Analisi della dieta di Discoglossus pictus (Otth, 1837) in Sicilia (Anura: Alytidae).

Abstract

Analysis of diet in Discoglossus pictus (Otth, 1837) from Sicily (Anura: Alytidae). The Painted frog (Discoglossus pictus Otth, 1837) (Alytidae) is a monotypic species distributed in North Africa, Sicily and Malta. Many studies have been made in the past about morphological and genetical aspects, but as regards the diet very little can be found in bibliography. This study shows data of a sample of individuals from a breeding site of western Sicily. Samplings were taken from November 2009 to June 2010, during the night. A total of 82 specimens were collected (67 MM and 15 FF). From these we obtained 50 stomachal contents by using the stomach-flushing technique. From stomach contents analysis, we have identified 30 taxa of prey, almost all determined at family level. We have estimated the relative abundance (RA%) for every prey taxon and the Relative Index of Presence (IRP) was calculated for each category of prey on the total of stomachs analyzed. Finally, we compared these data with other studies made in Tunisia and Spain, in which we noticed some differences in the composition of prey spectrum.