We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Preliminary Analysis of the Diet of Triturus carnifex and Pollution in Mountain Karst Ponds in Central Apennines
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed the stomach contents of Italian crested newts in mountain karst ponds and measured water quality parameters at the same sites. The study found pollution indicators in some ponds related to livestock use, and identified diet composition patterns that reflect the newts' role as top predators in these sensitive mountain ecosystems.
Mountain karst ponds are sensitive environments, hosting complex trophic networks where amphibians play a major role, often as top predators. The diet of the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) is still poorly known for populations occupying mountain karst ponds. These are traditionally used as livestock’s watering points, leading to water pollution due to excreta and wading behavior. The aim of this paper is to understand the relationship between T. carnifex diet composition, assessed through the stomach flushing technique, and physical and chemical characteristics in mountain ponds, focusing on parameters altered by livestock pressure, such as ammonium concentration and dissolved oxygen. The high diversity of prey items found within the newts’ gut contents confirms the generalist diet even in mountain ponds. The number of prey taxa, their relative abundance and Shannon–Wiener diversity index show variations among the sampled sites, related to livestock organic pollution. Moreover, we report the very first European records of microplastic items in amphibians’ stomach content, which also represent the first evidence for Caudata worldwide. Our findings suggest that livestock pressure directly influences T. carnifex diet and highlight that the emerging issue of plastics is a threat even in remote high-altitude environments.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics, Alien Species and Amphibian Male-specific Predation in River Otter Diet (lutra Lutra). a Study of Two Populations in the Ticino Valley (north Italy) and Sila Massif (south Italy).
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied otter diet and distribution in two Italian rivers and found evidence that otters are consuming prey contaminated with microplastics and invasive species. The study highlights how predators at the top of freshwater food chains can accumulate plastic pollution through their diet.
Microplastics Occurrence in the European Common Frog (Rana temporaria) from Cottian Alps (Northwest Italy)
AI summary Read the abstract
Adult European common frogs (Rana temporaria) from high-mountain sites in the Cottian Alps of northwest Italy were found to contain plastic particles in their gastrointestinal tracts, representing one of the first records of microplastic ingestion in this species from an alpine ecosystem. The study demonstrates that plastic contamination has penetrated even remote mountain amphibian populations far from direct human plastic sources.
Microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tracts of the Caucasian toad and its habitat at Karagöl Lake, Türkiye
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in Caucasian toads and their lake habitat in a protected area of Turkey. They found that nearly half the toads contained microplastics in their digestive tracts, mainly fibers likely linked to textile and recreational activities. The study shows that even remote, high-altitude environments are not safe from microplastic pollution, underscoring the need for monitoring in amphibian habitats.
Same genus, same burden: Microplastic pollution in banded newts
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic ingestion in three species of banded newts from freshwater habitats across Turkey and found plastic particles in 29-43% of individuals. PET fibers were the most common type detected, with no significant differences between species despite their different habitats. The consistent contamination levels across all three species suggest that microplastic pollution is widespread in freshwater environments and that these amphibians may serve as useful indicators of water quality.
Preliminary comparative overview of the diet of brown frogs' tadpoles (Rana temporaria, Rana dalmatina, Rana graeca) (Anura: Ranidae) from several localities in the Republic of Serbia
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists examined the stomach contents of nearly 600 frog tadpoles from Serbian streams and ponds, finding they mostly eat algae, decaying plant matter, and pollen—but concerningly, some also had tiny bits of microplastic in their guts. This matters because tadpoles are a key link in the food chain between water and land, and if plastic pollution is already showing up in these small creatures, it raises red flags about how far these particles are spreading into ecosystems that eventually connect to our food and water supply.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.