Dugongs: Marine Chordates of the Ocean
MARINE CHORDATES: DUGONG
By Ankit Ghosh
Marine chordates
encompass a diverse group
of animals that inhabit the
world’s oceans. These
creatures include familiar
vertebrates like fish, sharks,
and marine mammals. Their
varied adaptations reflect
the challenges of marine
environments, showcasing a
fascinating array of forms
and behaviors essential to
their survival in the vast and
dynamic world beneath the
waves.
Some well known
marine chordates
DUGONGS
Systematic position
(Acc.
To J.Z. Young, 1981)
•
Kingdom: Animalia
•
Phylum: Chordata
•
Subphylum: Vertebrata
•
Class: Mammalia
•
Order: Sirenia
•
Family: Dugongidae
•
Genus: Dugong
•
Species: Dugon
Dugongs (
Dugong dugon
), also known
as
sea cows
, have a broad but
fragmented range, encompassing
tropical waters from East Africa to
Vanuatu, about 26 degrees both north
and south of the equator.
•
Scientific name:
Dugong dugon
•
Common name:
Sea cows
General behaviour
of Dugongs
Social behaviour
•
They are social
animals, often
found in small
groups.
•
They can also be
solitary
sometimes.
•
Larger gatherings
can occur in areas
with abundant
food.
Communication
•
Dugongs constantly
communicate with
each other through
a series of echoing
chirps, whistles and
barks.
Underwater
behaviours
•
Exhibit slow and
graceful swimming.
•
They can stay
underwater for 6
minutes straight before
surfacing.
•
Sometimes they
breathe by ‘standing’
on their tail with their
head above water.
Migration
•
Dugongs are not
considered
migratory but
are known to
travel great
distances within
their range in
order to find
food.
Feeding behaviour
of Dugongs
Herbivorous Diet:
Dugongs primarily feed
on seagrasses,
consuming large
quantities daily. Their
diet consists mainly of
seagrass species, and
they use their strong,
muscular lips to uproot
seagrass from the ocean
floor.
Slow Grazing:
Dugongs are slow and
deliberate grazers, moving
along the ocean floor
while feeding. They use
their sensitive upper lip to
detect and grasp seagrass,
and their feeding behavior
often leaves distinct
feeding trails on the
seabed.
Efficient Digestive
System:
Dugongs have a large,
multi-chambered
stomach and a hindgut
fermentation system,
allowing them to
efficiently break down
the tough cellulose in
seagrasses.
Seasonal Migration
for Feeding:
Dugongs may undertake
seasonal migrations to
follow the availability of
seagrass. Their feeding
habits are closely tied to
the distribution of
seagrass beds, and these
migrations ensure a
sustainable supply of their
primary food source.
Breeding habits
of Dugongs
Breeding Season:
Dugongs typically have a
specific breeding season,
which varies by location.
In some areas, it may
coincide with seasonal
changes or the
availability of seagrass, a
primary component of
their diet. During this
time, male dugongs
actively seek out females
for mating.
Mating Behavior:
Dugongs, marine
mammals closely
related to manatees,
engage in courtship
rituals during the
breeding season. These
rituals often involve
complex vocalizations,
body movements, and
physical contact
between male and
female dugongs.
Gestation Period:
After successful mating,
female dugongs have a
gestation period of
around 13 to 15 months,
making it one of the
longest gestation periods
among marine mammals.
This extended period
allows for the
development of a single
calf.
Mother-Calf Bond:
Dugong calves are born
underwater and are
relatively independent,
able to swim and surface
for air shortly after birth.
However, they maintain
a close bond with their
mothers, relying on
them for nourishment
and protection.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the accomplishment of completion of my project on the dugongs, I would like
to convey my special gratitude to the respected professors of Department of
Zoology, Bangabasi Morning College. Their valuable guidance and suggestions
helped me in various phases of the completion of this project. I will always be
thankful to them in this regard.
