First evidence of scavenging behaviour in Ichthyosaura alpestris (Laurenti, 1768)

By

Daftsios, Thomas
Iakovidis, Dionisios
Gogolos, Nikolaos
Sagonas, Kostas

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024-4-26

Original Publication

Herpetozoa

Volume

37

Pages

137--140

Subjects

alpine newt , Pindus , predator-prey relationship , Urodela

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.37.e123069

 

Abstract

The alpine newt is an opportunistic predator whose diet consists predominantly of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates with Crustacea, Plecoptera, Collembola, Diptera, Isopoda and Gastropoda being the predominant prey groups. Consumption of amphibian eggs and larvae are another common food source. Here, we report the first documented case of adult Ichthyosaura alpestris feeding on a rodent carcass, thus adding to its menu a prey item that belongs to the Class Mammalia, while showcasing the previously unknown scavenging behaviour. This finding suggests that rodent carcasses can serve as an important resource for nutrients in remote, high-altitude populations of the alpine newt.