Evolution of coprophagy and nutrient absorption in a Cave Salamander
The transition from carnivory to omnivory is poorly understood. The ability to feed at more than one trophic level theoretically increases an animal’s fitness in a novel environment. Because of the absence of light and photosynthesis, most subterranean ecosystems are characterized by very few trophi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Pensoft Publishers
2017-11-01
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| Series: | Subterranean Biology |
| Online Access: | https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=15013 |
| _version_ | 1797719882307993600 |
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| author | Daphne Soares Rachel Adams Shea Hammond Michael E. Slay Danté B. Fenolio Matthew L. Niemiller |
| author_facet | Daphne Soares Rachel Adams Shea Hammond Michael E. Slay Danté B. Fenolio Matthew L. Niemiller |
| author_sort | Daphne Soares |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The transition from carnivory to omnivory is poorly understood. The ability to feed at more than one trophic level theoretically increases an animal’s fitness in a novel environment. Because of the absence of light and photosynthesis, most subterranean ecosystems are characterized by very few trophic levels, such that food scarcity is a challenge in many subterranean habitats. One strategy against starvation is to expand diet breadth. Grotto Salamanders (Eurycea spelaea (Stejneger, 1892)) are known to ingest bat guano deliberately, challenging the general understanding that salamanders are strictly carnivorous. Here we tested the hypothesis that grotto salamanders have broadened their diet related to cave adaptation and found that, although coprophagous behavior is present, salamanders are unable to acquire sufficient nutrition from bat guano alone. Our results suggest that the coprophagic behavior has emerged prior to physiological or gut biome adaptations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T09:12:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d5fe42e741e2429cb4594f1d8c6a17b7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1768-1448 1314-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T09:12:15Z |
| publishDate | 2017-11-01 |
| publisher | Pensoft Publishers |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Subterranean Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d5fe42e741e2429cb4594f1d8c6a17b72023-09-02T14:58:00ZengPensoft PublishersSubterranean Biology1768-14481314-26152017-11-01241910.3897/subtbiol.24.1501315013Evolution of coprophagy and nutrient absorption in a Cave SalamanderDaphne Soares0Rachel Adams1Shea Hammond2Michael E. Slay3Danté B. Fenolio4Matthew L. Niemiller5New Jersey Institute of TechnologyTexas A&M UniversityOzark Plateau National Wildlife RefugeThe Nature ConservancySt. Mary’s St. San Antonio Zoological ParkThe University of Alabama in HuntsvilleThe transition from carnivory to omnivory is poorly understood. The ability to feed at more than one trophic level theoretically increases an animal’s fitness in a novel environment. Because of the absence of light and photosynthesis, most subterranean ecosystems are characterized by very few trophic levels, such that food scarcity is a challenge in many subterranean habitats. One strategy against starvation is to expand diet breadth. Grotto Salamanders (Eurycea spelaea (Stejneger, 1892)) are known to ingest bat guano deliberately, challenging the general understanding that salamanders are strictly carnivorous. Here we tested the hypothesis that grotto salamanders have broadened their diet related to cave adaptation and found that, although coprophagous behavior is present, salamanders are unable to acquire sufficient nutrition from bat guano alone. Our results suggest that the coprophagic behavior has emerged prior to physiological or gut biome adaptations.https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=15013 |
| spellingShingle | Daphne Soares Rachel Adams Shea Hammond Michael E. Slay Danté B. Fenolio Matthew L. Niemiller Evolution of coprophagy and nutrient absorption in a Cave Salamander Subterranean Biology |
| title | Evolution of coprophagy and nutrient absorption in a Cave Salamander |
| title_full | Evolution of coprophagy and nutrient absorption in a Cave Salamander |
| title_fullStr | Evolution of coprophagy and nutrient absorption in a Cave Salamander |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evolution of coprophagy and nutrient absorption in a Cave Salamander |
| title_short | Evolution of coprophagy and nutrient absorption in a Cave Salamander |
| title_sort | evolution of coprophagy and nutrient absorption in a cave salamander |
| url | https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=15013 |
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