dugong

Also known as Dugong dugon

The dugong (; Dugong dugon) is a marine mammal. It is one of four living species of the order Sirenia, which also includes three species of manatees. It is the only living representative of the once-diverse family Dugongidae; its closest modern relative, Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), was hunted to extinction in the 18th century.

AI overview

A dugong is a marine mammal related to manatees, and it's the last surviving member of a family that once included many more species, particularly after its closest relative, Steller's sea cow, was hunted to extinction in the 1700s. Because it represents a unique branch of an ancient group of sea mammals, the dugong is scientifically significant as a living link to evolutionary history.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Species

Genus

PhylumChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderSirenia
FamilyDugongidae

Habitatmarine

via

Wikidata facts

Mass: 200
Image: Dugong dugon.jpg

Show 9 more facts

taxon common name: ジュゴン
taxon name: Dugong dugon
Commons category: Dugong dugon
Commons gallery: Dugong dugon
exact match: wordnet-rdf.princeton.edu/wn30/02074367-n
litter size: 1
longest observed lifespan: 73
taxon author citation: (P.L.S. Müller, 1776)
short name: D. dugon

Sources (4)

via Wikidata · CC0

~45 min read

Article

20 sections

Contents

Evolution
Etymology and taxonomy
Anatomy and morphology
Distribution and habitat
Australia
Persian Gulf
East Africa and South Asia
Southeast Asia and the West Pacific
Northern Pacific
Extinct Mediterranean population
Ecology and life history
Feeding
Reproduction and parental care
Importance to humans
Conservation
Human activity
Environmental degradation
Capture and captivity
References
External links

The dugong is the only sirenian in its range, which spans the waters of some 40 countries and territories throughout the Indo-West Pacific. The dugong is largely dependent on seagrass communities for subsistence and is thus restricted to the coastal habitats that support seagrass meadows, with the largest dugong concentrations typically occurring in wide, shallow, protected areas, such as bays, mangrove channels, the waters of large inshore islands, and inter-reefal waters. The northern waters of Australia between Shark Bay and Moreton Bay are believed to be the dugong's contemporary stronghold.