The jaguar as a potential predator of Kinosternon scorpioides (l iNNAEu S, 1766)

Abstract

Due to its large Neotropical range, the diet of the jaguar reflects the local spectrum of potential prey species and, thus varies by region (DE Ol iv EiRA 2002). Although the cat has a marked preference for mammals, there are reported cases in which reptiles were eaten (EMMONS 1989; CHiNCHil l A 1997; FONSECA et al. 2009; SAl ERA et al. 2009; CAvAl CANTi & g ESE 2010; Pl ATT & RAiN - WATER 2011; PAé Z et al. 2012; v ERíSSiMO et al. 2012). These authors recorded predation of four species of sea turtle, Iguana iguana (l iNNAEu S, 1758), Caiman crocodilus (l iN - NAEu S, 1758), Melanosuchus niger (SPiX, 1825), Crocodylus acutus (Cu v iER, 1807) and the turtle species Podocnemis expansa (SCHWEig g ER, 1812), Podocnemis unifilis TROSCHEl, 1848, Chelonoidis denticulata (l iNNAEu S, 1766), Chelonoidis carbonaria (SPiX, 1824) and Platemys platycephala (SCHNEiDER, 1792).