Poster Title
P-29 Are Florida Manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) Wearing Their Teeth Beyond Functionality? Interspecific and Intraspecific Mesowear in Manatees
Abstract
Florida manatees experience greater levels of mesowear and have fewer functional teeth than other manatee populations. Decreased functionality may mean they spend more time feeding and less time in other behaviors, decreasing their fitness. Skulls were analyzed to determine if there is variation in mesowear between manatee taxa. Average number of teeth, number of functional teeth, and mesowear were statistically analyzed in order to see if they vary between taxa. If they have significantly more worn teeth, Florida may not only be a marginal habitat due to the cooler winter waters, but also because of the greater dental burden.
Start Date
2-28-2020 2:30 PM
P-29 Are Florida Manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) Wearing Their Teeth Beyond Functionality? Interspecific and Intraspecific Mesowear in Manatees
Florida manatees experience greater levels of mesowear and have fewer functional teeth than other manatee populations. Decreased functionality may mean they spend more time feeding and less time in other behaviors, decreasing their fitness. Skulls were analyzed to determine if there is variation in mesowear between manatee taxa. Average number of teeth, number of functional teeth, and mesowear were statistically analyzed in order to see if they vary between taxa. If they have significantly more worn teeth, Florida may not only be a marginal habitat due to the cooler winter waters, but also because of the greater dental burden.
Acknowledgments
J.N. Andrews Honors Scholar and Undergraduate Research Scholar
Mentor: Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske, Biology