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Robert Bonde, Ph.D. (Former Employee)

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Filter Total Items: 95

Genetics as a tool for conservation and management of West Indian manatee populations in Brazil

A study conducted by the National Center for Research and Conservation of Aquatic Mammals (CMA), United States Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, and partner researchers found that the marine Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) has low genetic diversity in regions where there are territorial interfaces with the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis). The study was p
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Ecosystems, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Genetic connectivity of the West Indian manatee in the southern range and limited evidence of hybridization with Amazonian manatees

The Antillean subspecies of the West Indian manatee is classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. In Brazil, the manatee population is listed as endangered with an estimated population size of 500–1,000. Historic hunting, recent habitat degradation, and fisheries bycatch have decreased the population size. The Amazonian manatee is listed as
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Ecosystems, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Echeneid-sirenian associations, with information on sharksucker diet

Abstract not supplied at this time

Seasonal movements, migratory behavior, and site fidelity of West Indian manatees along the Atlantic Coast of the United States

Abstract not supplied at this time
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Ecosystems, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Serum iron analytes in healthy and diseased Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

Serum iron concentration is usually decreased in true iron deficiency and with inflammatory disease in man and domestic animals. Serum total iron binding capacity (TIBC) may be increased in true iron deficiency and decreased with inflammatory disease. This prospective study was designed to measure serum iron analytes in healthy free-ranging and housed Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostr
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Enhancing reproductive assessments of the Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris by establishing optimal time period and inhibin B baseline concentrations

The Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris occupies coastal and riverine habitats that may influence the species’ endogenous biological rhythms, including its reproductive potential. Inhibin B provides a biomarker of gonadal function and reproductive potential in humans and other eutherian mammals. This study examined the influence of size, sex, and time of year on inhibin B levels in mana
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Ecosystems, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Coastal habitat change and marine megafauna behavior: Florida manatees encountering reduced food provisions in a prominent winter refuge

A decline in submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) within Florida’s spring-fed thermal refuges raises questions about how these systems support winter foraging of Florida manatees Trichechus manatus latirostris. We analyzed telemetry data for 12 manatees over 7 yr to assess their use of Kings Bay, a winter refuge with diminished SAV. After accounting for the effect of water temperature, we hypothesiz
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Ecosystems, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plasma of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous, synthetic anthropogenic chemicals known to infiltrate and persist in biological systems as a result of their stability and bioaccumulation potential. This study investigated 15 PFAS, including short-chain carboxylic and sulfonic acids, and their presence in a threatened herbivore, the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus). Seven of the
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Ecosystems, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Serum proteins in healthy and diseased Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

A major goal of this study was to determine whether serum protein fractions of healthy Florida manatees differ with age, sex, or living environments (wild versus housed). A second goal was to determine which serum protein fractions vary in diseased versus healthy manatees. Serum protein fractions were determined using agarose gel electrophoresis. Healthy adults had slightly higher total serum prot
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Internal parasites of the two subspecies of the West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus

The West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus is divided into 2 subspecies: the Antillean (T. m. manatus) and Florida (T. m. latirostris) manatees. This study reports sample prevalence of manatee parasites from populations of these 2 subspecies in different geographical locations. Although necropsy is a valuable diagnostic tool for parasite infections, the need for antemortem diagnostic techniques is
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Ecosystems, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Genetic diversity and structure from Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in the southern Gulf of Mexico: Comparison between connected and isolated populations

Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus), a subspecies of the West Indian manatee, is listed as endangered species in the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The aims of this research were to survey on the possible regional genetic structure in the southern Gulf of Mexico and to compare genetic status of a landlocked population in Laguna de
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Ecosystems, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Ancient convergent losses of Paraoxonase 1 yield potential risks for modern marine mammals

Mammals diversified by colonizing drastically different environments, with each transition yielding numerous molecular changes, including losses of protein function. Though not initially deleterious, these losses could subsequently carry deleterious pleiotropic consequences. We have used phylogenetic methods to identify convergent functional losses across independent marine mammal lineages. In one
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Ecosystems, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Manatee Health Assessment and Biomedical Studies

A multi-agency effort assesses the health of manatees and provides baseline information on their health, reproductive status, and nutritional condition.
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Manatee Health Assessment and Biomedical Studies

A multi-agency effort assesses the health of manatees and provides baseline information on their health, reproductive status, and nutritional condition.
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Morphological measurements of Antillean manatees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

The data were collected by U.S.G.S. biologists and their partners during several field trips from March 2013 to April 2014 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Data were collected during the manatee health assessments. The U.S. Geological Survey's Sirenia Project is a federal research effort focusing on manatee biology and ecology with a long history of studies in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the international
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Magical Manatees

It may be hard to believe the legend that sailors long-at-sea once believed manatees to be mermaids. The manatee nickname the “Sea Cow” – named so for...

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Image: USGS Science Aids Manatees
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Manatee swims in a Florida spring
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USGS Researcher with Manatee
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Image: Manatee Health Assessment Capture
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Image: Manatee Scars
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