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This manuscript describes the mandibular muscles of the puma (Puma concolor), a widely sparse American carnivorous mammal. The muscles on the right and left side of the head of three specimens-two adult males and one young female-were dissected and photographed. This study increases our knowledge on the mandibular soft tissue and adds important anatomical information to the poorly known and documented musculature of this felid, the largest of the subfamily Felinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheep depredation by puma (Puma concolor) is a socio-environmental problem that has intensified in recent decades in Patagonia. A bounty system to control this carnivore is implemented in Chubut province (central Patagonia), whereas alternative measures to mitigate the conflict are still in progress. A common recommendation to limit livestock depredation by large carnivores is to maintain suitable levels of wild prey populations. To evaluate the applicability of this recommendation, we examined the puma diet in ranches of the northeastern of Chubut. We analyzed the stomach and intestinal contents of 21 pumas hunted under provincial legislation. The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) represented around 75% of the total biomass consumed. Sheep was the second prey in relevance, but their contribution to the diet was four times lower than the guanaco. Our results emphasize the role of this large native ungulate as main prey and its potential relevance as a buffer against predation on sheep. This study provides information that could be useful for preventive management of livestock predation in Patagonia. • Stomach and intestinal contents of 21 pumas hunted in Chubut province were analyzed. • The main prey consumed by pumas in livestock ranches was the guanaco. • Sheep contribution to diet was four times less than that of the guanaco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]