The trophic spectrum of a Triturus cristatus (Laurentus 1768) population from Plopi Mountains area (Bihor County, Romania)

Crested newts eat mainly invertebrates, but may also ingest vegetal particles, Amphibian eggs or shed skins. Besides the shed skins of conspecific individuals, we have also identified shed skins of Bombina variegata, and even of Lacerta agilis. Due to the particular morphology of the habitat, the coming of the warm season brings about differences in the accessibility of different prey categories from one part to another of the inteu pond. This difference in the trophic offer causes modifications in the trophic spectrum, the adoption of the “sit-and-wait” feeding strategy, an increase in the number of empty stomachs, and indicates a decrease in the preying capacity of newts that prepare to leave the aquatic environment. Quantitatively, the most important prey taxa to the studied population are tadpoles and Nematocera larvae.