{"paper_id":"26da6555-e08a-44ad-803d-ccb6bce1c84f","body_text":"Iberian wolf’s diet and its quality during breeding season: exploring the influence of zone, wolf groups, prey availability and individual factors | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Iberian wolf’s diet and its quality during breeding season: exploring the influence of zone, wolf groups, prey availability and individual factors Isabel Barja, Ana Piñeiro, Javier Talegón, Aritz Ruiz-González, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3230941/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 20 Mar, 2024 Read the published version in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology → Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Large predators are essential in maintaining ecosystem functioning, and comprehending how their feeding habits change across natural and human-dominated landscapes is crucial to preserve biodiversity. In this study, the diet of Iberian wolves ( Canis lupus signatus ) during pup rearing season (July to September) has been studied in relation to prey abundance and putting emphasis in the analysis of the differences between zones, wolf groups and individual factors (age, sex and social status). For this, non-invasive monitoring was carried out in three zones of Spain where nine different wolf breeding groups were detected (Galicia, n = 4; Zamora, n = 4 and Valladolid, n = 1). Faecal samples were collected near rendezvous sites for dietary and genetic analyses, registering if it was or not a scent mark to know the social status of the individuals. Prey availability was determined by camera trapping or requesting the official census of wild prey in the study areas. We found differences in wolf’s diet depending on the zone and the breeding group however, the diet did not vary depending on the age, sex and social status. In general, Iberian wolves mainly fed on wild ungulates (wild boar, roe deer and red deer), feeding on the most abundant prey, except for Baldriz group in Galicia which seems to be specialized in hunting roe deer. Domestic animals’ consumption (sheep, goat, donkey, pig) was not high, but it occurred specially in agriculture and livestock areas (Ferreras in Zamora and Valladolid) where wild prey were less available. Canis lupus signatus wild ungulates feeding habits Spain diet quality nitrogen analysis rendezvous sites Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Significance Statement Wolves are keystone species in ecosystems, but like most carnivores, their nocturnal and elusive habits make them difficult to study. Until now, the influence of individual factors such as age, sex and social status on the Iberian wolf’s diet was unknown. We found that these factors did not explain differences in the diet of the wolves studied, and that feeding preferences differ between reproductive groups and correlated with prey availability. Introduction Wildlife population dynamics are determined by the complex interactions of multiple factors, including climatic conditions, predation, food availability and disease (Holmes 1995 ). Nutrition and reproduction are closely interlinked, when food requirements are not satisfactorily met, reproductive rates decline (Wade and Schneider 1992 ; Elmhagen et al. 2000 ; Allen and Ullrey 2004 ). Such decrease can affect population size (Fuller 1989 ; Stirling et al. 1999 ) and can have repercussions through entire ecosystems (Ripple and Beschta 2003 ; Hambäck et al. 2004 ; Hebblewhite et al. 2005 ). Understanding feeding ecology is crucial to comprehend the survival and productivity of animal populations (Barboza et al. 2008 ; Robbins 2012 ). Acquiring knowledge about diet quality and composition is critical not only in ecology and trophic studies but also in terms of economics and conservation. The wolf ( Canis lupus ) is an important top predator which plays a fundamental role maintaining biodiversity in ecosystems (Wilmers and Getz 2005 ; Smith and Bangs 2009 ; Letnic et al. 2012 ) and the feeding ecology of this species has been extensively investigated across its European range (Salvador and Abad 1987 ; Papageorgiou et al. 1994 ; Meriggi et al. 1996 ; Sidorovich et al. 2003 ; Gazzola et al. 2005 ; Śmietana 2005 ; Valdmann et al. 2005 ; Ansorge et al. 2006 ; Barja 2009a ; Lanszki et al. 2012 ). Traditionally, wolves have been considered as generalist-opportunistic predators, selecting the most abundant and available prey (Ciucci 1994 ; Mattioli et al. 1995 ; Meriggi et al. 1996 , 2011; Milanesi et al. 2012 ). In areas where wild ungulates are numerous, wolves feed mainly on them (Jedrzejewski et al. 1992; Meriggi and Lovari 1996 ; Barja 2009a ). Throughout southern Europe, in regions characterized by poor ecological conditions, wolf populations adapt to a diversity of food resources, such as livestock, fruits and small mammals (Castroviejo et al. 1975 ; Meriggi et al. 1991 ; Torres et al. 2015 ). Nonetheless, wolves often show a clear selection for particular prey species, even though these are less abundant than others (Potvin 1988 ; Dale et al. 1994 ; Meriggi et al. 1996 ; Kunkel et al. 2004 ). Studies carried out in the northern Iberian Peninsula show that the behaviour and preferences of the Iberian wolf ( Canis lupus signatus ) are closer to a facultative specialist than to an opportunist species (Barja, 2009a ), switching from a key food item when another profitable wild prey is accessible. Prey availability can have a strong impact on reproductive success in many carnivore species (White and Ralls 1993 ; Fuller and Sievert 2001 ; Persson 2005 ), including wolves (Fuller 1989 ; Boertje and Stephenson 1992 ; Fuller et al. 2003 ). Reproduction is linked to a fundamental life-history trade-off increasing energy requirements (Williams 1966 ; Calow 1979 ; Zera et al. 2001; Speakman 2008 ), thus, feeding habits of the group can be affected by this increase in trophic resources demand. Wolves are social animals and groups are characterized as dominance hierarchies that consist of only one breeding couple sharing the leadership, the dominant male and female (Packard et al. 1983 ; Mech 1999 ). Maintaining dominance, which yields significant benefits (e.g., access to food and mates), results in increased reproductive success, but it comes at a cost as dominant individuals suffer higher levels of physiological stress than subordinates (Sands and Creel 2004 ; Barja et al. 2008 ). Wolves also show cooperative breeding and hunting (Mech and Boitani 2007 ). Consequently, all members of the pack hunt and eat the same preys. However, dominant wolves eat first (Mech and Boitani 2007 ), gaining access to the most nutritional parts. Diet quality has significant repercussions on animal´s physical condition (Loeb et al. 1991 ; Codron et al. 2007 ) and can be assessed through faecal indicators such as total nitrogen percentage (Aldezabal et al. 1993 ; Robbins et al. 2005 ; Baldwin and Bender 2009 ; Navarro-Castilla et al. 2023 ). This element is commonly used since proteins are biomolecules of high nutritional value, and it has been used to evaluate the nutritional quality of the diet of numerous mammalian species (Arman et al. 1975 ; Sakaguchi and Ohmura 1992 , Sergiel et al. 2020 ). The present study aims to analyse variations in feeding habits of wolf groups during the breeding season. In particular, trophic behaviour was examined in relation to zone, prey availability, social status, sex and age of individuals. It is expected that the diet of wolves is affected by prey availability, which is related to the habitat type. As for prey selection, we expected that wolves selected the most vulnerable and abundant prey in each area, as they are facultative specialist predators (Barja 2009a ). Similarly, we predicted that trophic niche breadth would be broader in zones and groups with access to a higher variety of prey species. Particularly, we expected a broader niche breadth in Galicia compared to the other two zones (Zamora and Valladolid) as the first one is a protected area which should have a higher biodiversity. As for diet similarity, it is expected that wolf’s diet would be more similar within zones and especially different in Valladolid compared to Galicia and Zamora, since habitat characteristics are dissimilar, which entails different prey presence and availability. Since wolves are highly social animals that hunt together, we did not expect differences in the diet between sexes. Moreover, we predicted a correspondence between adults´ and cubs’ diets, since this species exhibits cooperative breeding and therefore, they feed on the same preys. Furthermore, we addressed another key issue: how diet quality varies depending on social status. The diet composition of dominant and subordinate wolves should be similar. However, we expected dominant wolves to have more nourishing diets (i.e., protein-richer) due to feeding hierarchy, resulting in higher faecal nitrogen concentrations. Materials and methods Study areas Fieldwork was carried out in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula: Galicia, Zamora and Valladolid regions (Spain) (Fig. 1 ). In Galicia, the study location is a protected area of 5722 ha called Montes do Invernadeiro Natural Park. This area falls within an altitudinal range of 803–1707 m with a series of low mountains and deep valleys. The vegetation mainly consists in scrubland composed by heather ( Erica australis ), prickled broom ( Pterospartum tridentatum ) and sandling ( Halimium lasianthum ). There are also deciduous forests in the valleys and along watercourses, characterised by oak ( Quercus robur ), birch ( Betula celtiberica ) and holly ( Ilex aquifolium ). Replanted Scot pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) forests are also common in the area. This region, especially the natural park, has a high density of wild ungulate prey such as roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ), red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) and wild boars ( Sus scrofa ). Study area in Zamora comprises the “Sierra de la Culebra” Regional Hunting Reserve. The Sierra de la Culebra is a mountain chain ranging from 800 to 1243 m of altitude. The vegetation is characterised by scrubland composed by heather ( Erica australis ). While natural forests are scarce and mostly found in the valleys, replanted Scot pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) forests are abundant in this reserve. As in Galicia, wolf preys primarily are roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ), red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) and wild boar ( Sus scrofa ). In Valladolid, the study region is dedicated to agriculture and livestock, being very flat and with very low tree density. There are no red deer in the area, and wild boars and roe deer are scarce. On the contrary, lagomorphs such as European wild rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) and Iberian hares ( Lepus granatensis ) are abundant. There are also domestic pig ( Sus scrofa domesticus ) farms in the study area where wolves can scavenge. Wolf group detection and prey availability Breeding wolf groups were spotted during May-June by the increase in faecal marking behaviour, which is more intense during breeding season (Barja et al. 2005 ). Faecal marking is carried out by the dominant pair and only in reproductively active groups (Barja et al. 2008 ). Wolves use conspicuous substrates to deposit faeces to increase the effectiveness of the signal (Barja 2009b ), this way wolves know which territories are occupied by other neighbouring groups. Later, breeding groups were confirmed by camera trapping in Galicia and by sightings in Zamora and Valladolid. A total of nine rendezvous sites (zones where pups are left from July to September while adults hunt, Mech and Boitani 2006) belonging to nine Iberian wolf breeding groups were located: four in Galicia (Invernadeiro Natural Park, Saguñedo, Castrelo and Baldriz), four in Zamora (Boya, Ferreras, Mahide and Villardeciervos) and one in Valladolid. To estimate wild ungulate prey availability (roe deer, red deer and wild boar) in Galicia, we set 12 camera trapping stations for one month in each one of the four group rendezvous site locations. We corrected the total number of photographic events between the number of days that cameras were active to set comparable conditions. In the case of Zamora and Valladolid, to know wild prey relative abundance we request to the Administration and the Hunting Reserve, respectively, the official census of wild prey. We also set a correction index for the census by dividing the abundance of wild ungulates by the total area (ha) occupied by each rendezvous site. Faecal sample collection Scats were collected during breeding months (June-September). For this, we surveyed transects along roads and firebreaks near the rendezvous sites walking and with a vehicle (10 km/h) for 15 days each month. Transects were done early in the morning, when the probability to detect fresh faeces is higher due to wolf nocturnal and crepuscular habits (Barja et al. 2008 ; Barja et al. 2018 ). Fresh scats were discriminated from old ones by the strong smell, a layer of mucus, and no signs of dehydration (Barja 2008; 2009a ; Martín et al. 2010 ). From each scat we collected two subsamples: one for genetic analyses and another for nitrogen contents. Samples for genetic analyses were preserved in ethanol at -20ºC whereas samples for nitrogen content were frozen at -20ºC until laboratory analyses. Moreover, from each fresh scat detected, we collected hair and bone samples to conduct dietary analyses. We also register if the scat was a scent mark or not, considering as scent marks only faeces deposited in conspicuous or elevated substrates or crossroads (Barja 2009b ). In wolf groups only the dominant pair exhibit this marking behaviour (Barja et al. 2004; Barja et al. 2008 ; Barja 2009b ), hence, we considered that collected faeces with a marking function belonged to dominant wolves (Barja et al. 2008 ). Genetic analysis To ensure that faecal samples belonged to Iberian wolves and not to other sympatric carnivores, we performed a genetic identification on the faecal samples collected in the field by sequencing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We took a subsample of each faecal sample, placed it in tubes filled with ethanol (96%) and stored it at -20ªC. For the extraction of the DNA, we used an extraction kit consisting in silica membranes and adapted to non-invasive samples (QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit, Qiagen). To identify the species origin of the samples, we sequenced a 440 bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region following Vilà et al. 1999 methodology. We used the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique and the universal primers Thr-L 15926 and DL-H 16340 for the amplification of the DNA. Then, we used gel electrophoresis to verify the success of the DNA amplification. In order to eliminate the primers and the excess of deoxynucleotides, we applied the alkaline phosphatase and exonuclease I (ExoSAP-IT) method for the cleaning and purification of the amplified product. Finally, the sequencing on this cleaned PCR product was conducted by the application of the commercial kit dRhodamine Terminator Cycle Sequencing Ready Reaction (Applied Biosystems) and an automatic sequencer ABI PRISM Model 3130 (Applied Biosystems). For the species identification, we compared the sequences obtained with reference sequences of dogs and wolves obtained in previous studies (Vilà et al. 1999 ; Randi et al. 2000 ; Pilot et al. 2010 ) and reference sequences deposited in the GenBank databases ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ ) using the BLAST 2.0 algorithm ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/ ). We followed the method described in Seddon ( 2005 ) for the sex determination of the samples. By using the PCR technique, we amplified two specific canine markers: the DBX intron6 (249 bp), which identifies the X chromosome in females and males, and the DBY intron7 (118 bp) for the Y chromosome in males. To verify the success of the DNA amplification, we conducted an electrophoretic migration of the amplified product in 1.5% agarose gels. Males were identified by the presence of two bands corresponding to the X and Y chromosomes, while females only presented the band of the chromosome X. All samples were processed in duplicate to cope with the low quantity and quality of DNA extracted from the faecal samples. When bands were faint or fuzzy and thus the identification by agarose gel was doubtful, samples were genotyped with two replicates using an automatic sequencer (ABI PRISM 3130, Applied Biosystems). We used the program GENEMAPPER version 4.0 (Applied Biosystems) to detect the fragments corresponding to the X and Y chromosomes. Diet analysis Wolf diet was determined by identifying guard hairs as well as bone remains in the scats. Since cuticle patterns vary between species (Teerink 1991 ; Barja et al. 2021 ), we prepared cuticle slides using hair spray as medium (Barja 2009a ). Then, we used a microscope (Olympus 400X) to compare the cuticle patterns found in the samples with those in reference manuals (Teerink 1991 ; Barja et al. 2021 ) and with reference hairs collected in the study area (Barja 2009a ; Barja et al. 2021 ). Bone remains were identified using dichotomic keys and by comparing with a reference collection. Elemental nitrogen analysis Since total nitrogen content of faeces seems to be a good indicator of protein ingestion and hence, diet quality (Aldezabal et al. 1993 ; Robbins et al. 2005 ; Baldwin and Bender 2009 ; Navarro-Castilla et al. 2023 ), we analysed nitrogen contents of wolf faeces to evaluate nutritional condition (protein intake) of individuals. Frozen faecal samples were dried in the laboratory oven at 90ºC until they exhibited a constant weight, which took 24 hours. Following, using liquid nitrogen, we pulverized the samples in a mortar and 1g of each pulverized sample was stored and later analysed at the Research Support Central Services (SCAI - University of Málaga, Spain). Total faecal nitrogen was determined by carrying out the elementary chemical analysis on a PERKIN-ELMER 2400 CHN elemental analyser, using the classical Pregl-Dumas method according to Sergiel et al. 2020 . Faecal nitrogen content is presented as g N/100 g dry faeces. Data analysis The composition of the diet was expressed in terms of frequency of occurrence (the total number of times that each prey species appeared in faecal samples) and the percentage of consumed biomass. Since the energy provided by each prey is different depending on its weight, the consumed biomass of each prey species was estimated by multiplying its frequency of occurrence by that prey mean weight, considering both adult and juvenile weights ( C. capreolus 15.8 kg; C. elaphus 57.5 kg; S. scrofa 48.5 kg; C. aegagrus 15.7 kg; O. aries 16.8 kg; E. africanus asinus 100.0 kg; S.scrofa domesticus 80.0 kg; O. cuniculus 1.2 kg) (Urios 1995 ; Llaneza et al. 1996 ; Blanco 1998; Mateos-Quesada, 2002 ; Soffiantini et al. 2006 ; Barja 2009a ; Meriggi et al. 2015 ). When species identification was not possible, consumed biomass was estimated using the mean weight of the corresponding member species of that group (Unidentified ungulate: 40.6 kg, mean between C. capreolus , C. elaphus and S. scrofa mean weights). To analyse the relationship between prey consumption and wild ungulate availability in each wolf breeding group, we recorded the total number of times that each prey species appeared in faecal samples (ObsF). Since the number of scats collected in each group was different, ObsF were corrected using the following equation: ( \\({ObsF}^{*}=ObsF*{I}_{c}\\) ) where ObsF* is the corrected frequency and I c is the correction index: ( \\({I}_{c}=\\frac{{N}_{m}}{N}\\) ) I c index was calculated by dividing the number of faecal samples collected in each breeding group (Nm) by the mean number of faecal samples collected in all groups (N). To estimate wild ungulate prey availability, we calculated the expected frequencies: \\(\\%Esp=\\frac{{D}_{i}·100}{{D}_{t}}\\) where D i corresponded to each prey species availability in each group and D t the total ungulate availability in each group. Expected frequencies (ExpF) were calculated as: \\(ExpF=\\frac{ Ob{s. F}^{*}·\\%Exp}{100}\\) Jacob's (1974) prey selection index was used to calculate wolf ungulate preferences: \\(D=\\frac{r-p}{r+p-2pr}\\) where r is the contribution of each ungulate species in relation to the total number of prey and p is the abundance of that prey in that study area. D can take values between from − 1 to + 1, -1 implies a negative selection, 0 no selection and + 1 positive selection. Moreover, we used Levin’s (1968) index ( L ) to estimate trophic niche breadth: \\(B=\\frac{ 1}{{Pi}^{2}}\\) where P i is the contribution of each prey to total biomass ingested in each wolf group. B values next to 1 indicate a highly specialised diet whereas larger values indicate an opportunistic trophic behaviour. To analyse diet similarity, we used Pianka ( 1973 ) index: \\({\\alpha }_{gz}=\\left({P}_{g}·{P}_{z}\\right)·\\left[\\right({P}_{g}{)}^{2}·({P}_{z}{)}^{2}{]}^{-\\text{0,5}}\\) where α pz would be the similarity between wolf breeding groups in Galicia and Zamora, P g the contribution of one prey species to the total biomass ingested in Galicia and P v the contribution of one prey species to the total biomass ingested in Zamora. This index was calculated by comparing all study areas between them. Values close to 0 indicate the minimum niche overlap. To compare wild ungulate abundance within zones, we used a t-test. Since data was not normal distributed, we used non-parametric Chi-square (χ 2 ) tests to check the independence between the observed and expected prey presence in diet depending on the wolf breeding group, age and social status. To analyse differences in the type of prey consumed between different groups (zone, wolf breeding group, social status, sex and age) we used contingency table analysis. We used Pearson χ 2 when the table had less than 20% of the expected frequencies > 5. In contingency tables where more than 20% of the expected frequencies were < 5, the Monte Carlo’s exact test was used. In 2x2 tables where df = 1, we used Yates’s continuity correction. In 2x2 tables we used Fisher exact test and χ2 de Pearson for the rest of the cases. To analyse differences in total faecal nitrogen (%) between breeding groups, sexes, dominant and subordinate individuals we performed non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests because data did not fit normal distribution, not even transformed. We only had data of faecal nitrogen contents for Galicia and Valladolid wolf breeding groups because we did not receive any funding to carry out the analysis in Zamora’s wolf groups. Results were considered significant at α < 0.05. Data are represented as mean ± standard error (SE). The software used to perform the statistical analysis was SPSS 23.