Latitude, altitude and human disturbance drive changes in the diet of Geoffroy’s cat

Abstract

Mammalian carnivores exert direct and indirect effects on communities through top-down control and trophic ecology studies are helpful to understand the ecological processes behind these interactions. However, most diet studies reveal only local patterns. Large-scale biogeographic and anthropogenic drivers can also influence carnivore diet patterns. We investigated how latitude, altitude and human disturbance drive changes in Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) diets on a large geographical scale. Seventeen articles addressing the diet of Geoffroy’s cat were reviewed. We estimated the effects of drivers on three diet descriptor variables: diet composition, mean mammal-prey size and diet specialization. Our results uncover the primary use of prey around 300 g in body weight, such as Ctenomys and Cavia, through most of the geographic gradient. Only latitude and altitude caused replacement of prey species in diet composition. An increase in latitude led to higher diet specialization and larger prey selection, possibly guided by an increase in Lepus spp. consumption. Higher altitudes and an intensification of human disturbances decreased diet specialization and prey-size. Lastly, diet specialization increased with consumption of large prey. This further increases our understanding of Geoffroy’s cat broad adaptive capacity throughout South America.