Meeting Abstract

P1.33  Jan. 4  Diet Composition of feral goats introduced in Mona Island, Puerto Rico. NORIEGA-OVALLE, A.R.*; RIVERA -MARQUEZ, S.I.; BAES, L.M.; SANCHEZ, S.; ROJAS, J.; MELENDEZ-ACKERMAN, E.J.; FERNANDEZ, D.S.; GARCIA-BERMUDEZ , M.; Center for Applied Tropical Ecology and Evolution (CATEC); Univ. of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus ; CATEC; Univ. of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus ; CATEC; Univ. of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus; CATEC; Univ. of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus; CATEC; Univ. of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus; CATEC; Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies; Univ. of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus; CATEC; Univ. of Puerto Rico, Humacao Campus; CATEC; Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Fish and Wildlife Office anamaria_noriega@yahoo.com

We studied the diet composition of goats (Capra hircus) introduced in Mona Island, a dry subtropical forest, located between La Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. In order to understand how goat influences this environment, we are identifying their capacity of diet selection. To explore this, we determined to characterize diet composition of goat through a micro-histological analysis of fecal samples of these mammals. These samples were collected at different sites on the island. This analysis compares epidermal plant tissues (stomata, trichome, etc) on feces with those within a reference collection of the island. Also, to evaluate population effects on species listed as �critical elements� (i.e. endangered species, threatened, endemic) included on their diet. The preliminary results suggest goat prefer dicot plants, also found an average of 11.25 morph species per fecal samples. We had recognized 22 morph species from which identify eight families and four species. This will evidence the importance of the development of a strategic plan for threatened species control. Future studies will determine if goats diet is selective and specific, and if through the year their selection present seasonal changes.