168 

 squash (11% by percent volume). No major crop species were consumed by the collared peccary 

 during the clear and bum season. 



In summary, only a subset of the main crops were consumed in substantial quantities by game 

 species. These were the sweet potato, squash, yuca, com, kidney bean, and other/zacate. In addition, 

 only a subset of the game species consumed substantial quantities of crop species. These were the 

 paca, agouti, coati, and collared peccary. 



Discussion 



According to Linares (1976), the practice of garden hunting is based on the fact that certain 

 species of terrestrial mammals are tolerant of human disturbances and feed regularly on cultivated 

 crops. Since these species congregate in areas with cultivated aops, the biomass of these game 

 animals is greater in the vicinity of the gardens than in the adjacent forest. This increased biomass of 

 wild animals, according to Linares (1976), supports a game-procurement system by human hunters that 

 exploits the diet and behavioral characteristics of these mammals. 



The results obtained during this study confirmed that many game species consumed crops, as 

 well as other plant and animal matter. In the first part of this discussion, I will generally desaibe 

 game food habits at Ejido X-Hazil y Anexos, compare them with food habits reported for other areas, 

 and summarize briefly the behavior and ecology of game species as they relate to food habits. In the 

 second part, I will describe the percent frequency and occurrence of crop species in game diets. In the 

 third part, I will discuss seasonal variation in crop consumption by game species. In conclusion, I will 

 suggest that crops and gardens are important food sources for game species at Ejido X-Hazil y Anexos 

 but that noncrop species also are important to game animals. 



Food Items Consumed by Game Species 



Pacas are noctumal frugivore-granivores (Eisenberg, 1981). They are not especially social 

 animals and usually live alone (Collett, 1981; Leopold, 1977). Pacas are found in a variety of habitat 



