Feeding habitat utilization and preference by guanaco male groups in the Chilean Patagonia Utilizaci6n y preferencia del hibitat de alimentaci6n de grupos de machos del guanaco en Ia Patagonia chilena

Feeding habitat utilization and preference by guanaco (Lama guanicoe) male groups were studied at Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chile. They were observed 326 hours from January to December 1980 to assess feeding habitat. The number of animals feeding on identified habitat types was recorded at half hour intervals. Plant species composition of habitat types was determined by 4,374 step-points during the growing season. Vegetation maps were made of 64 randomly located 4 ha plots to determine relative availability. Six types of habitat were found: Mata Barrosa (41 � of relative abundance), Coiron (29%), Hierbas (24%), Vega (4%), firre �2%), and Calafate (0.4%). Vega was highly preferred and was fed upon by guanaco male groups significantly more than other habitat type, except in winter when it was covered by snow. Calafate was heavily used during the winter and was highly preferred through- out the year. We concluded that in this xeric environment, guanaco male groups are generalists, shifting from being grazers to browsers depending upon the socioecological season.