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Comments on the Predator-Prey Relationship of the Texas Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys elator) and Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Abstract Rodent prey of the barn owl (Tyto alba) partly reflects the availability of prey species of small mammals. However, small- to moderate-sized mice of the genera Sigmodon (cotton rats), Oryzomys (rice rats) and Microtus (voles) are selectively preyed upon when available, and species of Dipodomys (kangaroo rats) are often underrepresented prey items. The range of T. alba in north Texas overlaps the restricted range of the little-studied Texas kangaroo rat (D. elator). Examination of regurgitated barn owl pellets provides the first documentation of predation on this distinctive rodent. However, given the ready availability of this kangaroo rat, its representation as a prey species of the barn owl is lower than expected, even given the usually poor representation of other Dipodomys species from other localities. Selective predation on favored prey and presence of other buffer species are certainly contributory factors to the low incidence of kangaroo rats in owl pellets. Some predator avoidance mechanism(s) of Dipodomys, perhaps especially well developed in D. elator, might also be implicated.