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Wang Z, Pang Y, Ulus C, Zhu X. Counting manatee aggregations using deep neural networks and Anisotropic Gaussian Kernel. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19793. [PMID: 37957170 PMCID: PMC10643465 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45507-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Manatees are aquatic mammals with voracious appetites. They rely on sea grass as the main food source, and often spend up to eight hours a day grazing. They move slow and frequently stay in groups (i.e. aggregations) in shallow water to search for food, making them vulnerable to environment change and other risks. Accurate counting manatee aggregations within a region is not only biologically meaningful in observing their habit, but also crucial for designing safety rules for boaters, divers, etc., as well as scheduling nursing, intervention, and other plans. In this paper, we propose a deep learning based crowd counting approach to automatically count number of manatees within a region, by using low quality images as input. Because manatees have unique shape and they often stay in shallow water in groups, water surface reflection, occlusion, camouflage etc. making it difficult to accurately count manatee numbers. To address the challenges, we propose to use Anisotropic Gaussian Kernel (AGK), with tunable rotation and variances, to ensure that density functions can maximally capture shapes of individual manatees in different aggregations. After that, we apply AGK kernel to different types of deep neural networks primarily designed for crowd counting, including VGG, SANet, Congested Scene Recognition network (CSRNet), MARUNet etc. to learn manatee densities and calculate number of manatees in the scene. By using generic low quality images extracted from surveillance videos, our experiment results and comparison show that AGK kernel based manatee counting achieves minimum Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). The proposed method works particularly well for counting manatee aggregations in environments with complex background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Wang
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Yiran Pang
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Cihan Ulus
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Xingquan Zhu
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA.
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Henaut Y, Delfour F. Manatees in Zoological Parks throughout the World: History, State, and Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3228. [PMID: 37893952 PMCID: PMC10603729 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The order Sirenia comprises several species of manatees and one species of dugong. These popular marine mammals are relatively recent acquisitions to zoological parks throughout the world. As far as we know, there are less than 200 manatees, mostly American, a few African, and ever less Amazonian, currently in zoological parks. American manatees are predominantly found in zoos in Europe, North America, and in some Asian countries, while African ones are present exclusively in Asian zoos. The living conditions of captive manatees differ considerably from zoo to zoo (i.e., numbers, sex ratio, outdoor vs. indoor habitats, complex vs. simple habitats). Most research on manatee behaviour has been relatively recent, and studies on cognition, sociality, and ecology have a significant impact on our perception of manatee needs and management, with wider implications for their welfare. In the wild, manatees demonstrated various cognitive capacities; spatial memory and learning abilities play an important role in their daily life in a complex and dynamic environment. Furthermore, there is evidence that these mammals are more social animals than expected. Individuals show various personality traits on the boldness-shyness continuum and their sociality varies. All those parameters are important in terms of animal welfare. Several behavioural studies showed that standardized enrichment programs benefit and ensure the welfare of captive zoo animals. However, obtaining accurate information on the presence of manatees in zoos, living conditions, management, and consequently welfare remains challenging. This study examines the current knowledge on manatee behaviour and cognition and then discusses different approaches to improving the welfare of this charismatic marine mammal in zoological parks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Henaut
- Laboratorio de Conducta Animal, Grupo Académico Interacción, Adaptación y Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Chetumal 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Reyes-Arias JD, Brady B, Ramos EA, Henaut Y, Castelblanco-Martínez DN, Maust-Mohl M, Searle L, Pérez-Lachaud G, Guzmán HM, Poveda H, Merchan F, Contreras K, Sanchez-Galan JE, Collom KA, Magnasco MO. Vocalizations of wild West Indian manatee vary across subspecies and geographic location. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11028. [PMID: 37419931 PMCID: PMC10328939 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37882-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Geographic variation in the vocal behavior of manatees has been reported but is largely unexplored. Vocalizations of wild West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) were recorded with hydrophones in Florida from Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris), and in Belize and Panama from Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) to determine if calls varied between subspecies and geographic regions. Calls were visually classified into five categories: squeaks, high squeaks, squeals, squeak-squeals, and chirps. From these five categories, only three call types (squeaks, high squeaks and squeals) were observed in all three populations. Six parameters from the temporal and frequency domains were measured from the fundamental frequency of 2878 manatee vocalizations. A repeated measures PERMANOVA found significant differences for squeaks and high squeaks between each geographic location and for squeals between Belize and Florida. Almost all measured frequency and temporal parameters of manatee vocalizations differed between and within subspecies. Variables that may have influenced the variation observed may be related to sex, body size, habitat and/or other factors. Our findings provide critical information of manatee calls for wildlife monitoring and highlight the need for further study of the vocal behavior of manatees throughout their range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica D Reyes-Arias
- Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, 77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Beth Brady
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL, 34236, USA
| | - Eric A Ramos
- Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad (FINS), 77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave., New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Yann Henaut
- Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, 77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
| | - Delma Nataly Castelblanco-Martínez
- Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad (FINS), 77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
- Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Quintana Roo, 77039, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, 03940, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - Maria Maust-Mohl
- Department of Psychology, Manhattan College, Riverdale, New York, NY, 10471, USA
| | | | - Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud
- Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, 77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Héctor M Guzmán
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, 0843-03092, Panama City, Panama
| | - Héctor Poveda
- Grupo de Investigación en Sistemas de Comunicaciones Digitales Avanzados (GISCDA), Facultad de Ingeniería de Eléctrica, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, El Dorado, Panama City, 0819-07289, Panama
| | - Fernando Merchan
- Grupo de Investigación en Sistemas de Comunicaciones Digitales Avanzados (GISCDA), Facultad de Ingeniería de Eléctrica, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, El Dorado, Panama City, 0819-07289, Panama
| | - Kenji Contreras
- Grupo de Investigación en Sistemas de Comunicaciones Digitales Avanzados (GISCDA), Facultad de Ingeniería de Eléctrica, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, El Dorado, Panama City, 0819-07289, Panama
| | - Javier E Sanchez-Galan
- Facultad de Ingeniería de Sistemas Computacionales, Universidad Tecnologica de Panama, Campus Victor Levi Sasso, Panama, Panama
| | - Kristi A Collom
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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Tavares FDS, Oliveira da Silva W, Ferguson-Smith MA, Klautau AGCDM, Oliveira JM, Rodrigues ALF, Melo-Santos G, Pieczarka JC, Nagamachi CY, Noronha RCR. Ancestral chromosomal signatures of Paenungulata (Afroteria) reveal the karyotype of Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis, Sirenia: Trichechidae) as the oldest among American manatees. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:38. [PMID: 36694120 PMCID: PMC9872332 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09129-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chromosomal painting in manatees has clarified questions about the rapid evolution of sirenians within the Paenungulata clade. Further cytogenetic studies in Afrotherian species may provide information about their evolutionary dynamics, revealing important insights into the ancestral karyotype in the clade representatives. The karyotype of Trichechus inunguis (TIN, Amazonian manatee) was investigated by chromosome painting, using probes from Trichechus manatus latirostris (TML, Florida manatee) to analyze the homeologies between these sirenians. RESULTS A high similarity was found between these species, with 31 homologous segments in TIN, nineteen of which are whole autosomes, besides the X and Y sex chromosomes. Four chromosomes from TML (4, 6, 8, and 9) resulted in two hybridization signals, totaling eight acrocentrics in the TIN karyotype. This study confirmed in TIN the chromosomal associations of Homo sapiens (HSA) shared in Afrotheria, such as the 5/21 synteny, and in the Paenungulata clade with the syntenies HSA 2/3, 8/22, and 18/19, in addition to the absence of HSA 4/8 common in eutherian ancestral karyotype (EAK). CONCLUSIONS TIN shares more conserved chromosomal signals with the Paenungulata Ancestral Karyotype (APK, 2n = 58) than Procavia capensis (Hyracoidea), Loxodonta africana (Proboscidea) and TML (Sirenia), where TML presents less conserved signals with APK, demonstrating that its karyotype is the most derived among the representatives of Paenungulata. The chromosomal changes that evolved from APK to the T. manatus and T. inunguis karyotypes (7 and 4 changes, respectively) are more substantial within the Trichechus genus compared to other paenungulates. Among these species, T. inunguis presents conserved traits of APK in the American manatee genus. Consequently, the karyotype of T. manatus is more derived than that of T. inunguis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Dos Santos Tavares
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Do Pará (UFPA), Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Willam Oliveira da Silva
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Do Pará (UFPA), Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Malcolm Andrew Ferguson-Smith
- Cambridge Resource Centre for Comparative Genomics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Jairo Moura Oliveira
- Zoological Park of Santarém - Universidade da Amazônia (ZOOUNAMA), Pará, Santarém, Brazil
| | - Angélica Lúcia Figueiredo Rodrigues
- Instituto de Biologia e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos da Amazônia, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA), Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Secretaria de Educação Do Estado Do Pará (SEDUC-PA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Melo-Santos
- Instituto de Biologia e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos da Amazônia, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA), Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia Marinha e Conservação, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Aves e Comportamento Animal, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Julio Cesar Pieczarka
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Do Pará (UFPA), Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Cleusa Yoshiko Nagamachi
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Do Pará (UFPA), Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Renata Coelho Rodrigues Noronha
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Do Pará (UFPA), Pará, Belém, Brazil.
