Otter predation in a trout fish farm of Central–East Portugal: preference for ‘fast‐food’?

摘要: The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is a known piscivorous predator throughout its distribution range, although in some regions more generalist behaviour emerged, such as southern European latitudes. We evaluated feeding preference/avoidance towards the elements of fish guild inhabiting Mediterranean environment (Coa River, Central Portugal) and assessed influence proximity to surplus trophic resources (a rainbow trout production farm) on species diet. Almost two years collected spraints revealed that otters subsisted by consuming almost exclusively (94% consumed biomass), especially (87% summer this consumption complemented with reptiles amphibians. Due presence farm, consequent constancy availability trout, observed specialization represents an extreme opportunistic behaviour. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.