Feeding habits of the otter and the American mink in Bialowieza Primeval Forest (Poland) compared to other Eurasian populations

Diets of the otter Lutra lutra and the American mink Mustela vison were studied by scat analysis on five woodland rivers and streams in eastern Poland. Fish constituted 51% of food biomass consumed by otters in spring‐summer and 40% in autumn‐winter, with common fish (perch Perca fluviatilis, pike Esox lucius, and roach Rutilus rutilus) being captured most frequently by the otters. Amphibians (mainly Rana temporaria, which also dominated in the living community) made up 34% of otters’ food biomass in spring‐summer and 58% in autumn‐winter. American mink relied on three prey groups: fish (40% in spring‐summer, and 10% in autumn‐winter), frogs (32% and 51%, respectively), and small mammals (21% and 36%). Out of available Micromammalia, mink strongly selected the root vole Microtus oeconomus. The cold season diet of both otter and mink depended on river size. On small rivers with forested valleys, otters and mink fed nearly exclusively on amphibians (72–90% of food biomass). With size of a river increasing and riverside habitat becoming more open (sedge and reed marshes instead of forests), otters shifted to catching predominantly fish (up to 76% in diet) and mink to preying on small mammals (up to 65% in diet).
Review of literature on otter and mink in Eurasia showed that their diets did not change with latitude (as indicators of climate severity and duration of water freezing) but they depended on habitats. In otter diet, the mean share of fish declined from 94% (SE 1.7) on sea shores, to 71% (SE 2.9) on lakes and fish ponds, to 64% (SE 2.8) on rivers and streams. The roles of amphibians and crustaceans increased in the same gradient (from 0 to 15%, and from 3 to 7%, respectively). On inland waters, the abundance of crayfish was the essential factor differentiating otters’ diet composition. In Eurasia, the staple food types of American mink on rivers and streams were fish (on average, 27% in diet, SE 3.9), mammals (30%, SE 5.0), and amphibians (17%, SE 4.8), whereas on lakes and ponds mink fed predominantly on birds (on average, 33% in diet, SE 10.1) and fish (28%, SE 9.5). In the Palaearctic region, over a wide gradient of habitats, otters appeared strongly specialised on prey taken from water, whereas American mink was a typical generalist capable of utilising several prey groups originating from both water and land.     

Feeding habits of invasive American mink (Neovison vison) in northern Germany—potential implications for fishery and waterfowl

In order to collect ecological data of invasive American mink (Neovison vison) at a fishpond area in northeastern Germany, we conducted a telemetry study in which 14 mink were radio-tracked. During this project, 2,502 scats from radio-tracked individuals were collected in the period from October 2003 to October 2005. Investigated mink principally prey on fish, small mammals and birds (eggs inclusive), whereas amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates were caught infrequently. Analysing mink scats of different seasons, we found significant seasonal variations of diet composition. In spring, fish, mammals and birds were hunted in similar amounts. During summer, birds made up the main part of the diet followed by mammals. In autumn, the proportion of birds in the mink diet decreased, whereas fish gained in importance. This trend continued during the winter period, when mink preyed almost exclusively on fish. Amphibians, crustaceans, insects, molluscs and reptiles were found only occasionally in scat samples. Among birds, the mink preyed mainly on the Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) followed by the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Mammalian prey was clearly dominated by the water vole (Arvicola terrestris) and among fish, mink hunted especially perch (Perca fluviatilis), roach (Rutilus rutilus) and carp (Cyprinus carpio). Results clearly demonstrate that mink is an opportunistic predator, which hunts its prey according to availability and vulnerability, respectively. Despite the high portions of fish in their autumn and winter diet, the economic damage caused by mink seems to be negligible. However, high predation rates on birds during the breeding season indicate a potential negative impact of mink on waterfowl.     

Diet of free-ranging American mink and European polecat in Denmark

Stomach and intestine contents of 211 American minkMustela vison Schreber, 1777 from two areas (Thy and Bornholm) in Denmark and stomach contents of 47 polecatsM. putorius Linnaeus, 1758 from Thy were analysed. Sympatric mink (from Thy) preyed mostly on mammals (55% occurrence), followed by amphibians (36%), birds (33%) and fish (30%), whereas polecat preyed mostly on amphibians (87%) and mammals (34%), and only occasionally on birds (9%) and fish (6%). Allopatric mink (from Bornholm) preyed mostly on birds (50%), followed by mammals (42%), fish (25%) and amphibians (4%). With the possible exception of some amphibians, no endangered species were found in their diet. No differences were found in food composition between wild and escaped farm mink. The concern that mink in general might have a detrimental effect on its prey species and other mustelids in terms of food competition in Denmark may be unjustified. It cannot be ruled out, however, that mink may locally have a seriously negative effect on some specific prey species, and clearly, more data is needed on eg prey abundance and spring and summer mink diet, to make stronger conclusions.     

