Part II. Stable Isotope Geochemistry: A Method to Evaluate the Diet of Florida Panther

Abstract

Many of the methods used to determine the diet of large carnivores are costly, time-consuming and may not give a complete picture of diet. Here we discuss the potential for stable-isotope analysis to provide a more complete picture of long-term intake with a pilot study of Florida panthers. We use 20 Florida panthers (Puma concolor) from the Florida Museum of Natural History. Our results are consistent with a diet based primarily on deer and hog as other studies have suggested. However, male and female isotope values differ significantly suggesting distinctly different dietary intake. In addition, contrary to findings from studies employing other techniques, no differences are apparent in the isotope signatures of animals from northern versus southern areas. Although the isotope data presented here are preliminary, stable isotope analysis appears to be a useful tool for assessing differences in diet across demographic parameters and will be useful in dietary studies contributing to conservation efforts.