Microhabitat selection and feeding relations of smooth and warty newts, Triturus vulgaris and T. cristatus, at an upland pond in mid‐Wales

Abstract

The utilization of microhabitat and food resources by Triturus vulgaris and T. cristatus was studied in an upland pond in mid‐Wales. From April to June T. vulgaris was more evenly distributed across the pond than T. cristatus, which showed a preference for the middle of the pond and the bottom of the water column. From July to September however, when most T. vulgaris had left the pond, T cristatus was evenly distributed within the water column and a much higher proportion was captured around the shorelines. Both species appear to be generalist predators with diets limited by prey size. Zooplankton were the most important prey for T. vulgaris, while leeches formed the bulk of the diet of T. cristatus. However, T. cristatus did not select larger‐sized zooplankton than T. vulgaris. Large body size therefore enables T. cristatus to consume a wider range of prey sizes than T. vulgaris. Microhabitat niche overlap was greater than feeding niche overlap between the species.