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). Animal Ethics The study methodology was strictly non-invasive and this research was performed in compliance with all applicable laws and rules set forth by the Spanish Government. Results Genetic analysis We successfully identified as wolf scats 63 of the 105 faecal samples, 39 samples did not amplify and 3 belonged to red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ). Of the total number of samples, we analysed 84 to determine the sex, the 63 samples genetically identified as wolf and 21 of the non-amplified samples that we knew unequivocally to be wolf (by camera traps), resulting in 21 females and 22 males; the rest did not amplify. Wild ungulate abundance The abundance of wild ungulates in Zamora (52.1%) was slightly higher than in Galicia (47.2%). However, in Valladolid wild ungulate availability was low, being the main prey available the rabbit (Table 1 ). Table 1 Wild ungulate availability for each wolf group. Correction index in Galicia was obtained by dividing the total number of photographic events between the number of days that cameras were active. In the case of Zamora and Valladolid, the correction index was obtained by dividing the abundance of wild ungulates by the total area (ha) of each location. Wild ungulate availability Sus scrofa Capreolus capreolus Cervus elaphus Wolf breeding group Abundance (number of individuals) Corrected abundance Abundance (number of individuals) Corrected abundance Abundance (number of individuals) Corrected abundance Correction index Method GALICIA Invernadeiro Saguñedo Castrelo Baldriz 66.0 64.0 52.0 128.0 0.05 0.11 0.08 0.44 12.0 34.0 33.0 30.0 0.01 0.06 0.05 0.10 91.0 11.0 - - 0.08 0.02 - - 1.212 603 679 294 Camera trapping ZAMORA Boya Ferreras Mahide Villardeciervos - - - - - - - - 19.0 19.0 19.0 19.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 155.5 65.0 122.5 155.50 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.02 8.384 11.228 8.925 8.384 Reserve census VALLADOLID 6.0 0.00 2.0 0.00 - - 2.850 Hunting census In Valladolid, wild boar was the most abundant wild ungulate (75.0%), as well as in Galicia (59.5%), however, red deer was the most abundant in Zamora (86.8%) (Table 1 ). In Galicia, Baldriz was the region with the highest availability of wild boar (81.0%) followed by Castrelo (61.2%), Saguñedo (58.8%) and Invernadeiro (39.1%) ( t = 6.99; df = 3; p = 0.06). Roe deer was more abundant in Castrelo and Saguñedo (38.8% and 31.2%, respectively) following by Baldriz (19.0%) and Invernadeiro (7.1%) ( t = 3.45; df = 3; p = 0.04). In Invernadeiro, red deer was the most abundant ungulate (53.9%), being absent in Castrelo and Baldriz (Table 1 ). In Zamora, red deer was the most abundant ungulate: Boya and Villardeciervos (89.1%), Mahide (86.6%) and Ferreras (77.4%) ( t = 23.72=; df = 2; p = 0.02) (Table 1 ). Data belonged to the hunting census carried out by the rangers during rutting season, but they did not have census available for roe deer nor wild boars, being both species present in the area. Frequency of occurrence and ingested biomass: Differences between zones and groups Wolf’s diet was different depending on the zone considered: Galicia, Zamora or Valladolid (χ 2 = 130.32; df = 18; p = 0.001, N = 405). We also found that wild ungulate consumption was dependent on ungulate availability in all wolf groups (Table 3 ) (χ 2 = 40.11; df = 10; p = 0.05, N = 405). Table 3 Observed frequencies (the total number of times that each prey appeared in wolf faecal samples) vs expected frequencies (prey species availability) depending on each wolf groups. GALICIA S. scrofa C. capreolus C. elaphus Obs. Exp. Obs. Exp. Obs. Exp. Invernadeiro 11.09 12.41 3.17 2.26 3.96 17.11 Saguñedo 9.11 20.54 4.56 10.91 4.56 0.32 Castrelo 10.49 19.45 7.73 12.32 - - Baldriz 112.89 231.70 112.89 54.30 - - ZAMORA Obs. Exp. Obs. Exp. Obs. Exp. Boya 5.47 - 9.11 3.46 3.64 28.32 Ferreras 12.15 - 0.00 7.19 6.07 24.59 Mahide 18.22 - 0.00 4.27 0.00 27.52 Villardeciervos 18.22 - 0.00 3.46 0.00 28.32 VALLADOLID Obs. Exp. Obs. Exp. Obs. Exp. 13.47 23.84 4.75 7.95 0.00 - In Galicia, we found statistically significant differences in the diet of all groups ( χ 2 = 34.84; df = 18; p = 0.01; N = 114), being wild ungulates, particularly roe deer (29.4% FO) and wild boar (43.7% FO), the main prey of wolves (Table 2 ). However, Invernadeiro and Saguñedo groups mainly preyed upon wild boar and red deer, whereas Castrelo and Baldriz groups predominantly consumed wild boar and roe deer. Domestic ungulates were not as abundant as wild prey in wolf’s diet, but goat’s ( Capra aegagrus ) remains were found in wolf’s scats (Table 2 ). Considering the biomass ingested, the wild boar was the species that most contributed to the wolf’s diet, followed by red deer in Invernadeiro and Saguñedo, and roe deer in Castrelo and Baldriz (Table 2 ). In all groups the wild boar was the prey that appeared most frequently, followed by red deer and roe deer in Invernadeiro, red deer, roe deer and goat in Saguñedo and roe deer in Castrelo and Baldriz (Table 2 ). Table 2 Frequency of occurrence (FO) in wolf scats and total biomass ingested (B) of each prey species in Galicia (A), Zamora (B) and Valladolid (C) wolf breeding groups. A Galicia (n = 119) Invernadeiro N = 29 Saguñedo N = 11 Castrelo N = 41 Baldriz N = 38 Prey species FO B FO B FO B FO B Wild ungulates Unidentified ungulate 0.07 2.84 - - - - - - Capreolus capreolus 0.14 2.21 0.18 2.84 0.34 5.37 0.39 6.16 Cervus elaphus 0.17 9.78 0.18 10.35 - - - - Sus scrofa 0.48 23.28 0.36 17.46 0.46 22.31 0.39 18.92 Domestic ungulates Capra aegagrus 0.07 1.10 0.18 2.83 0.10 1.57 0.18 2.83 Other preys Oryctolagus cuniculus 0.03 0.04 0.09 0.11 - - - - B Zamora (n = 102) Boya N = 17 Fereras N = 9 Mahide N = 47 Villardeciervos N = 29 Prey species FO B FO B FO B FO B Wild ungulates Unidentified ungulate - - - - 0.36 14.62 0.07 2.84 Capreolus capreolus 0.12 1.90 0.11 1.74 - - - - Cervus elaphus 0.29 16.68 - - - - - - Sus scrofa 0.18 8.73 0.22 10.67 0.43 20.86 0.48 23.28 Domestic ungulates Capra aegagrus - - - - 0.11 1.73 0.03 0.47 Ovis aries - - 0.22 3.70 - - 0.07 1.18 Equus africanus asinus 0.29 29 0.11 11 0.02 2 0.03 3 C Valladolid N = 65 Prey species FO B Wild ungulates Capreolus capreolus 0.10 1.58 Cervus elaphus 0.04 2.30 Sus scrofa 0.47 22.80 Domestic ungulates Capra aegagrus 0.03 4.80 Sus scrofa domestica 0.06 4.80 Other prey Oryctolagus cuniculus 0.11 0.13 In Zamora, we also found statistically significant differences in the trophic ecology between wolf’s groups (χ 2 = 83.17; df = 21; p = 0.001; N = 86) and the diet was more varied than in Galicia, including different prey species such as roe deer (2.9% FO), red deer (4.9% FO), unidentified ungulates (18% FO), wild boar (38.2% FO), sheep ( Ovis aries ) (5.9% FO) and donkey ( Equus africanus asinus ) (7.8% FO). In Boya, donkey and red deer were the preys most consumed by wolves, both in frequency of occurrence and total biomass (Table 2 ). In Ferreras group, wild boars and donkeys were the prey that most contributed to the total biomass ingested, while sheep were also frequently found in wolf scats. Wild boars and unidentified ungulates were the preys that most contributed to the biomass ingested and the most frequently found in Mahide group. Finally, in Villardeciervos group, the wild boar was the main prey, both in frequency of appearance and biomass ingested (Table 2 ). The wolves of Valladolid group also showed a varied diet. Wild boars (47% FO) and rabbits (11.2% FO) were the prey most frequently found, but we also found roe deer (10.3% FO), red deer (4.9% FO), pigs (6.2% FO) and goats (3.1% FO). Domestic pigs and wild boars were the prey species which most contributed to the total biomass ingested (Table 2 ). Prey selection, trophic niche breadth and diet similarity in the wolf breeding groups The majority of wolf groups did not positively select wild boars nor other wild ungulates according to Jacob's prey selection index. Only Ferreras group in Zamora positively selected roe deer, being this species negatively selected in Mahide and Villardeciervos groups. Moreover, red deer was negatively selected in Ferreras, Mahide and Villardeciervos wolf groups. The highest trophic niche breadth was found in wolf groups inhabiting Zamora ( L = 16552.9), followed by Valladolid ( L = 2910.2) and Galicia’s groups ( L = 262.0). In Galicia, Invernadeiro group exhibited the most diverse diet ( L = 18470.0), followed by Baldriz ( L = 10659.0) (Fig. 2 ). Regarding Zamora’s wolves, it was Villardeciervos group the one with the highest trophic niche breadth ( L = 6474.0) (Fig. 2 ). According to Pianka’s index, wolf’s diet was more similar between Galicia and Zamora (α = 0.23) than Galicia-Valladolid (α = 0.14) and Zamora-Valladolid (α = 0.10). In Galicia, wolves of Baldriz-Castrelo and Invernadeiro-Castrelo had the highest diet similarities (Fig. 3 ). In Zamora, we found that Ferreras-Villardeciervos groups exhibited more diet overlapping (Fig. 3 ). Influence of individual factors in wolf diet We did not find statistically significant differences in the wolf’s diet depending on age (frequency of occurrence of each prey: χ 2 = 39.00; df = 14; p = 0.08; N = 265). In both adults and pups, wild boar was the prey that most frequently appeared, followed by roe deer in adults and unidentified ungulated in pups (Table 4 ). Parallelly, differences in the wolf’s diet depending on the sex (frequency of occurrence percentage of each prey: χ 2 = 24.00; df = 16; p = 0.24, N = 43) (Table 4 ) and social status were not statistically significant (frequency of occurrence percentage of each prey: χ 2 = 29.75; df = 14; p = 0.23, N = 148) (Table 5 ). Table 4 Frequency of occurrence (FO) of each prey in wolf scats and total biomass ingested (B) of each prey depending on wolf’s sex and age in all nine wolf breeding groups. Adults N = 212 Pups N = 53 Males N = 22 Females N = 21 Prey species FO B FO B FO B FO B Wild ungulates Unidentified ungulate 0.05 9.29 0.21 10.22 - - - - Capreolus capreolus 0.19 20.57 0.06 1.51 0.23 6.52 0.32 5.52 Cervus elaphus 0.05 13.58 0.04 2.72 0.04 2.72 0.03 1.36 Sus scrofa 0.42 82.54 0.36 17.62 0.46 24.11 0.29 9.27 Domestic ungulates Capra aegagrus 0.08 21.49 0.09 6.32 0.11 7.58 0.09 3.79 Ovis aries 0.02 5.94 0.00 - - - - - Equus africanus asinus 0.03 11.54 0.04 3.85 - - - - S. scrofa domesticus 0.05 24.74 0.08 9.90 0.09 12.37 0.15 12.37 Other prey Oryctolagus cuniculus 0.10 6.318 0.09 1.44 0.09 1.44 0.12 1.15 Table 5 Frequency of occurrence (FO) of each prey in wolf scats and total biomass ingested (B) of each prey depending on wolf’s social status. Dominant N = 48 Subordinates N = 100 Prey species FO B FO B Unidentified ungulate 0.04 1.86 0.18 16.72 Capreolus capreolus 0.23 5.52 0.09 4.52 Cervus elaphus 0.04 2.72 0.06 8.15 Sus scrofa 0.46 20.40 0.50 46.37 Capra aegagrus 0.10 6.32 0.06 7.58 Ovis aries 0.02 1.48 0.03 4.45 Equus africanus asinus 0.06 5.77 0.05 9.62 Diet quality by nitrogen analysis Nitrogen analysis in wolf scats showed that there were no differences in diet quality of wolf breeding groups depending on the zone (Galicia 5.29 ± 0.44 g N/100 g dry faeces; Valladolid 4.45 ± 0.42 g N/100 g dry faeces) ( F = 1.697, df = 1, p = 0.19, N = 91). Moreover, differences in diet quality between sexes and age were also non-statistically significant (males 5.50 ± 0.63 g N/100 g dry faeces; females 5.12 ± 0.64 gN/100 g dry faeces; U = 356.50, df = 1, p = 0.94, N = 57) (adults 5.07 ± 0.38 gN/100 g dry faeces; pups 4.62 ± 0.42 g N/100 g dry faeces; U = 539.00, df = 1, p = 0.80, N = 91). Finally, nitrogen content in wolf’s faeces did not differ between dominant and subordinate individuals (dominant 5.71 ± 0.95 g N/100 g dry faeces; subordinates 5.47 ± 0.77 g N/100 g dry faeces), the differences were not statistically significant ( U = 117.5, df = 1, p = 0.89, N = 31). Discussion Diet differences between zones and breeding wolf groups We found that the wolf’s diet in the study areas was strongly dependent on prey availability, being wild ungulates are the central core of their diet, as it has been described in previous studies characterizing wolves as generalist-opportunistic predators through its European range (Ciucci 1994 ; Mattioli et al. 1995 ; Meriggi et al. 1996 , 2011; Milanesi et al. 2012 ). However, some wolves, such as the breeding group studied in Baldriz (Galicia), consumed much more roe deer than it was expected due to its abundance, suggesting that some wolf groups show marked preferences for certain prey species regardless its abundance (Potvin 1988 ; Dale et al. 1994 ; Meriggi et al. 1996 ; Kunkel et al. 2004 ). Therefore, these results could indicate that some wolf breeding groups may be specialised in hunting specific prey species (Barja 2009a ). Moreover, these findings could be also determined by the fact that during the breeding season of wolves, roe deer and wild boars also reproduce, and wolves have been reported to prey upon juvenile roe deer and wild boars (Blanco 1998; Rigg and Gorman 2004 ; Barja 2009a ), because they are an easy target compared to adult prey. Wolf’s diet was different depending on the zone (i.e., Galicia, Zamora or Valladolid) and the breeding group studied, being wild boars and cervids the main prey in their diet. In Galicia, the variation in the wolf’s diet between breeding wolf groups correlated with prey availability, except for Baldriz’s group, which fed on roe deer almost four-times more than expected, which, as we mentioned above, could be a local feeding specialisation of this particular wolf group. Invernadeiro and Saguñedo groups consumed both roe deer and red deer, while Castrelo and Baldriz wolves did not feed upon roe deer, probably because its scarcity but also because it’s a more difficult prey to kill (Barja, 2009a ). As for domestic ungulates, some goat remains were found, but in general, wild boar and wild cervids were the main preys consumed, which corroborates that livestock consumption by wolves is not generalised in Galicia (Barja 2009a ). The diet of wolves was particularly diverse in Zamora compared to Galicia and Valladolid, including mostly wild boars and wild cervids but also donkeys and sheep. It is worth to mention that donkeys were provided by hunting reserves to lure wolves and facilitate their hunting. The availability of this vulnerable prey could explain why cervid consumption was lower than expected, especially in Mahide and Villardeciervos groups. The wolf breeding groups studied in Zamora occupied a territory where wolf hunting have been allowed until recently. Hunting wolves often leads to the disruption of their pack because the breeding pair is most likely to be killed as they lead the other members of the group. The destabilisation of the group may lead to livestock attacks (Wielgus and Peebles, 2014 ; Fernández-Gil et al. 2016 ) as younger and inexperienced individuals attack cattle because they lack key hunting skills. However, future studies should address how feeding habits of Sierra de la Culebra wolves changed since hunting has been prohibited and they do not provide donkeys in feeding points anymore. As for the wolf breeding group studied in Valladolid, it showed a diet mainly based on wild boar, rabbits, roe deer and domestic pigs. This group lives in an agricultural and livestock farming area characterised by a low availability of wild ungulates and a high availability of rabbits. Wolves showed an opportunistic trophic behaviour, feeding on lagomorphs (which were the prey most frequently found in scats) while pig remains discarded by nearby farms contributed the most to the total biomass consumed by this group. In general, the diet of Iberian wolves followed the same pattern that the review of Zlatanova et al. 2014 described for European wolves: wolf groups living in more natural areas with access to wild ungulates chiefly consume wild prey, whereas wolves living in anthropogenic habitats with limited access to wild prey include more livestock in their diet, as well as smaller prey such as lagomorphs. Trophic niche breadth and diet similarity among wolf breeding groups The diet of wolves was more diverse in Zamora because it is the zone which possess a higher variety of both wild and domestic prey availability. Wolves living in Galicia inhabit Invernadeiro Natural Park and surroundings, where a large part of this study area is protected with low human perturbations, and therefore wild ungulate density is high. Hence, it was expected that wolves in this region focused on feeding wild ungulates. In the case of Invernadeiro, the trophic niche breadth was the highest of Galicia because this group lives inside the most remote and protected area, where biodiversity is expected to be higher than the groups living in the park surroundings. On the contrary, Valladolid’s wolf group inhabits an area heavily transformed by human activity, which implies lower biodiversity and wolves have adapted to feed on rabbits and scavenge farm carcasses. As for diet similarities, feeding habits were more similar between Galicia and Zamora because habitat characteristics of Valladolid were particularly different, as it is a strongly modified landscape by human agricultural and livestock farming activities. Considering each zone, diet similarity among breeding wolf groups was explained by prey availability. For instance, wolves of Baldriz and Castrelo had the highest similarity index in Galicia because they mainly fed upon roe deer and wild boar, being red deer not available for this groups. In Zamora, on the contrary, Ferreras and Villardeciervos groups consumed red deer as the main prey, followed by roe deer because they were the most abundant. Influence of individual factors in wolf diet Wolf’s diet did not vary depending on individual factors such as age, sex and social status. Since wolves are cooperative hunters, it was expected that all the members of the group fed on the same preys, regardless its sex, age or social status (Valdmann et al. 2005 ; Zunna et al. 2009). However, previous studies have found some differences. For instance, Octenjak et al. 2020 found that female Croatian wolves consumed more birds, rodents, and dogs than males. And Mysłajek et al. 2019 showed that Polish wolf pups feed upon beavers much more than adult wolves. The diet of Iberian wolves depending on individual factors had not been studied until now and this is the first report showing that all the members of the group have the same diet. Diet quality by nitrogen analysis Nitrogen contents of wolf scats did not differ between study areas, which suggests that diet quality is similar among wolf groups despite dietary composition differences. As we expected, we did not find a significant variation in diet quality depending on the age nor sex, because wolves hunt together and consume the same prey. However, contrary to our prediction, we could not show any differences in wolf’s faecal nitrogen contents depending on the social status. Iberian wolf packs are characterised by being rather small family groups composed by the breeding pair and their offspring (Barrientos 2000 ; Fernández-Gil et al. 2020 ). Perhaps, because groups are reduced compared to wolf packs inhabiting other regions, which could reach up to 20 individuals (Stenglein et al. 2011 ), competition for feeding resources between the members of the family might not be that strong, leading to a more equal diet quality among all members of the group. In conclusion, Iberian wolf’ groups during breeding season showed an opportunistic feeding behaviour because their diet was basically explained by prey availability. However, some wolf groups prey upon roe deer more than it was expected, which indicates a local feeding specialisation. We also confirmed that all members of the group consumed the same preys and had a similar diet quality, even between dominant and subordinate individuals. This may imply that, due to the overall small pack size, all individuals are allowed to access and exploit the resources and, in consequence, the feeding hierarchy is not that strong in Iberian wolves compared to their American relatives (Mech and Boitani 2007 ). This is the first study that examines in detail the importance of individual factors (social status, sex and age) on Iberian wolf’s diet along with differences between wolf groups and zones. Our study also stresses the importance of wild ungulate populations conservation to boost the coexistence between humans and wolves, as it is a key strategy to decrease livestock attacks by wolves because they will hunt wild prey as long it is available. Declarations Statements and Declarations Competing Interests We declare that we have no competing interests. Funding The field work of the project was self-sponsored by Isabel Barja. Data availability The data that support the findings of this study are available in the supplementary material. Author contributions Conceptualization and design: IB; Field work: IB, AP, JT, TGB; samples analysis for diet: IB; preprocessing of faecal samples to evaluate diet quality: ANC (The total N % was analyzed in the SIDI); genetic analysis: ARG, AC; data analysis: MCH, IB: Wrote the paper: MCH, IB. Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank the Xunta de Galicia, the Junta de Castilla y León and the Reserva de Caza de la Sierra de la Culebra for the permits granted to carry out this study. Also, to all the gamekeepers for their collaboration, specially to Tomás, Ricardo, Paco, Ruben and Roberto. During part of this study, I. 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PLoS ONE 9(12):e113505 Williams GC (1966) Natural selection, the costs of reproduction, and a refinement of Lack's principle. Am Nat 100(916):687–690 Wilmers CC, Getz WM (2005) Gray wolves as climate change buffers in Yellowstone. PLoS Biol 3(4):e92 White PJ, Ralls K (1993) Reproduction and spacing patterns of kit foxes relative to changing prey availability. J Wildl Manage 861–867 Zera AJ, Harshman LG (2001) The physiology of life history trade-offs in animals. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 95–126 Zlatanova D, Ahmed A, Valasseva A, Genov P (2014) Adaptive diet strategy of the wolf (Canis lupus L.) in Europe: a review. Acta Zool Bulg 66(4):439–452 Žunna A, Ozoliņ J, Pupila A (2009) Food habits of the wolf Canis lupus in Latvia based on stomach analyses. Est J Ecol 58(2) Supplementary Files Data.sav Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 20 Mar, 2024 Read the published version in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Major Revisions Needed 08 Oct, 2023 Reviewers agreed at journal 14 Sep, 2023 Reviewers invited by journal 20 Aug, 2023 Editor assigned by journal 10 Aug, 2023 First submitted to journal 07 Aug, 2023 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {\"props\":{\"pageProps\":{\"initialData\":{\"identity\":\"rs-3230941\",\"acceptedTermsAndConditions\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":false,\"archivedVersions\":[],\"articleType\":\"Research Article\",\"associatedPublications\":[],\"authors\":[{\"id\":227611207,\"identity\":\"9650b025-93e5-443a-a8e2-41e710e2a6da\",\"order_by\":0,\"name\":\"Isabel Barja\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Universidad Autónoma de Madrid: Universidad Autonoma de Madrid\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Isabel\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Barja\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":227611208,\"identity\":\"5703196b-c73c-4b70-bfb8-3503cb37aafd\",\"order_by\":1,\"name\":\"Ana Piñeiro\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Universidad Autónoma de Madrid: Universidad Autonoma de Madrid\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Ana\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Piñeiro\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":227611209,\"identity\":\"ee3e35de-c4fa-48a1-b488-6c0e301b316d\",\"order_by\":2,\"name\":\"Javier Talegón\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Llobu\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Javier\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Talegón\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":227611210,\"identity\":\"fac7359a-6e8c-4f9a-9513-578ff58d899d\",\"order_by\":3,\"name\":\"Aritz Ruiz-González\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"UPV/EHU: Universidad del Pais Vasco\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Aritz\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Ruiz-González\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":227611211,\"identity\":\"1a4ead6b-ed4a-476b-9bb9-4f52789b7707\",\"order_by\":4,\"name\":\"Álvaro Navarro-Castilla\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Universidad Autónoma de Madrid: Universidad Autonoma de Madrid\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Álvaro\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Navarro-Castilla\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":227611212,\"identity\":\"5e4b87d2-254c-4733-94de-90db5fa2ed76\",\"order_by\":5,\"name\":\"Amaia Caro\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"UPV/EHU: Universidad del Pais Vasco\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Amaia\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Caro\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":227611213,\"identity\":\"b65f5b92-7a52-417c-895d-778492185f00\",\"order_by\":6,\"name\":\"Toni Gago-Barja\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Universidad Autónoma de Madrid: Universidad Autonoma de Madrid\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Toni\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Gago-Barja\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":227611214,\"identity\":\"607250a6-5086-4947-b36e-e03e62858e54\",\"order_by\":7,\"name\":\"M. Carmen Hernández\",\"email\":\"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABFUlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDADA4YEEGXBwMDeAOJaEK1FgoGB5wCIK0GKFgkYAwfQbT/87NONijsM5uzJhz8w/JKQk5/5/OqGHwUSDPzt3QnYtJidSTOenXPmGYNlz7MEA8Y+CWPG2TllN3uADpM4c3YDVi03GIyZc9sOMxjcyDFIYOyRSGyWzkm7wQPUYiCRi0ML+2fm3H8gLfkfDgC11LdJnkm7+QevFh6gLQ1gWxgbGH5IJPBIsB+7jdeWMznFzDnHDvMYnHlmzJDYIGE4gyeH7baMgQQPTr8cP76ZOafmsJzB8eTHHz78sZGXbz/+7OabPzZy/O29WLXAAA+YTGwDsw0QIoTBHxDB/oBI1aNgFIyCUTBCAABxy2KHEYZDuQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"UCLM IREC: Instituto de Investigacion en Recursos Cinegeticos\",\"correspondingAuthor\":true,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"M.\",\"middleName\":\"Carmen\",\"lastName\":\"Hernández\",\"suffix\":\"\"}],\"badges\":[],\"createdAt\":\"2023-08-03 10:34:42\",\"currentVersionCode\":1,\"declarations\":\"\",\"doi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3230941/v1\",\"doiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3230941/v1\",\"draftVersion\":[],\"editorialEvents\":[{\"content\":\"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-024-03457-4\",\"type\":\"published\",\"date\":\"2024-03-20T15:01:08+00:00\"}],\"editorialNote\":\"\",\"failedWorkflow\":false,\"files\":[{\"id\":42089971,\"identity\":\"d5ca3e31-1c20-4fc2-bc6b-68808495e34a\",\"added_by\":\"auto\",\"created_at\":\"2023-08-24 14:54:36\",\"extension\":\"png\",\"order_by\":1,\"title\":\"Figure 1\",\"display\":\"\",\"copyAsset\":false,\"role\":\"figure\",\"size\":174736,\"visible\":true,\"origin\":\"\",\"legend\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eStudy area locations: Invernadeiro Natural Park, Saguñedo, Castrelo and Baldriz in Galicia, Boya, Ferreras, Mahide and Villardeciervos in Zamora and Valladolid.\\u003c/p\\u003e\",\"description\":\"\",\"filename\":\"1.png\",\"url\":\"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3230941/v1/6451e74fd2b4a80438a14aea.png\"},{\"id\":42089972,\"identity\":\"5c5dccd7-0004-40fa-ad6b-f33ba4aabfec\",\"added_by\":\"auto\",\"created_at\":\"2023-08-24 14:54:36\",\"extension\":\"png\",\"order_by\":2,\"title\":\"Figure 2\",\"display\":\"\",\"copyAsset\":false,\"role\":\"figure\",\"size\":118961,\"visible\":true,\"origin\":\"\",\"legend\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eTrophic niche breadth comparison using Levin’s index in all breeding wolf groups: Galicia (Invernadeiro Natural Park, Saguñedo, Castrelo and Baldriz), Zamora (Boya, Ferreras, Mahide and Villardeciervos) and Valladolid.\\u003c/p\\u003e\",\"description\":\"\",\"filename\":\"2.png\",\"url\":\"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3230941/v1/05409d78fd585e5ea9292221.png\"},{\"id\":42089970,\"identity\":\"3087ffb5-7b3a-47cd-85ed-0eb196c77103\",\"added_by\":\"auto\",\"created_at\":\"2023-08-24 14:54:36\",\"extension\":\"png\",\"order_by\":3,\"title\":\"Figure 3\",\"display\":\"\",\"copyAsset\":false,\"role\":\"figure\",\"size\":145446,\"visible\":true,\"origin\":\"\",\"legend\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eDiet similarity between wolf groups in Galicia (Invernadeiro Natural Park, Saguñedo, Castrelo and Baldriz) and Zamora (Boya, Ferreras, Mahide and Villardeciervos) using Pianka’s index.\\u003c/p\\u003e\",\"description\":\"\",\"filename\":\"3.png\",\"url\":\"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3230941/v1/2488735047e08b6ae36c7d23.png\"},{\"id\":53403597,\"identity\":\"e72e49cd-17c0-4bce-b420-6101833003a6\",\"added_by\":\"auto\",\"created_at\":\"2024-03-25 15:13:09\",\"extension\":\"pdf\",\"order_by\":0,\"title\":\"\",\"display\":\"\",\"copyAsset\":false,\"role\":\"manuscript-pdf\",\"size\":1011309,\"visible\":true,\"origin\":\"\",\"legend\":\"\",\"description\":\"\",\"filename\":\"manuscript.pdf\",\"url\":\"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3230941/v1/fc10542a-8077-48a3-bc76-1bafe4461bf7.pdf\"},{\"id\":42089969,\"identity\":\"92042239-800e-416f-9f1c-a138c63445fc\",\"added_by\":\"auto\",\"created_at\":\"2023-08-24 14:54:36\",\"extension\":\"sav\",\"order_by\":7,\"title\":\"\",\"display\":\"\",\"copyAsset\":false,\"role\":\"supplement\",\"size\":22954,\"visible\":true,\"origin\":\"\",\"legend\":\"\",\"description\":\"\",\"filename\":\"Data.sav\",\"url\":\"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3230941/v1/7308249a429a6647ffae7634.sav\"}],\"financialInterests\":\"\",\"formattedTitle\":\"Iberian wolf’s diet and its quality during breeding season: exploring the influence of zone, wolf groups, prey availability and individual factors\",\"fulltext\":[{\"header\":\"Significance Statement\",\"content\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eWolves are keystone species in ecosystems, but like most carnivores, their nocturnal and elusive habits make them difficult to study. \\u0026nbsp;Until now, the influence of individual factors such as age, sex and social status on the Iberian wolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet was unknown. We found that these factors did not explain differences in the diet of the wolves studied, and that feeding preferences differ between reproductive groups and correlated with prey availability.\\u003c/p\\u003e\"},{\"header\":\"Introduction\",\"content\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eWildlife population dynamics are determined by the complex interactions of multiple factors, including climatic conditions, predation, food availability and disease (Holmes \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR32\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1995\\u003c/span\\u003e). Nutrition and reproduction are closely interlinked, when food requirements are not satisfactorily met, reproductive rates decline (Wade and Schneider \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR85\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1992\\u003c/span\\u003e; Elmhagen et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR23\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2000\\u003c/span\\u003e; Allen and Ullrey \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR3\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2004\\u003c/span\\u003e). Such decrease can affect population size (Fuller \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR26\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1989\\u003c/span\\u003e; Stirling et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR78\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1999\\u003c/span\\u003e) and can have repercussions through entire ecosystems (Ripple and Beschta \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR63\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2003\\u003c/span\\u003e; Hamb\\u0026auml;ck et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR30\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2004\\u003c/span\\u003e; Hebblewhite et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR31\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2005\\u003c/span\\u003e). Understanding feeding ecology is crucial to comprehend the survival and productivity of animal populations (Barboza et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR14\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2008\\u003c/span\\u003e; Robbins \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR64\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2012\\u003c/span\\u003e). Acquiring knowledge about diet quality and composition is critical not only in ecology and trophic studies but also in terms of economics and conservation.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eThe wolf (\\u003cem\\u003eCanis lupus\\u003c/em\\u003e) is an important top predator which plays a fundamental role maintaining biodiversity in ecosystems (Wilmers and Getz \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR88\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2005\\u003c/span\\u003e; Smith and Bangs \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR74\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009\\u003c/span\\u003e; Letnic et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR38\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2012\\u003c/span\\u003e) and the feeding ecology of this species has been extensively investigated across its European range (Salvador and Abad \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR67\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1987\\u003c/span\\u003e; Papageorgiou et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR56\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1994\\u003c/span\\u003e; Meriggi et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR47\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1996\\u003c/span\\u003e; Sidorovich et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR72\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2003\\u003c/span\\u003e; Gazzola et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR29\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2005\\u003c/span\\u003e; Śmietana \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR73\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2005\\u003c/span\\u003e; Valdmann et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR82\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2005\\u003c/span\\u003e; Ansorge et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR4\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2006\\u003c/span\\u003e; Barja \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR7\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009a\\u003c/span\\u003e; Lanszki et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR36\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2012\\u003c/span\\u003e). Traditionally, wolves have been considered as generalist-opportunistic predators, selecting the most abundant and available prey (Ciucci \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR20\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1994\\u003c/span\\u003e; Mattioli et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR43\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1995\\u003c/span\\u003e; Meriggi et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR47\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1996\\u003c/span\\u003e, 2011; Milanesi et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR51\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2012\\u003c/span\\u003e). In areas where wild ungulates are numerous, wolves feed mainly on them (Jedrzejewski et al. 1992; Meriggi and Lovari \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR48\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1996\\u003c/span\\u003e; Barja \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR7\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009a\\u003c/span\\u003e). Throughout southern Europe, in regions characterized by poor ecological conditions, wolf populations adapt to a diversity of food resources, such as livestock, fruits and small mammals (Castroviejo et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR19\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1975\\u003c/span\\u003e; Meriggi et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR49\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1991\\u003c/span\\u003e; Torres et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR80\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2015\\u003c/span\\u003e). Nonetheless, wolves often show a clear selection for particular prey species, even though these are less abundant than others (Potvin \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR60\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1988\\u003c/span\\u003e; Dale et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR22\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1994\\u003c/span\\u003e; Meriggi et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR47\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1996\\u003c/span\\u003e; Kunkel et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR35\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2004\\u003c/span\\u003e). Studies carried out in the northern Iberian Peninsula show that the behaviour and preferences of the Iberian wolf (\\u003cem\\u003eCanis lupus signatus\\u003c/em\\u003e) are closer to a facultative specialist than to an opportunist species (Barja, \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR7\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009a\\u003c/span\\u003e), switching from a key food item when another profitable wild prey is accessible. Prey availability can have a strong impact on reproductive success in many carnivore species (White and Ralls \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR89\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1993\\u003c/span\\u003e; Fuller and Sievert \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR27\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2001\\u003c/span\\u003e; Persson \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR57\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2005\\u003c/span\\u003e), including wolves (Fuller \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR26\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1989\\u003c/span\\u003e; Boertje and Stephenson \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR17\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1992\\u003c/span\\u003e; Fuller et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR28\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2003\\u003c/span\\u003e). Reproduction is linked to a fundamental life-history trade-off increasing energy requirements (Williams \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR87\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1966\\u003c/span\\u003e; Calow \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR18\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1979\\u003c/span\\u003e; Zera et al. 2001; Speakman \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR76\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2008\\u003c/span\\u003e), thus, feeding habits of the group can be affected by this increase in trophic resources demand.