Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Harley, Heidi

Area of Concentration

Biopsychology

Abstract

Chemoreception is common across terrestrial species but remains understudied in the marine mammals. There is behavioral evidence that suggests the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) has the ability to discriminate between differences in salinity, as they seek out freshwater sources. The current study investigated salinity discrimination and water preference in the two adult male Florida manatees. The manatees were offered freshwater and seawater sources, and the frequencies of three interactive behaviors (drinking, near-proximity, and sampling) were recorded. One manatee showed a preference for the seawater hoses when only drinking behaviors were considered. Both manatees showed a preference for seawater hoses when drinking and near-proximity behaviors were considered. The findings of this study suggest the Florida manatee is able to discriminate between seawater and freshwater and have implications for wildlife conservation, animal welfare, and sensory research.

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