Sexual Dietary Differences in a Population of Trionyx muticus

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Abstract
The stomachs of 105 T. muticus contained mainly various invertebrates (primarily insects), fruits and fish carrion. The diet of males was more diverse and was significantly different from that of females. About 71% by volume of the prey of females was aquatic items (especially Hydropsyche larvae); about 67% of the prey of males was terrestrial items. No significant relationship could be found between comparisons of prey size and turtle size and of prey size and sex of turtle. Sexual differences in diet are related to different microhabitat preferences. Females forage primarily in stable microhabitats in deep water; males forage at the shallower interface between terrestrial and aquatic environments.

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