ABSTRACT. – In this note we report the first direct evidence for Europe of coypus (Myocastor coypus) feeding on freshwater algae. Coypus fed on green algae of the genus Spirogyra (Zygnematophyceae) in a mediterranean coastal wetland of central Italy (Torre Flavia) where Spirogyra represents the most spread filamentous macroalgal stands. By analyzing Spirogyra stands, we also detected the presence of microalgae which, in turn, have been indirectly ingested by coypus: Ulnaria capitata, Navicula sp., Nitzschia sp. (Bacillariophyceae), Netrium digitus (Zygnematophyceae), and Phacus sp. (Euglenophyceae). Other taxa of green macroalgae, such as Cladophora glomerata and Ulva intestinalis (Ulvophyceae), were commonly recorded in the same area, however there is no evidence that they were consumed by coypus.

De Michelis, S., Ceschin, S., Carosi, M., Battisti, C. (2022). Coypu (Myocastor coypus Molina, 1782) feeding on algae: first evidence for Europe. VIE ET MILIEU, 72(1-2).

Coypu (Myocastor coypus Molina, 1782) feeding on algae: first evidence for Europe

S. Ceschin;M. Carosi;C. Battisti
2022-01-01

Abstract

ABSTRACT. – In this note we report the first direct evidence for Europe of coypus (Myocastor coypus) feeding on freshwater algae. Coypus fed on green algae of the genus Spirogyra (Zygnematophyceae) in a mediterranean coastal wetland of central Italy (Torre Flavia) where Spirogyra represents the most spread filamentous macroalgal stands. By analyzing Spirogyra stands, we also detected the presence of microalgae which, in turn, have been indirectly ingested by coypus: Ulnaria capitata, Navicula sp., Nitzschia sp. (Bacillariophyceae), Netrium digitus (Zygnematophyceae), and Phacus sp. (Euglenophyceae). Other taxa of green macroalgae, such as Cladophora glomerata and Ulva intestinalis (Ulvophyceae), were commonly recorded in the same area, however there is no evidence that they were consumed by coypus.
2022
De Michelis, S., Ceschin, S., Carosi, M., Battisti, C. (2022). Coypu (Myocastor coypus Molina, 1782) feeding on algae: first evidence for Europe. VIE ET MILIEU, 72(1-2).
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11590/430967
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