Diet of Podocnemis unifilis (Testudines, Podocnemididae) during the dry season in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil

Abstract

Stomach contents of Podocnemis unifilis sampled in white water varzéa forest during the dry season in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve (Middle-Solimões River) had plant material in 100% of cases, with Poaceae and Bombacaceae the most frequently recorded. Poaceae leaves (67.7% frequency) and seeds (21.5% frequency) were common, as were fibers of the fruit Pseudobombax munguba (Bombacaceae; 38.5% frequency), with fruits in general contributing 45.9% of volume. Animal material was consumed in much lesser quantities - only 0.8% of total volume - but had a 37% frequency. © 2006 Chelonian Research Foundation.