DIET AND ABUNDANCE OF THE GUANACO (LAMA-GUANICOE MULLER 1776) IN 4 HABITATS OF NORTHERN PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA

Guanaco responses to spatial heterogeneity were evaluated in La Payuni a Protected Area, Patagonia, through analysis of guanaco diet and dens ity, and food availability, in four habitats. An opportunistic behavio ur was suggested by dietary differences among habitats reflecting diff erences in availability of food plant species. The abundance of guanac os was positively correlated with the availability of the preferred sp ecies, and it was stable throughout the year where preferred shrubs we re highly available. Switching among habitats may be an adaptive respo nse of guanacos to the low quality of available food. A strong negativ e influence of the range livestock on the abundance of guanacos, in sp ite of high food availability, was detected. (C) 1997 Academic Press L imited.