Relevance of invasive and domestic mammals in the diet of a community of terrestrial mammalian carnivores in central Chile

The Chilean mediterranean region has been experiencing accelerated habitat loss and an uninterrupted megadrought for the last thirteen years. Considering that carnivorous mammals occupy the apex of the trophic web, their diets should reflect the effect of environmental changes in ecosystems. Here, we conducted a fecal analysis to investigate the diet of three major carnivores present in central Chile. Our findings revealed a high degree of resource overlap among these carnivores, with a significant consumption of invasive mammals and livestock. Additionally, the diet analysis indicates a high rate of negative interaction (predation) among carnivorous mammals. Studies in disturbed environments are essential for understanding the adaptive responses of carnivorous mammals and should be integrated into conservation strategies.