Influence of body size on the predator-prey relationships of living felids and its aplication to rhe fossil

Authors

  • Lourdes Morales Ramos Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24310/enbio.v11i165.17494

Keywords:

felids, predation, predator-prey, body size, fossil record, Venta Micena

Abstract

Body size is a crucial factor to take into account when analyzing the predator-prey relationships of the current felids and, despite the large number of studies focused on these relationships, the feeding patterns of these predators according to the age-class of prey have been poorly investigated. The study of those patterns shows a general trend towards the hunting of a greater number of calves of the larger prey species. A higher body mass and the existence of organized hunting groups allow predators like the lion to access the largest prey species as well as a higher number of adults of these prey, while the smaller felids have more limitations. The application of these results to the existing information on the extinct hypercarnivorous felids of Venta Micena allows an approximation to the hunting patterns of these antique predators.

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Published

2018-10-22

How to Cite

Morales Ramos, L. . (2018). Influence of body size on the predator-prey relationships of living felids and its aplication to rhe fossil. Encuentros En La Biología, 11(165), 6–10. https://doi.org/10.24310/enbio.v11i165.17494

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Artículos