Intra- and inter-population variability of food preferences of two natrix species on the Balkan peninsula
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Sukalo, GoranĐorđević, Sonja
Gvozdenović, Sladana
Simović, Aleksandar
Anđelković, Marko
Blagojević, Veljko
Tomović, Ljiljana
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In aquatic and surrounding terrestrial ecosystems, snakes of the genus Natrix are among the top predators, feeding predominantly on fishes and amphibians, but also on other reptiles and small mammals. In the diets of Natrix natrix and N. tessellata, preferred food items vary geographically and during ontogeny. To understand these variations, we collected data on their diet composition in several habitats (river, wetlands, and two types of lakes), some of which are under severe anthropogenic pressures. Both Natrix species were able to quickly adapt to changes in available prey, and to feed even on non-indigenous, invasive, and potentially hazardous fish. Disturbed ecosystems are particularly susceptible to invasions. Therefore, if alien fishes become dominant, they may threaten populations of native snakes. On the other hand, semi-aquatic snakes can contribute to natural regulation of alien fish species abundance. The preliminary results presented herein emphasize the urgent need for in...tegrative studies of natricine snakes and their prey ecology under various and/or dynamic circumstances. Better understanding of the functioning of different aquatic ecosystems may enable proper conservation and restoration for these snake species and their habitats.
Keywords:
Dice Snakes / diet shifts / disturbed habitats / Grass Snakes / invasive fish / Natrix natrix / Natrix tessellata / semi-aquatic snakesSource:
Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 2014, 9, 1, 123-136Publisher:
- Herpetological Conservation & Biology, Corvallis
Funding / projects:
- 353-01-46/2012-03
- Diversity of the amphibians and reptiles on the Balkan Peninsula: evolutionary and conservation aspects (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173043)
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TorlakTY - JOUR AU - Sukalo, Goran AU - Đorđević, Sonja AU - Gvozdenović, Sladana AU - Simović, Aleksandar AU - Anđelković, Marko AU - Blagojević, Veljko AU - Tomović, Ljiljana PY - 2014 UR - http://intor.torlakinstitut.com/handle/123456789/413 AB - In aquatic and surrounding terrestrial ecosystems, snakes of the genus Natrix are among the top predators, feeding predominantly on fishes and amphibians, but also on other reptiles and small mammals. In the diets of Natrix natrix and N. tessellata, preferred food items vary geographically and during ontogeny. To understand these variations, we collected data on their diet composition in several habitats (river, wetlands, and two types of lakes), some of which are under severe anthropogenic pressures. Both Natrix species were able to quickly adapt to changes in available prey, and to feed even on non-indigenous, invasive, and potentially hazardous fish. Disturbed ecosystems are particularly susceptible to invasions. Therefore, if alien fishes become dominant, they may threaten populations of native snakes. On the other hand, semi-aquatic snakes can contribute to natural regulation of alien fish species abundance. The preliminary results presented herein emphasize the urgent need for integrative studies of natricine snakes and their prey ecology under various and/or dynamic circumstances. Better understanding of the functioning of different aquatic ecosystems may enable proper conservation and restoration for these snake species and their habitats. PB - Herpetological Conservation & Biology, Corvallis T2 - Herpetological Conservation and Biology T1 - Intra- and inter-population variability of food preferences of two natrix species on the Balkan peninsula EP - 136 IS - 1 SP - 123 VL - 9 UR - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_2190 ER -
@article{ author = "Sukalo, Goran and Đorđević, Sonja and Gvozdenović, Sladana and Simović, Aleksandar and Anđelković, Marko and Blagojević, Veljko and Tomović, Ljiljana", year = "2014", abstract = "In aquatic and surrounding terrestrial ecosystems, snakes of the genus Natrix are among the top predators, feeding predominantly on fishes and amphibians, but also on other reptiles and small mammals. In the diets of Natrix natrix and N. tessellata, preferred food items vary geographically and during ontogeny. To understand these variations, we collected data on their diet composition in several habitats (river, wetlands, and two types of lakes), some of which are under severe anthropogenic pressures. Both Natrix species were able to quickly adapt to changes in available prey, and to feed even on non-indigenous, invasive, and potentially hazardous fish. Disturbed ecosystems are particularly susceptible to invasions. Therefore, if alien fishes become dominant, they may threaten populations of native snakes. On the other hand, semi-aquatic snakes can contribute to natural regulation of alien fish species abundance. The preliminary results presented herein emphasize the urgent need for integrative studies of natricine snakes and their prey ecology under various and/or dynamic circumstances. Better understanding of the functioning of different aquatic ecosystems may enable proper conservation and restoration for these snake species and their habitats.", publisher = "Herpetological Conservation & Biology, Corvallis", journal = "Herpetological Conservation and Biology", title = "Intra- and inter-population variability of food preferences of two natrix species on the Balkan peninsula", pages = "136-123", number = "1", volume = "9", url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_2190" }
Sukalo, G., Đorđević, S., Gvozdenović, S., Simović, A., Anđelković, M., Blagojević, V.,& Tomović, L.. (2014). Intra- and inter-population variability of food preferences of two natrix species on the Balkan peninsula. in Herpetological Conservation and Biology Herpetological Conservation & Biology, Corvallis., 9(1), 123-136. https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_2190
Sukalo G, Đorđević S, Gvozdenović S, Simović A, Anđelković M, Blagojević V, Tomović L. Intra- and inter-population variability of food preferences of two natrix species on the Balkan peninsula. in Herpetological Conservation and Biology. 2014;9(1):123-136. https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_2190 .
Sukalo, Goran, Đorđević, Sonja, Gvozdenović, Sladana, Simović, Aleksandar, Anđelković, Marko, Blagojević, Veljko, Tomović, Ljiljana, "Intra- and inter-population variability of food preferences of two natrix species on the Balkan peninsula" in Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 9, no. 1 (2014):123-136, https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_2190 .