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eWolves are social animals and groups are characterized as dominance hierarchies that consist of only one breeding couple sharing the leadership, the dominant male and female (Packard et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR55\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1983\\u003c/span\\u003e; Mech \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR45\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1999\\u003c/span\\u003e). Maintaining dominance, which yields significant benefits (e.g., access to food and mates), results in increased reproductive success, but it comes at a cost as dominant individuals suffer higher levels of physiological stress than subordinates (Sands and Creel \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR68\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2004\\u003c/span\\u003e; Barja et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR13\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2008\\u003c/span\\u003e). Wolves also show cooperative breeding and hunting (Mech and Boitani \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR46\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2007\\u003c/span\\u003e). Consequently, all members of the pack hunt and eat the same preys. However, dominant wolves eat first (Mech and Boitani \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR46\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2007\\u003c/span\\u003e), gaining access to the most nutritional parts. Diet quality has significant repercussions on animal\\u0026acute;s physical condition (Loeb et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR40\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1991\\u003c/span\\u003e; Codron et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR21\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2007\\u003c/span\\u003e) and can be assessed through faecal indicators such as total nitrogen percentage (Aldezabal et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR2\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1993\\u003c/span\\u003e; Robbins et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR65\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2005\\u003c/span\\u003e; Baldwin and Bender \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR6\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009\\u003c/span\\u003e; Navarro-Castilla et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR53\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2023\\u003c/span\\u003e). This element is commonly used since proteins are biomolecules of high nutritional value, and it has been used to evaluate the nutritional quality of the diet of numerous mammalian species (Arman et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR5\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1975\\u003c/span\\u003e; Sakaguchi and Ohmura \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR66\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1992\\u003c/span\\u003e, Sergiel et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR71\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2020\\u003c/span\\u003e).\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eThe present study aims to analyse variations in feeding habits of wolf groups during the breeding season. In particular, trophic behaviour was examined in relation to zone, prey availability, social status, sex and age of individuals. It is expected that the diet of wolves is affected by prey availability, which is related to the habitat type. As for prey selection, we expected that wolves selected the most vulnerable and abundant prey in each area, as they are facultative specialist predators (Barja \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR7\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009a\\u003c/span\\u003e). Similarly, we predicted that trophic niche breadth would be broader in zones and groups with access to a higher variety of prey species. Particularly, we expected a broader niche breadth in Galicia compared to the other two zones (Zamora and Valladolid) as the first one is a protected area which should have a higher biodiversity. As for diet similarity, it is expected that wolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet would be more similar within zones and especially different in Valladolid compared to Galicia and Zamora, since habitat characteristics are dissimilar, which entails different prey presence and availability.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eSince wolves are highly social animals that hunt together, we did not expect differences in the diet between sexes. Moreover, we predicted a correspondence between adults\\u0026acute; and cubs\\u0026rsquo; diets, since this species exhibits cooperative breeding and therefore, they feed on the same preys. Furthermore, we addressed another key issue: how diet quality varies depending on social status. The diet composition of dominant and subordinate wolves should be similar. However, we expected dominant wolves to have more nourishing diets (i.e., protein-richer) due to feeding hierarchy, resulting in higher faecal nitrogen concentrations.\\u003c/p\\u003e\"},{\"header\":\"Materials and methods\",\"content\":\"\\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec3\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003eStudy areas\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eFieldwork was carried out in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula: Galicia, Zamora and Valladolid regions (Spain) (Fig.\\u0026nbsp;\\u003cspan refid=\\\"Fig1\\\" class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e1\\u003c/span\\u003e). In Galicia, the study location is a protected area of 5722 ha called Montes do Invernadeiro Natural Park. This area falls within an altitudinal range of 803\\u0026ndash;1707 m with a series of low mountains and deep valleys. The vegetation mainly consists in scrubland composed by heather (\\u003cem\\u003eErica australis\\u003c/em\\u003e), prickled broom (\\u003cem\\u003ePterospartum tridentatum\\u003c/em\\u003e) and sandling (\\u003cem\\u003eHalimium lasianthum\\u003c/em\\u003e). There are also deciduous forests in the valleys and along watercourses, characterised by oak (\\u003cem\\u003eQuercus robur\\u003c/em\\u003e), birch (\\u003cem\\u003eBetula celtiberica\\u003c/em\\u003e) and holly (\\u003cem\\u003eIlex aquifolium\\u003c/em\\u003e). Replanted Scot pine (\\u003cem\\u003ePinus sylvestris\\u003c/em\\u003e) forests are also common in the area. This region, especially the natural park, has a high density of wild ungulate prey such as roe deer (\\u003cem\\u003eCapreolus capreolus\\u003c/em\\u003e), red deer (\\u003cem\\u003eCervus elaphus\\u003c/em\\u003e) and wild boars (\\u003cem\\u003eSus scrofa\\u003c/em\\u003e).\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003e \\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eStudy area in Zamora comprises the \\u0026ldquo;Sierra de la Culebra\\u0026rdquo; Regional Hunting Reserve. The Sierra de la Culebra is a mountain chain ranging from 800 to 1243 m of altitude. The vegetation is characterised by scrubland composed by heather (\\u003cem\\u003eErica australis\\u003c/em\\u003e). While natural forests are scarce and mostly found in the valleys, replanted Scot pine (\\u003cem\\u003ePinus sylvestris\\u003c/em\\u003e) forests are abundant in this reserve. As in Galicia, wolf preys primarily are roe deer (\\u003cem\\u003eCapreolus capreolus\\u003c/em\\u003e), red deer (\\u003cem\\u003eCervus elaphus\\u003c/em\\u003e) and wild boar (\\u003cem\\u003eSus scrofa\\u003c/em\\u003e).\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eIn Valladolid, the study region is dedicated to agriculture and livestock, being very flat and with very low tree density. There are no red deer in the area, and wild boars and roe deer are scarce. On the contrary, lagomorphs such as European wild rabbits (\\u003cem\\u003eOryctolagus cuniculus\\u003c/em\\u003e) and Iberian hares (\\u003cem\\u003eLepus granatensis\\u003c/em\\u003e) are abundant. There are also domestic pig (\\u003cem\\u003eSus scrofa domesticus\\u003c/em\\u003e) farms in the study area where wolves can scavenge.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e \\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec4\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003eWolf group detection and prey availability\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eBreeding wolf groups were spotted during May-June by the increase in faecal marking behaviour, which is more intense during breeding season (Barja et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR11\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2005\\u003c/span\\u003e). Faecal marking is carried out by the dominant pair and only in reproductively active groups (Barja et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR13\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2008\\u003c/span\\u003e). Wolves use conspicuous substrates to deposit faeces to increase the effectiveness of the signal (Barja \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR8\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009b\\u003c/span\\u003e), this way wolves know which territories are occupied by other neighbouring groups. Later, breeding groups were confirmed by camera trapping in Galicia and by sightings in Zamora and Valladolid. A total of nine \\u003cem\\u003erendezvous sites\\u003c/em\\u003e (zones where pups are left from July to September while adults hunt, Mech and Boitani 2006) belonging to nine Iberian wolf breeding groups were located: four in Galicia (Invernadeiro Natural Park, Sagu\\u0026ntilde;edo, Castrelo and Baldriz), four in Zamora (Boya, Ferreras, Mahide and Villardeciervos) and one in Valladolid.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eTo estimate wild ungulate prey availability (roe deer, red deer and wild boar) in Galicia, we set 12 camera trapping stations for one month in each one of the four group rendezvous site locations. We corrected the total number of photographic events between the number of days that cameras were active to set comparable conditions. In the case of Zamora and Valladolid, to know wild prey relative abundance we request to the Administration and the Hunting Reserve, respectively, the official census of wild prey. We also set a correction index for the census by dividing the abundance of wild ungulates by the total area (ha) occupied by each rendezvous site.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e \\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec5\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003eFaecal sample collection\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eScats were collected during breeding months (June-September). For this, we surveyed transects along roads and firebreaks near the \\u003cem\\u003erendezvous sites\\u003c/em\\u003e walking and with a vehicle (10 km/h) for 15 days each month. Transects were done early in the morning, when the probability to detect fresh faeces is higher due to wolf nocturnal and crepuscular habits (Barja et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR13\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2008\\u003c/span\\u003e; Barja et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR9\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2018\\u003c/span\\u003e). Fresh scats were discriminated from old ones by the strong smell, a layer of mucus, and no signs of dehydration (Barja 2008; \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR7\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009a\\u003c/span\\u003e; Mart\\u0026iacute;n et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR41\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2010\\u003c/span\\u003e). From each scat we collected two subsamples: one for genetic analyses and another for nitrogen contents. Samples for genetic analyses were preserved in ethanol at -20\\u0026ordm;C whereas samples for nitrogen content were frozen at -20\\u0026ordm;C until laboratory analyses. Moreover, from each fresh scat detected, we collected hair and bone samples to conduct dietary analyses.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eWe also register if the scat was a scent mark or not, considering as scent marks only faeces deposited in conspicuous or elevated substrates or crossroads (Barja \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR8\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009b\\u003c/span\\u003e). In wolf groups only the dominant pair exhibit this marking behaviour (Barja et al. 2004; Barja et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR13\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2008\\u003c/span\\u003e; Barja \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR8\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009b\\u003c/span\\u003e), hence, we considered that collected faeces with a marking function belonged to dominant wolves (Barja et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR13\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2008\\u003c/span\\u003e).\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e \\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec6\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003eGenetic analysis\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eTo ensure that faecal samples belonged to Iberian wolves and not to other sympatric carnivores, we performed a genetic identification on the faecal samples collected in the field by sequencing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We took a subsample of each faecal sample, placed it in tubes filled with ethanol (96%) and stored it at -20\\u0026ordf;C. For the extraction of the DNA, we used an extraction kit consisting in silica membranes and adapted to non-invasive samples (QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit, Qiagen). To identify the species origin of the samples, we sequenced a 440 bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region following Vil\\u0026agrave; et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR83\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1999\\u003c/span\\u003e methodology. We used the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique and the universal primers Thr-L 15926 and DL-H 16340 for the amplification of the DNA. Then, we used gel electrophoresis to verify the success of the DNA amplification. In order to eliminate the primers and the excess of deoxynucleotides, we applied the alkaline phosphatase and exonuclease I (ExoSAP-IT) method for the cleaning and purification of the amplified product. Finally, the sequencing on this cleaned PCR product was conducted by the application of the commercial kit dRhodamine Terminator Cycle Sequencing Ready Reaction (Applied Biosystems) and an automatic sequencer ABI PRISM Model 3130 (Applied Biosystems). For the species identification, we compared the sequences obtained with reference sequences of dogs and wolves obtained in previous studies (Vil\\u0026agrave; et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR83\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1999\\u003c/span\\u003e; Randi et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR61\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2000\\u003c/span\\u003e; Pilot et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR59\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2010\\u003c/span\\u003e) and reference sequences deposited in the GenBank databases (\\u003cspan class=\\\"ExternalRef\\\"\\u003e\\u003cspan class=\\\"RefSource\\\"\\u003ehttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003cspan address=\\\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/\\\" targettype=\\\"URL\\\" class=\\\"RefTarget\\\"\\u003e\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/span\\u003e) using the BLAST 2.0 algorithm (\\u003cspan class=\\\"ExternalRef\\\"\\u003e\\u003cspan class=\\\"RefSource\\\"\\u003ehttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003cspan address=\\\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/\\\" targettype=\\\"URL\\\" class=\\\"RefTarget\\\"\\u003e\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/span\\u003e).\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eWe followed the method described in Seddon (\\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR70\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2005\\u003c/span\\u003e) for the sex determination of the samples. By using the PCR technique, we amplified two specific canine markers: the DBX intron6 (249 bp), which identifies the X chromosome in females and males, and the DBY intron7 (118 bp) for the Y chromosome in males. To verify the success of the DNA amplification, we conducted an electrophoretic migration of the amplified product in 1.5% agarose gels. Males were identified by the presence of two bands corresponding to the X and Y chromosomes, while females only presented the band of the chromosome X. All samples were processed in duplicate to cope with the low quantity and quality of DNA extracted from the faecal samples. When bands were faint or fuzzy and thus the identification by agarose gel was doubtful, samples were genotyped with two replicates using an automatic sequencer (ABI PRISM 3130, Applied Biosystems). We used the program GENEMAPPER version 4.0 (Applied Biosystems) to detect the fragments corresponding to the X and Y chromosomes.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e \\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec7\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003eDiet analysis\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eWolf diet was determined by identifying guard hairs as well as bone remains in the scats. Since cuticle patterns vary between species (Teerink \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR79\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1991\\u003c/span\\u003e; Barja et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR10\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2021\\u003c/span\\u003e), we prepared cuticle slides using hair spray as medium (Barja \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR7\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009a\\u003c/span\\u003e). Then, we used a microscope (Olympus 400X) to compare the cuticle patterns found in the samples with those in reference manuals (Teerink \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR79\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1991\\u003c/span\\u003e; Barja et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR10\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2021\\u003c/span\\u003e) and with reference hairs collected in the study area (Barja \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR7\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009a\\u003c/span\\u003e; Barja et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR10\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2021\\u003c/span\\u003e). Bone remains were identified using dichotomic keys and by comparing with a reference collection.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e \\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec8\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003eElemental nitrogen analysis\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eSince total nitrogen content of faeces seems to be a good indicator of protein ingestion and hence, diet quality (Aldezabal et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR2\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1993\\u003c/span\\u003e; Robbins et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR65\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2005\\u003c/span\\u003e; Baldwin and Bender \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR6\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009\\u003c/span\\u003e; Navarro-Castilla et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR53\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2023\\u003c/span\\u003e), we analysed nitrogen contents of wolf faeces to evaluate nutritional condition (protein intake) of individuals.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eFrozen faecal samples were dried in the laboratory oven at 90\\u0026ordm;C until they exhibited a constant weight, which took 24 hours. Following, using liquid nitrogen, we pulverized the samples in a mortar and 1g of each pulverized sample was stored and later analysed at the Research Support Central Services (SCAI - University of M\\u0026aacute;laga, Spain). Total faecal nitrogen was determined by carrying out the elementary chemical analysis on a PERKIN-ELMER 2400 CHN elemental analyser, using the classical Pregl-Dumas method according to Sergiel et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR71\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2020\\u003c/span\\u003e. Faecal nitrogen content is presented as g N/100 g dry faeces.