Dear Marmam and Sirenian list subscribers,
Apologies for cross-posting. We are pleased to report that the following paper
has just been published:
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Castelblanco-Martínez, D. N., A. L. Bermudez-Romero, I. Gómez-Camelo, F. C. W.
Rosas, F. Trujillo, & E. Zerda-Ordoñez. 2009. Seasonality of habitat use,
mortality and reproduction of the Vulnerable Antillean manatee Trichechus
manatus manatus in the Orinoco River, Colombia: implications for conservation.
Oryx 43 (2) :235–242.
Abstract
The Vulnerable Antillean manatee Trichechus manatus manatus (Mammalia, Sirenia)
is threatened by hunting, entanglement in fishing nets and habitat degradation
but most knowledge of the species comes from coastal and estuarine populations.
We therefore studied an Antillean manatee population located 1,100 km from the
Caribbean coast, in the Orinoco River of Colombia, during 2001–2005. To verify
the occurrence of the manatee and to investigate its habitat use throughout the
annual hydrological cycle, we carried out surveys for manatees and manatee
feeding signs over c. 40 km of the Orinoco River, between El Burro and Bachaco.
We made 870 sightings in 1,003 hours of observation, and found 69 feeding areas
in 776 hours of surveys. From 82 interviews in a total of 28 locations in
Venezuela and Colombia we compiled 90 reports of manatees injured or killed in
the Orinoco during 1980–2004. Both habitat use by the manatee and anthropogenic
impacts on the
species vary with the annual hydrological cycle. Reproduction appears to occur
during the low water period in restricted areas that retain deep water.Improved
knowledge of the dynamics of manatee migration and regulation of human
activities, especially those related to use of nets and boat traffic, are
required for conservation of the Antillean manatee in this freshwater habitat.
Keywords: Colombia, habitat use, manatee, mortality, Orinoco River, Trichechus
manatus manatus.
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More information upon request from me ([email protected],
[email protected])
Cheers!
--
Nataly Castelblanco-Martínez, Ph.D. Candidate
Doctorado en Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable
El Colegio de la Frontera Sur - ECOSUR
Av. Centenario Km 5.5 C.P. 7790
Chetumal, Quintana Roo. Mexico
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