(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species manatee, Florida
Species Id M120030
Date 26 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - manatee, Florida
OTHER COMMON NAMES -
ELEMENT CODE - 03/16/84
AOU CODE - 04/29/85
CATEGORY - Marine Mammals
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - Chordata,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Mammalia, Theria
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Sirenia,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Trichechidae,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Trichechus,
SPECIES AND SSP - manatus,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Trichechus manatus
AUTHORITY - Linnaeus 1758
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 1033 and 1037
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
T. manatus can be divided into 2 subspecies: T. m. manatus, West Indies
manatee, and T. m. latirostris, Florida manatee; the differences are slight
*1037* Manatees are in the order Sirenia for the sirens of ancient
mythology, who sang to lure sailors to their death. Legend suggests that
sailors of old on long, lonely sea voyages thought they were mermaids. The
scientific name of the West Indian manatee is Trichechus manatus.
Trichechus, from Latin refers to having hairs or bristles, a characteristic
of all mammals, and manatus is probably derived from an ancient Carib word
meaning breasts. The Florida manatee population is known as Trichechus
manatus latirostris. Similar animals, called dugongs are found in
Indo-Pacific waters; other manatee species are found in the Amazon and off
west Africa.*272*
The Order Sirenia, the manatees and dugongs, is composed of two families and
five species.*272*
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species manatee, Florida
Species Id M120030
Date 26 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Marine Mammal
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 1033, 2112, 828 and 274
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species manatee, Florida
Species Id M120030
Date 26 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
References on County Occurrence - AO1
REFERENCES FOR OTHER DISTRIBUTION - G
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - Aquatic
REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 1033
LAND USE -
Water
Lakes
Bays and Estuaries
Atlantic Ocean Coastal Waters
REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 1033 and 2113
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Marine, intertidal AB2
Marine, intertidal AB5
Estuarine, intertidal AB2
Riverine, tidal RB2
Marine, subtidal OW0
Riverine, lower perennial
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 1037, 2112 and 2113
ANIMAL/PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
Parasites: Chiorchis fabaceus
Opisthotrema cochleotrema
Harpacticus pulex
Plicatolabia hagenhocki *2112,2113,1030*
REFERENCES FOR SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS - 2112, 2113 and 1030
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species manatee, Florida
Species Id M120030
Date 26 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
Herbivore
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 2113
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Plants Not Applicable
General Tracheophyta Not Applicable
General Monocotyledoneae Not Applicable
General Poaceae Not Applicable
General Monocotyledoneae Not Applicable
General Liliaceae Not Applicable
General Animals See Comments
General Molluscs Not Applicable
General Crustaceans Not Applicable
General Insects Larva stage
General Feces Not Applicable
General Animals Larva stage
General Animals Not Applicable
Important Plants Not Applicable
Important Plants See Comments
REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 2113, 2112 and 1035
REFERENCES FOR IMPORTANT FOOD - 2112 and 2113
COMMENTS ON FOOD -
4000S=incidentally ingests the listed animals *2112*;
0900S=food plants in order of preference: 1)submergered plants,
2)surface floating plants, 3)emergents *2112*
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species manatee, Florida
Species Id M120030
Date 26 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Turbidity: Clear water
G Turbidity: Murky water [High turbidity]
G Water Temperature: Greater than 27 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Between 21-27 degrees C
G Water Depth Preference: 5-10 ft.
G Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
G Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Less than 0.5 fps
G Density of Aquatic Vegetation: Low
G Density of Aquatic Vegetation: Moderate
G Density of Aquatic Vegetation: High
G Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 0.5-1.0 fps
G Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 1.0-1.5 fps
G Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 1.5-2.0 fps
G Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 2.0-2.5 fps
G Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 2.5-3.0 fps
G Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 3.0-3.5 fps
G Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Greater than 3.5 fps
LIM Water Depth Preference: 1-5 ft.
LIM Water Depth Preference: 5-10 ft.
LIM Density of Aquatic Vegetation: High
RA Water Depth Preference: 1-5 ft.
RA Water Depth Preference: 5-10 ft.
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 2095 and 2113
REFERENCES FOR LIMITING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 2113
REFERENCES FOR RESTING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 2095 and 2113
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
00220S=salinity may be over 25 ppt *2113*; 00290S=deepest
dive recorded is 10 m *2113*
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species manatee, Florida
Species Id M120030
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: length 2.4-4.5 m; weight 200-600
kgs.; skin is wrinkled with deep folds around the head and flippers;
color is slate gray to brown, some individuals have pink patches on the
abdomen; hair is short (3-4.5 cm), not pigmented and sparce; many
individuals are marked with scars from motor boats; ears have no
external pinnae, flippers are paddle-like; nails are present, hind limbs
are absent, tail is spatulate and horizontally flat, about 8 cm long;
dentition: incisors are vetigal, cheek teeth are brachyodont with no
cement; 5-7 functional teeth per jaw, vertebral formula is
C6+T17-19+LCa27-29 =48-54 *1037,2113*; REPRODUCTION: breeding season is
all year ; gestation period is 385-400 days; 1 offspring per period;
cows breed every 2.5-3.0 years; sexually mature at 6-8 years of age,
breeding behavior is promiscuous *1037,2112,2113*; BEHAVIORAL: species
is crepuscular and nocturnal, no specific daily patterns, congregate in
warm areas during winter; feeds 6-8 hours daily, usually in 1 hour
sessions; feeds in water 1-3 m deep; eats 30 to 50 kg/day in captivity,
mates in shallow water (1 m or less); suckling occurs under water;
cow-calf bond lasts 1 or 2 years *2113,2112*; ORIGIN: accidental
*2112*
COMMENTS ON LIFE HISTORY -
For details of observed mating see reference: Husar, S.L.