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e \\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec9\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003eData analysis\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eThe composition of the diet was expressed in terms of frequency of occurrence (the total number of times that each prey species appeared in faecal samples) and the percentage of consumed biomass. Since the energy provided by each prey is different depending on its weight, the consumed biomass of each prey species was estimated by multiplying its frequency of occurrence by that prey mean weight, considering both adult and juvenile weights (\\u003cem\\u003eC. capreolus\\u003c/em\\u003e 15.8 kg; \\u003cem\\u003eC. elaphus\\u003c/em\\u003e 57.5 kg; \\u003cem\\u003eS. scrofa\\u003c/em\\u003e 48.5 kg; \\u003cem\\u003eC. aegagrus\\u003c/em\\u003e 15.7 kg; \\u003cem\\u003eO. aries\\u003c/em\\u003e 16.8 kg; \\u003cem\\u003eE. africanus asinus\\u003c/em\\u003e 100.0 kg; \\u003cem\\u003eS.scrofa domesticus\\u003c/em\\u003e 80.0 kg; \\u003cem\\u003eO. cuniculus\\u003c/em\\u003e 1.2 kg) (Urios \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR81\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1995\\u003c/span\\u003e; Llaneza et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR39\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1996\\u003c/span\\u003e; Blanco 1998; Mateos-Quesada, \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR42\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2002\\u003c/span\\u003e; Soffiantini et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR75\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2006\\u003c/span\\u003e; Barja \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR7\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009a\\u003c/span\\u003e; Meriggi et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR50\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2015\\u003c/span\\u003e). When species identification was not possible, consumed biomass was estimated using the mean weight of the corresponding member species of that group (Unidentified ungulate: 40.6 kg, mean between \\u003cem\\u003eC. capreolus\\u003c/em\\u003e, \\u003cem\\u003eC. elaphus\\u003c/em\\u003e and \\u003cem\\u003eS. scrofa\\u003c/em\\u003e mean weights).\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eTo analyse the relationship between prey consumption and wild ungulate availability in each wolf breeding group, we recorded the total number of times that each prey species appeared in faecal samples (ObsF). Since the number of scats collected in each group was different, ObsF were corrected using the following equation:\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e \\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec10\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003e(\\u003cspan class=\\\"InlineEquation\\\"\\u003e\\u003cspan class=\\\"mathinline\\\"\\u003e\\\\({ObsF}^{*}=ObsF*{I}_{c}\\\\)\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/span\\u003e)\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003ewhere ObsF* is the corrected frequency and I\\u003csub\\u003ec\\u003c/sub\\u003e is the correction index:\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e \\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec11\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003e( \\u003cspan class=\\\"InlineEquation\\\"\\u003e\\u003cspan class=\\\"mathinline\\\"\\u003e\\\\({I}_{c}=\\\\frac{{N}_{m}}{N}\\\\)\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/span\\u003e)\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eI\\u003csub\\u003ec\\u003c/sub\\u003e index was calculated by dividing the number of faecal samples collected in each breeding group (Nm) by the mean number of faecal samples collected in all groups (N).\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eTo estimate wild ungulate prey availability, we calculated the expected frequencies:\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003e \\u003cspan class=\\\"InlineEquation\\\"\\u003e \\u003cspan class=\\\"mathinline\\\"\\u003e\\\\(\\\\%Esp=\\\\frac{{D}_{i}\\u0026middot;100}{{D}_{t}}\\\\)\\u003c/span\\u003e \\u003c/span\\u003e where D\\u003csub\\u003ei\\u003c/sub\\u003e corresponded to each prey species availability in each group and D\\u003csub\\u003et\\u003c/sub\\u003e the total ungulate availability in each group. Expected frequencies (ExpF) were calculated as: \\u003cspan class=\\\"InlineEquation\\\"\\u003e\\u003cspan class=\\\"mathinline\\\"\\u003e\\\\(ExpF=\\\\frac{ Ob{s. F}^{*}\\u0026middot;\\\\%Exp}{100}\\\\)\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eJacob's (1974) prey selection index was used to calculate wolf ungulate preferences: \\u003cspan class=\\\"InlineEquation\\\"\\u003e\\u003cspan class=\\\"mathinline\\\"\\u003e\\\\(D=\\\\frac{r-p}{r+p-2pr}\\\\)\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/span\\u003e where r is the contribution of each ungulate species in relation to the total number of prey and p is the abundance of that prey in that study area. D can take values between from \\u0026minus;\\u0026thinsp;1 to +\\u0026thinsp;1, -1 implies a negative selection, 0 no selection and +\\u0026thinsp;1 positive selection.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eMoreover, we used Levin\\u0026rsquo;s (1968) index (\\u003cem\\u003eL\\u003c/em\\u003e) to estimate trophic niche breadth:\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003e \\u003cspan class=\\\"InlineEquation\\\"\\u003e \\u003cspan class=\\\"mathinline\\\"\\u003e\\\\(B=\\\\frac{ 1}{{Pi}^{2}}\\\\)\\u003c/span\\u003e \\u003c/span\\u003e where P\\u003csub\\u003ei\\u003c/sub\\u003e is the contribution of each prey to total biomass ingested in each wolf group. B values next to 1 indicate a highly specialised diet whereas larger values indicate an opportunistic trophic behaviour.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eTo analyse diet similarity, we used Pianka (\\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR58\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1973\\u003c/span\\u003e) index:\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003e \\u003cspan class=\\\"InlineEquation\\\"\\u003e \\u003cspan class=\\\"mathinline\\\"\\u003e\\\\({\\\\alpha }_{gz}=\\\\left({P}_{g}\\u0026middot;{P}_{z}\\\\right)\\u0026middot;\\\\left[\\\\right({P}_{g}{)}^{2}\\u0026middot;({P}_{z}{)}^{2}{]}^{-\\\\text{0,5}}\\\\)\\u003c/span\\u003e \\u003c/span\\u003e where α\\u003csub\\u003epz\\u003c/sub\\u003e would be the similarity between wolf breeding groups in Galicia and Zamora, P\\u003csub\\u003eg\\u003c/sub\\u003e the contribution of one prey species to the total biomass ingested in Galicia and P\\u003csub\\u003ev\\u003c/sub\\u003e the contribution of one prey species to the total biomass ingested in Zamora. This index was calculated by comparing all study areas between them. Values close to 0 indicate the minimum niche overlap.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eTo compare wild ungulate abundance within zones, we used a t-test. Since data was not normal distributed, we used non-parametric Chi-square (χ\\u003csup\\u003e2\\u003c/sup\\u003e) tests to check the independence between the observed and expected prey presence in diet depending on the wolf breeding group, age and social status. To analyse differences in the type of prey consumed between different groups (zone, wolf breeding group, social status, sex and age) we used contingency table analysis. We used Pearson χ\\u003csup\\u003e2\\u003c/sup\\u003e when the table had less than 20% of the expected frequencies\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026gt;\\u0026thinsp;5. In contingency tables where more than 20% of the expected frequencies were \\u0026lt;\\u0026thinsp;5, the Monte Carlo\\u0026rsquo;s exact test was used. In 2x2 tables where \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;1, we used Yates\\u0026rsquo;s continuity correction. In 2x2 tables we used Fisher exact test and χ2 de Pearson for the rest of the cases.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eTo analyse differences in total faecal nitrogen (%) between breeding groups, sexes, dominant and subordinate individuals we performed non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests because data did not fit normal distribution, not even transformed. We only had data of faecal nitrogen contents for Galicia and Valladolid wolf breeding groups because we did not receive any funding to carry out the analysis in Zamora\\u0026rsquo;s wolf groups.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eResults were considered significant at α\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026lt;\\u0026thinsp;0.05. Data are represented as mean\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;standard error (SE). The software used to perform the statistical analysis was SPSS 23.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA).\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e \\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec12\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003eAnimal Ethics\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eThe study methodology was strictly non-invasive and this research was performed in compliance with all applicable laws and rules set forth by the Spanish Government.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e\"},{\"header\":\"Results\",\"content\":\"\\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec14\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003ch2\\u003eGenetic analysis\\u003c/h2\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eWe successfully identified as wolf scats 63 of the 105 faecal samples, 39 samples did not amplify and 3 belonged to red foxes (\\u003cem\\u003eVulpes vulpes\\u003c/em\\u003e). Of the total number of samples, we analysed 84 to determine the sex, the 63 samples genetically identified as wolf and 21 of the non-amplified samples that we knew unequivocally to be wolf (by camera traps), resulting in 21 females and 22 males; the rest did not amplify.\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003c/div\\u003e\\n\\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec15\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003ch2\\u003eWild ungulate abundance\\u003c/h2\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eThe abundance of wild ungulates in Zamora (52.1%) was slightly higher than in Galicia (47.2%). However, in Valladolid wild ungulate availability was low, being the main prey available the rabbit (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e1\\u003c/span\\u003e).\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cdiv class=\\\"gridtable\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u0026nbsp;\\u003ctable id=\\\"Tab1\\\" border=\\\"1\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003ccaption language=\\\"En\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cdiv class=\\\"CaptionNumber\\\"\\u003eTable 1\\u003c/div\\u003e\\n \\u003cdiv class=\\\"CaptionContent\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eWild ungulate availability for each wolf group. Correction index in Galicia was obtained by dividing the total number of photographic events between the number of days that cameras were active. In the case of Zamora and Valladolid, the correction index was obtained by dividing the abundance of wild ungulates by the total area (ha) of each location.\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/div\\u003e\\n \\u003c/caption\\u003e\\n \\u003cthead\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"7\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eWild ungulate availability\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"4\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003c/thead\\u003e\\n \\u003ctbody\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eSus scrofa\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCapreolus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003ecapreolus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCervus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eelaphus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"1\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eWolf breeding group\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eAbundance\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e(number of individuals)\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eCorrected abundance\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eAbundance (number of individuals)\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eCorrected abundance\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eAbundance (number of individuals)\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eCorrected abundance\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eCorrection index\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eMethod\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eGALICIA\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eInvernadeiro\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eSagu\\u0026ntilde;edo\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCastrelo\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eBaldriz\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e66.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e64.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e52.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e128.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.05\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.08\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.44\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e12.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e34.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e33.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e30.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.01\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.06\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.05\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.10\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e91.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e11.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.08\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.02\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.212\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e603\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e679\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e294\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eCamera trapping\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eZAMORA\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eBoya\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eFerreras\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eMahide\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eVillardeciervos\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e19.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e19.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e19.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e19.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e155.5\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e65.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e122.5\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e155.50\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.02\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.01\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.01\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.02\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e8.384\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e11.228\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e8.925\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e8.384\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eReserve census\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eVALLADOLID\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e6.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.0\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.850\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eHunting census\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tbody\\u003e\\n \\u003c/table\\u003e\\n \\u003c/div\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eIn Valladolid, wild boar was the most abundant wild ungulate (75.0%), as well as in Galicia (59.5%), however, red deer was the most abundant in Zamora (86.8%) (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e1\\u003c/span\\u003e). In Galicia, Baldriz was the region with the highest availability of wild boar (81.0%) followed by Castrelo (61.2%), Sagu\\u0026ntilde;edo (58.8%) and Invernadeiro (39.1%) (\\u003cem\\u003et\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;6.99; \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;3; \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.06). Roe deer was more abundant in Castrelo and Sagu\\u0026ntilde;edo (38.8% and 31.2%, respectively) following by Baldriz (19.0%) and Invernadeiro (7.1%) (\\u003cem\\u003et\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;3.45; \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;3; \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.04). In Invernadeiro, red deer was the most abundant ungulate (53.9%), being absent in Castrelo and Baldriz (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e1\\u003c/span\\u003e). In Zamora, red deer was the most abundant ungulate: Boya and Villardeciervos (89.1%), Mahide (86.6%) and Ferreras (77.4%) (\\u003cem\\u003et\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;23.72=; \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;2; \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.02) (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e1\\u003c/span\\u003e). Data belonged to the hunting census carried out by the rangers during rutting season, but they did not have census available for roe deer nor wild boars, being both species present in the area.\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003c/div\\u003e\\n\\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec16\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003ch2\\u003eFrequency of occurrence and ingested biomass: Differences between zones and groups\\u003c/h2\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eWolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet was different depending on the zone considered: Galicia, Zamora or Valladolid (\\u0026chi;\\u003csup\\u003e2\\u003c/sup\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;130.32; \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;18; \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.001, \\u003cem\\u003eN\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;405). We also found that wild ungulate consumption was dependent on ungulate availability in all wolf groups (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e3\\u003c/span\\u003e) (\\u0026chi;\\u003csup\\u003e2\\u003c/sup\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;40.11; \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;10; \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.05,\\u0026nbsp;\\u003cem\\u003eN\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;405).\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cdiv class=\\\"gridtable\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u0026nbsp;\\u003ctable id=\\\"Tab2\\\" border=\\\"1\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003ccaption language=\\\"En\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cdiv class=\\\"CaptionNumber\\\"\\u003eTable 3\\u003c/div\\u003e\\n \\u003cdiv class=\\\"CaptionContent\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eObserved frequencies (the total number of times that each prey appeared in wolf faecal samples) vs expected frequencies (prey species availability) depending on each wolf groups.\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/div\\u003e\\n \\u003c/caption\\u003e\\n \\u003cthead\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"7\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eGALICIA\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003c/thead\\u003e\\n \\u003ctbody\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eS. scrofa\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eC. capreolus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eC. elaphus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eObs.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eExp.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eObs.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eExp.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eObs.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eExp.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eInvernadeiro\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e11.09\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e12.41\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e3.17\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.26\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e3.96\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e17.11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eSagu\\u0026ntilde;edo\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e9.11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e20.54\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e4.56\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e10.91\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e4.56\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.32\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eCastrelo\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e10.49\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e19.45\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e7.73\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e12.32\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eBaldriz\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e112.89\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e231.70\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e112.89\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e54.30\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"7\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eZAMORA\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eObs.