Abstract
In Wildlife Management and Conservation Units (UMAs), both livestock and hunting are common activities. However, the knowledge of nutritional aspects that increases the economic yield and ensures the sustainable use of resources is still limited. Therefore, the objective of this research was to generate knowledge about forage selectivity of some ungulates to conserve their populations and habitats. The relationship between forage uses and availability was determined for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (O. hemionus), bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) and cattle (Bos
taurus) in the UMA Rancho Noche Buena, Sonora, Mexico. During August-November 2022, plots were sampled to identify the plant species present in the diet of ungulates. The chi-squared test was used to evaluate the hypothesis that forage plants are consumed in proportion to their availability by each herbivore species. Plant selectivity was determined using Bonferroni intervals and Ivlev’s selectivity index. Bonferroni intervals identified a higher percentage of rejected species, while the Ivlev index highlighted a higher percentage of selected species. Among the plants preferred by ungulates, Olneya tesota and Simmondsia chinensis were found. Understanding the foraging behavior of wild ungulates in interaction with cattle is essential for developing sustainable management strategies.
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