Food habit of the endangered yellow-spotted newt Neurergus microspilotus (Caudata, Salamandridae) in Kavat Stream, western Iran

Abstract

Background: Diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrate fauna were simultaneously determined in selected benthic samples and in regurgitated stomach contents in Neurergus microspilotus in Kavat Stream (western Iran) during April and May 2012. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of reliance of this species to benthic macroinvertebrates during their reproductive season in aquatic habitat.

Reciprocal Role of Salamanders in Aquatic Energy Flow Pathways

“…Metamorphs (i.e., individuals already metamorphosed) rely highly on terrestrial invertebrates, whereas paedomorphs (i.e., individuals with larval traits) prefer planktonic resources [16]. In fact, larval salamanders feed mainly on aquatic invertebrates, whereas adults usually eat more terrestrial invertebrates on the water surface or even forage in terrestrial environments [14,15,30,49,50].…”

“…Some species, such as the Pyrenean newt (Euproctus asper), can undergo discrete ontogenetic dietary shifts with no major ontogenetic shifts in prey-type consumption but shifts in maximum prey width and terrestrial invertebrate consumption [18]. Most salamander species, on the other hand, exhibit remarkable ontogenetic dietary shifts associated with metamorphosis and concomitant shifts in habitat use (between freshwater and terrestrial environments) [14][15][16]30,49,50]. Thus, ontogenetic dietary shifts can be explained through shifts in habitat utilization for feeding and body size (i.e., processes scaling with mouth size).…”

Initial commented checklist of Iranian mayflies, with new area records and description of Procloeon caspicum sp. n. (Insecta, Ephemeroptera, Baetidae)

“…Sharifinia (2015) reviewed 57 references (37 of them written in Persian) published after 2000 and compiled a list of 37 mayfly taxa (identified to species or genus level) known from Iranian rivers. However, this list is partially based on studies presenting species/genera which identity should be regarded as highly unlikely (Ahmadi et al 2011, 2012, Mahboobi Soofiani et al 2012, Amri et al 2014, Farasat and Sharifi 2014, Golchin Manshadi et al 2015). They list as many as 27 taxa (species or genera) known exclusively from the Nearctic and Neotropic Regions, the occurrence of which can be definitively excluded in the Middle East.…”

Comparing the predatory impact of captive–bred and free–living yellow spotted mountain newt (Neurergus microspilotus) on the larval green toad (Bufotes variabilis)

“…The project also launched several field and laboratory studies aiming to provide critical information for the management plan. These studies include delimiting the species range (Afroosheh et al, 2016), feeding habits (Farasat and Sharifi, 2014), activity pattern and home range (Sharifi and Afroosheh, 2014), reports on emergent diseases such as chytridiomycosis (Parto et al, 2013; and red-leg syndrome (Parto et al, 2014), and, finally, a first trial re-introduction of captive-born newts . In addition, several laboratory studies have provided information on ontogenetic changes in spot configuration (Vaissi et al, 2017), cannibalism (Vaissi and Sharifi, 2016a), and growth and development of N. microspilotus in the captive breeding facility Sharifi, 2016a, 2016b).…”

“…N. microspilotus in its natural environment acts as a top predator and feeds on a variety of prey, including benthic macroinvertebrates, amphibian eggs and tadpoles (Farasat and Sharifi, 2014), while the adult captive-born newts consume readily available food such as blood worm (Glycera dibranchiate), earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) and chopped mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) ad libitum. The green toad, Bufotes variabilis, is a common toad in Iran with a wide distribution in most temperate areas, including parts of the distribution of the N. microspilotus in western Iran (Dastansara et al, 2017).…”