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- The dugong is the only sirenian in its range, which spans the waters of some 40 countries and territories throughout the Indo-West Pacific. These animals are called 'sirenians' since their mammary glands and nursing habits are similar to those of humans'. Hence, sailors often call dugongs mermaids or sirens.
Like all modern sirenians, the dugong has a fusiform body with no dorsal fin or hind limbs. The forelimbs or flippers are paddle-like. The dugong is easily distinguishable from the manatees by its fluked, dolphin-like tail; moreover, it possesses a unique skull and teeth.
May 28, 2020 · Manatees and dugongs make up the order Sirenia, named for the sirens of Greek mythology–beautiful women whose songs lured sailors to their deaths. In fact, it’s likely that dugongs and manatees inspired the legends of mermaids.
The extant Sirenia comprise two distinct families: Dugongidae (the dugong and the now extinct Steller's sea cow) and Trichechidae (manatees, namely the Amazonian manatee, West Indian manatee, and West African manatee) with a total of four species. [2]
Dugongs are strictly marine and possess a dolphin-like fluke rather than paddle-like tails of manatees. Adult males have substantial tusks, which are not present in other sirenian species. Like other sirenians, dugongs have a robust fusiform body with no dorsal fin and possess paddle-like forelimbs.
Why is that mysterious mythological creature, the “mermaid,” connected with the manatees and dugongs called sirenians? Fantastic siren reconstruction by Spanish artist Joan Fontcuberta. Musée Gassendi , Digne, France
Sirenians: dugongs (Dugong dugon) and manatees (Trichechus manatus) are the only species of herbivorous marine mammals. Classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, their survival depends on the integrity of the coastal seagrasslands, where they feed.
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Sirenian, (order Sirenia), any of four large aquatic mammalian species now living primarily in tropical waters where food plants grow. The three species of manatee (genus Trichechus) occupy warm latitudes of the coastal Atlantic and associated rivers, and the dugong (Dugong dugon) inhabits the
