Map showing: a) the location of the Canary Islands (red square), b) the island of Tenerife and the Teide National Park (gray shape), and c) the location of the samples in the National Park (white dots). Credit: Mammal Research (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s13364-023-00728-9
Ever wondered what’s on the menu for local predators? Tenerife in the Canary Islands reveals secrets of trophic behavior. New research indicates wild cats have experienced a notable dietary change since 1986, affecting the island’s native species.
The study, led by researchers from Universidad de La Laguna in Tenerife, explores “Shifts in the trophic ecology of feral cats in the alpine ecosystem of an oceanic island: implications for the conservation of native biodiversity” published in Mammal Research.
Feral cats pose a significant danger to predators globally; studies highlight their heightened impact on islands. According to a 2011 study, cats are responsible for 14% of global extinctions of island birds, mammals, and reptiles.
Tenerife, part of the volcanic Canary Islands archipelago, showcases varied environments, from coastal sands to alpine scrub. However, limited animal populations in the alpine zone are at risk due to climate change and the presence of introduced species like cats.
Past studies revealed the dietary preferences of feral cats in Tenerife, mainly consuming allochthonous mammals and native birds and reptiles.
Focusing on shifts in cat feeding in different areas of Tenerife, the researchers gathered and analyzed 301 scat samples from feral cats in El Teide National Park, a predominant alpine scrub habitat, compared to earlier data.
Annual numbers of vertebrate intake of both a single cat and the cat population assuming a density of 1 cat/km2 in Teide National Park and considering that 170 g of prey equals one day’s consumption.  » …
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