Dear colleagues,

A new paper was recently published in the Latin American Journal of Aquatic 
Mammals:


SERRANO, A., GARCÍA-JIMÉNEZ, A. AND GONZÁLEZ-GÁNDARA. 2007. HAS THE MANATEE 
(TRICHECHUS MANATUS) DISAPPEARED FROM THE NORTHERN COAST OF THE STATE OF 
VERACRUZ, MEXICO? LAJAM 6(1): 109-112.

ABSTRACT: Knowledge about the distribution and abundance of the manatee 
(Trichechus manatus) along the coast of the Mexican state of Veracruz is 
scarce. Since few studies have been undertaken in this area, boat-based surveys 
and interviews with local fishermen were carried out to determine if there are 
remaining herds of manatees in the vicinity of the coastal towns of  Tamiahua, 
Tuxpan, Tecolutla, and Casitas-Nautla. All of the fishermen interviewed noted 
that they used to see large herds of manatees in the area. Seventy-four percent 
(371 fishermen) of the survey respondents had not seen a manatee over the last 
10 years, and 26% (131 fishermen) responded that the last time they saw large 
or small groups of manatees was in 1986 and 1995, respectively. However, since 
1996, none of the fishermen had observed any manatees in the area. Similarly, 
no manatees were observed during the boat-based surveys (effort of 
approximately 1200km). It is almost certain that anthropogenic influences have 
altered manatee habitat significantly and thus affected the numbers of animals 
using the area. Also, fishermen speculated that natural phenomena such as 
cyclones, flooding, and storms caused manatees to move away from the area. More 
surveys along the coast of Veracruz are needed to determine if manatees still 
occur in this Mexican state. Also, it is urgent to implement conservation 
measures in the northern range of the manatee in Mexico to ensure the survival 
of this species along its original distribution.

KEYWORDS: manatee, Trichechus manatus, population status, conservation, Gulf of 
Mexico

Please send PDF requests to:
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[EMAIL PROTECTED]

______________________________
Dr. Arturo Serrano
Laboratorio de Mamíferos Marinos
Universidad Veracruzana
km 7.5 Carretera Tuxpan-Tampico
C.P. 92850
Tuxpan, Veracruz
MEXICO
Cel.: (783) 112 0346
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