Sirenia: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

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).

• 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