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eExp.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eObs.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eExp.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eObs.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eExp.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eBoya\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e5.47\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e9.11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e3.46\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e3.64\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e28.32\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eFerreras\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e12.15\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e7.19\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e6.07\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e24.59\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eMahide\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e18.22\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e4.27\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e27.52\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eVillardeciervos\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e18.22\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e3.46\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e28.32\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"7\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eVALLADOLID\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eObs.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eExp.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eObs.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eExp.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eObs.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eExp.\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e13.47\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e23.84\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e4.75\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e7.95\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tbody\\u003e\\n \\u003c/table\\u003e\\n \\u003c/div\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eIn Galicia, we found statistically significant differences in the diet of all groups (\\u003cem\\u003e\\u0026chi;\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003csup\\u003e2\\u003c/sup\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;34.84; \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;18; \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.01; \\u003cem\\u003eN\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;114), being wild ungulates, particularly roe deer (29.4% FO) and wild boar (43.7% FO), the main prey of wolves (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e2\\u003c/span\\u003e). However, Invernadeiro and Sagu\\u0026ntilde;edo groups mainly preyed upon wild boar and red deer, whereas Castrelo and Baldriz groups predominantly consumed wild boar and roe deer. Domestic ungulates were not as abundant as wild prey in wolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet, but goat\\u0026rsquo;s (\\u003cem\\u003eCapra aegagrus\\u003c/em\\u003e) remains were found in wolf\\u0026rsquo;s scats (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e2\\u003c/span\\u003e). Considering the biomass ingested, the wild boar was the species that most contributed to the wolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet, followed by red deer in Invernadeiro and Sagu\\u0026ntilde;edo, and roe deer in Castrelo and Baldriz (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e2\\u003c/span\\u003e). In all groups the wild boar was the prey that appeared most frequently, followed by red deer and roe deer in Invernadeiro, red deer, roe deer and goat in Sagu\\u0026ntilde;edo and roe deer in Castrelo and Baldriz (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e2\\u003c/span\\u003e).\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003ctable id=\\\"Tab3\\\" border=\\\"1\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003ccaption language=\\\"En\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cdiv class=\\\"CaptionNumber\\\"\\u003eTable 2\\u003c/div\\u003e\\n \\u003cdiv class=\\\"CaptionContent\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFrequency of occurrence (FO) in wolf scats and total biomass ingested (B) of each prey species in Galicia (A), Zamora (B) and Valladolid (C) wolf breeding groups.\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/div\\u003e\\n \\u003c/caption\\u003e\\n \\u003cthead\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eA\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"8\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eGalicia\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e(n\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;119)\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eInvernadeiro\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;29\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eSagu\\u0026ntilde;edo\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eCastrelo\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;41\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eBaldriz\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;38\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003ePrey species\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFO\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eB\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFO\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eB\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFO\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eB\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFO\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eB\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003c/thead\\u003e\\n \\u003ctbody\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eWild ungulates\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eUnidentified ungulate\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.07\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.84\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCapreolus capreolus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.14\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.21\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.18\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.84\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.34\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e5.37\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.39\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e6.16\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCervus elaphus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.17\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e9.78\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.18\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e10.35\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eSus scrofa\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.48\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e23.28\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.36\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e17.46\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.46\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e22.31\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.39\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e18.92\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eDomestic ungulates\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCapra aegagrus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.07\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.10\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.18\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.83\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.10\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.57\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.18\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.83\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eOther preys\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eOryctolagus cuniculus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.03\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.04\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.09\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"9\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eB Zamora\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e(n\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;102)\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eBoya\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;17\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eFereras\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;9\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eMahide\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;47\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eVillardeciervos\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;29\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003ePrey species\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eFO\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eB\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eFO\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eB\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eFO\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eB\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eFO\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eB\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eWild ungulates\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eUnidentified ungulate\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.36\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e14.62\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.07\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.84\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCapreolus capreolus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.12\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.90\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.74\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCervus elaphus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.29\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e16.68\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eSus scrofa\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.18\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e8.73\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.22\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e10.67\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.43\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e20.86\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.48\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e23.28\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eDomestic ungulates\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCapra aegagrus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.73\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.03\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.47\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eOvis aries\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.22\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e3.70\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.07\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.18\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eEquus africanus asinus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.29\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e29\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.02\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.03\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e3\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"9\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eC Valladolid\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;65\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003ePrey species\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eFO\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eB\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eWild ungulates\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCapreolus capreolus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.10\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.58\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCervus elaphus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.04\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.30\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eSus scrofa\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.47\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e22.80\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eDomestic ungulates\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCapra aegagrus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.03\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e4.80\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eSus scrofa domestica\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.06\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e4.80\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eOther prey\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eOryctolagus cuniculus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.13\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tbody\\u003e\\n \\u003c/table\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eIn Zamora, we also found statistically significant differences in the trophic ecology between wolf\\u0026rsquo;s groups (\\u0026chi;\\u003csup\\u003e2\\u003c/sup\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;83.17; \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;21; \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.001; \\u003cem\\u003eN\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;86) and the diet was more varied than in Galicia, including different prey species such as roe deer (2.9% FO), red deer (4.9% FO), unidentified ungulates (18% FO), wild boar (38.2% FO), sheep (\\u003cem\\u003eOvis aries\\u003c/em\\u003e) (5.9% FO) and donkey (\\u003cem\\u003eEquus africanus asinus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003e)\\u003c/strong\\u003e (7.8% FO). In Boya, donkey and red deer were the preys most consumed by wolves, both in frequency of occurrence and total biomass (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e2\\u003c/span\\u003e). In Ferreras group, wild boars and donkeys were the prey that most contributed to the total biomass ingested, while sheep were also frequently found in wolf scats. Wild boars and unidentified ungulates were the preys that most contributed to the biomass ingested and the most frequently found in Mahide group. Finally, in Villardeciervos group, the wild boar was the main prey, both in frequency of appearance and biomass ingested (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e2\\u003c/span\\u003e).\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eThe wolves of Valladolid group also showed a varied diet. Wild boars (47% FO) and rabbits (11.2% FO) were the prey most frequently found, but we also found roe deer (10.3% FO), red deer (4.9% FO), pigs (6.2% FO) and goats (3.1% FO). Domestic pigs and wild boars were the prey species which most contributed to the total biomass ingested (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e2\\u003c/span\\u003e).\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003c/div\\u003e\\n\\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec17\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003ch2\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003ePrey selection, trophic niche breadth and diet similarity in the wolf breeding groups\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/h2\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eThe majority of wolf groups did not positively select wild boars nor other wild ungulates according to Jacob\\u0026apos;s prey selection index. Only Ferreras group in Zamora positively selected roe deer, being this species negatively selected in Mahide and Villardeciervos groups. Moreover, red deer was negatively selected in Ferreras, Mahide and Villardeciervos wolf groups.\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eThe highest trophic niche breadth was found in wolf groups inhabiting Zamora (\\u003cem\\u003eL\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;16552.9), followed by Valladolid (\\u003cem\\u003eL\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;2910.2) and Galicia\\u0026rsquo;s groups (\\u003cem\\u003eL\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;262.0). In Galicia, Invernadeiro group exhibited the most diverse diet (\\u003cem\\u003eL\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;18470.0), followed by Baldriz (\\u003cem\\u003eL\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;10659.0) (Fig. \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e2\\u003c/span\\u003e). Regarding Zamora\\u0026rsquo;s wolves, it was Villardeciervos group the one with the highest trophic niche breadth (\\u003cem\\u003eL\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;6474.0) (Fig. \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e2\\u003c/span\\u003e).\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eAccording to Pianka\\u0026rsquo;s index, wolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet was more similar between Galicia and Zamora (\\u0026alpha;\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.23) than Galicia-Valladolid (\\u0026alpha;\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.14) and Zamora-Valladolid (\\u0026alpha;\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.10). In Galicia, wolves of Baldriz-Castrelo and Invernadeiro-Castrelo had the highest diet similarities (Fig. \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e3\\u003c/span\\u003e). In Zamora, we found that Ferreras-Villardeciervos groups exhibited more diet overlapping (Fig. \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e3\\u003c/span\\u003e).\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003c/div\\u003e\\n\\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec18\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003ch2\\u003eInfluence of individual factors in wolf diet\\u003c/h2\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eWe did not find statistically significant differences in the wolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet depending on age (frequency of occurrence of each prey: \\u003cem\\u003e\\u0026chi;\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003csup\\u003e2\\u003c/sup\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;39.00; \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;14; \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.08; \\u003cem\\u003eN\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;265). In both adults and pups, wild boar was the prey that most frequently appeared, followed by roe deer in adults and unidentified ungulated in pups (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e4\\u003c/span\\u003e). Parallelly, differences in the wolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet depending on the sex (frequency of occurrence percentage of each prey: \\u0026chi;\\u003csup\\u003e2\\u003c/sup\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;24.00; \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;16; \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.24, \\u003cem\\u003eN\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;43) (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e4\\u003c/span\\u003e) and social status were not statistically significant (frequency of occurrence percentage of each prey: \\u0026chi;\\u003csup\\u003e2\\u003c/sup\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;29.75; \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;14; \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.23, \\u003cem\\u003eN\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;148) (Table \\u003cspan class=\\\"InternalRef\\\"\\u003e5\\u003c/span\\u003e).\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003ctable id=\\\"Tab4\\\" border=\\\"1\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003ccaption language=\\\"En\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cdiv class=\\\"CaptionNumber\\\"\\u003eTable 4\\u003c/div\\u003e\\n \\u003cdiv class=\\\"CaptionContent\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFrequency of occurrence (FO) of each prey in wolf scats and total biomass ingested (B) of each prey depending on wolf\\u0026rsquo;s sex and age in all nine wolf breeding groups.