Preliminary investigation of tadpoles diet of species Rana temporaria, Rana dalmatina, Bufo bufo and Bufotes viridis from different localities in Serbia and determination of presence of microplastics.

Abstract

It is believed that most anuran larvae, tadpoles, are omnivorous. However, this claim has not yet been fully accepted because the trophic status of many tadpoles has not been precisely determined. In this research, 110 tadpoles, of four anuran species, from 13 localities in Serbia were analyzed. The intestinal contents were analyzed to assess nutrition, while the presence of microplastics was analyzed using the method described by Hu et al. (2018). After the analysis, it was determined that the largest percentage of tadpoles diet consists of silicate algae from the genera Achnantidium, Navicula, Tribonema and Gomphonema, as well as detritus. In some species, representatives of Euglenophyta from the genus Phacus have also been observed. Except this, the remains of invertebrates that could not be determined were also present in the material. Microplastic analysis proved the presence of particles in all investigated samples. The data obtained on the composition of the tadpoles diet represent preliminary results and can be the basis for further research of diet and determining the type of tadpoles diet. The presence of microplastics in tadpole samples from different localities in Serbia represents preliminary results due to which it is necessary to continue extensive research at several levels.