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Alvarez-Aleman A, Hunter ME, Frazer TK, Powell JA, Alfonso EG, Austin JD. The first assessment of the genetic diversity and structure of the endangered West Indian manatee in Cuba. Genetica 2022; 150:327-341. [PMID: 36271978 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-022-00172-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The coastal waters of Cuba are home to a small, endangered population of West Indian manatee, which would benefit from a comprehensive characterization of the population's genetic variation. We conducted the first genetic assessment of Cuban manatees to determine the extent of the population's genetic structure and characterize the neutral genetic diversity among regions within the archipelago. We genotyped 49 manatees at 18 microsatellite loci, a subset of 27 samples on 1703 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and sequenced 59 manatees at the mitochondrial control region. The Cuba manatee population had low nuclear (microsatellites HE = 0.44, and SNP HE = 0.29) and mitochondrial genetic diversity (h = 0.068 and π = 0.00025), and displayed moderate departures from random mating (microsatellite FIS = 0.12, SNP FIS = 0.10). Our results suggest that the western portion of the archipelago undergoes periodic exchange of alleles based on the evidence of shared ancestry and low but significant differentiation. The southeast Guantanamo Bay region and the western portion of the archipelago were more differentiated than southwest and northwest manatees. The genetic distinctiveness observed in the southeast supports its recognition as a demographically independent unit for natural resource management regardless of whether it is due to historical isolation or isolation by distance. Estimates of the regional effective population sizes, with the microsatellite and SNP datasets, were small (all Ne < 60). Subsequent analyses using additional samples could better examine how the observed structure is masking simple isolation by distance patterns or whether ecological or biogeographic forces shape genetic patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anmari Alvarez-Aleman
- School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, 2035 McCarty hall D, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. .,Centro de Investigaciones Marinas, Universidad de La Habana, Calle 16 # 114 Entre 1ra y 3ra Plaza, Havana, Cuba. .,Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, FL, USA.
| | - Margaret E Hunter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, 7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL, 32653, USA
| | - Thomas K Frazer
- School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, 2035 McCarty hall D, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.,College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Avenue South, KRC 3109, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA
| | - James A Powell
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, FL, USA
| | - Eddy Garcia Alfonso
- Refugio de Fauna Lanzanillo-Pajonal-Fragoso, Empresa Provincial para la Protección de la Flora y la Fauna, Villa Clara, Cuba
| | - James D Austin
- School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, 2035 McCarty hall D, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.,Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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Henaut Y, Charles A, Delfour F. Cognition of the manatee: past research and future developments. Anim Cogn 2022; 25:1049-1058. [PMID: 36002602 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-022-01676-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we present a review of the current knowledge related to the cognitive abilities of the manatee, with a focus on the Antillean manatee in situ and ex situ. Following a biocentric approach, we consider the animals' ecology, perception and sociality and we introduce future perspectives on their cognition. Scientific literature on the cognitive abilities of Antillean manatees' is limited and mainly linked to medical training and veterinary manipulations. To perceive and to interact with their social and natural environment (e.g. social interactions, foraging and traveling), manatees use visual, acoustic and tactile modalities that may be involved in a large range of cognitive abilities. Research on stimuli perception in manatees is scarce; however, these animals demonstrate abilities to learn and appear to show long-term memory. For example, to mate and/or to forage manatees travel at medium and large geographical scales; without doubt their movements entail the use of a set of stimuli and learning processes. Furthermore, their social skills (e.g. social organization, tactile and acoustic communications) are also poorly understood although their social interactions appear to be more complex than previously thought. Finally, as for many animals, temperament/personality may play a key role during their interactions with conspecifics and the environment. These aspects on manatee behavior and cognition are important for management and conservation purposes and help us understand the evolution of these marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Henaut
- Laboratorio de Conducta Animal, GAIA-BIO, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Av. del Centenario Km. 5.5, C.P. 77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
| | - Aviva Charles
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO, UMR 7204, CNRS, MNHN, Sorbonne-Université, MNHN), Paris, France
- ZooParc de Beauval and Beauval Nature, 41110, Saint Aignan, France
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Noronha RCR, Almeida BRR, Chagas MCS, Tavares FS, Cardoso AL, Bastos CEMC, Silva NKN, Klautau AGCM, Luna FO, Attademo FLN, Lima DS, Sabioni LA, Sampaio MIC, Oliveira JM, do Nascimento LAS, Martins C, Vicari MR, Nagamachi CY, Pieczarka JC. Karyotypes of Manatees: New Insights into Hybrid Formation ( Trichechus inunguis × Trichechus m. manatus) in the Amazon Estuary. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1263. [PMID: 35886048 PMCID: PMC9323068 DOI: 10.3390/genes13071263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Great efforts have been made to preserve manatees. Recently, a hybrid zone was described between Trichechus inunguis (TIN) and the Trichechus manatus manatus (TMM) in the Amazon estuary. Cytogenetic data on these sirenians are limited, despite being fundamental to understanding the hybridization/introgression dynamics and genomic organization in Trichechus. We analyzed the karyotype of TMM, TIN, and two hybrid specimens ("Poque" and "Vitor") by classical and molecular cytogenetics. G-band analysis revealed that TMM (2n = 48) and TIN (2n = 56) diverge by at least six Robertsonian translocations and a pericentric inversion. Hybrids had 2n = 50, however, with Autosomal Fundamental Number (FNA) = 88 in "Poque" and FNA = 74 in "Vitor", and chromosomal distinct pairs in heterozygous; additionally, "Vitor" exhibited heteromorphisms and chromosomes whose pairs could not be determined. The U2 snDNA and Histone H3 multi genes are distributed in small clusters along TIN and TMM chromosomes and have transposable Keno and Helitron elements (TEs) in their sequences. The different karyotypes observed among manatee hybrids may indicate that they represent different generations formed by crossing between fertile hybrids and TIN. On the other hand, it is also possible that all hybrids recorded represent F1 and the observed karyotype differences must result from mechanisms of elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata C. R. Noronha
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (B.R.R.A.); (M.C.S.C.); (F.S.T.); (C.E.M.C.B.); (C.Y.N.); (J.C.P.)
| | - Bruno R. R. Almeida
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (B.R.R.A.); (M.C.S.C.); (F.S.T.); (C.E.M.C.B.); (C.Y.N.); (J.C.P.)
- Campus Itaituba, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Itaituba 68183-300, PA, Brazil
| | - Monique C. S. Chagas
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (B.R.R.A.); (M.C.S.C.); (F.S.T.); (C.E.M.C.B.); (C.Y.N.); (J.C.P.)
| | - Flávia S. Tavares
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (B.R.R.A.); (M.C.S.C.); (F.S.T.); (C.E.M.C.B.); (C.Y.N.); (J.C.P.)
| | - Adauto L. Cardoso
- Laboratório Genômica Integrativa, Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, Brazil; (A.L.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Carlos E. M. C. Bastos
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (B.R.R.A.); (M.C.S.C.); (F.S.T.); (C.E.M.C.B.); (C.Y.N.); (J.C.P.)
| | - Natalia K. N. Silva
- Campus Tucuruí, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Tucuruí 68455-210, PA, Brazil;
| | - Alex G. C. M. Klautau
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação da Biodiversidade Marinha do Norte, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Belém 66635-110, PA, Brazil;
| | - Fábia O. Luna
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação de Biodiversidade, Santos 11050-031, SP, Brazil; (F.O.L.); (F.L.N.A.)
| | - Fernanda L. N. Attademo
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação de Biodiversidade, Santos 11050-031, SP, Brazil; (F.O.L.); (F.L.N.A.)
- Departamento de Zoologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal/PPBA, Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamento e Conservação/LECC, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil
| | - Danielle S. Lima
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Mamíferos Aquáticos Amazônicos, Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Estrada do Bexiga, Tefé 69553-225, AM, Brazil; (D.S.L.); (L.A.S.)
- Rede de Pesquisa e Conservação de Sirênios no Estuário Amazônico, Macapá 68903-197, AP, Brazil
| | - Luiz A. Sabioni
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Mamíferos Aquáticos Amazônicos, Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Estrada do Bexiga, Tefé 69553-225, AM, Brazil; (D.S.L.); (L.A.S.)
- Rede de Pesquisa e Conservação de Sirênios no Estuário Amazônico, Macapá 68903-197, AP, Brazil
- Campus Porto Grande, Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Amapá, Rodovia BR 210, Km 103, s/n, Zona Rural, Porto Grande 68997-000, AP, Brazil
| | - Maria I. C. Sampaio
- Instituto de Estudos Costeiros, Campus Bragança, Universidade Federal do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, PA, Brazil;
| | - Jairo Moura Oliveira
- Zoological Park of Santarém, ZOOUNAMA, Universidade da Amazônia, Santarém 68030-150, PA, Brazil;
| | | | - Cesar Martins
- Laboratório Genômica Integrativa, Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, Brazil; (A.L.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Marcelo R. Vicari
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa 84030-900, PR, Brazil;
| | - Cleusa Y. Nagamachi
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (B.R.R.A.); (M.C.S.C.); (F.S.T.); (C.E.M.C.B.); (C.Y.N.); (J.C.P.)
| | - Julio C. Pieczarka
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (B.R.R.A.); (M.C.S.C.); (F.S.T.); (C.E.M.C.B.); (C.Y.N.); (J.C.P.)