\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/div\\u003e\\n \\u003c/caption\\u003e\\n \\u003cthead\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eAdults\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;212\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003ePups\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;53\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eMales\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;22\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFemales\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;21\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"1\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003ePrey species\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFO\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eB\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFO\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eB\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFO\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eB\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFO\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eB\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eWild ungulates\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003c/thead\\u003e\\n \\u003ctbody\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eUnidentified ungulate\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.05\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e9.29\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.21\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e10.22\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCapreolus capreolus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.19\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e20.57\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.06\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.51\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.23\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e6.52\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.32\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e5.52\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCervus elaphus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.05\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e13.58\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.04\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.72\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.04\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.72\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.03\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.36\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eSus scrofa\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.42\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e82.54\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.36\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e17.62\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.46\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e24.11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.29\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e9.27\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eDomestic ungulates\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCapra aegagrus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.08\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e21.49\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.09\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e6.32\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.11\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e7.58\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.09\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e3.79\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eOvis aries\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.02\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e5.94\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.00\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eEquus africanus asinus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.03\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e11.54\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.04\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e3.85\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e-\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eS. scrofa domesticus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.05\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e24.74\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.08\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e9.90\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.09\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e12.37\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.15\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e12.37\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eOther prey\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eOryctolagus cuniculus\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.10\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e6.318\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.09\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"3\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.44\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.09\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.44\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.12\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.15\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tbody\\u003e\\n \\u003c/table\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cbr\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003ctable id=\\\"Tab5\\\" border=\\\"1\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003ccaption language=\\\"En\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cdiv class=\\\"CaptionNumber\\\"\\u003eTable 5\\u003c/div\\u003e\\n \\u003cdiv class=\\\"CaptionContent\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFrequency of occurrence (FO) of each prey in wolf scats and total biomass ingested (B) of each prey depending on wolf\\u0026rsquo;s social status.\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/div\\u003e\\n \\u003c/caption\\u003e\\n \\u003cthead\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eDominant\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;48\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\" colspan=\\\"2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eSubordinates\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eN\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;100\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003ePrey species\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFO\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eB\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eFO\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003cth align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eB\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/th\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003c/thead\\u003e\\n \\u003ctbody\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eUnidentified ungulate\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.04\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.86\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.18\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e16.72\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eCapreolus capreolus\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.23\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e5.52\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.09\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e4.52\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eCervus elaphus\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.04\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e2.72\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.06\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e8.15\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eSus scrofa\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.46\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e20.40\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.50\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e46.37\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eCapra aegagrus\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.10\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e6.32\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.06\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e7.58\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eOvis aries\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.02\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e1.48\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.03\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e4.45\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctr\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eEquus africanus asinus\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.06\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e5.77\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e0.05\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003ctd align=\\\"left\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003e9.62\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n \\u003c/td\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tr\\u003e\\n \\u003c/tbody\\u003e\\n \\u003c/table\\u003e\\n\\u003c/div\\u003e\\n\\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec19\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e\\n \\u003ch2\\u003eDiet quality by nitrogen analysis\\u003c/h2\\u003e\\n \\u003cp\\u003eNitrogen analysis in wolf scats showed that there were no differences in diet quality of wolf breeding groups depending on the zone (Galicia 5.29\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;0.44 g N/100 g dry faeces; Valladolid 4.45\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;0.42 g N/100 g dry faeces) (\\u003cem\\u003eF\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;1.697, \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;1, \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.19, \\u003cem\\u003eN\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;91). Moreover, differences in diet quality between sexes and age were also non-statistically significant (males 5.50\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;0.63 g N/100 g dry faeces; females 5.12\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;0.64 gN/100 g dry faeces; \\u003cem\\u003eU\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;356.50, \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;1, \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.94, \\u003cem\\u003eN\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;57) (adults 5.07\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;0.38 gN/100 g dry faeces; pups 4.62\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;0.42 g N/100 g dry faeces; \\u003cem\\u003eU\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;539.00, \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;1, \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.80, \\u003cem\\u003eN\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;91). Finally, nitrogen content in wolf\\u0026rsquo;s faeces did not differ between dominant and subordinate individuals (dominant 5.71\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;0.95 g N/100 g dry faeces; subordinates 5.47\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;0.77 g N/100 g dry faeces), the differences were not statistically significant (\\u003cem\\u003eU\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;117.5, \\u003cem\\u003edf\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;1, \\u003cem\\u003ep\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;0.89, \\u003cem\\u003eN\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;31).\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003c/div\\u003e\"},{\"header\":\"Discussion\",\"content\":\"\\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec21\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003eDiet differences between zones and breeding wolf groups\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eWe found that the wolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet in the study areas was strongly dependent on prey availability, being wild ungulates are the central core of their diet, as it has been described in previous studies characterizing wolves as generalist-opportunistic predators through its European range (Ciucci \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR20\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1994\\u003c/span\\u003e; Mattioli et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR43\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1995\\u003c/span\\u003e; Meriggi et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR47\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1996\\u003c/span\\u003e, 2011; Milanesi et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR51\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2012\\u003c/span\\u003e). However, some wolves, such as the breeding group studied in Baldriz (Galicia), consumed much more roe deer than it was expected due to its abundance, suggesting that some wolf groups show marked preferences for certain prey species regardless its abundance (Potvin \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR60\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1988\\u003c/span\\u003e; Dale et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR22\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1994\\u003c/span\\u003e; Meriggi et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR47\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e1996\\u003c/span\\u003e; Kunkel et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR35\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2004\\u003c/span\\u003e). Therefore, these results could indicate that some wolf breeding groups may be specialised in hunting specific prey species (Barja \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR7\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009a\\u003c/span\\u003e). Moreover, these findings could be also determined by the fact that during the breeding season of wolves, roe deer and wild boars also reproduce, and wolves have been reported to prey upon juvenile roe deer and wild boars (Blanco 1998; Rigg and Gorman \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR62\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2004\\u003c/span\\u003e; Barja \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR7\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009a\\u003c/span\\u003e), because they are an easy target compared to adult prey.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eWolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet was different depending on the zone (i.e., Galicia, Zamora or Valladolid) and the breeding group studied, being wild boars and cervids the main prey in their diet. In Galicia, the variation in the wolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet between breeding wolf groups correlated with prey availability, except for Baldriz\\u0026rsquo;s group, which fed on roe deer almost four-times more than expected, which, as we mentioned above, could be a local feeding specialisation of this particular wolf group. Invernadeiro and Sagu\\u0026ntilde;edo groups consumed both roe deer and red deer, while Castrelo and Baldriz wolves did not feed upon roe deer, probably because its scarcity but also because it\\u0026rsquo;s a more difficult prey to kill (Barja, \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR7\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009a\\u003c/span\\u003e). As for domestic ungulates, some goat remains were found, but in general, wild boar and wild cervids were the main preys consumed, which corroborates that livestock consumption by wolves is not generalised in Galicia (Barja \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR7\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2009a\\u003c/span\\u003e).\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eThe diet of wolves was particularly diverse in Zamora compared to Galicia and Valladolid, including mostly wild boars and wild cervids but also donkeys and sheep. It is worth to mention that donkeys were provided by hunting reserves to lure wolves and facilitate their hunting. The availability of this vulnerable prey could explain why cervid consumption was lower than expected, especially in Mahide and Villardeciervos groups. The wolf breeding groups studied in Zamora occupied a territory where wolf hunting have been allowed until recently. Hunting wolves often leads to the disruption of their pack because the breeding pair is most likely to be killed as they lead the other members of the group. The destabilisation of the group may lead to livestock attacks (Wielgus and Peebles, \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR86\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2014\\u003c/span\\u003e; Fern\\u0026aacute;ndez-Gil et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR24\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2016\\u003c/span\\u003e) as younger and inexperienced individuals attack cattle because they lack key hunting skills. However, future studies should address how feeding habits of Sierra de la Culebra wolves changed since hunting has been prohibited and they do not provide donkeys in feeding points anymore.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eAs for the wolf breeding group studied in Valladolid, it showed a diet mainly based on wild boar, rabbits, roe deer and domestic pigs. This group lives in an agricultural and livestock farming area characterised by a low availability of wild ungulates and a high availability of rabbits. Wolves showed an opportunistic trophic behaviour, feeding on lagomorphs (which were the prey most frequently found in scats) while pig remains discarded by nearby farms contributed the most to the total biomass consumed by this group. In general, the diet of Iberian wolves followed the same pattern that the review of Zlatanova et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR91\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2014\\u003c/span\\u003e described for European wolves: wolf groups living in more natural areas with access to wild ungulates chiefly consume wild prey, whereas wolves living in anthropogenic habitats with limited access to wild prey include more livestock in their diet, as well as smaller prey such as lagomorphs.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e \\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec22\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003eTrophic niche breadth and diet similarity among wolf breeding groups\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eThe diet of wolves was more diverse in Zamora because it is the zone which possess a higher variety of both wild and domestic prey availability. Wolves living in Galicia inhabit Invernadeiro Natural Park and surroundings, where a large part of this study area is protected with low human perturbations, and therefore wild ungulate density is high. Hence, it was expected that wolves in this region focused on feeding wild ungulates. In the case of Invernadeiro, the trophic niche breadth was the highest of Galicia because this group lives inside the most remote and protected area, where biodiversity is expected to be higher than the groups living in the park surroundings. On the contrary, Valladolid\\u0026rsquo;s wolf group inhabits an area heavily transformed by human activity, which implies lower biodiversity and wolves have adapted to feed on rabbits and scavenge farm carcasses.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eAs for diet similarities, feeding habits were more similar between Galicia and Zamora because habitat characteristics of Valladolid were particularly different, as it is a strongly modified landscape by human agricultural and livestock farming activities. Considering each zone, diet similarity among breeding wolf groups was explained by prey availability. For instance, wolves of Baldriz and Castrelo had the highest similarity index in Galicia because they mainly fed upon roe deer and wild boar, being red deer not available for this groups. In Zamora, on the contrary, Ferreras and Villardeciervos groups consumed red deer as the main prey, followed by roe deer because they were the most abundant.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec23\\\" class=\\\"Section3\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003eInfluence of individual factors in wolf diet\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eWolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet did not vary depending on individual factors such as age, sex and social status. Since wolves are cooperative hunters, it was expected that all the members of the group fed on the same preys, regardless its sex, age or social status (Valdmann et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR82\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2005\\u003c/span\\u003e; Zunna et al. 2009). However, previous studies have found some differences. For instance, Octenjak et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR54\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2020\\u003c/span\\u003e found that female Croatian wolves consumed more birds, rodents, and dogs than males. And Mysłajek et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR52\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2019\\u003c/span\\u003e showed that Polish wolf pups feed upon beavers much more than adult wolves. The diet of Iberian wolves depending on individual factors had not been studied until now and this is the first report showing that all the members of the group have the same diet.