Seasonal diet of the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in traditional brackish-water agroecosystems of Goa, India
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Aquatic Ecology
Abstract
The diet of the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) was assessed in a representative agro-ecosystem complex called “Khazan Lands”, situated within the human-dominated estuarine landscape of the Zuari River of Goa, India. This was achieved by analyzing undigested prey remains from 815 fecal (spraint) samples. Overall, fish dominated otter diet (Percentage Biomass, BIO% = 59%; Relative Frequency of Occurrence, RFO% = 49%), followed by shrimp (BIO% = 37%; RFO% = 42%) and crabs (BIO% = 3%; RFO% = 8%). Other prey groups, including insects, molluscs, amphibians, birds, and mammals, were present in minor quantities (BIO% = < 1%; RFO% = 2%). Shrimp consumption was dominant during the winter (BIO% = 80%; RFO% = 58%) and pre-monsoon seasons (BIO% = 56%; RFO% = 54%), whereas fish dominated during the monsoon (BIO% = 90%; RFO% = 63%) and post-monsoon seasons (BIO% = 79%; RFO% = 56%). 22 fish families were recorded in the diet of the species, with Cichlidae dominating throughout the year (seasonal RFO% = 32–45%). Otters largely consumed small and medium sized fish (< 200 mm) (seasonal RFO% = 81–87%), whereas larger fish (> 200 mm) were consumed less frequently (seasonal RFO% = 13–19%). The composition of economically significant prey (fish, shrimp, and crabs) was high (RFO% = 97%), whereas that of economically insignificant prey (molluscs, birds, amphibians, insects, and mammals) was low (RFO% = 3%). Furthermore, the occurrence of high-value fish families was marginally higher (seasonal RFO% = 50–62%) than low-value families (seasonal RFO% = 38–50%). Our observations suggest an opportunistic feeding habit by the species and a considerable overlap between resources exploited by fisherfolk and L. perspicillata. This study highlights the adaptability of this species, and the importance of Khazans for otter populations in the unprotected, human-dominated estuarine landscapes of Goa, India.
First Page
1299
Last Page
1318
DOI
10.1007/s10452-025-10226-6
Publication Date
12-1-2025
Recommended Citation
Dias, Stephen Jonah; Borker, Neeha Sinai; Yadav, Ashish Kumar; and D’Costa, Jonathan, "Seasonal diet of the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in traditional brackish-water agroecosystems of Goa, India" (2025). Open Access archive. 12163.
https://impressions.manipal.edu/open-access-archive/12163
