Composición de la dieta de Lagidium ahuacaense

Abstract

The Ecuadorian vizcacha is an endemic species from the province of Loja poorly studied so there is little information about its natural history. This work intends to contribute with information about the diet of Lagidium ahuacaense as a contribution for future conservation strategies. Twelve localities corresponding to three cantons of the province with potential presence of the species of study were visited. In six localities, the existence of the species was verified and feces samples were collected from twelve latrines and 23 reference plant species. Both types of samples were analyzed with microhistological techniques in order to identify the different plant species present in the vizcacha diet. 106 microhistological plates were made and 73 plant structures were photographed that allowed the identification of the species within the diet. The most representative plant families in the diet of Lagidium ahuacaense were Poaceae, Bromeliaceae and Cyperaceae. A total of 15 plant species were identified, the most representatives were: Melinis minutiflora, Paspalum cadidum and Rhynchospora tenuis.