Anthropogenically altered trophic webs: alien catfish and microplastics in the diet of Eurasian otters

摘要: With the aim of examining how Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) face human-mediated environmental alterations, we assessed their diet by spraint analysis on River Ticino (NW Italy), where this mustelid has been reintroduced in 1997. From March 2016 to 2017, a total 101 spraints was found 50% 32 sampling stations (mean length ± SD = 567 ± 263 m). Fish formed bulk otter (95% estimated mean percent volume, mV%). Cyprinids were most preyed fish (mV% = 44.9), followed European catfish Silurus glanis (mV% = 24.9%) and eel Anguilla anguilla (mV% = 8.5). Introduced is an invasive species, which can deeply alter composition structure local communities accumulate large amounts metals pollutants through trophic chain. We also recorded for first time microplastic particles (< 5 mm) spraints. Suspected analysed Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy two polymer types identified: polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyamide (PA). Although showed be able adapt anthropogenic changes, these results point out new potential threats conservation ask further studies.