QUANTIFYING PREDATION BY FERAL CATS AND DOGS ON THREATENED NATIVE MAMMALS ON AMAMI ISLAND, JAPAN

Amami Island, part of the Ryukyu Archipelago in Japan, is known for high levels of diversity and endemism. However, many species are now globally threatened with extinction, especially due to predation by feral animals. We surveyed prey species based on analysis of fecal samples of feral cats and dogs and present evidence that 74.3% of endemic species are being preyed upon. We investigated eating habits of feral cats and dogs in Amami Island by directly analyzing their droppings. Identification of prey animals was based on fur and bone fragments in droppings confirmed that many threatened species are consumed not only by feral dogs but also cats. Our study shows that the introduced animals are likely to adversely affect Amami’s terrestrial ecosystems.