Effects of waterfowl, large fish and periphyton on the spring growth of Potamogeton pectinatus L. in Lake Mogan, Turkey

It has been argued that waterfowl and fish may threaten growth of submerged macrophytes, especially in spring during the early growth phase when plant biomass is low. A small reduction of biomass at that time might delay growth or decrease subsequent productivity. We investigated the impact of waterfowl and large fish on the spring growth of fennel pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatusL.) by employing an exclosure experiment in the macrophyte-dominated clear-water Lake Mogan, Turkey. Birds and large fish were excluded from eight plots and both in situvegetation and macrophytes kept in pots were compared to eight open plots. Also, to investigate the effect of periphyton on plant growth it was removed from half of the pot plants. Exclusion of waterfowl and fish may decrease predation on macroinvertebrates, which in turn may affect periphyton, and macrophyte growth, why macroinvertebrates also were sampled. Waterfowl density was high (15–70 ind. of coot, Fulica atraL. ha^–1), abundance of submerged plants was also high with a surface coverage of 70–80%, and benthivorous fish were present, mainly tench, (Tinca tincaL.) and carp, (Cyprinus carpioL.). Exclusion of waterfowl and large fish did not significantly affect the spring growth of pondweed; neither plants growing in situnor kept in pots. Removal of periphyton from the plants in the pots did not favour growth. The density of macroinvertebrates was not affected by the exclusion of waterfowl and large fish, but it was positively related to aboveground biomass of fennel pondweed. We suggest that even if waterfowl and large fish are in high densities, their effect on fennel pondweed spring growth in lakes with abundant submerged vegetation, such as Lake Mogan, is low.     

Food niche variation of European and American mink during the American mink invasion in north-eastern Belarus

Understanding processes allowing the co-existence of ecologically similar species is important but difficult to study in community ecology. Introductions of alien species are unplanned experiments allowing investigation of co-adaptation of both native and invasive species over a short period. We analysed food niche differentiation between native European mink and alien American mink after invasion of the latter species in Belarus. European mink feed mainly on crayfish, frogs and fish whereas American mink prefer small mammals, fish and frogs. The diet of both species varied between seasons and during the period of alien mink invasion. Concurrent with the progress of American mink invasion, the European mink food niche has narrowed to feeding mainly on frogs, with the proportion of aquatic prey (fish and crayfish) in their diet drastically reduced. In contrast, the American mink food niche became wider during invasion. The breadth was stable but included a varied proportion of different prey categories: namely an increased proportion of aquatic prey and a decreased proportion of water vole and waterfowl. The increase in abundance of American mink saw a decrease in the proportion of larger prey in their diet. When American mink preyed more often on frogs, food niche overlap of both predators increased. This result suggests that arrival of an alien competitor reduced food abundance (exploitative competition) and caused a change in native mink diet.     

Life history and production of Neomysis mercedis in two British Columbia coastal lakes

The life history and production characteristics of Neomysis mercedis from two British Columbia lakes were examined for their potential influence on zooplankton and limnetic fish communities. During the day, mysids in shallow Muriel Lake (45 m) were on or near the bottom; in Kennedy Lake (> 100 m), mysids remained deeper than 50 m. In both lakes, mysids spent summer nights at 0–15 m depths despite > 20 °C temperatures. Mysid density was not strongly correlated with lake depth. Mysids generally displayed spring to early summer minima and late summer to fall maxima in numbers and biomass. Single peaks in gravid females and juvenile mysid abundance, and the absence of pronounced seasonal size changes of gravid females suggest that N. mercedis produced a single generation each year. Fecundities of study lake mysids are the lowest on record, and although size-dependent, exhibited unusually high variability. Annual productivity of mysids averaged 485 mg m^–2 y^–1 (range 205–690). Calculations indicate mysids consume several times more zooplankton per annum than limnetic fish do. N. mercedis is likely an important competitor of juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) since: (i) sockeye exhibit food limited growth and survival patterns in coastal lakes, (ii) mysids and sockeye consume similar zooplankton prey and (iii) mysids do not contribute greatly to sockeye diet (i.e. < 26% of summer and fall diets by numbers or weight).     

