First evidence of scavenging behaviour in Ichthyosaura alpestris (Laurenti, 1768)

Abstract

The alpine newt is an opportunistic predator whose diet consists predominantly of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates with Crustacea, Plecoptera, Collembola, Diptera, Isopoda and Gastropoda being the predominant prey groups. Consumption of amphibian eggs and larvae are another common food source. Here, we report the first documented case of adult Ichthyosaura alpestris feeding on a rodent carcass, thus adding to its menu a prey item that belongs to the Class Mammalia, while showcasing the previously unknown scavenging behaviour. This finding suggests that rodent carcasses can serve as an important resource for nutrients in remote, high-altitude populations of the alpine newt.