1977, p.13*2113*.
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 1037, 2113 and 2112
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species manatee, Florida
Species Id M120030
Date 26 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Other management practices [specified in comments]
Beneficial Regulating harvest of species being described
Beneficial Prohibiting harvest of species being described
Beneficial Public education - publicity
Beneficial Public education - law enforcement
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared domestic-strain animals
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Developing/maintaining submerged brush, timber, debris, etc.
Beneficial Construction of navigational improvements [dams, locks, etc.]
Adverse Controlling undesirable plant species
Adverse Drilling
Existing Prohibiting harvest of species being described
Existing Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Existing Other management practices [specified in comments]
REFERENCES FOR BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 2113, 2112 and 272
REFERENCES FOR ADVERSE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 2112
REFERENCES FOR EXISTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 2112
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
As warm-blooded animals, they are sensitive to sudden drops in temperature
and seek warm, constant temperature springs when winter chills the waters.
In recent years, power plant thermal discharges have become popular manatee
refuge areas, supplementing the limited number of available natural havens.
A winter aggregation at a Fort Myers power plant numbered more than 300
animals on one occasion. They are susceptible to cold stress when they are
chilled, and many die during severe weather.*272*
In thirteen years (1977 through 1989) of documentation, the 1,433 manatee
deaths in Florida averaged just over 110 per year. About 25% of the deaths
(366) recorded in those 13 years were due to injuries received in collisions
with watercraft. However, in the five years from 1984 through 1989, the
deaths averaged 131 each year, and the average number of watercraft
collision deaths rose to 40 (30%). In 1989, the number of recreational
vessels registered in Florida exceeded 710,000. As waterways become more
crowded, the threat of injury and death to manatees increases.*272*
999(E)=boat speeds are limited during the winter in parts of
Florida *2112*
The United States Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 included sea cows and
declared a moratorium on hunting them within United States waters.
According to the Act, mammals may be taken for display or research purposes
only by permit from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The U.S. Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended, further protected manatees, making it a
violation to "harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, capture, or
collect endangered species," with fines up to $20,000 and up to one year in
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species manatee, Florida
Species Id M120030
Date 26 AUG 96
prison. Import or export of endangered species or their parts or products
is also prohibited. Florida passed the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act in
1978, designating the entire state as a manatee sanctuary. This allows the
state to establish and enforce boat speed regulations in Natural Resources
and the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission were entrusted with the
responsibility for enforcing manatee protection zones and boat speed
regulations are posted. In the two state-designated manatee refuge areas,
no boats, swimmers or divers are permitted. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, with authority of federal regulations, and the Department of
Natural Resources work with governmental agencies at local, county and
regional levels to develop area-specific manatee protection plans. In
addition to regulating boat speeds, acquisition and/or creation of manatee
sanctuaries is a high priority. The state also reviews proposed marina
sighting plans, with the goal of safeguarding manatees and their normal
travel routes.*272*
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species manatee, Florida
Species Id M120030
Date 26 AUG 96
References
272 * Stewart, Vi N. 1990. Sea Stats No. 13, Manatees, A Summary
of Information and Statistics on Florida's Marine Organisms and
the Marine Environment. 13 (ed.). Florida Department of Natural
Resources St. Petersburg, Florida:16.
828* Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife. 1983. Republication of the
lists of endangered and threatened species. Federal Register
17.11-17.12:1-24.
1030* Dailey, M.D., Brownell, R.L., Jr. 1972. A checklist of
marine mammal parasites. Mammals of the Sea: Biology and
Medicine Ridgeway, S. H. Charles C. Thomas Publ. Springfield,
Ill:528-529.
1033* Gunderson, H.L. 1976. Mammalogy. McGraw-Hill Inc. New
York, N.Y:117-120.
1035* Martin, R.M. 1977. Mammals of the Oceans. G.P. Putnam's
Sons New York, N.Y:44-82.
1037* Nishiwaki, M. 1972. General biology. Mammals of the Sea:
Biology and Medicine Ridgeway, S. H. Charles C. Thomas Publ.
Springfield, Ill:3-204.
2095* Walker, E.P. 1975. MAMMALS OF THE WORLD. The Johns Hopkins
Press Baltimore.
2112* Inter., U.S. Dep. 1980. Administration of the marine
mammal protection act of 1972. April 1, 1979 to March 31, 1980.
U.S. Dep. Inter. Washington, D.C:86.
2113* Husar, S.L. 1977. The West Indian manatee (Trichechus
manatus). Res. Rep. 7. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Ser. Washington,
D.C:22.
References - 1