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Castelblanco-Martínez DN, Slone DH, Landeo-Yauri SS, Ramos EA, Alvarez-Alemán A, Attademo FLN, Beck CA, Bonde RK, Butler SM, Cabrias-Contreras LJ, Caicedo-Herrera D, Galves J, Gómez-Camelo IV, González-Socoloske D, Jiménez-Domínguez D, Luna FO, Mona-Sanabria Y, Morales-Vela JB, Olivera-Gómez LD, Padilla-Saldívar JA, Powell J, Reid JP, Rieucau G, Mignucci-Giannoni AA. Analysis of body condition indices reveals different ecotypes of the Antillean manatee. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19451. [PMID: 34593916 PMCID: PMC8484672 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98890-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessing the body condition of wild animals is necessary to monitor the health of the population and is critical to defining a framework for conservation actions. Body condition indices (BCIs) are a non-invasive and relatively simple means to assess the health of individual animals, useful for addressing a wide variety of ecological, behavioral, and management questions. The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is an endangered subspecies of the West Indian manatee, facing a wide variety of threats from mostly human-related origins. Our objective was to define specific BCIs for the subspecies that, coupled with additional health, genetic and demographic information, can be valuable to guide management decisions. Biometric measurements of 380 wild Antillean manatees captured in seven different locations within their range of distribution were obtained. From this information, we developed three BCIs (BCI1 = UG/SL, BCI2 = W/SL3, BCI3 = W/(SL*UG2)). Linear models and two-way ANCOVA tests showed significant differences of the BCIs among sexes and locations. Although our three BCIs are suitable for Antillean manatees, BCI1 is more practical as it does not require information about weight, which can be a metric logistically difficult to collect under particular circumstances. BCI1 was significantly different among environments, revealing that the phenotypic plasticity of the subspecies have originated at least two ecotypes-coastal marine and riverine-of Antillean manatees.
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Affiliation(s)
- D N Castelblanco-Martínez
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Mexico city, Mexico. .,Universidad de Quintana Roo, Chetumal, Mexico. .,Fundación Internacional Para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad, Chetumal, Mexico.
| | - D H Slone
- U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, USA
| | - S S Landeo-Yauri
- Fundación Internacional Para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad, Chetumal, Mexico
| | - E A Ramos
- Fundación Internacional Para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad, Chetumal, Mexico
| | - A Alvarez-Alemán
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Clearwater, USA.,Centro de Investigaciones Marinas, Universidad de la Habana, Havana, Cuba
| | - F L N Attademo
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade/Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - C A Beck
- U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, USA.,Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Clearwater, USA
| | - R K Bonde
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Clearwater, USA
| | - S M Butler
- U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, USA
| | - L J Cabrias-Contreras
- Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
| | | | - J Galves
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Clearwater, USA
| | | | | | | | - F O Luna
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade/Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - J Powell
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Clearwater, USA
| | - J P Reid
- U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, USA
| | - G Rieucau
- Fundación Internacional Para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad, Chetumal, Mexico.,Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Chauvin, USA
| | - A A Mignucci-Giannoni
- Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon, Puerto Rico.,Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Bassetterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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Caballero S, Islas-Villanueva V, Tezanos-Pinto G, Duchene S, Delgado-Estrella A, Sanchez-Okrucky R, Mignucci-Giannoni AA. Phylogeography, genetic diversity and population structure of common bottlenose dolphins in the Wider Caribbean inferred from analyses of mitochondrial DNA control region sequences and microsatellite loci: conservation and management implications. Anim Conserv 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2011.00493.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - V. Islas-Villanueva
- Scottish Oceans Institute; Sea Mammal Research Unit; University of St. Andrews; St. Andrews; Fife; UK
| | - G. Tezanos-Pinto
- Ecology and Evolution Research Group; School of Biological Sciences; The University of Auckland; Auckland; New Zealand
| | - S. Duchene
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas; Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular de Vertebrados Acuáticos LEMVA; Universidad de los Andes; Bogotá; Colombia
