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

Md. Lokman Hossain
Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, 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 peel 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. Key words: Food, feeding behaviour, spotted peel turtle, Bangladesh

Keywords: Food, Feeding behaviour, Spotted peel turtle, Bangladesh

Location: Chandpur, Naraynganj, Manikganj, Gopalganj and Madaripur districts and Zoological garden of Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-03-1998

End Date: 00-02-2001

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Turtle

Objectives:

To identify the Food Habits and Feeding Behaviour of Spotted Peel Turtle, Lissemys Punctata (Lacepede, 1788) in Bangladesh

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. Food habits and feeding behaviour in nature: 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. The turtle specimens were collected from the natural habitats to ascertain the food habits in nature. They were captured mainly at day time from open water area in the field and were anesthetized instantly. The stomachs of the turtles were dissected out in the field and then preserved in an airtight container. A solution of 5% formalin and 1% glycerin was used as preservatives. Of the turtles 18 specimens were captured in summer, 16 rainy and 16 in winter seasons. The qualitative analysis of food items was made. The stomach contents of each turtle were separated and washed in a Petridish and categorized into two groups: (a) animals and (b) unidentified groups, by examining under the microscope. The food items were identified at species level by consulting books, guides and specialists of the respective fields. The comparative study of the quality of consumed food by the turtle species was also made. Stomach content of individual turtle was measured following the quantitative analysis made by Hartley (1948). Feeding behaviour of the species was studied in three km² areas of each selected Upazilas under Chandpur and Manikganj districts. Feeding behaviour in captivity: 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. The consumed amount of food was assessed by subtracting the excess foods after 24 hours from supplied foods. The percentage of food consumption in relation to body weight per day per individual was also calculated. Food consumption in different season: 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 daily consumption was studied in all seasons throughout the study period to know the seasonal difference. The significant differences of the food consumption in nature and in captivity were tested by one and two way ANOVA. This analysis was made to test the hypothesis that the food consumption of different species in different seasons in relation to body weight was equal and the homogeneity of several means (Sokal 1969). Food preference: 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:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

On the basis of the analysis of stomach contents it was found that the most preferred food items were Bellamaya sp., Metaphire sp., benthos, poultry viscera, dead fish, garden snail, apple snail etc. In captivity, the turtle preferred slow moving animals or animal fragments. 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 peel 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. 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.

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