Chelonoidis denticulata (Yellow-Footed Tortoise)

Abstract

<i>Chelonoidis denticulata</i> (= <i>Geochelone denticulata</i>) is a member of the Testudinidae found in South American forests. <i>C. denticulata</i> and the related species, <i>C. carbonaria</i>, have been shown to primarily be frugivorous, however they supplement their diet with protein-rich food items such as insects and vertebrate carrion (Wang et al. 2011 South Am. J. Herpetol. 6:11–19; Moskovits and Bjorndal 1990. Herpetologica 46:207–218). Previous studies indicate that fungi can compose a significant portion of the diet (up to 22%) of <i>C. denticulata</i> (Guzman and Stevenson 2008. Amphibia-Reptilia 29:468).