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Bando, Monica; Larkin, Iskande V.; Wright, Scott D.; Greiner, Ellis C.
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2014 |
Diagnostic stages of the parasites of the Florida Manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris.
Jour. Parasitology 100(1): 133-138. 1 tab. 8 figs. DOI:10.1645/13-206.1. Oct. 3, 2013.
–ABSTRACT: Limited information is available on diagnostic stages of parasites in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). We examined 67 fecal samples from captive and wild manatees to define the diagnostic stages of the parasite fauna known to occur in Florida manatees. Parasite eggs were freshly extracted ex utero from identified mature helminths and subsequently characterized, illustrated, and matched to those isolated from fecal samples. In addition, coccidian oocysts in the fecal samples were identified. These diagnostic stages included eggs from 5 species of trematodes (Chiorchis fabaceus, Chiorchis groschafti, Pulmonicola cochleotrema, Moniligerum blairi, and Nudacotyle undicola), 1 nematode (Heterocheilus tunicatus), and oocysts of 2 coccidians (Eimeria manatus and Eimeria nodulosa).
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Harshaw, Lauren T.; Larkin, Iskande V.; Bonde, Robert K.; Deutsch, Charles J.; Hill, Richard C.
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2016 |
Morphometric body condition indices of wild Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris).
Aquat. Mamms. 42(4): 428-439. doi:10.1578/AM.42.4.2016.428. Nov. 18, 2016.
–ABSTRACT: In many species, body weight (W) increases geometrically with body length (L), so W/L3 provides a body condition index (BCI) that can be used to evaluate nutritional status once a normal range has been established. No such index has been established for Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). This study was designed to determine a normal range of BCIs of Florida manatees by comparing W in kg with straight total length (SL), curvilinear total length (CL), and umbilical girth (UG) in m for 146 wild manatees measured during winter health assessments at three Florida locations. Small calves to large adults of SL from 1.47 to 3.23 m and W from 77 to 751 kg were compared. BCIs were significantly greater in adult females than in adult males (p < 0.05). W scaled proportionally to L3 in females but not in males, which were slimmer than females. The logarithms of W and of each linear measurement were regressed to develop amended indices that allow for sex differences. The regression slope for log W against log SL was 2.915 in females and 2.578 in males; W/SL2.915 ranged from 18.9 to 29.6 (mean 23.2) in females, and W/SL2.578 ranged from 24.6 to 37.3 (mean 29.8) in males. Some BCIs were slightly (4%), but significantly (p <- 0.05), higher for females in Crystal River than in Tampa Bay or Indian River, but there was no evidence of geographic variation in condition among males. These normal ranges should help evaluate the nutritional status of both wild and rehabilitating captive manatees.
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Barboza, Meghan L. B.; Larkin, Iskande V.
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2020 |
Gross and microscopic anatomy of the nasal cavity, including olfactory epithelium, of the Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris.
Aquat. Mamms. 46(3): 274-284. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.3.2020.274 May 11, 2020.
–ABSTRACT: As a fully aquatic mammal, the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) spends a limited amount of time at the water's surface. However, as a mammal that breathes air, they do need to filter, warm, and humidify that air, and anecdotal evidence indicates manatees have a sense of smell. This study characterized the nasal turbinate system, including identification of the olfactory epithelium, and compared it to other mammals using a combination of gross and micro-anatomic examination. Major turbinates were present, including nasal, maxillary, and ethmoturbinates, but with minimal convolution. The respiratory epithelium was found throughout much of the nasal cavity and covered maxillary and nasal turbinates, as well as the septum. Mucus-producing cells and cavernous veins were extensive. The olfactory epithelium was found in the dorsocaudal ethmoturbinates. As a herbivore that feeds predominantly underwater, the manatee likely relies on taste and touch for assessing food and, therefore, does not need to use smell in the same way as other marine mammals such as mysticetes (Bouchard et al., 2019) and pinnipeds (Kowalewsky et al., 2006). However, there are still substantial numbers of olfactory cells, especially considering the decreased amount of exposure time to odorants when breathing at the surface. Therefore, the question remains of why manatees have maintained their ability to smell while other fully aquatic species such as odontocetes have not. Future research should focus on a combination of behavioral and molecular techniques to fully understand the olfactory capabilities of the Florida manatee.
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Barboza, Meghan L. B.; Larkin, Iskande V.
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2020 |
Functional morphology of the taste buds of Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris.
Mar. Mamm. Sci. 36(3): 939-952. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12692 July 2020 (publ. online Apr. 21, 2020).
–ABSTRACT: The Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris, is a fully aquatic, threatened marine mammal for which increased understanding of their physiology, reproduction, and nutrition supports management decisions. Manatees may use taste to distinguish saltwater gradients, toxin detection, food assessment, and social interactions. This study sought to locate and characterize manatee taste buds comparing location, structure, number, and size to other species.
Entire heads from manatees (6 males, 4 females) of various ages were obtained. The muzzle, tissue surrounding the nares, oral cavity, and epiglottis were examined grossly for pits and papillae. Tissues were examined using light and transmission electron microscopy. Within the predominant taste bud location, the tongue root, taste bud number was estimated using samples from four animals.
The average number of taste buds within the tongue root was 11,534 (range 2,711–23,237) with sparse taste buds located on the soft palate and epiglottis. The location along the lateral surface of the tongue root and bordered by grooves, through which tastants could be easily transported, has functional significance. Large numbers of taste buds within the tongue root suggest that taste is an important component of manatee sensory systems and behavioral research would clarify this.
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Bibliography and Index of the Sirenia and Desmostylia 