ResumoOs peixes-boi marinhos são considerados herbívoros oportunistas, consumindo uma grande variedade de itens alimentares. Objetivou-se com este trabalho identificar os itens alimentares constituintes da dieta dos peixes-boi marinhos em vida livre, na região Nordeste do Brasil. Para tanto foram coletadas amostras de conteúdo estomacal, provenientes de seis carcaças de peixes-boi marinhos, além de amostras fecais de 11 animais nativos e cinco espécimes reintroduzidos. O material foi identificado ao nível de gênero e/ou espécie, através de aspectos morfo-anatômicos, sendo identificadas 21 espécies entre macroalgas, fanerógamas e cnidários. Através destas análises, foi possível observar que os peixes-boi marinhos alimentaram-se de uma grande diversidade de plantas aquáticas, com predominância das algas vermelhas.Unitermos: mamíferos aquáticos, sirênios, macroalgas, fanerógamas, alimentação
AbstractIdentification of alimentary components of Antillean manatee diet in the Northeast of Brazil. The manatees are considered to be opportunist herbivors, consuming a great amount of alimentary items. The aim of the present study was to identify the alimentary components of the diet of Antillean manatees in free life in the northeastern region of Brazil. Samples of stomach contents from six Antillean manatee carcasses were collected, in addition to fecal samples from 11 native manatees and five that had been released. The material was identified at the genus and/or species level, based on its morpho-anatomic aspects, and 21 species of seaweeds, phanerogams and cnidarians were presented. Through these analyses it was possible to observe that Antillean manatees fed on a great variety of aquatic plants, with the predominance of red seaweeds.
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