Feeding Behavior of the European Brown Hare (, Leu2 Haplotype) on Pianosa Island: Insights into the Absence of Trophic Competition.

This study investigates the feeding behavior of the European brown hare on Pianosa Island, Italy, focusing on seasonal dietary preferences in coastal and inland areas. We quantified plant species frequencies in vegetation and fecal pellets, assessed α and β diversity, compared diets via Bray-Curtis matrices, and evaluated selection preferences using the Resource Selection Ratio. During spring, the coastal diet was predominantly composed of grasses, particularly , while non-leguminous forbs like were prominent inland. Fabaceae, including , were highly preferred. In autumn, non-leguminous forbs, such as , were favored on the coast, while grasses like dominated inland. Fabaceae, particularly species, remained a key component of the diet. Plant diversity peaked in spring and decreased markedly in autumn. Dietary overlap between seasons was moderate, with higher similarity observed in the coastal area. The study underscores the importance of Fabaceae and seasonal vegetation changes in shaping the hare's diet. These findings provide valuable insights for conservation, emphasizing the need to preserve key plant species and habitats to support isolated hare populations in Mediterranean ecosystems.