# Foraging Observations: Novel Trophic Interactions Between the Andean Gull (Chroicocephalus serrranus) and Endangered Vertebrates of Lake Titicaca

## TL;DR

This paper reports new predatory and kleptoparasitic behaviors of the Andean Gull involving two endangered species in Lake Titicaca, expanding our understanding of its ecological role.

## Contribution

The study reveals previously unknown predation and kleptoparasitism by the Andean Gull on critically endangered Lake Titicaca species.

## Key findings

- The Andean Gull preys on the Titicaca Grebe and the Titicaca Giant Frog.
- Kleptoparasitic behavior of the gull was observed for the first time.
- These interactions highlight the gull's expanded ecological niche in the Lake Titicaca ecosystem.

## Abstract

We record two new predation events and one new kleptoparasitic Andean Gull (
Chroicocephalus serranus
) behavior, interactions that directly link to the Titicaca Grebe (
Rollandia microptera
) and Titicaca Water Frog (
Telmatobius culeus
). Our reports expand the understanding of the gull's ecological niche and reveal previously overlooked interactions between it and two endemic and endangered Lake Titicaca species which act as indicators of Lake Titicaca's ecosystem health.

We show that the Andean gull predates on both the Titicaca Grebe and the Titicaca Giant Frog. Both these species are critically endangered, and it was unknown that they had natural predators before this.