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Sá ALAD, Baker PKB, Breaux B, Oliveira JM, Klautau AGCDM, Legatzki K, Luna FDO, Attademo FLN, Hunter ME, Criscitiello MF, Schneider MPC, Sena LDS. Novel insights on aquatic mammal MHC evolution: Evidence from manatee DQB diversity. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 132:104398. [PMID: 35307479 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The low diversity in marine mammal major histocompatibility complex (MHC) appears to support the hypothesis of reduced pathogen selective pressure in aquatic systems compared to terrestrial environments. However, the lack of characterization of the aquatic and evolutionarily distant Sirenia precludes drawing more generalized conclusions. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the MHC DQB diversity of two manatee species and compare it with those reported for marine mammals. Our results identified 12 and 6 alleles in T. inunguis and T. manatus, respectively. Alleles show high rates of nonsynonymous substitutions, suggesting loci are evolving under positive selection. Among aquatic mammals, Pinnipeda DQB had smaller numbers of alleles, higher synonymous substitution rate, and a dN/dS ratio closer to 1, suggesting it may be evolving under more relaxed selection compared to fully aquatic mammals. This contradicts one of the predictions of the hypothesis that aquatic environments impose reduced pathogen pressure to mammalian immune system. These results suggest that the unique evolutionary trajectories of mammalian MHC may impose challenges in drawing ecoevolutionary conclusions from comparisons across distant vertebrate lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Luiz Alves de Sá
- Laboratory of Applied Genetics (LGA), Socio-Environmental and Water Resources Institute (ISARH), Federal Rural University of the Amazon (UFRA), Av. Presidente Tancredo Neves 2501, 66077-830, Belém, PA, Brazil; Laboratory of Genomics and Biotechnology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), R. Augusto Correa 01, 66075-110, Belém, PA, Brazil.
| | - Pamela Ketrya Barreiros Baker
- Laboratory of Genomics and Biotechnology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), R. Augusto Correa 01, 66075-110, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Breanna Breaux
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Jairo Moura Oliveira
- Zoological Park of Santarém - Universidade da Amazônia (ZOOUNAMA), R. Belo Horizonte, 68030-150, Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Alex Garcia Cavalleiro de Macedo Klautau
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação da Biodiversidade Marinha do Norte (CEPNOR), Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), Av. Presidente Tancredo Neves 2501, 66077-830, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Kristian Legatzki
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação da Biodiversidade Marinha do Norte (CEPNOR), Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), Av. Presidente Tancredo Neves 2501, 66077-830, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Fábia de Oliveira Luna
- National Center for Research and Conservation of Aquatic Mammals, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (CMA), ICMBio, Rua Alexandre Herculano 197, 11050-031, Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Löffler Niemeyer Attademo
- National Center for Research and Conservation of Aquatic Mammals, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (CMA), ICMBio, Rua Alexandre Herculano 197, 11050-031, Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Margaret Elizabeth Hunter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, 7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL, 32653, USA.
| | - Michael Frederick Criscitiello
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Maria Paula Cruz Schneider
- Laboratory of Genomics and Biotechnology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), R. Augusto Correa 01, 66075-110, Belém, PA, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo Dos Santos Sena
- Center for Advanced Biodiversity Studies (CEABIO), Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), R. Augusto Correa 01, 66075-110, Belém, PA, Brazil.
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9
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Garrigue C, Bonneville CD, Cleguer C, Oremus M. Extremely low mtDNA diversity and high genetic differentiation reveal the precarious genetic status of dugongs in New Caledonia, South Pacific. J Hered 2022; 113:516-524. [PMID: 35665813 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esac029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
New Caledonia is home to one of the largest remaining populations of dugongs (Dugong dugon) and is located at the southeastern limit of the species' range. Local knowledge suggests that current levels of removal due to anthropogenic pressures are unsustainable, while trends suggest an ongoing decline in the population. Considering this unfavorable conservation context, this study aimed to assess the New Caledonian dugong population's resilience by determining its level of genetic diversity and degree of isolation relative to other populations. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences (n = 55) collected from live and dead dugongs in New Caledonia were compared to a global dataset of previously published sequences (n = 631) representing dugong populations throughout the species range. The New Caledonian dugong population displayed the lowest level of mtDNA diversity documented worldwide (3 haplotypes with 1 base pair difference), suggesting a recent origin of the current population through limited colonization events. Population structure analyses indicate a strong genetic differentiation with all the putative populations represented in the global dataset, including large neighbouring Australian populations. These results show that the dugong population in New Caledonia is particularly isolated, fragile, and vulnerable to anthropogenic threats and diseases with low potential for resilience through incoming gene flow. Our findings call for an instant conservation response and consideration for IUCN population assessment to support the long-term survival of the New Caledonian dugong population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Garrigue
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, CNRS, IFREMER, Laboratoire d'Excellence - CORAIL, BPA5, Noumea, New Caledonia).,Opération Cétacés, BP12827, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Claire Daisy Bonneville
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, CNRS, IFREMER, Laboratoire d'Excellence - CORAIL, BPA5, Noumea, New Caledonia).,Opération Cétacés, BP12827, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Christophe Cleguer
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Marc Oremus
- WWF-France Antenne Nouvelle-Calédonie, BP692, Nouméa, New Caledonia
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10
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Karyotypical Confirmation of Natural Hybridization between Two Manatee Species, Trichechus manatus and Trichechus inunguis. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050616. [PMID: 35629284 PMCID: PMC9145575 DOI: 10.3390/life12050616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Two species of manatees are found in Northern Brazil—the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus), which is found along the coast from Florida to Northeastern Brazil, and the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), endemic to the Amazon drainage basin. These species show a sympatric distribution in the region of the Marajó Archipelago, an estuarine area surrounding the Amazon River mouth. There is evidence of the occurrence of interspecific hybrids in this area, based on mitochondrial DNA analyses, although the use of nuclear markers has not corroborated this proposal. Considering that these species show very distinct karyotypes, despite being closely related (2n = 48 in T. manatus and 2n = 56 in T. inunguis), hybrids would present distinct chromosome numbers. Based on this, we conducted cytogenetic analyses using classic and molecular techniques in three calves found stranded in the Marajó Island and Amapá coast. The results showed that one of them, morphologically classified as T. inunguis, presented the correspondent karyotype, with 2n = 56. However, the other two, which were phenotypically similar to T. manatus, showed 2n = 49. Despite the same diploid number, their G-banding patterns revealed some differences. The results of the distribution of some microsatellite sequences have also confirmed the heterozygosity of some chromosomal pairs in these two individuals. These results are the first indubitable confirmation of the occurrence of natural hybrids between T. manatus and T. inunguis, and also brings about some issues concerning the viability of hybrids, considering that these two individuals do not correspond to an F1 hybrid, but instead, both presented a possible F2 karyotype.
