Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Food Habits and Feeding Behaviour of Spotted Flapshell Turtle, Lissemys Punctata (lacepede, 1788) in Bangladesh

Md. Lokman Hossain
National Academy for Educational Management, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Sohrab Uddin Sarker
Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Noor Jahan Sarker
Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted between March 1998 and February 2001 in nature and in captivity to observe the food habits and feeding behaviour of spotted flapshell turtle, Lissemys punctata (Lacepede, 1788) in Bangladesh. The species was found to be carnivore feeding on mollusks, annelids, crabs, insects, slow moving and diseased fish. In nature, the food consumption of the turtle was 0.47% of the body weight per day and that was the highest in rainy season (0.70%) and lowest in winter (0.15%). In captivity, the consumption was 8.2% of the body weight per day and it was the highest in rainy season (11.8%) and lowest in winter (3.9%). The feeding frequency was higher in captivity than in nature.

Keywords: Food, Feeding Behaviour, Spotted flapshell turtle, Bangladesh

Location: Chandpur, Naraynganj, Manikganj, Gopalganj and Madaripur districts, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-03-1998

End Date: 00-02-2001

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Turtle

Objectives:

To determine the food habits and feeding behaviour of the spotted flapshell turtle, Lissemys punctata, in nature and in captivity.

Methodology:

The study was conducted between March 1998 and February 2001 in Chandpur, Naraynganj, Manikganj, Gopalganj and Madaripur districts and Zoological garden of Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were processed in computer software, MS Excel using statistical software SPSS (Version 10.0) and analysed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Seasonal differences in food consumptions were tested by Chi-square test. Significance was tested at the p<0.05 level. A total of 50 stomach contents of L. punctata was collected from the wetlands of Matlab and Haziganj upazilas under Chandpur district; Sonargaon and Arihazar upazila under Narayanganj district; Shebalaya and Gopinathpur upazila under Manikganj district; Chanda beel of Gopalganj district; and Kashiani of Madaripur district. Moreover, 100 turtles were also dissected at Mirpur gudaraghat (Gazi Traders) and Tipu Sultan Road (Ahmed Impex Traders), Dhaka to know the qualitative and quantitative information on food habits. Artificial culture condition was created in the Zoological garden, Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka; North Kamalapur, Dhaka; a turtle hatchery at Gopinathpur upazila in Manikganj district. Two mini ponds, one cemented tank, two enclosures, four earthen jars and six aquaria were used for rearing and observing the feeding behaviour of turtles. Thirty categories of food items were supplied for observing the food habits and feeding in captivity. Food consumption was calculated in different months and seasons, and was converted to percentage in relation to body weight. Regression analysis was made and seasonal difference was tested by Chi-square methods. The stomach contents collected from nature were analyzed through qualitative and quantitative methods. At least five stomachs were collected for each month and consumed food items were separated and made food preferences. In captivity, different type of food items was supplied adequately to observe food preference. This practice was repeated for different weight groups of turtles in different seasons of the year. Observation was made during day and at night.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(2): 197-205, 2012

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Some fast moving fishes like tilapia, lata fish, eel fish, etc. were released in the aquaria, cemented tank and mini ponds in the zoological garden. The turtle could not catch the fishes, but some diseased fishes were engulfed within a short time. The turtle refused all sorts of plants and plant products supplied in captive condition. The spotted flapshell turtle is carnivore and feeds on natural available foods. The turtle used to have their food in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. So, it can be cultured as commercial purpose, but further research is essential in this regards. In nature, the food consumption of the turtle was 0.47% of the body weight per day and that was the highest in rainy season (0.70%) and lowest in winter (0.15%). In captivity, the consumption was 8.2% of the body weight per day and it was the highest in rainy season (11.8%) and lowest in winter (3.9%). The feeding frequency was higher in captivity than in nature.

Knowledge Management: Journal