Investigations on fecundity of Bythotrephes longimanus in Lake Lucerne (Switzerland) and on Niche Segregation of Leptodora kindti and Bythotrephes longimanus in Swiss lakes

In Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, the predaceous cladocerans Leptodora kindti and Bythotrephes longimanus segregate along spatial and temporal dimensions. In spring (April–May/June), Bythotrephes longimanus occurs below 0–20 m, while Leptodora is absent. In summer and early autumn (July–September/October), when Leptodora dominates during daytime in the 0–20 m depth, Bythotrephes longimanus also lives in deeper zones. Food competition and fish predation pressure may be the cause of differences in ecology of Leptodora and Bythotrephes acquired during evolution. Due to its transparency and tolerance of higher temperature, Leptodora could avoid fish predation and, therefore, competes with Bythotrephes longimanus successfully. In addition, the differences between the two species may account for the spatial and temporal niche segregation in oligotrophic Swiss Lakes. But spatial niche segregation is less important in mesotrophic lakes with high prey density than in oligotrophic lakes with low prey density. In small, eutrophic lakes importance of temporal niche segregation also decreases, and Bythotrephes is seldom or not present. The preference of Bythotrephes to live in deeper water to avoid fish predation during summer may be the cause of its difficulties to establish itself in small and eutrophic lakes with high prey densities, where the hypolimnion is missing or anoxic.In the spring, Bythotrephes exhibits r-strategy (smaller body size and a higher fecundity), the female is already fertile after the first molt. In the summer, a K-strategy prevails (larger body length and lower fecundity than in the spring), and female Bythotrephes are fertile only after the second molt. Shortage of prey (biomass of Bosmina and Daphniadecreased after June especially in the surface layers) and the maximum fish predation pressure in summer may change the life strategy of Bythotrephes: while fecundity decreases from generation to generation, body length increases. Enhanced prey densities (e.g. during mesotrophic conditions in L. Lucerne) lead to larger individuals in summer and autumn.     

Recovery of Potamogeton pectinatus L. stands in a shallow eutrophic lake under extreme grazing pressure

In shallow lakes, submerged macrophytes contribute to the stabilization of the clear water state. If lost, a number of mechanisms prevent re-colonization. Lake Müggelsee (730 ha) lost its submerged vegetation due to increasing eutrophication and switched to phytoplankton dominance in 1970. After the reduction of nutrient loading in 1990, Potamogeton pectinatus L. started re-colonizing the lake. During the following years, it spread at a mean rate of 2.5 ha per year to all available areas <80 cm depth. Between 1993 and 1999, decreasing maximum biomass indicated hampered growth. Exclosure experiments revealed that herbivory reduced the aboveground biomass by more than 90%. Both waterfowl and fish were found to contribute to the grazing pressure despite a low abundance of the known herbivorous fish species and waterfowl in spring and summer. Protection of stands against grazing resulted in higher biomass of shoots, whereas shoot and tuber density did not change. Both shading by phytoplankton and periphyton, as well as grazing pressure, prevented the submerged vegetation of Lake Müggelsee from developing back to a dense zone that contributed to the reduction of turbidity.     

Prey preferences of a riverine population of juvenile chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

The diet of juvenile chinook salmon and the foods available to them were studied during spring and summer in a large, braided, New Zealand river. During both sampling periods fish and potential prey were collected at dawn and dusk. Analysis showed that in spring the feeding rate increased at dawn, when aquatic taxa comprised the majority of their prey. Prey of terrestrial origin dominated the diet at dusk in summer but formed only about 1% of the diet during spring, when few such prey were available.
During spring the fish selectively preyed upon larger nymphs of the mayflies Deleatidium spp. However, in summer chironomids, other dipterans, and trichopterans were consumed to the exclusion of Deleatidium . Most of the chironomids and trichopterans taken were pupae or emerging adults and it is suggested that this may reflect differences in vulnerability during the diurnal emergence period.     

