The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) along the Caribbean coast of Colombia: underused incidental records help identify present and past coastal‐lowland hotspots

Abstract

The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus; hereafter "manatee") ranges from Mexico and the Bahamas south to Brazil and is listed as Endangered by the IUCN (Self-Sullivan & Mignucci-Giannoni, 2008). Castelblanco-Martínez et al. (2012) compiled expert estimates to suggest a total meta-population size of 6,700 animals for the Western Atlantic region. Apart from the manatees in the Colombian Orinoco and Amazon drainage basins, only about 400 manatees are believed to persist in the subpopulations inhabiting the Colombian-Caribbean drainage basin (Castelblanco-Martínez et al., 2012) and occur principally in the river systems of the Magdalena, Sinú, and Atrato rivers. Manatees fulfil a unique niche in this freshwater ecosystem due to their extensive consumption of aquatic plants. The species may be especially important in recycling scarce nutrients and maintaining waterway quality for navigation, flood control, mosquito control, and fish habitat (

Proximity to freshwater and seagrass availability mediate the impacts of climate change on the distribution of the West Indian manatee

“…Another pressing issue is the loss of manatee habitat suitability in Belize, which disrupts migratory links between Mexico and Central American manatee populations (Nourisson et al, 2011;Castelblanco-Martínez et al, 2012). To ensure genetic connectivity among declining manatee populations, it is crucial to prioritise the establishment of safe passages between river systems through the sea (Satizábal et al, 2012;Debrot et al, 2023). Belize is particularly important for doing this, as it is a stronghold for manatees in the Caribbean (O'Shea & Salisbury, 1991;Morales-Vela et al, 2000).…”

Stranding reports of the Antillean manatee in the middle Magdalena Basin, Colombia 2011 to 2023

“…This approach, in addition to supporting the capacity building of communities, institutions, and organizations for improving response knowledge, conservation, and manatee recovery, is of paramount importance for the long-term sustainability of manatee populations in the region. extends from Puerto Berrío (Antioquia) to its mouth at Bocas de Ceniza and the Canal del Dique (Montoya et al, 2001;Debrot et al, 2023). This species is classified as Endangered both at the global and national levels (Self-Sullivan & Mignucci-Giannoni, 2008; MADS, 2024).…”