Diet of the manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Chetumal Bay, Mexico

• DOI: 10.5597/lajam00132
• Publication Date: 2011-11-15T02:15:54Z
• Authors: D. N. Castelblanc...; B. Morales-Vela; H. A. Hernández-A...; J. Padilla-Saldivar
• Keywords: Manatee; Thalassia testudinum

Manatees, as well other sirenians, are aquatic, opportunistic herbivores. Knowledge of their diet is important to determine habitat requirements. This the first study manatee in México. Our main objective was identify plant species eaten by manatees Chetumal Bay, and establish if composition varied climatic season, sex or age class. We compared epidermal fragments found feces with histological descriptions permanent collections suspected plants algae. Thirty-six fecal samples nine tract digestive content (mouth, stomach, cecum) were examined. eight distinct items, including seagrasses, freshwater grasses, algae vascular plants. Halodule wrightii Thalassia testudinum 41 (92%), Ruppia sp. present 57.8%. Another common item red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), 66.7% samples. Additionally, we report Chara Najas part West Indian manatee's outside Florida. A multivariate analysis based on a presence/absence triangular matrix similarity used test differences among Season, class did not influence composition. All identified suggesting that do move long distances at sea search food. postulate consumption Bay may occur compensation for scarcity submersed aquatic plants, which has been reported habitats this species.