Food habits of the Japanese marten at Uenohara, eastern Yamanashi, central Japan

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  • 山梨県東部のテンの食性の季節変化と占有率－順位曲線による表現の試み
  • ヤマナシケン トウブ ノ テン ノ ショクセイ ノ キセツ ヘンカ ト センユウリツ-ジュンイ キョクセン ニ ヨル ヒョウゲン ノ ココロミ

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Abstract

<p>Fecal compositions of the Japanese marten (Martes melampus melampus) in the suburbs of Uenohara City, eastern Yamanashi, central Japan showed clear seasonal changes. In spring, animal materials such as mammals (33.3%) and insects (29.1%) were dominant. In summer, fruits such as Morus australis, Broussonetia kazinoki, and Cerasus (Prunus) spp. increased to 35.0%, and insects (29.7%) were also important. The occupancy of fruits such as Cornus controversa, Cornus macrophylla, Aphananthe aspera, and Celtis sinensis further increased up to 46.4% in autumn. The proportion of fruits and seeds further increased in winter (67.5%). This seasonal pattern is typical of the Japanese marten, as shown in the previous studies, although contrary to expectation, the marten fed on a considerable proportion of fresh leaves and insects in spring, small amounts of crustaceans in autumn, and rarely fed on Actinidia aruguta. Occupancy-rank curves showed three patterns: 1) Many samples contained great occupancy values, showing concave shaped curves. Fruits in summer, autumn, and winter showed this pattern. 2) Occupancy values gradually declined along the rank order. This pattern included mammals in spring and insects in spring and summer. 3) Small portions of samples took great values and then abruptly declined, yielding an L-shape. This pattern included stems and fruits in spring, crustaceans and insects in autumn, insects and leaves in winter. Factors affecting these patterns include food availability and the marten’s selectivity.</p>

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