Decomposition of Raptor Pellets
Journal
Raptor Research
Volume
13
Issue
4 (Winter)
Year
1979
Pages
102-111
Section
Scientific Papers
Online Text
Abstract
Decomposing pellets from Great Horned Owls were studied during the summer and fall of 1973. After four months, pellets weighed 38-89 percent of their initial dry weight. Thirteen species of fungi were isolated from the pellets. Funnel extraction yielded 3,665 invertebrates from 75 pellets. The most important invertebrates in pellet decomposition appear to be the trogid beetles and the tineid moths. Raptor pellets serve as a feeding, breeding, and shelter site for many invertebrates, including predators, parasites, fungivores, and saprovores.
File attachments
p00102-p00111.pdf
(717.54 KB)
