Ontogenetic dietary variation and niche partitioning in Bothrops moojeni across a Cerrado-Amazon ecotone

We investigated ontogenetic dietary variation and trophic niche partitioning in Bothrops moojeni, a Neotropical pitviper inhabiting an ecotone between the Cerrado savanna and the Amazon rainforest in Mid-North Mato Grosso, Brazil. A total of 211 specimens were analyzed, with prey items identified and categorized by taxon and biomass. Juveniles primarily consumed amphibians and reptiles, whereas adults fed predominantly on mammals and birds, reflecting size-related shifts in prey selection. The analysis revealed significant ontogenetic niche partitioning that reduces intraspecific competition, allowing juveniles and adults to exploit different prey resources within the same habitat. Our findings contribute to the understanding of dietary plasticity, resource partitioning, and ecological adaptation in Neotropical pitvipers across transitional habitats.