A study on the diet of minor grisons and a preliminary analysis of their role in the control of rabbits in Patagonia

Despite their wide-spread distribution and abundance, grisons (Galictis cuj a) are one of the least known carnivore in the Neotropics. We studied their diet in North-western Patagonia, and evaluated their potential impact on E uropean rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Rabbits invaded Argentina from Chi le between 1945 and 1950 and have since rapidly expanded southwards along t he river valleys of North-western Patagonia. We compared the diet of grison s between sites of similar environmental characteristics that differed in t he abundance of rabbits by analysis of their seats. Grisons preyed primaril y upon mammals (lagomorphs and cricetids), and secondarily upon birds and r eptiles. They hunt almost exclusively on lagomorphs when the density of rab bits is high. This result indicates that grisons may be important predators of rabbits and therefore further studies are warranted to confirm their ro le in the control of rabbits in Patagonia.