Influence of sex and home range on released Antillean manatees’ behavior in Brazil

Authors

  • Helena G. do Val Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Ilha de Itamaracá, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6919-3192
  • Fernanda L. N. Attademo Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Ilha de Itamaracá, Brazil
  • Iran C. Normande Reserva Extrativista Marinha da Lagoa do Jequiá , Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Jequiá da Praia, Alagoas, Brazil
  • João Carlos G. Borges Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
  • Alexandra F. Costa Área de Proteção Ambiental Costa dos Corais, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Porto de Pedras, Brazil
  • Ana Emília B. de Alencar Departamento de Geologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
  • Lucas Inácio dos S. Melo Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Ilha de Itamaracá, Brazil
  • Lauro H. de Paiva-Jr Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Ilha de Itamaracá, Brazil
  • Fábia de O. Luna Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Ilha de Itamaracá, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5597/lajam00325

Abstract

The Antillean manatee is a threatened aquatic mammal subspecies which inhabits the northern and northeastern Brazilian coasts and estuarine areas. In this study we analyzed behavior data from rehabilitated and released manatees, to evaluate if sex and home range affect behavior richness and activity budget. Behavioral data from 29 manatees (15 females and 14 males) of northeastern Brazil was analyzed from 2006 to 2018. The animals were monitored by trained staff, who followed the animals using satellite and VHF telemetry systems. Six behavior states and 17 behavior events were recorded. The data was analyzed using GLM, ANOVA, and regression statistical tests. Behavior richness varied from three to 14 and activity budget indicated that individuals spent more time engaged in behaviors such as moving slowly and feeding in the bottom of the water body, but neither behavior richness nor activity budget were affected by sex. Behavior richness related to home range varied from five to 14 behaviors. Behavior richness and the activity budget for two social behaviors events - touch and interaction with wild manatees - were positively influenced by home range size, highlighting the importance of the use of space on behavior expression in manatees.

Cover of Vol. 19 No. 1 depicting the face of a West Indian manatee taken underwater in the tannin-rich waters of the Tatumunha River, Alagoas, Bazil. Photo Credit: Enrico marcovalid/FMA Collection

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Published

2024-04-28

How to Cite

do Val, H. G., Attademo, F. L. N., Normande, I. C., Borges, J. C. G., Costa, A. F., Alencar, A. E. B. de, Melo, L. I. dos S., Paiva-Jr, L. H. de, & Luna, F. de O. (2024). Influence of sex and home range on released Antillean manatees’ behavior in Brazil. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals, 19(1), 7-14. https://doi.org/10.5597/lajam00325

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2024): Special Issue on the Biology and Conservation of Manatees

Section

Articles

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