Acoustic interactions between free-living mother–calf Antillean manatees, Trichechus manatus manatus.

Acoustic signalling plays a crucial role in mother–calf communication. Here, we describe the acoustic signalling of three free-living Antillean manatee mother and calf pairs and one trio. The mother–calf pairs/trio produced six call types. The call rate varied between the pairs. The pair that experienced human interaction during the recording period had the highest call rate. Additionally, the Squeak vocalisations produced by each mother–calf pair differed structurally. Our results indicate that age and human interaction may affect call rate and suggest the potential production of signature vocalisations by manatee mothers and calves. Our findings add to the current knowledge of manatee acoustic communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]