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Ramos EA, Landeo-Yauri S, Castelblanco-Martínez N, Arreola MR, Quade AH, Rieucau G. Drone-based photogrammetry assessments of body size and body condition of Antillean manatees. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00228-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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12
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Carolina Oliveira de Meirelles A, Lima D, Danise de Oliveira Alves M, Carlos Gomes Borges J, Marmontel M, Luz Carvalho V, Rodrigues dos Santos F. Don’t let me down: West Indian manatee, Trichechus manatus, is still Critically Endangered in Brazil. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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13
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Moreira S, Meirelles ACOD, Carvalho VL, Rêgo PSD, Araripe J. Molecular confirmation of twinning in the West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus). BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2021-1241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract: Few twinning events have been recorded in the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus, Sirenia: Trichechidae) and no previous published study has provided confirmation of this phenomenon based in molecular tools. Here we investigate a possible case of twinning in an endangered Brazilian population of T. manatus using molecular tools. We analyzed two male neonates found stranded in Ceará State, on the northeastern coast of Brazil. The DNA of both individuals was isolated, and 10 microsatellite loci were amplified and genotyped. Following the identification of the alleles, the probabilities of identity by descent (∆7 and ∆8) and relatedness (rxy) were calculated using estimators that evaluate inbreeding. The two individuals shared most of the alleles, with differences in the genotypes being identified in only two loci. All the estimators identified a level of relatedness compatible with that found between siblings (selfed or outbred), indicating they were dizygotic twins. This is the first confirmed case of fraternal twins in free-ranging West Indian manatees in South America. The recognition of this type of twinning provides elements to improve actions for the rehabilitation of stranded animals and their subsequent release to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Juliana Araripe
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Brasil; Universidade do Porto, Portugal
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14
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Caballero S, Ortiz-Giral MC, Bohorquez L, Lozano Mojica JD, Caicedo-Herrera D, Arévalo-González K, Mignucci-Giannoni AA. Mitochondrial Genetic Diversity, Population Structure and Detection of Antillean and Amazonian Manatees in Colombia: New Areas and New Techniques. Front Genet 2021; 12:726916. [PMID: 34899829 PMCID: PMC8662808 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.726916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus) and the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) are distributed in rivers in the Caribbean and Amazonian region of Colombia respectively. For 30 years, genetic information has been obtained from these populations in order to inform conservation programs for these endangered species and decide on the location to release them back to the wild. However, in previous studies, samples from rivers in some areas of the country were not included, given the difficulties to access these regions due to either logistic or safety issues. In this study, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) sequences of from samples of T. manatus (n = 37) and T. inunguis (n = 4) (410 and 361 bp, respectively), obtained in new and previously unexplored rivers and bays in the country, including Santa Marta, Urabá Gulf, Ayapel Marsh (San Jorge River Basin), Meta River and Magdalena Medio and the low Magdalena River (Cesar Province and Canal del Dique) as well as additional samples from Puerto Nariño in the Colombian Amazon. Our results included the discovery of two newly described mtDNA CR haplotypes for T. manatus. In addition, we confirmed significant population differentiation at the mitochondrial level between the Magdalena and Sinú rivers and differentiation among areas of the same river, including the middle and low Magdalena River. This differentiation may be related to anthropic changes in the river since construction of the Canal del Dique in the XVI century. We also tested environmental DNA sampling and analyses techniques to evaluate its potential use for manatee detection and monitoring in bodies of water in Colombia, in order to evaluate new areas for future manatee conservation initiatives. We emphasize the need to continue using genetic information to provide evidence on the potential best locations to undertake animal release to prevent outbreeding depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Caballero
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular de Vertebrados Acuáticos (LEMVA), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Maria Camila Ortiz-Giral
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular de Vertebrados Acuáticos (LEMVA), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Laura Bohorquez
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular de Vertebrados Acuáticos (LEMVA), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan Diego Lozano Mojica
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular de Vertebrados Acuáticos (LEMVA), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Katherine Arévalo-González
- Cabildo Verde, Sabana de Torres, Colombia
- Fundación Internacional para La Defensa de La Naturaleza y La Sustentabilidad-FINS, Chetumal, Mexico
| | - Antonio A. Mignucci-Giannoni
- Centro de Conservación de Manatíes del Caribe, Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts
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15
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Rycyk AM, Factheu C, Ramos EA, Brady BA, Kikuchi M, Nations HF, Kapfer K, Hampton CM, Garcia ER, Takoukam Kamla A. First characterization of vocalizations and passive acoustic monitoring of the vulnerable African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 150:3028. [PMID: 34717514 DOI: 10.1121/10.0006734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Even among the understudied sirenians, African manatees (Trichechus senegalensis) are a poorly understood, elusive, and vulnerable species that is difficult to detect. We used passive acoustic monitoring in the first effort to acoustically detect African manatees and provide the first characterization of their vocalizations. Within two 3-day periods at Lake Ossa, Cameroon, at least 3367 individual African manatee vocalizations were detected such that most vocalizations were detected in the middle of the night and at dusk. Call characteristics such as fundamental frequency, duration, harmonics, subharmonics, and emphasized band were characterized for 289 high-quality tonal vocalizations with a minimum signal-to-noise ratio of 4.5 dB. African manatee vocalizations have a fundamental frequency of 4.65 ± 0.700 kHz (mean ± SD), duration of 0.181 ± 0.069 s, 97% contained harmonics, 21% contained subharmonics, and 27% had an emphasized band other than the fundamental frequency. Altogether, the structure of African manatee vocalizations is similar to other manatee species. We suggest utilizing passive acoustic monitoring to fill in the gaps in understanding the distribution and biology of African manatees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athena M Rycyk
- Division of Natural Sciences, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida 34243, USA
| | - Clinton Factheu
- Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, University of Yaounde I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Eric A Ramos
- Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad (FINS), Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Beth A Brady
- Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida 34236, USA
| | - Mumi Kikuchi
- Japan Manatee Education and Study Lab, Tokyo, JP 1040041, Japan
| | - Hannah F Nations
- Division of Natural Sciences, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida 34243, USA
| | - Karianne Kapfer
- Division of Natural Sciences, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida 34243, USA
| | - Cecilia M Hampton
- Division of Natural Sciences, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida 34243, USA
| | - Emily R Garcia
- Division of Natural Sciences, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida 34243, USA
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Castelblanco-Martínez DN, Alvarez-Alemán A, Torres R, Teague AL, Barton SL, Rood KA, Ramos EA, Mignucci-Giannoni AA. First documentation of long-distance travel by a Florida manatee to the Mexican Caribbean. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2021.1967457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Delma N. Castelblanco-Martínez
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad de Quintana Roo, Boulevard Bahía Esq. Comonfort s/n, Chetumal, Quintana Roo 77019, Mexico
- Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad, Calle Larún, Manzana 75, Lote 4, Chetumal, Quintana Roo 75014, Mexico
| | - Anmari Alvarez-Alemán
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767, USA
| | - Raúl Torres
- Delphinus, Carretera Chetumal Pto. Juarez km. 282, Quintana Roo 77710, Mexico
| | - Amy L. Teague
- U.S. Geological Survey, 7920 NW 71st St, Gainesville FL 32653, USA
| | - Sheri L. Barton
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL, 34236, USA
| | - Kari A. Rood
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 100 8th Ave S.E, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Eric A. Ramos
- Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad, Calle Larún, Manzana 75, Lote 4, Chetumal, Quintana Roo 75014, Mexico
| | - Antonio A. Mignucci-Giannoni
- Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, 500 Carr. John Will Harris, Bayamón 00957, Puerto Rico
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, USA
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Valeri MP, Dias GB, do Espírito Santo AA, Moreira CN, Yonenaga-Yassuda Y, Sommer IB, Kuhn GCS, Svartman M. First Description of a Satellite DNA in Manatees' Centromeric Regions. Front Genet 2021; 12:694866. [PMID: 34504514 PMCID: PMC8421680 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.694866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichechus manatus and Trichechus inunguis are the two Sirenia species that occur in the Americas. Despite their increasing extinction risk, many aspects of their biology remain understudied, including the repetitive DNA fraction of their genomes. Here we used the sequenced genome of T. manatus and TAREAN to identify satellite DNAs (satDNAs) in this species. We report the first description of TMAsat, a satDNA comprising ~0.87% of the genome, with ~684bp monomers and centromeric localization. In T. inunguis, TMAsat showed similar monomer length, chromosome localization and conserved CENP-B box-like motifs as in T. manatus. We also detected this satDNA in the Dugong dugon and in the now extinct Hydrodamalis gigas genomes. The neighbor-joining tree shows that TMAsat sequences from T. manatus, T. inunguis, D. dugon, and H. gigas lack species-specific clusters, which disagrees with the predictions of concerted evolution. We detected a divergent TMAsat-like homologous sequence in elephants and hyraxes, but not in other mammals, suggesting this sequence was already present in the common ancestor of Paenungulata, and later became a satDNA in the Sirenians. This is the first description of a centromeric satDNA in manatees and will facilitate the inclusion of Sirenia in future studies of centromeres and satDNA biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirela Pelizaro Valeri
- Laboratório de Citogenômica Evolutiva, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Borges Dias
- Department of Genetics and Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Alice Alves do Espírito Santo
- Laboratório de Citogenômica Evolutiva, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Camila Nascimento Moreira
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yatiyo Yonenaga-Yassuda
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Iara Braga Sommer
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação da Biodiversidade Marinha do Nordeste, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Gustavo C. S. Kuhn
- Laboratório de Citogenômica Evolutiva, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marta Svartman
- Laboratório de Citogenômica Evolutiva, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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18
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Cabrias-Contreras LJ, Sánchez-Okrucky R, Caicedo-Herrera D, Jaramillo-Ortíz L, de la Rosa F, Negrete-Philippe AC, Cruz-Martínez D, Rivera-Guzmán AL, Mignucci-Giannoni A. Baseline urinalysis results in 32 healthy Antillean manatees ( Trichechus manatus manatus). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2021; 258:416-424. [PMID: 33539208 DOI: 10.2460/javma.258.4.416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe results of analysis of free-catch urine samples collected from Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) under human care in the Caribbean. ANIMALS 32 Antillean manatees in 5 Caribbean oceanaria and rescue centers. PROCEDURES Urine samples were obtained by opportunistic free catch during physical examination or through the use of operant conditioning procedures. Urinalyses consisted of macro- and microscopic evaluations, biochemical analyses with test strips, and refractometry. Results were compared for manatees grouped on the basis of age, sex, and habitat. RESULTS Urine samples were typically clear, straw colored, and alkaline (mean pH, 8.0); had a urinoid odor and low specific gravity (mean, 1.010); and had results on qualitative test strips that were consistently negative for the presence of glucose, bilirubin, ketones, proteins, nitrites, RBCs, and WBCs. Microscopically, the mean ± SD number of RBCs and WBCs/hpf was 0.5 ± 0.3 RBCs/hpf and 1.1 ± 1.5 WBCs/hpf. The presence of some epithelial cells and crystals was typical. Spermatozoa were found in urine from 1 of 15 sexually mature males, and parasite larvae and eggs were found in urine from 2 manatees. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of the present study yielded the first compilation of baseline urinalysis values in healthy Antillean manatees under human care, which, when combined with physical examination and other diagnostic procedures, can help in monitoring the health of these animals. We encourage the use of free-catch urine collection methods, as used in the present study, for routine urinalyses of manatees under human care in zoos, aquaria, or rescue centers.
