Diet of the lesser-grison, Galictis cuja (Mammalia, Carnivora): a review and new data from the Brazilian semiarid Caatinga.

Abstract

The lesser-grison (Galictis cuja) is a mustelid native to South America with an wide, but its diet remains poorly understood. The present study combines published data with new information on the diet of G. cuja from the semiarid Caatinga ecoregion, based on the analysis of the stomach contents of two road-killed specimens. Sixteen studies, conducted in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, were reviewed, permitting the identification of seven dietary categories: Invertebrates, Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, and Plant Material. Mammals and birds were the items consumed most frequently, while amphibians and fish were the least common items. The novel items identified in the Caatinga sample included the white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris), white tegu eggs (Salvator merianae), and melon seeds (Cucumis melo L.). The data indicate that G. cuja has a diverse diet, with mammals present in 100% of the diets analyzed, reflecting the role of the species as a mesopredator and potential seed disperser. The lack of data from a number of different ecoregions highlights the need for further research to better understand the ecological role of the species, and to develop effective conservation strategies, given that the current knowledge on the diet of G. cuja may not best represent its ecological importance and the challenges faced by the species in impacted environments.