Article (Scientific journals)
The benefits of heterospecific oophagy in a top predator
Denoël, Mathieu; Demars, Bertrand
2008In Acta Oecologica, 34 (1), p. 74-79
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Keywords :
Predation; Cannibalism; Oophagy; Egg; Population regulation; Recruitment; Prey; Forestry rut; Belgium; Amphibian; Mesotriton alpestris; Rana temporaria; Alpine newt; Feeding; Diet; Ichthyosaura alpestris; Triturus alpestris; Triton alpestre; Grenouille rousse; Alimentation; Common frog; Pool; Clutch; Food
Abstract :
[en] Oophagy is a behavioural pattern that has been found in a large variety of predator species in the animal kingdom. In contrast to other modes of feeding, it is peculiar in that it involves the detection, capture and ingestion of immobile prey. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the evolutionary origin and persistence of this pattern, but they have rarely been tested. The aim of this study was to compare the benefits of a heterospecific oophagous tactic over a non-oophageous diet in terms of biomass intake. To this end, stomach contents were gathered by flushing the stomachs of male and female Alpine newts (Mesotriton alpestris) found in forestry ruts (i.e. pools caused by traffic) during their reproductive period. Prey items were identified, classified into functional categories and their dry mass determined. Frog (Rana temporaria) eggs are valuable prey items that give a higher biomass intake to individuals foraging on them than on those relying on invertebrates. Both sexes of newts practice oophagy but frog eggs are a transient resource that is only available during a part of their aquatic phase. Consequently, the newts adjust their diet to invertebrate predation later in the season after the peak of the frogs' breeding season. Oophagy is thus facultative and not obligate in the study species. The correlated occurrence of prey and predator, similarities between frog eggs and mobile potential prey (tadpoles), and high resource intake are all in favour of the occurrence and persistence of an oophagous feeding tactic. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Disciplines :
Aquatic sciences & oceanology
Zoology
Environmental sciences & ecology
Animal psychology, ethology & psychobiology
Author, co-author :
Denoël, Mathieu  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Biologie du comportement - Ethologie et psychologie animale
Demars, Bertrand;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Unité de Biologie du Comportement
Language :
English
Title :
The benefits of heterospecific oophagy in a top predator
Publication date :
2008
Journal title :
Acta Oecologica
ISSN :
1146-609X
eISSN :
1873-6238
Publisher :
Elsevier
Volume :
34
Issue :
1
Pages :
74-79
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
Available on ORBi :
since 01 January 2009

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