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<p>Understanding a species’ diet helps assess responses to environmental changes and informs conservation efforts. The Greater Caribbean manatee (<i>Trichechus manatus manatus</i>), classified as Endangered, has an important yet understudied population in Colombia. Information on its feeding ecology is scarce, particularly in riverine habitats of the Magdalena River Basin. We conducted the first fecal-based dietary assessment for this region, analyzing 86 samples collected during wet and dry seasons in <i>Ciénaga</i> La San Juana and the San Juan River (Middle Magdalena). Microhistological analysis identified 12 aquatic and semi-aquatic plant species, with <i>Hymenachne amplexicaulis</i>, <i>Salvinia</i> spp., <i>Paspalum repens</i>, and <i>Mimosa pigra</i> being the most frequent. Diversity indices indicated high evenness and richness, suggesting a broad and balanced plant-based diet. These results provide a baseline for understanding manatee feeding habits in the Magdalena River Basin and underscore the importance of conserving diverse aquatic vegetation and maintaining habitat connectivity.</p>

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First look at the Greater Caribbean Manatee’s diet in the Magdalena River Basin, Colombia, through fecal analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月23日

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  • Gloria Katerin Arévalo-González,
  • Natalia Jiménez-Pino,
  • Angela Alviz,
  • Orlando Héctor Lancheros-Redondo,
  • Delma Nataly Castelblanco-Martínez

摘要

Understanding a species’ diet helps assess responses to environmental changes and informs conservation efforts. The Greater Caribbean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus), classified as Endangered, has an important yet understudied population in Colombia. Information on its feeding ecology is scarce, particularly in riverine habitats of the Magdalena River Basin. We conducted the first fecal-based dietary assessment for this region, analyzing 86 samples collected during wet and dry seasons in Ciénaga La San Juana and the San Juan River (Middle Magdalena). Microhistological analysis identified 12 aquatic and semi-aquatic plant species, with Hymenachne amplexicaulis, Salvinia spp., Paspalum repens, and Mimosa pigra being the most frequent. Diversity indices indicated high evenness and richness, suggesting a broad and balanced plant-based diet. These results provide a baseline for understanding manatee feeding habits in the Magdalena River Basin and underscore the importance of conserving diverse aquatic vegetation and maintaining habitat connectivity.