Date of Graduation
Spring 2025
Degree
Master of Science in Biology
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Ligon Day
Abstract
The Northern Giant Musk Turtle inhabits a wide range of habitat types in southern Mexico, eastern Guatemala, and throughout Belize. Their diet primarily consists of mollusks and various seeds; however, they do prey on various vertebrates. Additionally, they are frequently preyed upon by crocodilians and are known to generate a strong bite force. This thesis investigates the diet and lunge kinematics of the Northern Giant Musk Turtle throughout Belize. To assess variability in these traits I collected individuals from six populations, throughout a wide size range, and across each demographic group. To characterize diet, I collected fecal samples from each individual and identified each prey item to lowest taxonomic ranking. I quantified bite force using a force transducer connected to a charge amplifier and lunge speed by digitizing points from high-speed videography in the Vicon Motus software. My results indicate that although diet and head morphology differ among populations, bite force does not. This indicates that diet nor head size are the predominate drivers of bite force in the Northern Giant Musk Turtle. Additionally, lunge speed was independent of body size indicating that smaller turtles may compensate for lack of other predator deterrents by lunging at similar speeds as larger turtles. However, a large percentage of individuals did not perform a lunge, meaning this behavior may act as a last-resort defensive mechanism. These data shed light on the trophic position and protection capabilities of the Northern Giant Musk Turtle.
Keywords
Staurotypus triporcatus, diet, bite force, populations, acceleration, velocity, trophic shift, predation, Northern Giant Musk Turtle
Subject Categories
Biology
Copyright
© Thomas More Zapletal
Recommended Citation
Zapletal, Thomas More, "Foraging, Form, and Function in the Northern Giant Musk Turtle (Staurotypus Triporcatus)" (2025). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 4043.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/4043
