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A group of manatees, typically found in coastal waters, may have been discovered in Upper Guinea, far from the ocean. Lucy Keith-Diagne, an expert on African manatees, believes that this group may have evolved into a separate subspecies due to their isolation. To confirm their existence and protect them from threats such as dam construction and poaching, Keith-Diagne and her team are conducting an expedition to collect samples of river water for DNA analysis. The results of this study could lead to a major scientific discovery and help conserve these rare animals. [Extracted from the article]

A group of manatees, typically found in coastal waters, may have been discovered in Upper Guinea, far from the ocean. The leader of the expedition, Lucy Keith-Diagne, believes that this group of manatees has been isolated for so long that they may be evolving into a separate subspecies. The team is conducting interviews, searching for signs of feeding, and collecting water samples to analyze for manatee DNA. This discovery would be significant for scientific research and could help protect these rare animals from threats such as dam construction and poaching. [Extracted from the article]

This article from New Scientist discusses the discovery of manatees living in a flooded cave system in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The cave system, which is believed to be up to 16,000 kilometers long, connects the coast with freshwater-filled sinkholes. The manatees have likely been in the region for generations, but there are estimated to be fewer than 250 of them in the Mexican Caribbean. The construction of a new train line and wastewater from surface run-off and sewage systems pose threats to the area's aquatic species, including the manatees. While the coastal area is protected, the manatees photographed in the cave system are not. [Extracted from the article]

News briefs are presented on a variety of topics including a traffic jam near Tampa, Florida was caused by gawkers focused on the mating ball behaviors of manatees in nearby waters, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern returned the NZ$5 note sent by a hopeful 5-year-old wanting to encourage government research into dragons and telekinesis, and remarks are made about the parcel-tracking service Quantum View offered by UPS (United Parcel Service) delivery service.

The article looks at a report published in "Journal of Comparative Physiology A" by marine biologist Joe Gaspard on the navigation ability of Florida manatees, finding that sensitive hairs on their faces and bodies had the ability to detect minute vibrations from potential obstacles.

The article discusses a study on the use of an underwater siren to help prevent marine mammals from being struck by ships, conducted by researchers at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. According to the researchers, many collisions occur because these animals in the path of a ship cannot hear its propellers. They attached a small device fitted on the bow of a ship below the waterline which emits a narrow beam of sound that, when tested, drove manatees out of the way.

The article reports that scientist Edmund Gerstein at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton has developed an alarm that emits a high-pitched sound in front of the boat preventing the killing of manatees caused by collisions with boats. When Gerstein tested it at a wildlife reserve, he found manatees always avoided a boat fitted with the alarm.

Presents the results of a study testing auditory acuity in manatees. Finding that manatees are run down by motorboats due to inability to hear them, rather than stupidity or slowness; The threshold intensity of sound for manatees; The impact of Lloyd's mirror effect on low frequencies near the ocean surface.

Reports that a mystery epidemic has killed more than a hundred manatees in the waters around Florida. Biologists' efforts to identify the cause of the deaths; Absence of red tide toxins in the dead manatees.

Reports on efforts of Brazilian biologists to save the country's dwindling manatee population. Suggestions that only 100 manatees survive along the country's northeast coast; Outlook for Amazonian manatee; Description of the manatee; Ban on the sale of manatee meat; Why the manatee is an easy target; More.

Reports that a papillomavirus has overcome the powerful immune system of manatees.

Focuses on Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution engineers' development of two different types of manatee detector to protect manatees from being trapped in strongholds in the Florida waters. Halting of the movement of the moving gates to allow the manatees to pass during their migration to the warm waters.

Reports on the death of manatees off the west coast of Florida due to the poisoning from the toxic flagellate algae known as red tide. Absence of other possible causes of the manatees' deaths.