High impact information on Trichechus

• Phylogenetic analyses with the mtDNA cytochrome b gene suggest a clade of the marine Trichechus species, with T. inunguis as the most basal trichechid [1].
• Paraphyly of T. manatus and recent divergence times of T. inunguis and the three main T. manatus lineages suggest a possible need for a taxonomic re-evaluation of the western Atlantic Trichechus [2].
• In spite of lower metabolic rates, thyroid hormone concentrations in captive manatees were comparable with those for other terrestrial and marine mammals, suggesting that the low metabolic rate in manatees is not attributable to reduced circulating thyroid hormone concentrations [3].
• We compared rates of feeding on human hosts for blood-engorged female Anopheles quadrimaculatus species A, B and C1 collected from daytime resting sites in Manatee Springs State Park, Levy County, Florida during 1992-1993 [4].
• Characterization of surface interleukin-2 receptor expression on gated populations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from manatees, Trichechus manatus latirostris [5].

Biological context of Trichechus

• Milk samples from four individual bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and two Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) of known lactation stages were analyzed for protein, carbohydrate and lipid composition, as well as for activity levels of alpha-lactalbumin, the regulatory protein of lactose synthase [6].
• Nucleotide sequence analysis of phocine (seal) IL-2 with canine, feline, human, trichechine (manatee), bovine and murine sequences demonstrated 93, 92, 86, 82, 78 and 71% identity, respectively [7].

Anatomical context of Trichechus

• The general microscopic structure of the manatee duodenum is not unusual, but the duodenal glands secrete an acid mucin (sialomucin) [8].

Associations of Trichechus with chemical compounds

• However, thyroid hormone concentrations have yet to be examined in manatees [3].
• In manatees the changes in alveolar O2 and CO2 pressure (PAO2 and PACO2) in relation to dive time are slower and more variable than in other marine mammals [9].
• A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of naled on honey bees as a result of their exposure to aerial ULV applications of this insecticide during three routine mosquito spray missions by Manatee County Mosquito Control District in Florida during the summer of 1999 [10].
• Vasopressin levels appear to be osmotically mediated in manatees as in other mammals [11].
• Wild brackish water animals exhibited the highest vasopressin concentrations, while wild freshwater manatees had the highest aldosterone levels [11].

Gene context of Trichechus

• Primary manatee kidney (MK) cells were subcultured for characterization [12].
• The proteolytic specificities of chymopapain and papaya proteinase omega were investigated by using the alpha-chains of manatee and mole haemoglobin, whose primary structures are known, as substrates [13].
• Currently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is responsible for manatee management, does not have mechanisms in place to manage the tourism component of the manatee encounter [14].

References