Diets of hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) in coastal waters and drift ice waters along the east coast of Greenland

To provide data on the diets of hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) in the Greenland Sea, seals were collected for scientific purposes on expeditions conducted in the pack ice belt east of Greenland in September/October 1999, 2002 and 2003 (autumn), July/August in 2000 (summer), and February/March in 2001 and 2002 (winter). The results from analyses of stomach and intestinal contents from captured seals revealed that their diet was comprised of relatively few prey taxa. The squid Gonatus fabricii and polar cod (Boreogadus saida) were particularly important, whereas capelin (Mallotus villosus) and sand eels (Ammodytes spp.) occasionally contributed more. These four prey items constituted 60-97% of the diet biomass. Gonatus fabricii was the most important food item in autumn and winter, whereas polar cod dominated the summer diet, with important contributions from G. fabricii and sand eels. The latter was only observed on the hooded seal menu during the summer period, whereas polar cod, which was an important component during the autumn survey, was almost absent from the winter samples. During the latter survey, capelin also contributed to the hooded seal diet. Samples obtained from hooded seals in more coastal waters indicated a more varied diet based on fish such as polar cod, redfish (Sebastes sp.) and Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides).     

Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) introduced to the Iberian peninsula: feeding ecology in Lake Banyoles

The first data on the ecology of rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) introduced to the Iberian peninsula are presented. The habitat and diet variation of rudd were studied in Lake Banyoles (Spain), an oligotrophic karstic lake dominated by exotic fish species. Rudd were strictly littoral and the diet was based on detritus and plant material. The most important animal prey were the cladocerans Daphnia longispinaand Scapholeberis rammneri, amphipods and several late stages of nematoceran dipterans. Rudd were more zooplanktivorous in spring and autumn and less in summer. There was also a size-dependent diet shift, from microcrustaceans to macroinvertebrates. The diet of rudd was also distinguished by the importance of plant material and various small neustonic invertebrates, particularly S. rammneriand late stages of nematocerans, showing a strong resource partitioning with other fish species. The degree of herbivory in Lake Banyoles was lower than usual.     

Phytoplankton periodicity of the Waitaki Lakes,New Zealand

The Waitaki River system in the South Island of New Zealand includes three large glacially-formed headwater lakes, Tekapo, Pukaki and Ohau, which drain into the manmade Lake Benmore. Phytoplankton periodicity was followed from December 1975 to January 1980 as part of a study investigating possible changes in these lakes as a consequence of hydroelectric development. The phytoplankton was highly dominated by diatoms, e.g., Diatoma elongatum, Cyclotella stelligera, Asterionella formosa, and Synedra acus, but in lakes Ohau and Benmore populations of green algae occasionally developed. In all four lakes seasonal phytoplankton periodicity was observed with maximum biomass in spring and summer. In Lake Tekapo, the first lake in the chain, maximum biomass did not exceed 300 mg m^–3, but in the very turbid Lake Pukaki the maximum summer biomass ranged between 300 and 800 mg m^–3. In Lake Ohau, the least turbid lake, maximum biomass was around 1 000 mg m^–3. In the newly created Lake Benmore periodicity was less evident and summer maxima reached over 1 500 mg m^–3. The phytoplankton periodicity in these lakes is greatly influenced by seasonal patterns of turbidity from inflowing glacial silt.     

淮北煤矿区塌陷湖大型底栖动物群落结构及水质生物学评价

2013年对淮北采煤塌陷湖(乾隆湖和临涣湖)大型底栖动物群落结构进行了季节性调查。共采集到大型底栖动物26种, 隶属于3门5纲17科. 乾隆湖和临涣湖年平均密度分别为230.85和215.80 ind./m2, 年平均生物量分别为56.11和36.38 g/m2。两湖大型底栖动物以摇蚊幼虫、霍甫水丝蚓和苏氏尾鳃蚓为优势类群, 底栖动物最高密度均出现在夏季(乾隆湖为 278.0 ind./m2, 临涣湖为288.2 ind./m2); 生物量则主要以软体动物和水生昆虫为主, 夏季和秋季大型底栖动物生物量明显高于春季和冬季。运用Shannon多样性指数(H')、Margalef多样性指数(D)和Biotic Index生物学指数(BI)对乾隆湖和临涣湖进行水质生物评价研究, 结果显示Shannon多样性指数不适宜于该两湖的水质生物评价, BI的评价结果与水质状况基本相符。综合 Margalef多样性指数和BI生物指数评价的结果表明: 乾隆湖和临涣湖春季和冬季处于轻度污染状态, 夏季和秋季处于中度污染状态。     

