Cyprinid prey remains in otter Lutra lutra faeces: some words of caution

摘要: This study investigates errors associated with the recovery of cyprinid remains in otter Lutra lutra spraints. Cyprinid fishes (Cyprinidae – carps) comprise largest family freshwater world around 2000 known species. They form major group Europe a total 80 species, 16 which occur Britain (Winfield & Nelson, 1991). These are commonly taken by otters throughout predator's geographical range, their prevalence diet apparently varying relation to abundance. No more than three species recorded as prey Britain, Ireland, and Scandinavia (e.g. Wise, Linn Kennedy, 1981; Kyne, Smal Fairley, 1989; Erlinge, 1967, respectively), while at least five eastern Poland southern Spain Brzezinski, Jedrzejewski Jedrzejewska, 1993; Lopez-Nieves Hernando, 1984, respectively). offer an opportunity investigate selection on relatively complex communities (cf. Carss et al., 1998) they mixed-species assemblages However, (1995) concluded that if studies feeding ecology were become mere lists items, there was urgent need quantify current spraint analysis techniques rigorously before. is undoubtedly true for attempt determine species- size-composition cyprinids otters.