Cognition of the manatee: past research and future developments

Hénaut, Yann; Charles, Aviva; Delfour, Fabienne

doi:10.1007/s10071-022-01676-8

Cited by 6 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Local enhancement processes could have driven individuals’ curiosity toward this specific area, even in the absence of the object. Another explanation could be that manatees have learned the location of the object, which implies the use of spatial memory, previously suggested to be involved in their movements and social interactions (Henaut et al, 2022). The tactile exploration of stimuli (food items, conspecifics, objects) in their environment might help wild manatees to navigate into their habitats by learning the spatial location of these different stimuli.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ), social factors may act as facilitator or inhibitor in a cognitive task, thus influencing learning strategies (Delfour & Marten, 2005). Social learning (i.e., learning through observation or interaction with other individuals) is described in a wide range of species and was mentioned also in manatees (Arévalo-Sandi & Castelblanco-Martínez, 2016; Henaut et al, 2022). In our study, we noticed that some individuals paid attention to their conspecifics (during head-turned behavior) interacting with the object before approaching and interacting themselves with the object.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To communicate with conspecifics, manatees produce different types of vocalizations that have been previously classified (Brady et al, 2020) and seem to vary with behavioral contexts (Brady, Moore, & Love, 2022). Although their biology and ecology are well known (at least for the Florida subspecies which is much more studied than its cousin), many aspects of manatees' behavior and cognition are still understudied (Henaut et al, 2022). Manatees are described as discreet, docile animals (i.e., not very aggressive toward humans) but can sometimes be curious and exploratory (Hartman, 1979).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Visual and acoustic exploratory behaviors toward novel stimuli in Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) under human care.

Charles,

Henaut,

Saint-Jalme

et al. 2024

Journal of Comparative Psychology

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Exploratory behaviors describe the actions performed by an animal to obtain information on an object, environment, or individual by using its different senses. Exploration is described in some marine mammals, but not yet in manatees. Our study investigated behavioral and acoustic responses of two groups of Antillean manatees (N = 12 and N = 4) housed in zoological parks toward various stimuli involving three sensory modalities: visual, tactile, and auditory. Simultaneous audio and video recordings were collected during three periods of time (i.e., before, during, and after the presentation of all stimuli). Behaviors related to interest, social behaviors, the number and type of calls produced, and their frequency and duration were recorded and analyzed. Manatees reacted more to submerged stimuli than to out-of-water and sound stimuli, with an increase in approach, social contacts, and number of vocalizations. The proportion of squeaks and squeals call types also varied according to stimuli, and call entropy and F0 range varied according to periods. Our results suggest that manatees display sensory preferences when exploring stimuli, with more interest in manipulable stimuli, supporting the importance of their somatic perception. We highlight the need for particular enrichment programs (i.e., involving submerged objects) in zoological facilities. By displaying social contacts and by producing vocalizations, manatees communicate information such as their motivational state. The increase in call rate, harsh calls, and entropy values could be valid indicators of heightened arousal. We encourage further studies to associate acoustic recordings with ethological data collection to increase the understanding of manatees' behaviors andperception.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Visual and acoustic exploratory behaviors toward novel stimuli in Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) under human care.

Charles,

Henaut,

Saint-Jalme

et al. 2024

Journal of Comparative Psychology

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“…As previously mentioned, human perception of manatees and their behaviours have evolved over time. Initially, they were considered very passive animals but according to recent studies they appear more social with higher cognitive abilities than previously thought [14]. A biocentric approach that considers their ecological and social context [14] and research on their cognition in the wild [15] are key components needed to help zoos manage manatee groups and to contribute to their conservation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Initially, they were considered very passive animals but according to recent studies they appear more social with higher cognitive abilities than previously thought [14]. A biocentric approach that considers their ecological and social context [14] and research on their cognition in the wild [15] are key components needed to help zoos manage manatee groups and to contribute to their conservation. Reep and Bauer [16] report numerous anecdotes on Florida manatee behaviour that reveal that their intelligence is an important factor that requires further research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manatees in Zoological Parks throughout the World: History, State, and Welfare

Henaut,

Delfour

2023

Animals

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The order Sirenia comprises several species of manatees and one species of dugong. These popular marine mammals are relatively recent acquisitions to zoological parks throughout the world. As far as we know, there are less than 200 manatees, mostly American, a few African, and ever less Amazonian, currently in zoological parks. American manatees are predominantly found in zoos in Europe, North America, and in some Asian countries, while African ones are present exclusively in Asian zoos. The living conditions of captive manatees differ considerably from zoo to zoo (i.e., numbers, sex ratio, outdoor vs. indoor habitats, complex vs. simple habitats). Most research on manatee behaviour has been relatively recent, and studies on cognition, sociality, and ecology have a significant impact on our perception of manatee needs and management, with wider implications for their welfare. In the wild, manatees demonstrated various cognitive capacities; spatial memory and learning abilities play an important role in their daily life in a complex and dynamic environment. Furthermore, there is evidence that these mammals are more social animals than expected. Individuals show various personality traits on the boldness–shyness continuum and their sociality varies. All those parameters are important in terms of animal welfare. Several behavioural studies showed that standardized enrichment programs benefit and ensure the welfare of captive zoo animals. However, obtaining accurate information on the presence of manatees in zoos, living conditions, management, and consequently welfare remains challenging. This study examines the current knowledge on manatee behaviour and cognition and then discusses different approaches to improving the welfare of this charismatic marine mammal in zoological parks.

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“Cognition in marine mammals: the strength of flexibility in adapting to marine life”

2022

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In this theme issue, our multidisciplinary contributors highlight the cognitive adaptations of marine mammals. The cognitive processes of this group are highly informative regarding how animals cope with specifics of and changes in the environment, because, not only did modern marine mammals evolve from numerous, non-related terrestrial animals to adapt to an aquatic lifestyle, but some of these species regularly move between two worlds, land and sea. Here, we bring together scientists from different fields and take the reader on a journey that begins with the ways in which modern marine mammals (whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions and manatees) utilize their perceptual systems, next moves into studies of the constraints and power of individuals’ cognitive flexibility, and finally showcases how those systems are deployed in social and communicative contexts. Considering the cognitive processes of the different marine mammals in one issue from varying perspectives will help us understand the strength of cognitive flexibility in changing environments—in marine mammals and beyond.

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Cognition of the manatee: past research and future developments

Cited by 6 publications

References 77 publications

Visual and acoustic exploratory behaviors toward novel stimuli in Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) under human care.

Visual and acoustic exploratory behaviors toward novel stimuli in Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) under human care.

Manatees in Zoological Parks throughout the World: History, State, and Welfare

“Cognition in marine mammals: the strength of flexibility in adapting to marine life”

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