2026-06-01T01:30:12Zhttps://docta.ucm.es/rest/oai/request

oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/950112024-09-13T23:47:46Zcom_20.500.14352_14col_20.500.14352_15

Eurasian otters modify their trophic niche after the introduction of non-native prey in Mediterranean fresh waters Barrientos Yuste, Rafael Merino-Aguirre, Raquel Fletcher, David Almeida, David 591.5 Diet Iberian Peninsula Invasive species Lutra lutra Red-swamp crayfish Spraint analysis Mamíferos 2408 Etología Abstract Biological invasions are a major driver behind disturbances in freshwater community structure. We investigated how the foraging strategy of the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra (L.) has responded to this change in a Mediterranean catchment of the Iberian Peninsula, over a 30-year time span (1980 vs. 2010). We found that, despite continuing to feed on a considerable amount of native fish, this carnivore has adapted its trophic niche to accommodate non-native species. Prior to the massive introductions of these new food items (1980), otters diversified their diet during the limiting season (i.e. summer drought). However, otters had largely incorporated non-native prey into their diet in 2010, with red-swamp crayfish being their main food resource, especially in the summer. This increased crayfish consumption reflects a narrowing of trophic niche during the summer drought in 2010. We discuss how this heavy specialisation may compromise the conservation of otters and their endemic fish prey. Universidad de Castilla La Mancha Instituto de Salud Carlos III Depto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución Fac. de Ciencias Biológicas TRUE pub 2024-01-24T10:11:28Z 2024-01-24T10:11:28Z 2014 journal article VoR https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/95011 1573–1579 10.1007/s10530-013-0622-9 eng Barrientos, R., Merino-Aguirre, R., Fletcher, D.H. et al. Eurasian otters modify their trophic niche after the introduction of non-native prey in Mediterranean fresh waters. Biol Invasions 16, 1573–1579 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-013-0622-9 restricted access application/pdf Springer