This award supports cooperative research on predatory vertebrates to be performed by Peter Feinsinger of the University of Florida and F. M. Jaksic of the Catholic University of Chile in Santiago. They will study the interaction of mammalian carnivores based on hunting habitats, times and prey. Counts of predators and prey and information on the predator diets will be used to investigate avoidance or tolerance of predators for each other. These interactions affect the use of the habitat landscape by each predator species. Such information will help predator species conservation through habitat protection. This project is a particularly good example of increased research productivity through collaboration. Feinsinger has developed statistical analysis techniques for large data sets which will broaden Jaksic's capabilities in research and in the teaching of ecology. Feinsinger's research on mechanisms of competition closely parallels Jaksic's work on guilds of carnivorous vertebrates. This research on vertebrate predators consuming vertebrate prey will broaden Feinsinger's perspective on guild structure and dynamics. The collaboration will aid the new program in ecology at the Catholic University which will train graduate students from Chile and other South American countries. On the other hand, Jaksic's presence at Florida will enhance the ecological content of the program there.
