Sirenia - Definition and Overview

For information about the Gothic Metal band, see Sirenia (band)

Sirenia are herbivorous mammals of coastal waters. They have evolved aquatic adaptations: they have arms, which are modified into paddles, but no legs, are fat, and have highly modified skulls with greatly reduced dentition. Their nipples are under their arms (see the picture of a pair of manatees).

The Trichechidae differ from the Dugongidae in the shape of the skull and the shape of the tail.

• ORDER SIRENIA
  • Family Dugongidae
    • Dugong, Dugong dugon
    • Steller's Sea Cow, Hydrodamalis gigas (extinct)
  • Family Trichechidae
    • West Indian Manatee, Trichechus manatus
    • West African Manatee, Trichechus senegalensis
    • Amazonian Manatee, Trichechus inunguis

The earliest known Sirenian is Pezosiren portelli (http://home.t-online.de/home/rothauscher/dugong/4legs.htm).