Understanding the impact of wild boar on the European wild rabbit and red-legged partridge populations using a diet metabarcoding approach

Abstract European wild rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) and red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa are main small game species of conservation concern in Mediterranean ecosystems. To date, their presence boar’s Sus scrofa diet factors driving consumption have been little investigated. A genetic metabarcoding approach was used on 80 boar faeces collected from four hunting estates devoted to during two different seasons. Abundances boar, rabbits partridges were first estimated. Results showed DNA seventeen chordate species. The highest frequency occurrence (FO) corresponded mammals birds, with 77.6 22.3%, respectively. detected 39/71 (FO = 55.0%) samples, highlighting the 27 38.0%) eight 11.3%). Dietary composition varied between seasons estates, being responsible (explaining 35.26% 39.45% differences, respectively). Rabbit FO positively related abundance density estate. It greater autumn where hunted. Regarding partridge, a significant positive relationship its population observed, without differences or estates. Overall, our results suggest as an opportunistic whose is largely determined by relative availability food resources. Its ecological role concerning agroecosystems seems be more carrion season than direct predation.