Aparato trófico e variação nos hábitos alimentares de Philander opossum e Didelphis aurita (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae)

Abstract

ln this study, the hypothesis of a differentiation on food habits of Philander opossum and Didelphis aurita was tested. Were studied the diet in the field, food preference in laboratory, and their relationships with morfofisiological traits of trophic apparatus. Both marsupiais feed on invertebrates, small vertebrates and fruits. Philander opossum showed greater diversity of vertebrates in field diet than Didelphis aurita, while the latter used more invertebrates and fruits. The marsupiais overlap in the preferential diet, but Didelphis aurita showed a wider resource utilization in laboratory than Philander opossum. ln Didelphis aurita the relative length of intestines and the overall digestive tract were greater than Philander opossum. ln this latter were greater the relative length of oesofagus and relative volume of stomach. Philander opossum was more efficient in digesting meat. The results indicated that Philander opossum is more camivorous than Didelphis aurita.