Sightings data for a note on the "First Documentation of Long-Distance Travel by a Florida Manatee to the Mexican Caribbean"
Dates
Publication Date
2021-08-25
Start Date
1998
End Date
2021
Citation
Castelblanco-Martínez, N., Álvarez-Alemán, A., Torres, R., Teague, A., Barton, S., Rood, K.A., Ramos, E.A., and Mignucci-Giannoni, A.A., 2021, Sightings data for a note on the "First Documentation of Long-Distance Travel by a Florida Manatee to the Mexican Caribbean": U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9J34MCR.
Summary
West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) are separated into two allopatric subspecies: the Florida manatee (T. m. latirostris) and the Antillean manatee (T. m. manatus). In the winter of 2020-2021, an adult manatee was sighted off the coast of Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, in areas where Antillean manatees are not typically seen. The individual had distinct watercraft scars on its body, which were matched using photo-identification to a known male Florida manatee (PE424) that had been repeatedly photographed in Florida since 1998. The data presented are the verified photo-documented sightings history of PE424 from Florida and Mexico.
Summary
West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) are separated into two allopatric subspecies: the Florida manatee (T. m. latirostris) and the Antillean manatee (T. m. manatus). In the winter of 2020-2021, an adult manatee was sighted off the coast of Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, in areas where Antillean manatees are not typically seen. The individual had distinct watercraft scars on its body, which were matched using photo-identification to a known male Florida manatee (PE424) that had been repeatedly photographed in Florida since 1998. The data presented are the verified photo-documented sightings history of PE424 from Florida and Mexico.
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Related External Resources
Type: Related Primary Publication
Castelblanco-Martínez, D.N., Alvarez-Alemán, A., Torres, R., Teague, A.L., Barton, S.L., Rood, K.A., Ramos, E.A., and Mignucci-Giannoni, A.A., 2021, First documentation of long-distance travel by a Florida manatee to the Mexican Caribbean: Ethology Ecology & Evolution, p. 1–12, https://doi.org/10.1080/03949370.2021.1967457.
Individual Florida manatees (T. m. latirostris) are often recognizable by unique features, consisting almost exclusively of scars and mutilations from boat propeller strikes and entanglement injuries. Unique features allow for the photographic capture and re-identification of individuals over time. The Florida, United States sightings of PE424 were collected as part of the Manatee Individual Photo-identification System (MIPS) program. MIPS is a collaborative effort between U.S. Geological Survey, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Mote Marine Laboratory. Photographs of uniquely featured Florida manatees, and associated sightings, are collected on an annual basis and allow for the documentation of site fidelity and the estimation of survival, reproduction, and movement. The Mexico sightings of PE424 were collected as part of The Quintana Roo Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
