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چکیده
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The diet of Euphrates softshell turtle (Rafetus eupharticus) was studied in northwestern Khuzestan Province, Iran at Looreh, Shahoor, Balarood and Sabzab Rivers and Karkheh lake dam from August 2014 to March 2015 by fecal analysis of 30 turtles. Our results indicate that R. euphraticus consumes wide range of food items at the study area. Number of prey categories in each feces was varied between one and seven. The food items comprised: Crabs, insects, birds, fish, plants, river bed-material and debris. The turtle has dominantly feed plants and invertebrates. Among invertebrates crabs were the most eaten item. Fish made up minor parts of the diet. Based on our results R. euphraticus is an omnivore species that feeds on or near the river bed.
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