Food composition of the Near Eastern Fire Salamander,Salamandra infraimmaculata Martens, 1885 (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae) from Eastern Anatolia |
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| Authors: | Kerim Çiçek Mustafa Koyun Cemal Varol Tok |
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| Institution: | 1. Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkeykerim.cicek@hotmail.com;3. Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bing?l University, Bing?l, Turkey;4. Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, ?anakkale Onsekiz Mart University, ?anakkale, Turkey |
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| Abstract: | This study presents data on the food composition of the Near Eastern Fire Salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata, from Bingöl, eastern Turkey. A total of 139 prey items was determined in the food content of 28 individuals (14 juveniles, 7 males, and 7 females). Insecta (N%= 37.4), Gastropoda (27.3%), and Isopoda (25.9%) constitute together 91% of the food items. The most frequent prey groups in the diet are Coleoptera (F%=50.0%), Isopoda (57.1%), and Gastropoda (46.4%). Coleoptera (V%= 34.6%), Gastropoda (28.0%), and Isopoda (23.5%) had the highest prey volumes. No significant difference was found between the sexes in food composition. The species generally feeds upon poorly flying or slow-moving invertebrates, but is opportunistic in taking up more mobile prey species as well. Diptera, Odonata and Hemiptera were found in small numbers only. |
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| Keywords: | Near Eastern Fire Salamander Salamandra infraimmaculata diet food composition |
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