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Manatee cognition in the wild: an exploration of the manatee mind and behavior through neuroanatomy, psychophysics, and field observations

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Abstract

Cognition refers to the mechanisms for acquiring, processing, storing, and acting on information, all of which are critical to understanding the behavior of animals. These mechanisms are poorly known in manatees, especially how they are expressed in the wild. To expand our understanding of manatee cognition, we gathered information from behavioral experimentation in the laboratory, neuroanatomical research, controlled field studies, integrated laboratory and field measurement, and natural history observations (published reports, written surveys, and interviews with knowledgeable observers). Laboratory research, both neuroanatomical and behavioral, provided the most empirical data, primarily on sensory/perceptual capacities. Inferences from these data and narratives from surveys and interviews illuminated possibilities for higher order cognition. Evidence from field measurements was sparse, although substantial amounts of information have been collected from tracking data and to a lesser extent vessel impact studies, which can be used to infer cognitive attributes. Manatees are tactile-auditory specialists with complementary visual and chemosensory abilities. They demonstrate learning characteristics typical of vertebrates. Movement tracking data plus direct observations suggest that they have good spatial cognition, indicated by their ability to traverse complicated water networks and memory for foraging and warm water sites. They engage in a wide range of play-like, object manipulation, and mimetic behaviors, which suggests cognitive capacities beyond basic associative learning. Understanding manatee cognition beyond the laboratory will be necessary for conservation of manatees as they face challenges such as habitat degradation and threats from water-borne vessel traffic. There is a clear need for more direct research in natural settings.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all of the participants in our surveys and interviews for sharing their observations and insights. Survey respondents: Cora Bercham, Mike Birns, Don Dematteis, Holly Edwards, Nicola Erdsack, Clinton Factheu, Tiare Fridrich, Hoslo Jiwa, Lucy Keith-Diagne, Jean-Pascal Koh Dimbot, Vincent Maida, Christy Achtone Nkollo Aganga, Wongibe Poupezo Dieudonne, Monica Ross, Kerry Sanchez, Justin Strickland. The following pairs participated in online interviews: Bob Bonde and Kathy Beck, Wayne Hartley and Jennifer McGee, Tom O'Shea and Buddy Powell, Jim Reid and Susan Butler, Pat Rose and Cora Berham, Monica Ross and Nicole Bartlett. Athena Rycyk and Tony Mignucci sent us some important observations, individually. Duff Cooper set up the survey in Qualtrics and handled data management. Hannah Hoogerwoerd helped with everything–setting up Zoom meetings, editing and formatting the text, and finding references. Heidi Harley made helpful suggestions on the manuscript. We thank everyone for their invaluable participation.

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  1. Division of Social Sciences, New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA

    Gordon B. Bauer

  2. Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, 32603, USA

    Roger L. Reep

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Correspondence to Gordon B. Bauer.

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Bauer, G.B., Reep, R.L. Manatee cognition in the wild: an exploration of the manatee mind and behavior through neuroanatomy, psychophysics, and field observations. Anim Cogn 25, 1161–1182 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-022-01686-6

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