Iberian wild cat Felis silvestris tartessia predation on rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus: functional response and age selection

Functional response and prey age selection have been studied for predator-p rey relationships between the Iberian wild cat Felis silvestris tartessia M iller, 1907 and the rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) through t he study of the seasonal wild cat's diet and variations in rabbit availabil ity in south-east Spain. This prey formed 73.7% of the total consumed bioma ss and was negatively correlated with trophic diversity. The wild cat showe d a functional response approximate to Holling's type 2, exhibiting a high dependence on rabbit. The age class preferred was that of the juvenile rabb it, the smallest age class, and such hunting behaviour may be considered to be opportunistic. Results are discussed within the context of the relation ship between the great size of this wild cat subspecies and the body size o f the principal Iberian prey in Mediterranean areas, the rabbit.