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19
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Oliveira TMD, Burlamaqui TCT, Sá ALAD, Breaux B, Luna FDO, Attademo FLN, Klautau AGCDM, Oliveira JM, Sena L, Criscitiello MF, Schneider MPC. TLR4 and TLR8 variability in Amazonian and West Indian manatee species from Brazil. Genet Mol Biol 2021; 44:e20190252. [PMID: 33847701 PMCID: PMC8042642 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2019-0252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Amazonian (Trichechus inunguis) and West Indian (Trichechus manatus) manatees are aquatic mammals vulnerable to extinction found in the Amazon basin and the coastal western Atlantic. Toll-like receptors (TLR) play a key role in recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns using leucine-rich repeats (LRRs). We described the diversity of TLR4 and TLR8 genes in these two species of manatee. Amazonian manatee showed seven SNPs in TLR4 and the eight in TLR8, while West Indian manatee shared four and six of those SNPs, respectively. In our analysis, TLR4 showed one non-conservative amino acid replacement substitution in LRR7 and LRR8, on the other hand, TLR8 was less variable and showed only conserved amino acid substitutions. Selection analysis showed that only one TLR4 site was subjected to positive selection and none in TLR8. TLR4 in manatees did not show any evidence of convergent evolution compared to species of the cetacean lineage. Differences in TLR4 and TLR8 polymorphism may be related to distinct selection by pathogens, population reduction of West Indian manatees, or an expected consequence of population expansion in Amazonian manatees. Future studies combining pathogen association and TLR polymorphism may clarify possible roles of these genes and be used for conservation purposes of manatee species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - André Luiz Alves de Sá
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belém, PA, Brazil.,Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Instituto Socioambiental e dos Recursos Hídricos, Laboratório de Genética Aplicada, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Breanna Breaux
- Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Fábia de Oliveira Luna
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos (CMA), Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Löffler Niemeyer Attademo
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos (CMA), Itamaracá, PE, Brazil.,Centro de Estudos e Monitoramento Ambiental (CEMAM), Areia Branca, RN, Brazil
| | - Alex Garcia Cavalleiro de Macedo Klautau
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação da Biodiversidade Marinha do Norte (CEPNOR), Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Jairo Moura Oliveira
- Universidade da Amazônia, Parque Zoológico da UNAMA (ZOOUNAMA), Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Sena
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Michael F Criscitiello
- Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, College Station, TX, USA.,Texas A&M University, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College Station, TX, USA
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The evolutionary history of manatees told by their mitogenomes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3564. [PMID: 33574363 PMCID: PMC7878490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82390-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The manatee family encompasses three extant congeneric species: Trichechus senegalensis (African manatee), T. inunguis (Amazonian manatee), and T. manatus (West Indian manatee). The fossil record for manatees is scant, and few phylogenetic studies have focused on their evolutionary history. We use full mitogenomes of all extant manatee species to infer the divergence dates and biogeographical histories of these species and the effect of natural selection on their mitogenomes. The complete mitochondrial genomes of T. inunguis (16,851 bp), T. senegalensis (16,882 bp), and T. manatus (16,882 bp), comprise 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA - 12S and 16S), and 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA), and (D-loop/CR). Our analyses show that the first split within Trichechus occurred during the Late Miocene (posterior mean 6.56 Ma and 95% HPD 3.81–10.66 Ma), followed by a diversification event in the Plio-Pleistocene (posterior mean 1.34 Ma, 95% HPD 0.1–4.23) in the clade composed by T. inunguis and T. manatus; T. senegalensis is the sister group of this clade with higher support values (pp > 0.90). The branch-site test identified positive selection on T. inunguis in the 181st position of the ND4 amino acid gene (LRT = 6.06, p = 0.0069, BEB posterior probability = 0.96). The ND4 gene encodes one subunit of the NADH dehydrogenase complex, part of the oxidative phosphorylation machinery. In conclusion, our results provide novel insight into the evolutionary history of the Trichechidae during the Late Miocene, which was influenced by geological events, such as Amazon Basin formation.
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DNA Sequence Analyses Reveal Two New Species of Caloglossa (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) from the Skin of West Indian Manatees. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse9020163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Epizoic macroalgae collected from the skin of West Indian manatees included specimens of the red algal family Delesseriaceae. Morphological and rbcL sequence analyses indicated that these specimens represented two novel species of Caloglossa. One species, described here as Caloglossa kamiyana Freshwater, Cath.E. Miller & Frankovich sp. nov., had been previously studied and recognized as part of the C. ogasawaraensis species complex. The rbcL sequence divergence between C. kamiyana and other taxa within the complex ranged from 4.6–5.3%, and tetrasporangial mother cells are cut off from the lateral pericentral cells by oblique divisions instead of transverse divisions as in C. ogasawaraensis. The second species was resolved as a closely related sister species to C. fluviatilis, with a minimum interspecific sequence divergence of 2.0%. It was morphologically indistinguishable from C. fluviatilis except for one potential character—mostly one, instead of multiple rhizoids, developing from rhizoid-bearing pericentral and marginal wing cells. It is herein described as Caloglossa manaticola Freshwater, Cath.E. Miller & Frankovich sp. nov.
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Lima CS, Magalhães RF, Santos FR. Conservation issues using discordant taxonomic and evolutionary units: a case study of the American manatee (Trichechus manatus, Sirenia). WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/wr20197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The delimitation of evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) frequently results in controversy, but prioritising populations with evolutionary independence is essential for effective in situ conservation management. The American manatee (Trichechus manatus) is distributed along subtropical and tropical coastal waters from Florida (USA) to Alagoas (Brazil), and two subspecies are traditionally recognised, namely, T. m. latirostris, restricted to the Florida peninsula, and T. m. manatus, found in the remaining areas. However, this subspecific classification is not supported by genetic and morphologic evidence, which, rather, recognises two deeply differentiated populations or ESUs called Atlantic (Brazil) and Caribbean (from Venezuela to Florida). In this viewpoint paper, we compare both intraspecific divisions of T. manatus and the conservation implications. First, we used all available mtDNA evidence to test the genealogical clustering of the two American manatee ESUs by using a tree-based coalescent method. Second, we have used different models under a coalescent framework to estimate the historic gene flow among manatee populations. The analysis of the spatial distribution of mtDNA clusters confirmed the existence of the two suggested ESUs, rather than the two claimed subspecies. Furthermore, the best model to explain historic migration indicates that Brazilian manatees belong to an isolated population, whereas Florida and Caribbean populations are connected by more recent gene flow. These results have confirmed that T. manatus of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Florida belong to the same deme or Caribbean ESU, and the relatively isolated population inhabiting the Atlantic coast of Brazil belongs to the Atlantic ESU. Furthermore, both ESUs are separated by an interspecific hybrid zone (with the Amazonian manatee) located around the mouth of the Amazon River towards the Guianas coastline. The subdivision of two ESUs is also highly supported by karyotypic, morphological and ecological data, and is in clear disagreement with the traditional subspecies designations and the IUCN priorities, which manages Brazilian manatees as part of the Antillean manatee subspecies (T. m. manatus). Rather, Brazilian manatees should be considered as a full priority for conservation and require further taxonomic research; because of their deep history of isolation, they present high genetic and morphologic differentiation from all other American manatees.
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Using Ecological Modelling to Assess the Long-Term Survival of the West-Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) in the Panama Canal. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12051275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence of a thriving population of West-Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) in the Panama Canal, although it is not clear if they are descendants of a small group of introduced manatees or if manatees have entered the Canal from the Caribbean through the Canal locks. This study describes the development and application of an individual-based model to assess the survival of a population of West-Indian manatees in the Panama Canal. In addition, we seek to determine the effects of isolation, predation, and mortality on long term survival. The model was parameterized using empirical data collected from the literature to every extent possible. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the model’s sensitivity to changes in the used parameters. Four scenarios were modeled to understand under which conditions the original population could have been maintained over time. Our results show that the manatee population would have collapsed quite quickly after its initial introduction and that only through the addition of several individuals into the lake over the years could the population have survived until the present day. Our results have important implications for the long-term conservation of this endangered species.
