Diets of larval Flatwoods Salamanders, Ambystoma cingulatum, from Florida and South Carolina

摘要: The Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) was listed as a federally threatened species because loss and alteration of adult larval habitats caused population declines. Current management plans for this must include maintenance appropriate habitat. However, much the natural history is poorly known. Our objective to evaluate diet A. cingulatum larvae. We examined stomach contents 122 larvae collected from Florida South Carolina. identified measured invertebrate prey estimated biomass using length-mass relationships. Crustaceans, mostly isopods (Caecidotea), amphipods (Crangonyx), cyclopoid copepods, cladocerans (primarily Simocephalus other daphnids) were most abundant prey. Isopods also dominated content their relatively large size. Stomachs small had significantly higher numbers proportions smaller compared larger (P < 0.05). Smaller lower amounts isopod in guts found Hedruris siredonis, parasitic nematode, ∼11% stomachs examined; new host record parasite. results indicate that feed primarily on freshwater crustaceans, particularly isopods, cladocerans, amphipods. Management activities adversely impact crustacean communities breeding habitats, such pesticide use or introductions predatory fish, could remaining populations salamander.