Informations compiled and presented by,
Ankit Ghosh
B.Sc(H)(Sem III), Dept of Zoology
Bangabasi Morning College
C.U. roll no: 223144-21-0010
C.U. Regn. No: 144-1111-0277-22
THANK YOU!
Dugongs, known as sea cows, are fascinating marine chordates with a broad but fragmented range in tropical waters. They exhibit social behaviors, communicate through echoing sounds, and are herbivorous grazers feeding on seagrasses. Breeding season rituals involve courtship behaviors like vocalizations and physical contact. Their feeding habits are sustainable, tied to the availability of seagrass beds. Dugongs possess unique adaptations for survival in marine environments.
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Presentation Transcript
MARINE CHORDATES: DUGONG Marine chordates encompass a diverse group of animals that inhabit the world s oceans. These creatures include familiar vertebrates like fish, sharks, and marine mammals. Their varied adaptations reflect the challenges of marine environments, showcasing a fascinating array of forms and behaviors essential to their survival in the vast and dynamic world beneath the waves. By Ankit Ghosh Some well known marine chordates
DUGONGS Scientific name: Dugong dugon Common name: Sea cows Systematic position (Acc. To J.Z. Young, 1981) Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Mammalia Order: Sirenia Family: Dugongidae Genus: Dugong Species: Dugon Dugongs (Dugong dugon), also known as sea cows, have a broad but fragmented range, encompassing tropical waters from East Africa to Vanuatu, about 26 degrees both north and south of the equator.
General behaviour of Dugongs Social behaviour They are social animals, often found in small groups. They can also be solitary sometimes. Larger gatherings can occur in areas with abundant food. Communication Dugongs constantly communicate with each other through a series of echoing chirps, whistles and barks. Underwater behaviours Exhibit slow and graceful swimming. They can stay underwater for 6 minutes straight before surfacing. Sometimes they breathe by standing on their tail with their head above water. Migration Dugongs are not considered migratory but are known to travel great distances within their range in order to find food.
Feeding behaviour of Dugongs Herbivorous Diet: Dugongs primarily feed on seagrasses, consuming large quantities daily. Their diet consists mainly of seagrass species, and they use their strong, muscular lips to uproot seagrass from the ocean floor. Slow Grazing: Dugongs are slow and deliberate grazers, moving along the ocean floor while feeding. They use their sensitive upper lip to detect and grasp seagrass, and their feeding behavior often leaves distinct feeding trails on the seabed. Efficient Digestive System: Dugongs have a large, multi-chambered stomach and a hindgut fermentation system, allowing them to efficiently break down the tough cellulose in seagrasses. Seasonal Migration for Feeding: Dugongs may undertake seasonal migrations to follow the availability of seagrass. Their feeding habits are closely tied to the distribution of seagrass beds, and these migrations ensure a sustainable supply of their primary food source.
Breeding habits of Dugongs Breeding Season: Dugongs typically have a specific breeding season, which varies by location. In some areas, it may coincide with seasonal changes or the availability of seagrass, a primary component of their diet. During this time, male dugongs actively seek out females for mating. Mating Behavior: Dugongs, marine mammals closely related to manatees, engage in courtship rituals during the breeding season. These rituals often involve complex vocalizations, body movements, and physical contact between male and female dugongs. Gestation Period: After successful mating, female dugongs have a gestation period of around 13 to 15 months, making it one of the longest gestation periods among marine mammals. This extended period allows for the development of a single calf. Mother-Calf Bond: Dugong calves are born underwater and are relatively independent, able to swim and surface for air shortly after birth. However, they maintain a close bond with their mothers, relying on them for nourishment and protection.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In the accomplishment of completion of my project on the dugongs, I would like to convey my special gratitude to the respected professors of Department of Zoology, Bangabasi Morning College. Their valuable guidance and suggestions helped me in various phases of the completion of this project. I will always be thankful to them in this regard. Informations compiled and presented by, Ankit Ghosh B.Sc(H)(Sem III), Dept of Zoology Bangabasi Morning College C.U. roll no: 223144-21-0010 C.U. Regn. No: 144-1111-0277-22
