Diet, Gastric Parasitism, and Injuries of Caimans (Caiman, Melanosuchus,andPaleosuchus) in the Peruvian Amazon

• DOI: 10.2994/sajh-d-16-00012.1
• Publication Date: 2016-12-28T06:54:56Z
• Authors: Patrick D. Moldowan; Theresa M. Laverty; Christopher J. Em...; Richard C. Stanley
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; 14. Life underwater

Caimans (Crocodilia: Alligatoridae) are top-level predators in aquatic ecosystems of the Neotropics. This paper presents data on diet caimans from Peruvian Amazon (principally Paleosuchus spp., but also Caiman crocodilus and Melanosuchus niger), including feeding observations stomach content examinations. A total 58 analyses three situ were made, incidence gastric parasitism external injury studied. Insects, crustaceans, fish most frequently encountered prey gut P. trigonatus, reptiles, fish, mammals composed greatest proportion by dry mass. We report novel squamate species Amazonian overall dietary findings consistent with that other caiman literature. Gastroliths absent C. M. niger, although 44% trigonatus sampled contained gastroliths. Parasitic nematodes recovered just under half 71% niger. Injury rates low niger (< 10% individuals) while 35% injured, often through damage to tail. These diet, parasitism, help provide a baseline for comparison between study populations.