Title

Digestive Efficiencies Of Ex Situ And In Situ West Indian Manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris)

Abstract

Digestive efficiencies (Dm) of ex situ and in situ manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) were, for the first time, assessed using manganese (Mn2) as a naturally occurring marker. The Dm of ex situ manatees determined using [Mn2+] did not differ significantly from the Dm assessed using lignin, supporting the efficacy of the manganese approach. Gastrointestinal tract samples, obtained from recently dead animals, showed [Mn2+] concentrations were lowest in the stomach and remained low in the duodenum and small intestine but increased in the cecum, colon, and rectum, consistent with colonic digestion and absorption. In situ manatees consuming marine vegetation had significantly lower Dm (mean ± SE, 46.9% ±1.8%; n = 8) than did in situ manatees consuming freshwater vegetation (77.8% ±2.6%; n = 7), which in turn had significantly lower values than did ex situ manatees consuming lettuce (84.0% ±0.7%; n = 37). In situ manatees eating seagrasses had significantly higher Dm than did long-term ex situ animals consuming seagrass for short periods of time (46.9% ±1.8% vs. 36.2% ±1.2%, respectively), suggesting potential modification of gut flora over time. One significant ramification of our results is that manatees consuming seagrasses would require a greater standing biomass to support their needs than would be required if they were eating freshwater vegetation. This reinforces the critical need to implement habitat conservation and protection before considering downlisting or delisting manatees as an endangered species. © 2013 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Publication Title

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology

Volume

87

Issue

1

Number of Pages

77-91

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1086/673545

Socpus ID

84893010679 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84893010679

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