Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Sirenia [E-Book]

What can we infer about the behavior of extinct sirenians -- Sensory and morphological adaptation for an aquatic lifestyle -- Diving and foraging behaviors. Lucy Keith-Diagne, African Aquatic Conservation Fund -- Movement behaviors. Chip Deutsch, Associate Research Scientist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission -- Historical and current interactions with humans from the perspective of sirenian ethology and behavioral ecology -- Likely impacts of climate change on sirenian behavior -- Implications of sirenian behavior for conservation and management.

Despite their rich fossil history, there are only four surviving species of sirenians or sea cows, the only fully aquatic herbivorous mammals. The three species of manatees and the dugong live in the coastal waters rivers and lakes of more than 80 tropical and subtropical countries and are all on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This book examines sirenian conservation biology through the lens of their behavioral ecology and ethology. Sirenian feeding, diving, movement, social and reproductive behaviors are reviewed by an international team of scientists from eight countries, with an emphasis on data gathered in the past 15 years. .