FEEDING ECOLOGY OF A POPULATION OF ROE DE ER (CAPREOLUS-CAPREOLUS (L)) INTRODUCED IN A MEDITERRANEAN HABITAT

Faecal analysis was used in order to investigate the diet of an introd uced Roe Deer population in winter and summer on a mediterranean bioto pe. Fourteen classes of plants were recorded in faeces during winter, and 9 in summer. 77,1% of identified plant items in the faeces were ma de up of only 4 classes of plant species or genus (Quercus sp., Pinus halepensis, Rubus sp. and Hedera helix) in winter, and 78,9% during su mmer. In general, faeces composition was correlated with the availabil ity of the plant species in the study area. In winter, we noted a corr elation between faeces composition and the area where they were found. These results show that the trophic value of the mediterranean biotop e cannot be the primary factor in explaining the limit of the Roe Deer distribution in southern Europe.