Investigación sobre la densidad relativa y dieta del lobo de páramo (Lycalopex culpaeus) (Molina, 1972) en la Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo como fundamento para acciones de conservación

Abstract

Reserve for Faunal Production (RPFCh) constitutes as range of presence of “lobo de páramo” (Lycalopex culpaeus) in Ecuador. In order to study the relative density and diet about the animal collected 70 samples of animal faeces, in determined areas, considered as concerned and less operated of (RPFCh). In the laboratory of Biological Sciences at ESPOCH performed a washing and dissolution of the samples to subsequently make physical analysis that consisted in the separation of components, structural analysis of hair fibers and estimation of parasitic presence. On the other hand, it made the extraction of total fat with 1g of sample in the laboratory of Chemistry of the same institution, in order to achieve the objectives. The components found in samples of animal faeces were: hairs, bones, plant remains, cartilages, worms and insects, being hairs the predominant. Thanks to structural analysis of fibers consumption, it identified 9 animal species between wild and domestic without identifying differences between concerned areas and less controlled sites, but with more diversity in the first category (index Levins’). The percentage of fat is similar in concerned areas and less concerned. Parasites identified in the samples are Cryptosporidium, Taenia spp, and Toxoplasma gondii, observing a mayor quantity or parasites in sites operated against less controlled. In relation to the collected samples, it obtains the relative density of “lobo de páramo” is lower than in operated sites. Finally, it suggest the extension of this study with in-situ monitoring at different times of year in (RPFCh) to improve appreciation of animals, besides a deeper study of parasites that affected to “lobo de páramo”.