Diet of larval Pleurodeles waltl (Urodela: Salamandridae) throughout its distributional range

espanolLa dieta larvaria tiene implicaciones importantes para evaluar la idoneidad de los habitats de reproduccion de los anfibios. En este estudio investigamos la dieta larvaria del gallipato iberico (Pleurodeles waltl), un urodelo endemico del Mediterraneo occidental. En 150 larvas capturadas en 30 charcas temporales en Espana, Portugal y Marruecos los microcrustaceos (Cladocera, Ostracoda y Copepoda) y larvas de insectos acuaticos (Chironomidae, Culicidae y Dytiscidae) son los items numericamente dominantes. Sin embargo P. waltl muestra un amplio rango trofico, incluyendo tambien algunos Arthropoda terrestres (Homoptera, Sminthuridae y Formicidae), Gastropoda (Physidae y Planorbidae) y larvas de anfibios (Anura y Urodela). Las larvas de mayor tamano tienen una dieta mas diversificada, que incluye presas mas grandes EnglishLarval diet has important implications for assessing suitable reproduction habitats for amphibians. In this study we investigated the diet of larvae of the Iberian ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl), an urodele endemic of the western Mediterranean region. We examined the stomach contents of 150 larvae captured in 30 ponds in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. We found that the larvae predate primarily on microcrustaceans (Cladocera, Ostracoda and Copepoda) and larvae of aquatic insects (Chironomidae, Culicidae and Dytiscidae). However, P. waltl was found to have a broad dietary range, including terrestrial Arthropoda (Homoptera, Sminthuridae and Formicidae), Gastropoda (Physidae and Planorbidae) and amphibian larvae (Anura and Urodela). As expected, larger larvae had a more diverse diet, as they can capture larger prey.