apply to all prey or if there are species that are more important independently of temporal aspects. The study was carried out in one of the last Atlantic Forest remnants where all potential jaguar’s prey are present. We analyzed fecal samples collected in three periods: 1996 (n = 101 samples), 2006–2008 (n = 32), and 2017–2019 (n = 74). Twenty-seven types of prey were identified, and the diet varied temporally regarding composition (11–22 taxa/period) and importance of each prey. Medium- or large-sized prey and mammals were more representative. The main prey (percentage of occurrence > 5%) accounted for most consumed items in each period (68.4–82.2%). Thirteen types of prey (48.1%) were consumed in two or three periods (= regular), and 14 (51.9%) were consumed in only one period (= exclusive). Main and regular prey may represent key prey for jaguar, although the species needs diversification of secondary prey to complement its diet. We suggested that the jaguar’s foraging strategy could be mediated by a combination of morphological, ecological, and behavioral aspects of prey, highlighting the importance of Tayassuidae and coati in all periods. Temporal variation of the diet may have been driven by environmental changes and variations in the abundance of prey, demonstrating the opportunistic feeding habit of jaguars. The existence of key prey may be a vulnerability factor for large predators, and the conservation of potential prey could contribute to the long-term conservation of jaguar, as well as to other big cats.