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Vilaça ST, Santos FR. Complete mitochondrial genome of the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirotris, Sirenia). Genet Mol Biol 2020; 42:e20190210. [PMID: 32142097 PMCID: PMC7197981 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2019-0210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) is an endangered subspecies of the West Indian manatee (T. manatus), which inhabits inland and marine waters of southeastern United States. In this study, we assembled the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) of the Florida manatee from whole genome shotgun reads. As a result, we show that the currently annotated T. manatus mtDNA belongs to a different species, the Amazonian manatee (T. inunguis). The newly assembled Florida manatee mtDNA is 16,881 bp in length, with 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and one non-coding control region (D-loop). Phylogenetic analysis based on the control region indicates the newly assembled mtDNA is haplotype A01, characteristic of T. m. latirostris, while the current mtDNA associated with the Florida manatee genome assembly has a Ti02 haplotype that is found in Amazonian manatees and hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibelle T Vilaça
- Trent University, Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fabricio R Santos
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Evolução Molecular, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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Abstract
AbstractTo summarize the state of knowledge of the Endangered Antillean manatee Trichechus manatus manatus in Hispaniola, which comprises the Dominican Republic and Haiti, I reviewed documentary archives from pre-Columbian times to 2013. Manatees were historically abundant in Hispaniola but were hunted for centuries for their meat and other body parts for diverse uses. By the end of the 19th century manatees had become relatively rare around the island. Nevertheless, manatees remain widespread along the coast and occasionally occupy freshwater habitats in the Dominican Republic. In Haiti recent manatee sightings were restricted to two coastal areas. Currently, the manatee population of Hispaniola is perceived to be declining. The most commonly reported threats to the species include hunting, entanglement in fishing gear, boat strikes and disturbance by boat traffic, pollution, and habitat degradation and destruction. In the Dominican Republic longstanding national laws and international agreements protect the species and its habitat, and past conservation actions have raised public awareness about the status of the manatee. In Haiti knowledge of manatees is extremely limited and the species is not legally protected. I propose country-specific and binational recommendations to improve the contemporary conservation of manatees in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
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Plön S, Thakur V, Parr L, Lavery SD. Phylogeography of the dugong (Dugong dugon) based on historical samples identifies vulnerable Indian Ocean populations. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219350. [PMID: 31509531 PMCID: PMC6738584 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the phylogeography of the dugong (Dugong dugon) across its original range using museum material from 14 natural history museum and university collections. The mitochondrial DNA control region was successfully amplified from samples of bone or tooth powder from 162 individuals. These samples range from 1827 to 1996 and span the historical distribution range of the dugong. We were able to successfully amplify overlapping fragments of the D-loop region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) resulting in sequences of a 355 bp fragment for 162 individuals for the final analyses. This included a new sequence (189 bp) from a previously unidentified piece of skin of the extinct Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), as an outgroup. The resulting dugong sequences match those from previous studies of dugongs from Australia and Indonesia, but revealed several new and divergent mtDNA lineages in the Indian Ocean. One mtDNA lineage includes most specimens from the Western Indian Ocean, with another distinct lineage isolated to nearby Madagascar and Comores. There is little geographic structuring detectable among other populations in the Western Indian Ocean and all populations from that region appear to have historically contained comparatively low levels of genetic diversity. The genetic diversity of several Indian Ocean samples collected after 1950 was lower than that of the samples collected earlier from similar locations, a result coincident with the anecdotal reductions in population size. The new lineages and potential loss of diversity highlight the particular conservation importance and vulnerability of dugong populations in the Western Indian Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Plön
- African Earth Observation Network (AEON)- Earth Stewardship Science Research Institute (ESSRI), Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Vibha Thakur
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Leslee Parr
- Department of Biological Sciences, San José State University, San José, California, United States of America
| | - Shane D. Lavery
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Lima CS, Magalhães RF, Marmontel M, Meirelles AC, Carvalho VL, Lavergne A, Thoisy BDE, Santos FR. A hybrid swarm of manatees along the Guianas coastline, a peculiar environment under the influence of the Amazon River plume. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2019; 91:e20190325. [PMID: 31460594 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201920190325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The West Indian (Trichechus manatus) and Amazonian (T. inunguis) manatees have a sympatric occurrence at the mouth of the Amazon River. A result of this interspecific encounter is the occurrence of hybrids, which are frequently found along the coasts of Amapá state in Brazil, French Guiana and Guyana. Here we present new genetic evidence indicating the occurrence of a hybrid swarm along the Guianas Shield coastline, which is an interspecific hybrid zone that also separates T. manatus populations located east (Brazil) and west (Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Florida and Antilles). In addition, we suggest that this hybrid population occupies a peculiar mangrove-rich environment under strong influence of the Amazon River plume, which requires an independent management and should be considered a special conservation area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla S Lima
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Evolução Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627, 31270-010 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rafael F Magalhães
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Miriam Marmontel
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Estrada do Bexiga, 2584, Fonte Boa, 69553-225 Tefé, AM, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Meirelles
- Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos/Aquasis, Av. José Alencar, 150, Sesc Iparana, 61627-010 Caucaia, CE, Brazil
| | - Vitor Luz Carvalho
- Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos/Aquasis, Av. José Alencar, 150, Sesc Iparana, 61627-010 Caucaia, CE, Brazil
| | - Anne Lavergne
- Institut Pasteur de Guyane, 23 Avenue Pasteur, BP 6010, Cayenne Cedex 97306, French Guiana, France
| | - Benoit DE Thoisy
- Institut Pasteur de Guyane, 23 Avenue Pasteur, BP 6010, Cayenne Cedex 97306, French Guiana, France.,Kwata NGO, 16 Avenue Pasteur, BP 60672 97335, Cayenne, French Guiana, France
| | - Fabrício R Santos
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Evolução Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627, 31270-010 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Collazo JA, Krachey MJ, Pollock KH, Pérez-Aguilo FJ, Zegarra JP, Mignucci-Giannoni AA. Population estimates of Antillean manatees in Puerto Rico: an analytical framework for aerial surveys using multi-pass removal sampling. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractEffective management of the threatened Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Puerto Rico requires reliable estimates of population size. Estimates are needed to assess population responses to management actions, and whether recovery objectives have been met. Aerial surveys have been conducted since 1976, but none adjusted for imperfect detection. We summarize surveys since 1976, report on current distribution, and provide population estimates after accounting for apparent detection probability for surveys between June 2010 and March 2014. Estimates in areas of high concentration (hotspots) averaged 317 ± 101, three times higher than unadjusted counts (104 ± 0.56). Adjusted estimates in three areas outside hotspots also differed markedly from counts (75 ± 9.89 versus 19.5 ± 3.5). Average minimum island-wide estimate was 386 ± 89, similar to the maximum estimate of 360 suggested in 2005, but fewer than the 700 recently suggested by the Puerto Rico Manatee Conservation Center. Manatees were more widespread than previously understood. Improving estimates, locally or island-wide, will require stratifying the island differently and greater knowledge about factors affecting detection probability. Sharing our protocol with partners in nearby islands (e.g., Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola), whose populations share genetic make-up, would contribute to enhanced regional conservation through better population estimates and tracking range expansion.El manejo efectivo del manatí antillano amenazado en Puerto Rico requiere estimados de tamaños de poblaciónes confiables. Dichas estimaciones poblacionales son necesarias para evaluar las respuestas a las acciones de manejo, y para determinar si los objetivos de recuperación han sido alcanzados. Se han realizado censos aéreos desde 1976, pero ninguno de ellos han sido ajustados para detecciones imperfectas. Aquí resumimos los censos desde 1976, actualizamos la distribución, y reportamos los primeros estimados poblacionales ajustados para la probabilidad de detección aparente en los censos de Junio 2010 a Marzo 2014. Las estimaciones poblacionales en áreas de mayor concentración del manatí promedió 317 ± 103, tres veces más abundante que los conteos sin ajuste (104 ± 0.56). Las estimaciones poblacionales en tres áreas fuera de las áreas de mayor concentración del manatí también fueron marcadamente diferentes (75 ± 9.89 vs 19.5 ± 3.5). El estimado mínimo poblacional en la isla entera fue de 386 ± 89, similar al estimado máximo de 360 sugerido en el año 2005, pero menor a los 700 sugeridos recientemente por el Centro de Conservación de Manatíes de Puerto Rico. Documentamos que el manatí tiene una distribución más amplia de lo que se sabía con anterioridad. El mejoramiento de los estimados poblacionales locales o a nivel de isla requerirá que se estratifique a la isla en forma diferente y que se investiguen los factores que influencian a la probabilidad de detección. Compartir protocolos como este con colaboradores de islas vecinas (por. ej., Cuba, Jamaica, Española), cuyas poblaciones de manatíes comparten material genético, contribuiría a la conservación regional mediante mejores estimaciones poblacionales y monitoreo de la expansión de su ámbito doméstico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime A Collazo
- United States Geological Survey, North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Matthew J Krachey
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Kenneth H Pollock
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | - Jan P Zegarra
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office, Boquerón, Puerto Rico
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Affinity of Staphylococcal a and Streptococcal G Proteins to West Indian Manatee ( Trichechus manatus manatus) Immunoglobulins. J Wildl Dis 2018; 55:421-424. [PMID: 30277833 DOI: 10.7589/2018-02-061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The West Indian manatee ( Trichechus manatus manatus), a subspecies that inhabits coastal areas of Central and South America, has been listed as a vulnerable species because of the rapid decline in its population. Commercially available immunologic reagents specific for sirenians are lacking, limiting the development of sensitive immunodiagnostic assays. We observed the affinity of the microbial proteins A and G to T. m. manatus immunoglobulins. Manatee serum pools were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the affinity intensity followed by western blotting to confirm the specific binding of proteins A and G to immunoglobulins. The ELISA demonstrated maximum affinity of both proteins until the serum dilution of 1:12,800, with a similar affinity for both proteins. Because both A and G proteins exhibited affinity to manatee immunoglobulins, they can be used to develop sensitive immunodiagnostic assays for this species, contributing to manatee conversation procedures.