| | | | | | - A. A. Mignucci-Giannoni
- Red Caribeña de Varamientos; Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico; Recinto de Bayamón; San Juan; Puerto Rico
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Mignucci-Giannoni AA, Montoya-Ospina RA, Jiménez-Marrero NM, Rodr&íguez-López MA, Williams EH, Bonde RK. Manatee Mortality in Puerto Rico. Environ Manage 2000; 25:189-198. [PMID: 10594192 DOI: 10.1007/s002679910015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
/ The most pressing problem in the effective management of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) in Puerto Rico is mortality due to human activities. We assessed 90 cases of manatee strandings in Puerto Rico based on historical data and a coordinated carcass salvage effort from 1990 through 1995. We determined patterns of mortality, including type of event, condition of carcasses, spatial and temporal distribution, gender, size/age class, and the cause of death. The spatial distribution of stranding events was not uniform, with the north, northeast, and south coasts having the highest numbers. Six clusters representing the highest incidence included the areas of Fajardo and Ceiba, Bahía de Jobos, Toa Baja, Guayanilla, Cabo Rojo, and Rio Grande to Luquillo. The number of reported cases has increased at an average rate of 9.6%/yr since 1990. The seasonality of stranding events showed a bimodal pattern, from February through April and in August and September. Most identified causes of death were due to human interaction, especially captures and watercraft collisions. Natural causes usually involved dependent calves. From 1990 through 1995, most deaths were attributed to watercraft collisions. A reduction in anthropogenic mortality of this endangered species can be accomplished only through education and a proactive management and conservation plan that includes law enforcement, mortality assessment, scientific research, rescue and rehabilitation, and inter- and intraagency cooperation.
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Affiliation(s)
- AA Mignucci-Giannoni
- Red Caribeña de Varamientos (Caribbean Stranding Network) and Departamento de Ciencias y Tecnología, Universidad Metropolitana, SUAGM, PO Box 361715, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-1715
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Mignucci-Giannoni AA, Williams EH, Toyos-González GM, Pérez-Padilla J, Rodríguez-López MA, Vega-Guerra MB, Ventura-González M. Helminths from a stranded manatee in the Dominican Republic. Vet Parasitol 1999; 81:69-71. [PMID: 9950330 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4017(98)00235-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Endangered West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) are known to be parasitized by a number of helminths and ectoparasites. Records of parasitic associations exist for Florida, Mexico, Guyana, Brazil, Cuba and recently for Puerto Rico. Parasites of manatees in other Caribbean areas have not been documented, particularly from Hispaniola. We report on the occurrence of a species of nematode and of two trematodes from a 238-cm male manatee from Portillo (19 degrees 20' N, 69 degrees 35' W), Las Terrenas, in the Dominican Republic. Three species of helminths were collected, including the opisthotrematid Cochleotrema cochleotrema, the ascarid Heterocheilus tunicatus, and the paramphistomid trematode Chiorchis fabaceus. The documentation of these helminths constitutes the first record of these parasites and host relationships for Hispaniola and the second for the northeastern Caribbean.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Mignucci-Giannoni
- Red Caribeña de Varamientos, Caribbean Stranding Network, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00936-1715, USA
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Mignucci-Giannoni AA, Hoberg EP, Siegel-Causey D, Williams EH. Metazoan parasites and other symbionts of cetaceans in the Caribbean. J Parasitol 1998; 84:939-46. [PMID: 9794635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The parasite fauna in cetaceans from Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the larger Caribbean region is poorly known. We provide the first records for parasite biodiversity among a diverse assemblage of cetaceans from the Caribbean Sea. Internal and external parasites and commensals were collected from stranded whales and dolphins salvaged in Puerto Rico, the United States and British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and Venezuela between 1989 and 1997. A total of 47 individuals of 16 species of whales and dolphins (15 odontocetes and 1 mysticete) was examined. Overall, parasites and commensals were found in 34 (72.3%) animals, representing 13 species of odontocetes and 1 mysticete. Eighteen species of endoparasitic helminths were found, including 8 species of nematodes, 2 digeneans, 6 cestodes, and 2 acanthocephalans. Three species of whale-lice and 2 species of barnacles were also collected.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Mignucci-Giannoni
- Caribbean Stranding Network and Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00937, USA
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