What’s for dinner? How sex and size affect the diet of Trionyx triunguis across Africa
Diet is a fundamental but understudied aspect of tropical freshwater chelonian ecology. This study investigated sex- and age-related dietary variation in Trionyx triunguis across its East and West African ranges. Using stomach content analysis, researchers found both ontogenetic (juvenile vs. adult) and geographic differences in diet composition. Juveniles (<25 cm SLC) displayed distinct feeding patterns compared to adults, while males and females also showed dietary differences. These findings suggest that T. triunguis exhibits dietary generalism but with significant intraspecific variation shaped by age, sex, and location. Such variation has implications for conservation, as dietary flexibility may buffer populations against habitat changes, while localized differences highlight the need for region-specific management strategies.
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This works is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors
McGovern, P.,Eniang, E.,Ajong, S.N.,Demaya, G.S.,Behangana, M.,Gonedele-Bi, S.,Petrozzi, F.,Akani, G.C.,Fa, J.E.,Luiselli, L.
Publication year
2025