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e \\u003cdiv id=\\\"Sec24\\\" class=\\\"Section2\\\"\\u003e \\u003ch2\\u003eDiet quality by nitrogen analysis\\u003c/h2\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eNitrogen contents of wolf scats did not differ between study areas, which suggests that diet quality is similar among wolf groups despite dietary composition differences. As we expected, we did not find a significant variation in diet quality depending on the age nor sex, because wolves hunt together and consume the same prey. However, contrary to our prediction, we could not show any differences in wolf\\u0026rsquo;s faecal nitrogen contents depending on the social status. Iberian wolf packs are characterised by being rather small family groups composed by the breeding pair and their offspring (Barrientos \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR15\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2000\\u003c/span\\u003e; Fern\\u0026aacute;ndez-Gil et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR25\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2020\\u003c/span\\u003e). Perhaps, because groups are reduced compared to wolf packs inhabiting other regions, which could reach up to 20 individuals (Stenglein et al. \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR77\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2011\\u003c/span\\u003e), competition for feeding resources between the members of the family might not be that strong, leading to a more equal diet quality among all members of the group.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003cp\\u003eIn conclusion, Iberian wolf\\u0026rsquo; groups during breeding season showed an opportunistic feeding behaviour because their diet was basically explained by prey availability. However, some wolf groups prey upon roe deer more than it was expected, which indicates a local feeding specialisation. We also confirmed that all members of the group consumed the same preys and had a similar diet quality, even between dominant and subordinate individuals. This may imply that, due to the overall small pack size, all individuals are allowed to access and exploit the resources and, in consequence, the feeding hierarchy is not that strong in Iberian wolves compared to their American relatives (Mech and Boitani \\u003cspan citationid=\\\"CR46\\\" class=\\\"CitationRef\\\"\\u003e2007\\u003c/span\\u003e). This is the first study that examines in detail the importance of individual factors (social status, sex and age) on Iberian wolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet along with differences between wolf groups and zones. Our study also stresses the importance of wild ungulate populations conservation to boost the coexistence between humans and wolves, as it is a key strategy to decrease livestock attacks by wolves because they will hunt wild prey as long it is available.\\u003c/p\\u003e \\u003c/div\\u003e\"},{\"header\":\"Declarations\",\"content\":\"\\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cstrong\\u003eStatements and Declarations\\u003c/strong\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eCompeting Interests\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp\\u003eWe declare that we have no competing interests.\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eFunding\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp\\u003eThe field work of the project was self-sponsored by Isabel Barja.\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eData availability\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp\\u003eThe data that support the findings of this study are available in the supplementary material.\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eAuthor contributions\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp skip=\\\"true\\\"\\u003eConceptualization and design: IB; Field work: IB, AP, JT, TGB; samples analysis for diet: IB; preprocessing of faecal samples to evaluate diet quality: ANC (The total N % was analyzed in the SIDI); genetic analysis: ARG, AC; data analysis: MCH, IB: Wrote the paper: MCH, IB. \\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eAcknowledgements\\u003c/em\\u003e\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp\\u003eThe authors wish to thank the Xunta de Galicia, the Junta de Castilla y Le\\u0026oacute;n and the Reserva de Caza de la Sierra de la Culebra for the permits granted to carry out this study. Also, to all the gamekeepers for their collaboration, specially to Tom\\u0026aacute;s, Ricardo, Paco, Ruben and Roberto. During part of this study, I. Barja was granted a postdoctoral contract by the Universidad Aut\\u0026oacute;noma de Madrid. \\u003c/p\\u003e\"},{\"header\":\"References\",\"content\":\"\\u003col\\u003e\\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eAOAC (1990) Official Methods of Analysis, 15th edn. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, DC\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eAldezabal A, Garin I, Garc\\u0026iacute;a-Gonz\\u0026aacute;lez R (1993) Concentraci\\u0026oacute;n de nitr\\u0026oacute;geno faecal en ungulados estivantes en los pastos supraforestales del Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido. Revista Pastos 1:101\\u0026ndash;114\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eAllen ME, Ullrey DE (2004) Relationships among nutrition and reproduction and relevance for wild animals. Zoo Biol 23(6):475\\u0026ndash;487\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eAnsorge H, Kluth G, Hahne S (2006) Feeding ecology of wolves Canis lupus returning to Germany. Acta Theriol 51(1):99\\u0026ndash;106\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eArman P, Hopcraft D, McDonald I (1975) Nutritional studies on East African herbivores. 2. losses of nitrogen in the faeces. Br J Nutr 33:265\\u0026ndash;276\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eBaldwin RA, Bender LC (2009) Foods and nutritional components of diets of black bear in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Can J Zool 87:1000\\u0026ndash;1008\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eBarja I (2009a) Prey and prey-age preference by the Iberian wolf Canis lupus signatus in a multiple-prey ecosystem. Wildl boil 15(2):147\\u0026ndash;154\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eBarja I (2009b) Decision making in plant selection during the faecal-marking behaviour of wild wolves. Anim Behav 77(2):489\\u0026ndash;493\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eBarja I, Hern\\u0026aacute;ndez MC, Gago-Barja T, Navarro-Castilla A (2018) Iberian wolf activity patterns: from understanding to conservation. International Congress of the Spanish Society of Ethology and Evolutionary Ecology, Mieres, Spain\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eBarja I, Hern\\u0026aacute;ndez MC, Navarro-Castilla \\u0026Aacute; (2021) Manual de los patrones macrosc\\u0026oacute;picos y cuticulares del pelo en mam\\u0026iacute;feros de la pen\\u0026iacute;nsula ib\\u0026eacute;rica. Universidad Aut\\u0026oacute;noma de Madrid, Spain\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eBarja I, Miguel FJ, Barcena F (2005) Faecal marking behaviour of Iberian wolf in different zones of their territory. Folia Zool 54(1/2):21\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eBarja I, Silv\\u0026aacute;n G, Illera JC (2008) Relationships between sex and stress hormone levels in feces and marking behavior in a wild population of Iberian wolves (Canis lupus signatus). J Chem Ecol 34(6):697\\u0026ndash;701\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eBarja I, Silv\\u0026aacute;n G, Rosellini S, Pi\\u0026ntilde;eiro A, Illera MJ, Illera JC (2008) Quantification of sexual steroid hormones in faeces of Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus): a non-invasive sex typing method. Reprod Domest Anim 43(6):701\\u0026ndash;707\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eBarboza PS, Parker KL, Hume ID (2008) Integrative wildlife nutrition. Springer Science and Business Media\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eBarrientos LM (2000) Tama\\u0026ntilde;o y composici\\u0026oacute;n de diferentes grupos de lobos en Castilla y Le\\u0026oacute;n. Galemys, 12 (n\\u0026ordm;. esp.): 249\\u0026ndash;256\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eBlanco JC, Alc\\u0026aacute;ntara M, Iba\\u0026ntilde;ez C (1998) Gu\\u0026iacute;a de campo de los mam\\u0026iacute;feros de Espa\\u0026ntilde;a. GeoPlaneta, Barcelona\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eBoertje RD, Stephenson RO (1992) Effects of ungulate availability on wolf reproductive potential in Alaska. Can J Zool 70(12):2441\\u0026ndash;2443\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eCalow P (1979) The cost of reproduction\\u0026ndash;a physiological approach. Biol Rev 54(1):23\\u0026ndash;40\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eCastroviejo J, Palacios F, Garzon J, Cuesta L (1975) Sobre la alimentaci\\u0026oacute;n de los canides ibericos. In Proceeding XII Congress of the International Union of Game Biologists: 39\\u0026ndash;46. Lisboa: IUGB\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eCiucci P (1994) Movements, activities and resources of the wolf (Canis lupus) in two areas of the central-northern Italy. PhD Thesis, Universit\\u0026agrave; di Roma \\u0026rdquo;La Sapienza\\u0026amp;#8221\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eCodron D, Lee-Thorp JA, Sponheimer M (2007) Significance of diet type and diet quality for ecological diversity of African ungulates. J Anim Ecol 76(3):526\\u0026ndash;537\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eDale BW, Adams LG, Bowyer RT (1994) Functional response of wolves preying on barren-ground caribou in a multiple-prey ecosystem. J Anim Ecol, 644\\u0026ndash;652\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eElmhagen B, Tannerfeldt M, Verucci P, Angerbjo\\u0026egrave;rn A (2000) The arctic fox (Alopex lagopus): an opportunistic specialist. J Zool 251(2):139\\u0026ndash;149\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eFern\\u0026aacute;ndez-Gil A, Naves J, Ordiz A (2016) Conflict misleads large carnivore management and conservation: brown bears and wolves in Spain. PLoS ONE, 11(3), e0151541\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eFern\\u0026aacute;ndez-Gil A, Quevedo M, Barrientos LM (2020) Pack size in humanized landscapes: the Iberian wolf population. Wildlife Biol., 2020(2), 1\\u0026ndash;9\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eFuller TK (1989) Population dynamics of wolves in north-central Minnesota. Wildl Monogr, 3\\u0026ndash;41\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eFuller TK, Sievert PR (2001) Carnivore demography and the consequences of changes in prey availability. Conservation biology series. Cambridge, pp 163\\u0026ndash;178\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eFuller TK, Mech LD, Cochrane JF (2003) Wolf population dynamics. In: Mech LD, Boitani L (eds) Wolves: Behavior, ecology, and conservation. University of Chicago Press, pp 161\\u0026ndash;191\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eGazzola A, Bertelli I, Avanzinelli E (2005) Predation by wolves (Canis lupus) on wild and domestic ungulates of the western Alps. Italy J Zool 266(02):205\\u0026ndash;213\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eHamb\\u0026auml;ck PA, Oksanen L, Ekerholm P (2004) Predators indirectly protect tundra plants by reducing herbivore abundance. Oikos 106(1):85\\u0026ndash;92\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eHebblewhite M, White CA, Nietvelt CG (2005) Human activity mediates a trophic cascade caused by wolves. Ecology 86(8):2135\\u0026ndash;2144\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eHolmes JC (1995) Population regulation: a dynamic complex of interactions. Wild Res 22(1):11\\u0026ndash;19\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eJacobs J (1974) Quantitative measurement of food selection. Oecologia 14(4):413\\u0026ndash;417\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eJędrzejewski W, Jędrzejewska B, Okarma H (1992) Wolf predation and snow cover as mortality factors in the ungulate community of the Bialowieża National Park, Poland. Oecologia 90(1):27\\u0026ndash;36\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eKunkel KE, Pletscher DH, Boyd DK (2004) Factors correlated with foraging behaviour of wolves in and near Glacier National Park. Mont J Wildl Manage 68(1):167\\u0026ndash;178\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eLanszki J, M\\u0026aacute;rkus M, \\u0026Uacute;jv\\u0026aacute;ry D (2012) Diet of wolves Canis lupus returning to Hungary. Acta Theriol 57(2):189\\u0026ndash;193\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eLevins R (1968) Evolution in changing environments. PhD Thesis. Princeton University, Princeton. 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Biochem Syst Ecol 38(6):1096\\u0026ndash;1102\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eMateos-Quesada P (2002) Biolog\\u0026iacute;a y comportamiento del corzo ib\\u0026eacute;rico. Universidad de Extremadura, Servicio de Publicaciones\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eMattioli L, Apollonio M, Mazzarone V (1995) Wolf food habits and wild ungulate availability in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park, Italy. Acta Theriol 40(4):387\\u0026ndash;402\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eMech LD (1970) The wolf. The ecology and behaviour of and endangered species. University of Minnesota press, Minneapolis London\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e \\u003cli\\u003e\\u003cspan\\u003eMech LD (1999) Alpha status, dominance, and division of labor in wolf packs. 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Est J Ecol 58(2)\\u003c/span\\u003e\\u003c/li\\u003e\\u003c/ol\\u003e\"}],\"fulltextSource\":\"\",\"fullText\":\"\",\"funders\":[],\"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow\":false,\"hasManuscriptDocX\":true,\"hasOptedInToPreprint\":true,\"hasPassedJournalQc\":\"\",\"hasAnyPriority\":false,\"hideJournal\":false,\"highlight\":\"\",\"institution\":\"\",\"isAcceptedByJournal\":true,\"isAuthorSuppliedPdf\":false,\"isDeskRejected\":\"\",\"isHiddenFromSearch\":false,\"isInQc\":false,\"isInWorkflow\":true,\"isPdf\":false,\"isPdfUpToDate\":true,\"isWithdrawnOrRetracted\":false,\"journal\":{\"display\":true,\"email\":\"info@researchsquare.com\",\"identity\":\"behavioral-ecology-and-sociobiology\",\"isNatureJournal\":false,\"hasQc\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":false,\"externalIdentity\":\"beas\",\"sideBox\":\"Learn more about [Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology](http://link.springer.com/journal/265)\",\"snPcode\":\"265\",\"submissionUrl\":\"https://www.editorialmanager.com/beas/default.aspx\",\"title\":\"Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology\",\"twitterHandle\":\"\",\"acdcEnabled\":true,\"dfaEnabled\":true,\"editorialSystem\":\"em\",\"reportingPortfolio\":\"Springer Hybrid\",\"inReviewEnabled\":true,\"inReviewRevisionsEnabled\":false},\"keywords\":\"Canis lupus signatus, wild ungulates, feeding habits, Spain, diet quality, nitrogen analysis, rendezvous sites\",\"lastPublishedDoi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3230941/v1\",\"lastPublishedDoiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3230941/v1\",\"license\":{\"name\":\"CC BY 4.0\",\"url\":\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/\"},\"manuscriptAbstract\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eLarge predators are essential in maintaining ecosystem functioning, and comprehending how their feeding habits change across natural and human-dominated landscapes is crucial to preserve biodiversity. In this study, the diet of Iberian wolves (\\u003cem\\u003eCanis lupus signatus\\u003c/em\\u003e) during pup rearing season (July to September) has been studied in relation to prey abundance and putting emphasis in the analysis of the differences between zones, wolf groups and individual factors (age, sex and social status). For this, non-invasive monitoring was carried out in three zones of Spain where nine different wolf breeding groups were detected (Galicia, n\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;4; Zamora, n\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;4 and Valladolid, n\\u0026thinsp;=\\u0026thinsp;1). Faecal samples were collected near \\u003cem\\u003erendezvous sites\\u003c/em\\u003e for dietary and genetic analyses, registering if it was or not a scent mark to know the social status of the individuals. Prey availability was determined by camera trapping or requesting the official census of wild prey in the study areas. We found differences in wolf\\u0026rsquo;s diet depending on the zone and the breeding group however, the diet did not vary depending on the age, sex and social status. In general, Iberian wolves mainly fed on wild ungulates (wild boar, roe deer and red deer), feeding on the most abundant prey, except for Baldriz group in Galicia which seems to be specialized in hunting roe deer. Domestic animals\\u0026rsquo; consumption (sheep, goat, donkey, pig) was not high, but it occurred specially in agriculture and livestock areas (Ferreras in Zamora and Valladolid) where wild prey were less available.\\u003c/p\\u003e\",\"manuscriptTitle\":\"Iberian wolf’s diet and its quality during breeding season: exploring the influence of zone, wolf groups, prey availability and individual factors\",\"msid\":\"\",\"msnumber\":\"\",\"nonDraftVersions\":[{\"code\":1,\"date\":\"2023-08-24 14:54:31\",\"doi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3230941/v1\",\"editorialEvents\":[{\"type\":\"communityComments\",\"content\":0},{\"type\":\"decision\",\"content\":\"Major Revisions Needed\",\"date\":\"2023-10-08T05:37:47+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"reviewerAgreed\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2023-09-14T12:11:38+00:00\",\"index\":0,\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"reviewersInvited\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2023-08-20T09:53:40+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"editorAssigned\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2023-08-10T20:56:29+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"submitted\",\"content\":\"Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology\",\"date\":\"2023-08-07T05:17:55+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"}],\"status\":\"published\",\"journal\":{\"display\":true,\"email\":\"info@researchsquare.com\",\"identity\":\"behavioral-ecology-and-sociobiology\",\"isNatureJournal\":false,\"hasQc\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":false,\"externalIdentity\":\"beas\",\"sideBox\":\"Learn more about [Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology](http://link.springer.com/journal/265)\",\"snPcode\":\"265\",\"submissionUrl\":\"https://www.editorialmanager.com/beas/default.aspx\",\"title\":\"Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology\",\"twitterHandle\":\"\",\"acdcEnabled\":true,\"dfaEnabled\":true,\"editorialSystem\":\"em\",\"reportingPortfolio\":\"Springer Hybrid\",\"inReviewEnabled\":true,\"inReviewRevisionsEnabled\":false}}],\"origin\":\"\",\"ownerIdentity\":\"92a3532d-ae79-46a6-926d-aa1849aa5658\",\"owner\":[],\"postedDate\":\"August 24th, 2023\",\"published\":true,\"recentEditorialEvents\":[],\"rejectedJournal\":[],\"revision\":\"\",\"amendment\":\"\",\"status\":\"published-in-journal\",\"subjectAreas\":[],\"tags\":[],\"updatedAt\":\"2024-03-25T15:05:46+00:00\",\"versionOfRecord\":{\"articleIdentity\":\"rs-3230941\",\"link\":\"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-024-03457-4\",\"journal\":{\"identity\":\"behavioral-ecology-and-sociobiology\",\"isVorOnly\":false,\"title\":\"Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology\"},\"publishedOn\":\"2024-03-20 15:01:08\",\"publishedOnDateReadable\":\"March 20th, 2024\"},\"versionCreatedAt\":\"2023-08-24 14:54:31\",\"video\":\"\",\"vorDoi\":\"10.1007/s00265-024-03457-4\",\"vorDoiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-024-03457-4\",\"workflowStages\":[]},\"version\":\"v1\",\"identity\":\"rs-3230941\",\"journalConfig\":\"researchsquare\"},\"__N_SSP\":true},\"page\":\"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]\",\"query\":{\"redirect\":\"/article/rs-3230941\",\"identity\":\"rs-3230941\",\"version\":[\"v1\"]},\"buildId\":\"_2-kVJe1T_tPrBINL-cwx\",\"isFallback\":false,\"isExperimentalCompile\":false,\"dynamicIds\":[84888],\"gssp\":true,\"scriptLoader\":[]}","source_license":"CC-BY-4.0","license_restricted":false}