Structure, function, and adaptation of the manatee ear

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TitleStructure, function, and adaptation of the manatee ear
Publication TypeBook Chapter
Year of Publication1993
AuthorsKetten, D. R., D. K. Odell, and D. P. Domning
EditorsThomas, J. A., R. A. Kastelein, and A. Y. Supin
Book TitleMarine Mammal Sensory Systems
Pagination77-95
PublisherPlenum Press
CityNew York
Call NumberDRK6801
Keywordsanatomy, auditory system, cochlea, computerized tomography, ct scan, evolution, florida manatee, inner ear, manatees, marine mammals, middle ear, morphology, sirenia, temporal bone, trichechus manatus, trichechus manatus latirostris, west indian manatee
Abstract

The West Indian manatee, (Trichechus manatus), is common throughout the Caribbean yet little is known about its sensory abilities. Hearing in particular is of interest since large numbers of one subspecies, the Florida manatee (T.manatus latirostris), die annually from collisions with boats in shallow coastal waters and canals. There is no published audiogram for (Trichechus manatus) and the auditory system has not been fully described. Earlier studies of manatee hearing were based on isolated, dehydrated tympano-periotic bones (Robineau, 1969; Fleischer, 1978). This paper describes all major hard and soft tissues of the peripheral auditory system of (T. manatus), presents new information on specialized cranial features that may be important for sound conduction, and provides morphometry based estimates of the frequency range and sensitivity of West Indian manatee ears.