Differences in tolerance of pondweeds and charophytes to vertebrate herbivores in a shallow Baltic estuary

It has been suggested that herbivorous waterfowl may be important in shaping aquatic plant communities in shallow wetlands. As such, a shift from canopy forming pondweeds to bottom-dwelling charophytes in a formerly turbid pondweed dominated lake has been partly attributed to waterfowl herbivory. Here we study the separate and combined effects of both belowground herbivory in spring by whooper swans and Bewick ‘s swans, and grazing in summer by waterfowl and fish on the community composition in a shallow Baltic estuary during one year. The macrophyte community was dominated by charophytes (mainly Chara aspera) with Potamogeton pectinatus and Najas marina present as subdominants. Other species were rare. Both spring and summer herbivory had no effect on total plant biomass. However, P. pectinatus was more abundant in plots that were closed to spring and summer herbivores. N. marina was more abundant in grazed plots, whereas Chara spp. biomass remained unaffected. Probably belowground propagules of both C. aspera and P. pectinatus were consumed by swans but since C. aspera bulbils were numerous it may have compensated for the losses. P. pectinatus may not have fully recovered from foraging on tubers and aboveground biomass. Our results are in line with other studies in Chara dominated lakes, which found no effect of grazing on summer aboveground Chara biomass, whereas several studies report strong effects of herbivory in lakes dominated by P. pectinatus.     

Trophic ecology of a top predator colonizing the southern extreme of South America: Feeding habits of invasive American mink (Neovison vison) in Tierra del Fuego

The American mink (Neovison vison) is a semi-aquatic, generalist carnivore released onto Tierra del Fuego (TDF) Island in the 1940s, subsequently spreading to adjacent islands in the archipelago with potential effects on native prey populations. Knowledge of this new predator's trophic ecology is essential to identify threats, plan control strategies and conserve native fauna. We studied seasonal mink diet in TDF in different habitats. We identified undigested remains from 493 scats collected between May 2005 and March 2009 along marine coasts and freshwater shores (rivers and lakes). Small mammals and fish were the main mink prey in TDF (over 65% of diet items). Seasonal variations were not detected, but diet did vary significantly between marine and freshwater habitats, where more terrestrial items were consumed. Among mammals, mink consumed more small native rodents than exotic species. Native fish consumption was also important with greater representation of species from the families Nototheniidae and Galaxiidae in marine and freshwater habitats respectively. Birds were the third item in importance, but did not constitute a particularly large part of the mink's diet on TDF. Overall, differences found in mink diet between habitats reflected their generalist/opportunistic feeding behaviour and did not differ greatly from observations in its native range or in other areas where it has been introduced. Our results establish the interactions between this novel predator and its prey and also illustrate the need to continue research on native prey populations to quantify mink impact on them and understand the ecological context of this biotic assemblage.     

Physiological correlates of seasonal growth patterns in lake trout Salvelinus namaycush

Physiological correlates of seasonal growth patterns were measured in lake trout Salvelinus namaycush from two populations with contrasting diets (zooplankton-dominated diet in Louisa Lake; fish-dominated diet in Opeongo Lake). Fish in Opeongo Lake grew faster and were in better condition than fish in Louisa Lake. The most prominent biochemical difference between populations was higher citrate synthase (CS) and cytochrome c oxidase activity in the white muscle of fish from Opeongo Lake, indicating greater sustained swimming activity in this lake. In contrast, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in white muscle, an indicator of capacity for burst swimming, was similar between lakes. Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) activity in white muscle, an indicator of protein synthesis, was higher in Opeongo Lake than in Louisa Lake but only in the autumn. In both lakes, protein concentration and therefore nutritional status increased as the growing season progressed from spring to summer to autumn. Biochemical indicators of growth and activity showed similar seasonal patterns in the two lakes with the spring characterized by high NDPK, high CS and high LDH activities (i.e. high levels of protein synthesis in association with high aerobic and anaerobic activities). These results suggest high foraging effort and allocation to growth early in the growing season in both lakes.     

The phytoplankton of some gravel-pit lakes in Spain

The phytoplankton communities of thirteen adjacent gravel-pit lakes in the lower Jarama river watershed (Madrid, Spain), were studied during spring mixing and summer stratification.If different seasons, the phytoplankton responded to different environmental factors. During spring, the abundance of SRP (soluble reactive phosphorus) and existence of a certain thermal stability resulted in the development of a greater biomass in some lakes. During summer, however, excessively high temperatures adversely affected the communities of the warmer lakes. At the species level, the responses were diverse; ordination techniques enabled us to group them.Some similarities were observed in phytoplankton composition between lakes, possibly due to local dispersion between adjacent lakes (frequented by abundant waterfowl).     

