THE FEEDING PROCESS OF TWO NEWT SPECIES (Triturus sp.) FROM THE NORTHERN PART OF SATU MARE DISTRICT (ROMANIA)

Alfred Şt. Cicort-Lucaciu, Diana Cupşa, Viorel Lazăr,

Sara Ferenţi, Anamaria David

ABSTRACT

The trophic spectrum of the two species Triturus cristatus and Triturus vulgaris reveals major differences. T. vulgaris has a diet rich in small-sized prey taxa, while T. cristatus is having a smaller number of big-sized taxa. We can say the latter is a selective type, as it chooses its prey by dimension and accessibility, and also by how easy it can be caught. The differences in point of feeding reveal the fact the two species use distinct ways of catching the prey, which is determined by the latter’s various sizes. Major differences can be noticed within the two species’ sexes as well.