Abstract

The availability of data on the diet of a species can be of great importance in understanding its basic biology, as well as contributing to conservation and management. The genus Atelognathus contains five species distributed in the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina; only A. nitoi occurs in Chile. There are reports on the diet of species of Atelognathus in Argentina, however for A. nitoi studies have focused mainly on taxonomy and systematics. The objective of this study is to provide information on the diet composition of A. nitoi in Chile. A total of 21 specimens of A. nitoi were collected from four localities in Chilean Patagonia during the spring-summer seasons in 2007 and 2010: La Tapera (44°38’S, 71°41’W), Chile Chico (46°32’S, 72°00’W), Cerro Castillo (45°59’S, 71°52’W) and Reserva Nacional Lago Jeinimeni (46°50’S, 71°59’W), XI Región, Chile. We analysed the diet by dissecting the stomach between the cardias and the pylorus. Stomach contents were examined under a stereo microscope and the prey items identified to order or family. Twenty items were determined in 12 taxonomic categories. The highest relative importance index was represented by Dytiscidae, Sylvanidae, Curculionidae and Elateridae, all of the order Coleoptera. The data show that A. nitoi consume a variety of prey, adult and larval coleopterans of both terrestrial and aquatic species. Dietary information is key to understanding life history and ecological strategies of littleknown species, especially for their interactions with ecosystems which still remain pristine; it is important for the conservation of nature.