Food habits of the small Indian mongoose <i>Herpestes auropunctatus</i> in Kagoshima City, Japan

DOI Web Site 22 References
  • Funakoshi Kimitake
    Biological Laboratory, Faculty of Intercultural Studies, The International University of Kagoshima
  • Arai Aika
    Biological Laboratory, Faculty of Intercultural Studies, The International University of Kagoshima
  • Nagasato Ayumi
    Biological Laboratory, Faculty of Intercultural Studies, The International University of Kagoshima
  • Yamasita Kei
    Biological Laboratory, Faculty of Intercultural Studies, The International University of Kagoshima
  • Akune Taichi
    Biological Laboratory, Faculty of Intercultural Studies, The International University of Kagoshima
  • Kawaji Takayo
    Biological Laboratory, Faculty of Intercultural Studies, The International University of Kagoshima
  • Okada Shigeru
    The Foundation of Environmental Research and Service
  • Tamai Kanji
    Kagoshima City Zoological Gardens

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Other Title
  • 鹿児島市に生息するフイリマングース<i>Herpestes auropunctatus</i>の食性について
  • カゴシマシ ニ セイソク スル フイリマングース Herpestes auropunctatus ノ ショクセイ ニ ツイテ

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Abstract

The diet of the small Indian mongoose, Herpestes auropunctatus, which was discovered in 2009 to have colonized Kagoshima City, Japan, was studied by analyzing the contents of the digestive tracts and feces of 115 individuals to evaluate impacts on native animals. The diet of the mongoose was mainly insects, myriapods, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, and fruits. Among consumed animal matter, insects occupied the highest frequency of occurrence (95%) throughout the year, and reptiles (21%) followed them. The seasonal relative occurrence frequencies in mammals and birds from winter until spring were higher than those in other seasons. This result shows that mammals and birds are also important food resources for mongoose in addition to insects and reptiles. Young H. auropunctatus, however, did not eat mammals and birds. Changes in fauna should be examined in the study areas to assess the recovery of native species as a result of mongoose extermination.<br>

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