Article Abstract

Volume 26, No. (6), 2016 (December)
FEEDING USE OF A TROPICAL AGROECOSYSTEM (CUBA) BY MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura L)
J. M. García, V. Peiró

J. M. García 1,2, V. Peiró 3*

1 Chapter of Doctorate Thesis of the first author in the doctorate program about “Development of Tropical Woodlands, Forest and Tourist Management” from University of Pinar del Rio (Cuba) and University of Alicante (Spain).
2 Forest State Service. Municipal Delegation of Agricultural Ministry (MINAGRY) 39 number 52 street, between 55 and 57, Encanto, Rodas, Cienfuegos, Cuba, psicologia6003@ucm.cfg.sld.cu
3* Director of Thesis from Department of Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, Alicante University Apto. 99, 03080, Spain

Corresponding Author: v.peiro@ua.es
DOI: NA
Page Number(s): 1879-1885
Published Online First: December 01, 2016
Publication Date: December 01, 2016
ABSTRACT

The Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura L.) is a species subjected to high consumptive use in Cuba, but there are a few publications related to its feeding habits in tropical regions. The goal of the present study was feeding analysis of Mourning dove to know its food spectrum, dietary importance and impact on a Caribbean agroecosystem. Seventy six samples of dove’s crop were collected in a hunting area of Cienfuegos province. The farming habitat presented higher feeding quality for this dove. The diet spectrum showed 88% plant, 9% mineral and 3% from animal origin. The seeds of Euphorbia heterphylla and Panicum maximum were the most important food items consumed by this species. Its main diet composed of 79% of seeds from herbaceous plants, with a preference for the small seeds. Crop damage caused by this dove was low, because only 10% of consumed food came from agricultural species and this dove ate seeds from plants considered weeds by farmers. Thus we concluded that this dove is a beneficial species in tropical agrosystems.

Keywords: Zenaida macroura, fullness index,food spectrum, index of dietary importance, agricultural impact
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Print ISSN: 1018-7081

Electronic ISSN: 2309-8694

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