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<p>The common genet <i>Genetta genetta</i> (L.) is a nocturnal, opportunistic carnivore widely distributed in Iberia. Although arthropods are known components of its diet, predation on insects—including longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae)—remains poorly documented. Here, we analysed the trophic relationship between the genet and three large saproxylophagous longhorns—<i>Cerambyx cerdo</i> (Cc), <i>Cerambyx welensii</i> (Cw) and <i>Prinobius myardi</i> (Pm)—in Mediterranean oak open woodlands of SW Iberia. During 2017–2018, <i>n</i> = 508 genet scats were collected weekly across nine site–year combinations, and beetle remains were identified and quantified. Beetle abundance (Cc and Cw) was simultaneously monitored using baited traps. All three species proved to be regular prey during spring–summer, with 328, 393 and 177 items of Cc, Cw and Pm recovered, respectively, and frequency-of-occurrence peaks exceeding 70–80% for pooled species. Seasonal predation curves closely mirrored beetle phenology, although the date of first detection differed between scats and traps depending on the year. Predation intensity increased significantly with beetle abundance, with no species-specific differences, confirming the opportunistic exploitation of longhorns by the genet. Negative binomial models best described the distribution of prey items per scat, revealing a strongly aggregated rather than random predation pattern, likely driven by spatial clustering of beetles on host trees and reinforced by the genet’s ability to exploit these resource patches. Overall, the high predatory impact observed indicates that the genet acts as an important natural enemy of large longhorn beetles. These findings refine our understanding of genet trophic ecology and highlight a poorly documented predator–prey interaction with potential implications for beetle management.</p>

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An overlooked predator–prey system: predatory impact of the common genet on large longhorn beetles in Mediterranean oak open woodlands

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月24日

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  • Luis M. Torres-Vila,
  • Rafael López-Calvo,
  • Álvaro Sánchez-González,
  • Félix Fernández-Moreno

摘要

The common genet Genetta genetta (L.) is a nocturnal, opportunistic carnivore widely distributed in Iberia. Although arthropods are known components of its diet, predation on insects—including longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae)—remains poorly documented. Here, we analysed the trophic relationship between the genet and three large saproxylophagous longhorns—Cerambyx cerdo (Cc), Cerambyx welensii (Cw) and Prinobius myardi (Pm)—in Mediterranean oak open woodlands of SW Iberia. During 2017–2018, n = 508 genet scats were collected weekly across nine site–year combinations, and beetle remains were identified and quantified. Beetle abundance (Cc and Cw) was simultaneously monitored using baited traps. All three species proved to be regular prey during spring–summer, with 328, 393 and 177 items of Cc, Cw and Pm recovered, respectively, and frequency-of-occurrence peaks exceeding 70–80% for pooled species. Seasonal predation curves closely mirrored beetle phenology, although the date of first detection differed between scats and traps depending on the year. Predation intensity increased significantly with beetle abundance, with no species-specific differences, confirming the opportunistic exploitation of longhorns by the genet. Negative binomial models best described the distribution of prey items per scat, revealing a strongly aggregated rather than random predation pattern, likely driven by spatial clustering of beetles on host trees and reinforced by the genet’s ability to exploit these resource patches. Overall, the high predatory impact observed indicates that the genet acts as an important natural enemy of large longhorn beetles. These findings refine our understanding of genet trophic ecology and highlight a poorly documented predator–prey interaction with potential implications for beetle management.