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Breaux B, Hunter ME, Cruz-Schneider MP, Sena L, Bonde RK, Criscitiello MF. The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) T cell receptor loci exhibit V subgroup synteny and chain-specific evolution. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 85:71-85. [PMID: 29649552 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) has limited diversity in the immunoglobulin heavy chain. We therefore investigated the antigen receptor loci of the other arm of the adaptive immune system: the T cell receptor. Manatees are the first species from Afrotheria, a basal eutherian superorder, to have an in-depth characterization of all T cell receptor loci. By annotating the genome and expressed transcripts, we found that each chain has distinct features that correlates to their individual functions. The genomic organization also plays a role in modulating sequence conservation between species. There were extensive V subgroup synteny blocks in the TRA and TRB loci between T. m. latirostris and human. Increased genomic locus complexity correlated to increased locus synteny. We also identified evidence for a VHD pseudogene for the first time in a eutherian mammal. These findings emphasize the value of including species within this basal eutherian radiation in comparative studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna Breaux
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Margaret E Hunter
- Sirenia Project, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA.
| | | | - Leonardo Sena
- Laboratory of Medical and Human Genetics, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
| | - Robert K Bonde
- Sirenia Project, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA.
| | - Michael F Criscitiello
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Hunter ME, Meigs-Friend G, Ferrante JA, Takoukam Kamla A, Dorazio RM, Keith-Diagne L, Luna F, Lanyon JM, Reid JP. Surveys of environmental DNA (eDNA): a new approach to estimate occurrence in Vulnerable manatee populations. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2018. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Torres-Florez JP, Johnson WE, Nery MF, Eizirik E, Oliveira-Miranda MA, Galetti PM. The coming of age of conservation genetics in Latin America: what has been achieved and what needs to be done. CONSERV GENET 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-017-1006-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Breaux B, Deiss TC, Chen PL, Cruz-Schneider MP, Sena L, Hunter ME, Bonde RK, Criscitiello MF. The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) immunoglobulin heavy chain suggests the importance of clan III variable segments in repertoire diversity. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 72:57-68. [PMID: 28131767 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Manatees are a vulnerable, charismatic sentinel species from the evolutionarily divergent Afrotheria. Manatee health and resistance to infectious disease is of great concern to conservation groups, but little is known about their immune system. To develop manatee-specific tools for monitoring health, we first must have a general knowledge of how the immunoglobulin heavy (IgH) chain locus is organized and transcriptionally expressed. Using the genomic scaffolds of the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris), we characterized the potential IgH segmental diversity and constant region isotypic diversity and performed the first Afrotherian repertoire analysis. The Florida manatee has low V(D)J combinatorial diversity (3744 potential combinations) and few constant region isotypes. They also lack clan III V segments, which may have caused reduced VH segment numbers. However, we found productive somatic hypermutation concentrated in the complementarity determining regions. In conclusion, manatees have limited IGHV clan and combinatorial diversity. This suggests that clan III V segments are essential for maintaining IgH locus diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna Breaux
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Thaddeus C Deiss
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Patricia L Chen
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | | | - Leonardo Sena
- Laboratory of Medical and Human Genetics, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
| | - Margaret E Hunter
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA.
| | - Robert K Bonde
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA.
| | - Michael F Criscitiello
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Barros HMDDR, Meirelles ACO, Luna FO, Marmontel M, Cordeiro-Estrela P, Santos N, Astúa D. Cranial and chromosomal geographic variation in manatees (Mammalia: Sirenia: Trichechidae) with the description of the Antillean manatee karyotype in Brazil. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Helen M. D. do R. Barros
- Laboratório de Mastozoologia; Departamento de Zoologia/CB; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; Recife PE Brazil
- Laboratório de Genética e Citogenética Animal; Departamento de Genética/CB; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; Recife PE Brazil
| | - Ana C. O. Meirelles
- Programa de Mamíferos Marinhos; Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos; Caucaia CE Brazil
| | - Fábia O. Luna
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos; Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade; Itamaracá PE Brazil
| | - Miriam Marmontel
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Mamíferos Aquáticos Amazônicos; Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá; Tefé AM Brazil
| | - Pedro Cordeiro-Estrela
- Laboratório de Mamíferos/Coleção de Mamíferos; Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia/CCEN; Universidade Federal da Paraíba; João Pessoa PB Brazil
| | - Neide Santos
- Laboratório de Genética e Citogenética Animal; Departamento de Genética/CB; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; Recife PE Brazil
| | - Diego Astúa
- Laboratório de Mastozoologia; Departamento de Zoologia/CB; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; Recife PE Brazil
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Silva-Brandão KL, Santos TV, Cônsoli FL, Omoto C. Genetic Diversity and Structure of Brazilian Populations of Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae): Implications for Pest Management. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 108:307-316. [PMID: 26470135 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tou040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), is the main pest of sugarcane in Brazil. Genetic variability and gene flow among 13 Brazilian populations of the species were evaluated based on mitochondrial DNA sequences to estimate the exchange of genetic information within and among populations. We found high genetic structure among sampled localities (ΦST=0.50923), and pairwise genetic distances were significantly correlated to geographic distances. Demographic analysis and genealogical network of mitochondrial sequences indicate population growth and admixture of D. saccharalis populations, events likely related to the sequential expansion of the corn and sugarcane crops in Brazil. The implications of these findings for pest management are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina L Silva-Brandão
- Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo - ESALQ/USP, Av. Pádua Dias, 11. Piracicaba, SP 13418-900, Brazil. Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Campus "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo - CENA/USP, Av. Centenário, 303. Piracicaba, SP 13400-970, Brazil.
| | - Thiago V Santos
- Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo - ESALQ/USP, Av. Pádua Dias, 11. Piracicaba, SP 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando L Cônsoli
- Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo - ESALQ/USP, Av. Pádua Dias, 11. Piracicaba, SP 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Celso Omoto
- Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo - ESALQ/USP, Av. Pádua Dias, 11. Piracicaba, SP 13418-900, Brazil
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Abstract
AbstractThe Antillean manatee Trichechus manatus manatus was once widespread from the south-eastern coast of Brazil to Central America and the Caribbean. In Brazil habitat destruction and overhunting severely reduced and fragmented the wild population, restricting extant subpopulations to the north and north-east coast. In response to these threats an ambitious government-led programme was initiated in 1994, with the aim of rehabilitating orphaned manatee calves and releasing them into the southernmost subpopulation. The programme is unique within Brazil, and has invested unprecedented resources in post-release monitoring. So far 30 manatees have been released at three sites, with a high rate of success (> 75%). Time in captivity appears to be a key variable determining post-release success: too long or too short a time in captivity decreasing the probability of survival. We describe the main features of this long-term programme and identify six key lessons learnt: (1) close monitoring, health assessments and rescues can significantly increase the success of releases, (2) combining different monitoring techniques results in high-quality data and reduces tracking costs, (3) long-term studies are needed to effectively evaluate the results, (4) releasing manatees at c. 5 years of age can increase chances of success, (5) soft-release is important to aid acclimatization, and (6) the programme has been effective in raising awareness among the general public, supporting education and fund-raising.
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McHale M, Broderick D, Ovenden JR, Lanyon JM. A PCR assay for gender assignment in dugong (Dugong dugon) and West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus). Mol Ecol Resour 2013; 8:669-70. [PMID: 21585866 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-8286.2007.02041.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Gender assignment for some aquatic mammals in the field is difficult. Molecular sexing from tissue biopsies is possible as males are heterogametic. Here we describe a multiplex PCR assay that amplifies the male specific SRY gene and differentiates ZFX and ZFY gametologues in two sirenian species, dugong (Dugong dugon) and West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus). The assay was validated with animals of known gender and proved accurate and robust to experimental failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- M McHale
- Molecular Fisheries Laboratory, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, University of Queensland, Level 6 North Tower, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia, School of Integrative Biology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
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38
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Satizábal P, Mignucci-Giannoni AA, Duchêne S, Caicedo-Herrera D, Perea-Sicchar CM, García-Dávila CR, Trujillo F, Caballero SJ. Phylogeography and sex-biased dispersal across riverine manatee populations (Trichechus inunguis and Trichechus manatus) in South America. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52468. [PMID: 23285054 PMCID: PMC3527500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Phylogeographic patterns and sex-biased dispersal were studied in riverine populations of West Indian (Trichechus manatus) and Amazonian manatees (T. inunguis) in South America, using 410bp D-loop (Control Region, Mitochondrial DNA) sequences and 15 nuclear microsatellite loci. This multi-locus approach was key to disentangle complex patterns of gene flow among populations. D-loop analyses revealed population structuring among all Colombian rivers for T. manatus, while microsatellite data suggested no structure. Two main populations of T. inunguis separating the Colombian and Peruvian Amazon were supported by analysis of the D-loop and microsatellite data. Overall, we provide molecular evidence for differences in dispersal patterns between sexes, demonstrating male-biased gene flow dispersal in riverine manatees. These results are in contrast with previously reported levels of population structure shown by microsatellite data in marine manatee populations, revealing low habitat restrictions to gene flow in riverine habitats, and more significant dispersal limitations for males in marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Satizábal
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular de Vertebrados Acuáticos-LEMVA, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
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39
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Tucker KP, Hunter ME, Bonde RK, Austin JD, Clark AM, Beck CA, McGuire PM, Oli MK. Low genetic diversity and minimal population substructure in the endangered Florida manatee: implications for conservation. J Mammal 2012. [DOI: 10.1644/12-mamm-a-048.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Hunter ME, Mignucci-Giannoni AA, Tucker KP, King TL, Bonde RK, Gray BA, McGuire PM. Puerto Rico and Florida manatees represent genetically distinct groups. CONSERV GENET 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-012-0414-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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41
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Molecular cytogenetic characterization of the Amazon River dolphin Inia geoffrensis. Genetica 2012; 140:307-15. [PMID: 23010983 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-012-9680-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 09/08/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Classical and molecular cytogenetic (18S rDNA, telomeric sequence, and LINE-1 retrotransposon probes) studies were carried out to contribute to an understanding of the organization of repeated DNA elements in the Amazon River dolphin (boto, Inia geoffrensis). Twenty-seven specimens were examined, each presenting 2n = 44 chromosomes, the karyotype formula 12m + 14sm + 6st + 10t + XX/XY, and fundamental number (FN) = 74. C-positive heterochromatin was observed in terminal and interstitial positions, with the occurrence of polymorphism. Interstitial telomeric sequences were not observed. The nucleolar organizer region (NOR) was located at a single site on a smallest autosomal pair. LINE-1 was preferentially distributed in the euchromatin regions, with the greatest accumulation on the X chromosome. Although the karyotype structure in cetaceans is considered to be conserved, the boto karyotype demonstrated significant variations in its formula, heterochromatin distribution, and the location of the NOR compared to other cetacean species. These results contribute to knowledge of the chromosome organization in boto and to a better understanding of karyoevolution in cetaceans.
