Abstract
To study the effect of ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) events on the diet of the chungungo [Lontra felina (Molina, 1782)] in northern Chile, fecal samples from Punta Patache (20°48´S, 70°11’50’’W) were studied and analyzed. The samples were collected during three periods with different degrees of ENSO impact on the coastal macroalgal community. Feces from the following periods were studied and compared: Period 1 (1985/87): absence of kelp beds due to mortality generated by ENSO 1982/83, with extensive bleached bottoms with calcareous algae; Period 2 (1995): beginning of the cold ENSO phase with partial recovery of the intertidal belt of Lessonia spicata, the subtidal belt of L. trabeculata but absence of Macrocystis integrifolia; Period 3 (1999/2000): corresponds to the cold ENSO phase of 1998/2001 with reestablishment of the inter and subtidal kelp forests.
In the absence of kelp beds (period 1), the diet consisted primarily of fish (73.7% of prey), 18.4% crustaceans, and 7.9% mollusks. With the settlement of macroalgae (period 2), fish consumption decreased to 49.3% of prey and increased to 29.0% crustaceans and 13.0% mollusks. With the reestablishment of the kelp beds (period 3), fish consumption decreased to 22.6% of prey, while crustaceans accounted for 41.9% and mollusks 19.4%. Echinoderms were also consumed in 3.2%. Overall, the diversity (H') of fecal composition increases as kelp beds develop, from 2.15 (period 1) to 2.5 (period 2) and 2.8 (period 3) (statistically significantly different; p < 0.06).
The results show that the chungungo exhibits great adaptability to environmental changes, being able to survive in conditions of high impacts and low prey diversity (period 1 of this study). However, it is unknown how these trophic restrictions can affect the nutritional and health status of the otters, their population density, reproductive rates, survival of offspring and adults, and other aspects important for species protection and conservation programs.
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