scholarly journals Hydrological stability and otter trophic diversity: a scale-insensitive pattern?

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (10) ◽  
pp. 1152-1158 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Clavero ◽  
J. Prenda ◽  
F. Blanco-Garrido ◽  
M. Delibes
Keyword(s):  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Fish Consumption ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
Lutra Lutra ◽  
Mediterranean Streams ◽  
Diet Diversity ◽  
Trophic Diversity ◽  
Eurasian Otter ◽  
The Stability

Two recent works related Eurasian otter ( Lutra lutra (L., 1758)) trophic patterns over large areas with the stability of aquatic ecosystems. Higher levels of instability lead to reduced availability and (or) predictability of fish, and consequently, to a decrease in fish consumption by otters. The aim of the present study is to test these macrogeographical patterns in otter diet at regional and local scales. We analysed otter diet in Mediterranean streams in southwestern Iberian Peninsula where clear hydrological stability gradients (related to drainage area or distance to the sea) could be defined. Hydrological stability was directly related to fish consumption and inversely to otter diet diversity in terms of occurrence and biomass, both at regional and local scales. The level of stability of aquatic ecosystems appears to be a critical indirect factor that modulates otter diet through its effects on fish populations. The resulting trophic patterns are maintained from local to macrogeographical scales.

Altitudinal gradient of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) food niche in Mediterranean habitats

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Remonti ◽  
Alessandro Balestrieri ◽  
Claudio Prigioni
Keyword(s):  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Small Rivers ◽  
Lutra Lutra ◽  
Sampling Station ◽  
Alternative Prey ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Trophic Diversity ◽  
Eurasian Otter

The effects of geographical factors, such as latitude and altitude, on climate are known to influence the food habits of predator species distributed over a broad distribution range. A sharp latitudinal gradient in the diet of the Eurasian otter ( Lutra lutra (L., 1758)), that is an increase of trophic diversity from temperate to Mediterranean Europe, has been described recently. Altitude, affecting the diversity of fish assemblages and hence prey availability for otters, could also be a key factor influencing otter diet. With the aim of testing for the presence of an altitudinal gradient in otter diet in the Mediterranean area, we assessed the composition of diet at 24 sampling reaches spread in three main river catchments of southern Italy. The analysis of 1885 spraints revealed that fish were the main prey of otters, followed by amphibians, while other food items were of lesser significance, although crustaceans could be locally important. The altitude of the sampling station was negatively correlated with fish consumption and positively correlated with otter trophic diversity; at higher altitudes, alternative prey (particularly amphibians) were included in otter diet. The reduction of fish availability with elevation plays a major role in shaping this dietary pattern. The ability of otters to exploit alternative prey, such as amphibians, could allow the colonization of small rivers sustaining a low fish biomass.

New data on the parasites of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra)

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leszek Rolbiecki ◽  
Joanna Izdebska
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Species Range ◽  
Lutra Lutra ◽  
Typical Representative ◽  
Eurasian Otter ◽  
The Family ◽  
Demodex Sp ◽  
First Time ◽  
A New Species

AbstractThe Eurasian otter Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) is a typical representative of carnivorous mammals from the family of mustelids (Mustelidae) which are closely connected with aquatic ecosystems. Parasitofauna of the otter is poorly identified, e.g. only two specimens have been examined in Poland for the presence of parasites. Currently, three species of parasites were found in one otter: the nematode Oswaldocruzia filiformis (Goeze, 1782), the acanthocephalan Acanthocephalus ranae (Schrank, 1788) and the skin mite from the Demodecidae family. Demodex sp. is a new species to science, while O. filiformis and Demodex sp. are new parasites for the otter throughout the species range. Furthermore, A. ranae was found for the first time in the otter from the area of Poland. The recorded helminths are typical parasites of amphibians and reptiles, and their occurrence in the Eurasian otter may result from postcyclic transmission from primary hosts.

Pulmonary hair embolism in a rescued free-ranging Eurasian otter Lutra lutra in Kinmen, Taiwan

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 55-61
Author(s):  
WT Li ◽  
YL Chiang ◽  
TY Chen ◽  
CL Lai
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Body ◽  
Traumatic Injury ◽  
Lung Parenchyma ◽  
Giant Cells ◽  
Hair Shaft ◽  
Lutra Lutra ◽  
Lung Lobe ◽  
Eurasian Otter ◽  
Foreign Body Giant Cells ◽  
Free Ranging

Eurasian otters Lutra lutra are listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List and are imperiled by habitat loss, water pollution, and poaching. Harassment and attacks by stray animals are also recognized threats to the health of wild Eurasian otters. Pulmonary hair embolism is a possible complication in animals with deep traumatic injury, but to date no cases have been reported in wildlife. A free-ranging, adult male Eurasian otter was rescued due to severe emaciation and multiple bite wounds. The otter died 3 d after rescue and was necropsied. Grossly, a 1.5 × 1.5 × 1.5 cm firm nodule was observed in the left cranial lung lobe. Histologically, a fragment of hair shaft surrounded by multinucleated foreign body giant cells was observed in a medium-sized vein, and extensive eosinophilic infiltration was noted in the adjacent vascular wall and lung parenchyma. Based on the gross and histological findings, the pulmonary lesion was consistent with eosinophilic pneumonia and vasculitis induced by hair embolism. The presence of well-formed multinucleated foreign body giant cells and eosinophils may imply a late stage of foreign body reaction, and thus the presumptive source of hair embolism is an animal bite. This is the first report of pulmonary hair embolism associated with animal bite in a rescued free-ranging Eurasian otter.

Distribution and diet of recovering Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) along the natural-to-urban habitat gradient (river Segura, SE Spain)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ettore Emanuele Dettori ◽  
Alessandro Balestrieri ◽  
Victor Manuel Zapata-Perez ◽  
Daniel Bruno ◽  
Nuria Rubio-Saura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Habitat ◽  
Lutra Lutra ◽  
Se Spain ◽  
Eurasian Otter ◽  
Habitat Gradient

scholarly journals Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) diet as an early indicator of recovery in defaunated river communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 ◽  
pp. 106547
Author(s):  
Marta Narváez ◽  
Sonia Cabezas ◽  
Francisco Blanco-Garrido ◽  
Raquel Baos ◽  
Miguel Clavero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lutra Lutra ◽  
Early Indicator ◽  
Eurasian Otter ◽  
River Communities
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