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Castelblanco-Martínez DN, Nourisson C, Quintana-Rizzo E, Padilla-Saldivar J, Schmitter-Soto JJ. Potential effects of human pressure and habitat fragmentation on population viability of the Antillean manatee Trichechus manatus manatus: a predictive model. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2012. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Vilaça ST, Vargas SM, Lara-Ruiz P, Molfetti É, Reis EC, Lôbo-Hajdu G, Soares LS, Santos FR. Nuclear markers reveal a complex introgression pattern among marine turtle species on the Brazilian coast. Mol Ecol 2012; 21:4300-12. [PMID: 22780882 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2012.05685.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Surprisingly, a high frequency of interspecific sea turtle hybrids has been previously recorded in a nesting site along a short stretch of the Brazilian coast. Mitochondrial DNA data indicated that as much as 43% of the females identified as Eretmochelys imbricata are hybrids in this area (Bahia State of Brazil). It is a remarkable find, because most of the nesting sites surveyed worldwide, including some in northern Brazil, presents no hybrids, and rare Caribbean sites present no more than 2% of hybrids. Thus, a detailed understanding of the hybridization process is needed to evaluate natural or anthropogenic causes of this regional phenomenon in Brazil, which could be an important factor affecting the conservation of this population. We analysed a set of 12 nuclear markers to investigate the pattern of hybridization involving three species of sea turtles: hawksbill (E. imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). Our data indicate that most of the individuals in the crossings L. olivacea × E. imbricata and L. olivacea × C. caretta are F1 hybrids, whereas C. caretta × E. imbricata crossings present F1 and backcrosses with both parental species. In addition, the C. caretta × E. imbricata hybridization seems to be gender and species biased, and we also found one individual with evidence of multispecies hybridization among C. caretta × E. imbricata × Chelonia mydas. The overall results also indicate that hybridization in this area is a recent phenomenon, spanning at least two generations or ~40 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibelle T Vilaça
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Evolução Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31.270-010 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Anzolin DG, Sarkis JES, Diaz E, Soares DG, Serrano IL, Borges JCG, Souto AS, Taniguchi S, Montone RC, Bainy ACD, Carvalho PSM. Contaminant concentrations, biochemical and hematological biomarkers in blood of West Indian manatees Trichechus manatus from Brazil. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2012; 64:1402-1408. [PMID: 22626623 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Revised: 04/12/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus is threatened with extinction in Brazil, and this study focused on nondestructive blood samples analyzed for metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), as well as biochemical and hematological biomarkers. Studied manatees were kept at Projeto Peixe-Boi headquarters in Pernambuco State, and at two natural areas in estuaries where they are released to the wild. Manatees kept at the natural estuary in Paraiba State have blood concentrations of Al, Pb, Cd, Sn that are 11, 7, 8 and 23 times greater, respectively, than the concentrations found in blood of animals from the same species in Florida, USA. An inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase in manatees kept at the two reintroduction sites in Alagoas and Paraiba States indicated possible exposure of the animals to cholinesterase inhibitor insecticides. PCBs and OCPs were not detected. Results from this study will help delineate conservation efforts in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- D G Anzolin
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, Zoology Department, Recife, Brazil.
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45
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Velez-Juarbe J, Domning DP, Pyenson ND. Iterative evolution of sympatric seacow (Dugongidae, Sirenia) assemblages during the past ~26 million years. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31294. [PMID: 22319622 PMCID: PMC3272043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Extant sirenians show allopatric distributions throughout most of their range. However, their fossil record shows evidence of multispecies communities throughout most of the past ∼26 million years, in different oceanic basins. Morphological differences among co-occurring sirenian taxa suggest that resource partitioning played a role in structuring these communities. We examined body size and ecomorphological differences (e.g., rostral deflection and tusk morphology) among sirenian assemblages from the late Oligocene of Florida, early Miocene of India and early Pliocene of Mexico; each with three species of the family Dugongidae. Although overlapping in several ecomorphological traits, each assemblage showed at least one dominant trait in which coexisting species differed. Fossil sirenian occurrences occasionally are monotypic, but the assemblages analyzed herein show iterative evolution of multispecies communities, a phenomenon unparalleled in extant sirenian ecology. As primary consumers of seagrasses, these communities likely had a strong impact on past seagrass ecology and diversity, although the sparse fossil record of seagrasses limits direct comparisons. Nonetheless, our results provide robust support for previous suggestions that some sirenians in these extinct assemblages served as keystone species, controlling the dominance of climax seagrass species, permitting more taxonomically diverse seagrass beds (and sirenian communities) than many of those observed today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Velez-Juarbe
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology, Department of Anatomy, Howard University, Washington, D.C., United States of America.
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de OLIVEIRA LR, LOIZAGA DE CASTRO R, CÁRDENAS-ALAYZA S, BONATTO SL. Conservation genetics of South American aquatic mammals: an overview of gene diversity, population structure, phylogeography, non-invasive methods and forensics. Mamm Rev 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2011.00201.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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47
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Nourisson C, Morales-Vela B, Padilla-Saldívar J, Tucker KP, Clark A, Olivera-Gómez LD, Bonde R, McGuire P. Evidence of two genetic clusters of manatees with low genetic diversity in Mexico and implications for their conservation. Genetica 2011; 139:833-42. [PMID: 21681472 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-011-9583-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2011] [Accepted: 05/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) occupies the tropical coastal waters of the Greater Antilles and Caribbean, extending from Mexico along Central and South America to Brazil. Historically, manatees were abundant in Mexico, but hunting during the pre-Columbian period, the Spanish colonization and throughout the history of Mexico, has resulted in the significantly reduced population occupying Mexico today. The genetic structure, using microsatellites, shows the presence of two populations in Mexico: the Gulf of Mexico (GMx) and Chetumal Bay (ChB) on the Caribbean coast, with a zone of admixture in between. Both populations show low genetic diversity (GMx: N(A) = 2.69; H(E) = 0.41 and ChB: N(A) = 3.0; H(E) = 0.46). The lower genetic diversity found in the GMx, the largest manatee population in Mexico, is probably due to a combination of a founder effect, as this is the northern range of the sub-species of T. m. manatus, and a bottleneck event. The greater genetic diversity observed along the Caribbean coast, which also has the smallest estimated number of individuals, is possibly due to manatees that come from the GMx and Belize. There is evidence to support limited or unidirectional gene flow between these two important areas. The analyses presented here also suggest minimal evidence of a handful of individual migrants possibly between Florida and Mexico. To address management issues we suggest considering two distinct genetic populations in Mexico, one along the Caribbean coast and one in the riverine systems connected to the GMx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Nourisson
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Av. Centenario Km 5.5, 77000 Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
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Kuntner M, May-Collado LJ, Agnarsson I. Phylogeny and conservation priorities of afrotherian mammals (Afrotheria, Mammalia). ZOOL SCR 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-6409.2010.00452.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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49
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A statistical procedure to assess the significance level of barriers to gene flow. J Genet Genomics 2009; 36:685-93. [PMID: 19932465 DOI: 10.1016/s1673-8527(08)60161-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2009] [Revised: 06/15/2009] [Accepted: 09/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Although several methods are available to study the extent of isolation by distance (IBD) among natural populations, comparatively few exist to detect the presence of sharp genetic breaks in genetic distance datasets. In recent years, Monmonier's maximum-difference algorithm has been increasingly used by population geneticists. However, this method does not provide means to measure the statistical significance of such barriers, nor to determine their relative contribution to population differentiation with respect to IBD. Here, we propose an approach to assess the significance of genetic boundaries. The method is based on the calculation of a multiple regression from distance matrices, where binary matrices represent putative genetic barriers to test, in addition to geographic and genetic distances. Simulation results suggest that this method reliably detects the presence of genetic barriers, even in situations where IBD is also significant. We also illustrate the methodology by analyzing previously published datasets. Conclusions about the importance of genetic barriers can be misleading if one does not take into consideration their relative contribution to the overall genetic structure of species.
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50
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Additional records of metazoan parasites from Caribbean marine mammals, including genetically identified anisakid nematodes. Parasitol Res 2009; 105:1239-52. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1544-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2009] [Accepted: 06/18/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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