DIET OF STONE MARTENS - AN EXAMPLE OF ECOLOGICAL FLEXIBILITY

The feeding ecology of the stone marten in a rural area of Central Ita ly was assessed by faecal analysis. Habitat analysis, performed throug h a Geographical Information System, and intensive radio-tracking allo wed us to investigate intra-population variations of diet in relation to habitat. The species' feeding habits were opportunistic: fruit and berries were the staple diet but mammals and birds were also important . Diet varied seasonally in relation to resource availability, with a predominance of fruit in autumn and frequent presence of insects in su mmer. Individuals living in adjacent areas but in different habitats ( wooded and rural) showed significant variations of diet, adapting thei r feeding habits to local availability of foods. The great adaptabilit y of the stone marten to very different resource conditions can repres ent a key to the species' success through its wide range.