Food habits of the feral small Asian Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) and impacts on native species in the northern part of Okinawa Island

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  • Ogura Go
    Laboratory of Subtropical Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of The Ryukyus
  • Sasaki Takeshi
    University Museum, University of The Ryukyus
  • Toyama Masanao
    Okinawa Prefectural Archives
  • Takehara Kenji
    Okinawa Prefectural Museum
  • Nakachi Manabu
    Nansei Environmental Laboratory
  • Ishibashi Osamu
    Division of Sanitation and Food Inspection, Hiroshima Quarantine Station, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
  • Kawashima Yoshitsugu
    Laboratory of Subtropical Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of The Ryukyus
  • Oda Sen-ichi
    Laboratory of Animal Management & Resources, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University

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Other Title
  • 沖縄島北部に生息するジャワマングース（Herpestes javanicus）の食性と在来種への影響
  • オキナワトウ ホクブ ニ セイソク スル ジャワマングース Herpestes javanicus ノ ショクセイ ト ザイライシュ エ ノ エイキョウ

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Abstract

The diet of the small Asian mongoose, Herpestes javanicus, was studied by analyzing the contents in the digestive tracts of 83mongooses caught in the northern part of Okinawa Island. Among all taxons, insects had the highest frequency of occurrence and highest mean dry weight (71%, 88mg) in the hoods; reptiles (18%, 27mg), oligochaetes and mollusks (12%, 33mg) were also highly represented. The analysis showed that the mongooses preyed on a wide variety of avians, mammals, amphibians and arthropods. Correcting for the body weights of individual preys suggests that the mongooses consumed avians, mammals, reptiles and insects in equal proportions. However, considering the population and reproductive capability of each of these taxons in the habitat, it can be concluded that reptiles may be the most vulnerable taxon on the island. Furthermore, it was ascertained that the mongooses preyed upon endangered, endemic native species. It is obvious that the native species that inhabited the northern part of Okinawa dwindled in population and eventually were made extinct by the mongoose. If we execute the extirpation plan immediately, it is probable that the worst scenario in the conservation of the ecosystem on Okinawa Island can be avoided.

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