The American mink <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neovison vison</Emphasis> Schreber, 1777 (Carnivora,Mustelidae) in the floodplain and right-shore ecosystems of the Volgograd water reservoir: Seasonal changes in its spatial structure,feeding, and temporal activity

As a result of our long-term research (1978–2013), the spatial structure patterns of American mink (Neovison vison Schreber, 1777) populations, their nutrition, and daily and seasonal activity in the floodplain and right-bank ecosystems of the Volgograd water reservoir have been revealed. The average size of the home ranges of the mink is 22.4 ha for females and 34.7 ha for males on the islands. On the right shore of the reservoir, they are significantly larger, namely, 51.3 and 75.5 ha, respectively. The diet of the mink is based on three forage groups: mammals (primarily mouselike rodents) (18.8–42.7% BIO), fish (5.6–39.1% BIO), and amphibians (17.1–51.7% BIO). Other food is significant only in certain seasons. On the floodplain islands, the mink is the most active in spring and fall, while its summer activity decreases, and in winter the daily rhythm clearly has two peaks, the morning and evening ones. On the right bank, due to the food scarcity in some seasons, the activity peaks are smooth.     

Between-lake differences in the diet and provisioning behaviour of Black-throated Divers Gavia arctica breeding in Scotland

Surveys at 23 Black-throated Diver breeding lakes in Scotland showed large between-lake differences in the species and size range of potential prey. The study lakes were classified into four types according to the main size-taxa prey classes present. Type 1 lakes lacked small fish, Type 4 lacked salmonids < 300 mm and Types 2 and 3 both had all four of the main prey classes. Diver diet for 30 families at the study lakes was quantified from 7943 prey items seen fed to chicks, and 153 items seen eaten by adults, during 662 h of observations. At all lake types adults mostly ate salmonids of 120–240 mm in length, especially Brown Trout Salmo trutta , and European Eels Anguilla anguilla up to c.  350 mm. The prey eaten by chicks ranged widely, from c.  0.03 g to 300 g, with important implications for feeding behaviour. Young chicks (days 1–8) rejected items greater than 70 mm long. The diet of young chicks consisted mostly of small fish, either Three-spined Sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus (Type 2 lakes) or Minnow Phoxinus phoxinus (Type 3 and Type 4 lakes). At other lakes (Type 1) it consisted mostly of mayfly larvae (Ephemeroptera); invertebrates were the only abundant potential small prey in these lakes. At all lakes the chick diet became more similar to that of adults as chicks grew. Adults provisioning chicks used two foraging strategies. In 'excursion foraging', adults hunted away from the chicks and carried prey back for them; in 'attendance foraging', the chicks accompanied the foraging adult(s). Excursion foraging was used mostly before day 4 and was strongly and positively correlated with the abundance of fish < 80 mm in length. This behaviour is probably adaptive, but is probably tenable only where small fish are relatively abundant. Young chicks fed mainly on small fish had higher survival rates than those fed on invertebrates.     

Diet of otters (Lutra lutra) inhabiting small rivers in the Bialowiea National Park, eastern Poland

The diet of otters Lutra lutra L. inhabiting small rivers in the primeval forests of the Bialowieza National Park was studied in 1988–91 by analysis of 135 spraints. Anurans, mainly Rana temporaria, and fish, mainly Cyprinidae, were two staple prey of otters. In autumn and winter (1 October–31 March), 99% of spraints contained anuran remains and 45% fish remains. This corresponded to 66 and 34% of biomass consumed by otters, respectively. In spring and summer, anurans dropped to 55% occurrence in spraints (38% of biomass eaten by otters) and that of fish increased to 69% occurrence (50% of biomass). Fifty per cent of fish caught by otters were very small specimens (body length 6.5–10 cm) and 35% were small (> 10–15 cm). Pike were the only big fish captured by otters (mean body length 31 cm). Water beetles Dytiscidae were commonly eaten by otters in warm seasons (72% of occurrence in spraints, 9% of biomass taken by otters in spring and summer). Birds, snails, mammals and crayfish were minor supplements to the otters' diet.