How to source and collate natural history information: A case study of reported prey items of erythrolamprus miliaris (linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

Knowledge about species’ natural history, like observations of predator-prey interactions, helps us to understand the width of food webs and ecological niches. However, collating (un)published natural history information can be challenging, especially in this age of high scientific output, and especially so for geographically widespread and common species. Although an overview is lacking, incorrect data summaries and novelty statements in the literature are not uncommon. Here, I summarise the literature on prey items reported for Erythrolamprus miliaris (Linnaeus, 1758), a widespread South American dipsadid, and provide recommendations to collate natural history information. Overall, out of 52 unique taxonomic records, 44 unique prey species have been reported at the species level that mainly constituted Amphibia (n = 34; 77%); common prey in the semi-aquatic habitats where E. miliaris is mainly present. With reports from >20 different journals, as well as books, theses and conference papers, this overview demonstrates the need for authors to use a large range of sources when compiling species’ natural history information. Provided recommendations allow authors to better collate a complete overview of reported natural history data and identify the potential novelty of field observations ahead of manuscript preparation and submission.