Information on the trophic ecology of the Alpine salamander, Salamandra atra, is scattered and anecdotal. We studied for the first time the trophic niche and prey availability of a population from an area located in Italian Dolomites during the first half of August. Considering that S. atra is a typical nocturnal species, we collected food availability separately for diurnal and nocturnal hours. Our aims were: (i) to obtain information on the realized trophic niche; (ii) to provide a direct comparison between trophic strategy considering only nocturnal preys or considering all preys; (iii) to study trophic strategy of this species at the individual level. In two samplings nights we obtained prey from 50 individuals using stomach flushing technique. Trophic strategy was determined using the graphical Costello method and selectivity using the relativized electivity index. During the short timeframe of our sample, this salamander showed a generalized trophic strategy. The total trophic availability differed significantly from nocturnal availability. Interindividual diet variation is discussed in the light of the optimal diet theory. Finally, we highlighted that considering or not the activity time of the studied taxon and its preys may lead to a conflicting interpretation of the trophic strategies.

中文翻译：

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仲夏夜节食：高山Sal（Salamandra atra）的营养策略快照

关于高山sal（Salamandra atra）的营养生态学的信息是零散的和轶事的。我们首次研究了八月上半月来自意大利白云岩地区的居民的营养小生境和猎物可用性。考虑到S. atra是夜间活动的典型物种，我们在白天和夜间分别收集食物供应量。我们的目标是：（i）获得有关已实现的营养生态位的信息；（ii）提供仅考虑夜间猎物或考虑所有猎物的营养策略之间的直接比较；（iii）在个体层面研究该物种的营养策略。在两个采样夜中，我们使用冲洗胃法从50个个体中获取了猎物。使用图形化的Costello方法确定营养策略，并使用相对化的选择性指数确定选择性。在我们样本的短时间内，这种sa​​l表现出了广义的营养策略。总的营养可用性与夜间可用性显着不同。根据最佳饮食理论讨论个体间饮食差异。