Dugongs and manatees
Dugongs and manatees, said to be the basis for the mermaid myths, are enormous aquatic mammals that can weigh over a tonne. Over time, their bodies have evolved to become streamlined and they have lost their hind limbs as part of this process. They have unusually dense bones that probably help them stay submerged.
Family
Dugongidae
Dugong (species)Trichechidae
Amazonian manatee (species)
About
Sirenia (commonly referred to as sea cows) is an order of fully aquatic, herbivorous mammals that inhabit swamps, rivers, estuaries, marine wetlands, and coastal marine waters. Four species are living, in two families and genera. These are the dugong (1 species) and manatees (3 species). Sirenia also includes Steller's sea cow, extinct since the 18th century, and a number of taxa known only from fossils. The order evolved during the Eocene, more than 50 million years ago.
Sirenia, informally sirenians, are also referred to by the common name sirens, deriving from the sirens of Greek mythology.
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Scientific Classification
Order: Sirenia
Other Mammalia
- Anteaters and sloths (Pilosa)
- Bats (Chiroptera)
- Carnivora
- Dasyuromorphia (family: Dasyurid marsupials)
- Even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla)
- Hares, rabbits and pikas (Lagomorpha)
- Kangaroos, possums and allies (Diprotodontia)
- Monotremata (species: Platypus)
- Perissodactyla (family: Rhinoceroses)
- Primates
- Rodents (Rodentia)
- Whales, dolphins and porpoises (Cetacea)
Site links
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