Distribución del Manatí (Trichechus Manatus) en la costa norte y centro-norte del estado de Quintana Roo, México

Abstract

WE CONDUCTEN SEVEN SURVEYS OVER THE COASTLINE OF NORTHEN - CENTRAL AND NORTHERN QUINTANA ROO, BETWEEN MARCH OF 1992 AND FEBRUARY OF 1996. WE COUTEND A TOTAL OF 11 MANATEES, RESTRICTED TO CENOTES AND LITTLE BAYS LOCATED BETWEEN TULUM AND PLAYA DEL CARMEN. THE INDEX OF RELATIVE ABUNDANCE (IRA) WAS 2.74 MANATEES/FLIGHT HOUR. THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF MANATEES COUNTED IN A SINGLE FLIGHT WAS FOUR. ALTHOUGH THE ABUNDANCE IS LOW, MANATEES FRECUENTLY USE XELHA, XPUHA AND TANCAH SITES, WHICH ARE ALSO INTENSIVELY USED BY TOURIST. THEN IT IS IMPORTANT TO EVALUE THE IMPAC OF TOURISM ON THE MANATEE POPULATION. WE DID NOT RECORD MANATEES NORTH OF PLAYA DEL CARMEN, WHICH SUPPORTS THE IDEA THAT THESE IS NOT A RESIDENT POPULATION IN THAT AREA.