Botanical content of blacktailed jackrabbit diets on semi-desert rangeland

TitleBotanical content of blacktailed jackrabbit diets on semi-desert rangeland
Publication TypeThesis
Year of Publication1989
AuthorsWansi T
Number of Pages84
Date Published1989
UniversityNew Mexico State University
CityLas Cruces, New Mexico
Thesis TypeM.S. Thesispp
Accession NumberJRN00091
Call Number00358
Keywordsdiet,lagomorph, dissertation, dissertations, lagomorpha, diet, Lepus,diet, rabbit,SEE <LAGOMORPH>, theses, thesis
AbstractBotanical content of the blacktailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) diets and relative preference indices for various plant species were evaluated. The study was conducted in southern New Mexico in June, August and October, on six vegetation types: mesquite-grass type, black grama type, snakeweed type, mixed-shrub grass type, creosotebush type and tarbush type. Diets were quantified using microhistological examination of fecal samples. Results from this study suggested that there is a significant (P<.01) difference for most of the important plant species in the diet for vegetational type, period and the vegetational type x period interaction. Grasses were preferred nearly in proportion to their availability. All forbs, except for broom snakeweed, were preferred. Tarbush and creosotebush were not preferred.