Antillean Manatee Study

 

Body Condition Analysis of the Antillean Manatee

The Antillean Manatee is an endangered species to other species of manatee. In this article there are many key movements to tracing this species of wildlife from eating habits, reproductive manners and overall health of the animal. The best and most efficient way these environmental biologists found a way to keep track of these thriving sub-species is by collecting data through BCI’s. Body Condition Indices help to watch certain animals by collecting data non-invasively and easy to not harm animals any further but to also obtain information we need to aid certain species in thriving in our environments for the years to come.

The Antillean Manatee is a sub-species to the Florida Manatee and has been endangered for the past 31 years. The species seem to reach a great decline the past decade due to human population increase as well as habitat structures becoming invading by weather conditions or other animals. Manatees are herbivores making it hard for them to fend for themselves with little ambition to attack on other species of animals who seek them. With BCI’s biologists can monitor manatees in captivity as well as in the natural wildlife in Florida. By doing this, the studies consisted of the study focusing on sex and habitat to make healthy comparisons.

During the studies of these manatees a great amount of data was collected from body conditions measuring the snout to end of tail. This determined the average growth rate of manatees in certain living conditions and regions. During this specific study the animal had to be relaxed and not in motion. The body circumference was also measure from the umbilical mark and all the way around to get the girth size of the full body. The data was labeled (SL) and (UG)- SL: Straight length and UG: Umbilical Girth. The study was also done to possible expecting females realizing their girth would be greater than non-expecting and male manatees and categorized in their own sub-study. The outcome was labeled into 5 detailed groups from C1 being thin C2 Ideal C3 over weight C4 obese to C5 being the supplementary groups. These field groups helped to determine the BCI of the manatees in certain regions that the study took place. These few formulas helped the biologists keep consistent studies:

BCI1=UGSLb1BCI1=UGSLb1 – BCI equals the umbilical girth divided by the straight length getting your average number

BCI2=WSLb2BCI2=WSLb2- BCI equals the weight divided by the straight length getting your average number

 

BCI3=WSL×UGb3BCI3=WSL/SLxUGb3- Lastly, BCI equals the weight divided by the straight length multiplied by the umbilical girth to get an average number.

 

The study was done on 416 manatees from 7 different regions between male and female with healthy appearance. Most of the hours of research was thrown out due to insignificant body conditions of the animals that could not support the data biologists needed. Including very sick and thin, or pregnant females in the third trimester of pregnancy. Thus, data collected from 362 manatees (182 females and 184 males) was able to be kept in this project and obtained from. The data from the remaining 52 animals would not be accurate because the tests need to be done on manatees with similar health conditions to one another to collect geographic answers. With this information they can gather the living conditions and longevity of females to males, regional habit and specific species that will be thriving in the future years to come. The outcomes from the data collected are:

C1: 7% smaller female

C1: 15% smaller males

 

C2: 12% small female

C2: 15% smaller males

 

C3: 6% smaller females

C3: 6% smaller males

 

The biologists gathered that the male to female ratio was not significant to one another being larger or smaller and the data recorded showed that the two sexes are very close in BCI per the region collected. Meaning chance of survival was rating the same between male and female.

 

          Keeping these animals protected and studied for longevity purposes play a huge part on the way our ecosystem remains and functions. These animals have been going extinct for 30 years as we continue to see a rapid decline. These studies are an important part of keeping these animals happy and thriving in our surrounding waters.