|
 Dugong Literature 
This bibliography contains descriptive, natural history, and popular works either wholly or partially about dugongs and sirens.

These items were mainly extracted from the Cetacean Nonfiction Bibliography,
compiled by
Trisha Lamb Feuerstein

I have not read all of them myself, so I cannot make recommendations.
- Baldwin, R. and V.G. Cockcroft *. 1997. Are dugongs, Dugon dugon,
in the Arabian Gulf safe? Aquatic Mammals 23(2): 73-74.
* (Centre for Dolphin Studies, P.O. Box 13147, Humewood 6013, South
Africa.)
The following is a synopsis of the
article's contents:
On 11 and 12 March 1995, 28 dugong carcasses were found on the islands
of Murawah and Fiyyah, off the coast of the United Arab Emirates,
approximately 150 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi. There was no
indication of the exact cause of death in any instance, other than the
fact that most animals were found in fish dumps along with a catch of
numerous sharks, batoids and other fishes, turtles and cetaceans.
Catches by 'artisanal" fishermen are unrecorded, and the extent of
this catch alone is cause for concern, especially since the estimated
number of dugongs harvested annually is conservative; fishermen
obviously attempt to hide evidence of dugong catches; female dugongs
appear to account for the majority of those harvested.
- Dietz, Tim. The Call of the Siren: Manatees and Dugongs. Golden, Colorado:
Fulcrum Publishing, 1992.
Info on myths, facts, hunters, conservationists, gentleness, and possible
extinction.
- Geraci, J. R., and J. Sweeney. "Marine Mammals (Cetacea, Pinnipedia, and Sirenia)." In M. E. Fowler, ed., Zoo and
Wild Animal Medicine. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company, 1986.
Coffey, D. J. Dolphins, Whales and Porpoises: An Encyclopedia of Sea Mammals. New York: Collier Books, 1977.
Describes in alphabetical order more than 120 species and sub-species of sea mammals (including
pinnipedia, sirenia, and the sea otter). Every aspect of their anatomy, behavior, evolution,
reproduction, and conservation is covered in detail. Also describes what scientists know about sea
mammals' intelligence, complex social orders, methods of communication, and rearing of their young.
Also includes a brief chapter on the dangers of pollution, and an index.
- Gingerich, Philip Dean. Marine Mammals (Cetacea and Sirenia) from the Eocene of Gebel Mokattam and Fayum,
Egypt: Stratigraphy, Age, and Paleoenvironments. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The University of Michigan (Museum of
Paleontology), 1992.
- Graves, Eleanor, ed. Whales & Other Sea Mammals. Based on the television series Wild, Wild World of Animals. New
York: Time-Life Films, 1977.
Discusses baleen and toothed whales (including dolphins and porpoises), manatees and dugongs, seals,
sea lions, walruses, and otters.
- Jefferson, Thomas A., Stephen Leatherwood, and Marc A. Webber. Marine Mammals of the World. FAO Species
Identification Guide. Rome: Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, 1993. Available in print and
on CD-ROM.
Abstract:
This is a worldwide guide for the identification of marine mammals and those cetaceans, seals, and
sirenians also found in freshwater. The 119 species include a variety of taxa: baleen whales, toothed
whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, sirenians, marine otters, and the polar bear. There is an
introduction with notes on marine mammal distribution in regard to oceanography and marine mammal
identification, a glossary of technical terms, illustrated keys to species, illustrated family keys for
skulls, species sheets, and a table of species by major marine fishing areas. Every species sheet
includes scientific and official FAO names, diagnostic features, notes on similar species, size,
distribution, biology, habitat, behaviour, exploitation, and IUCN (World Conservation Union, formerly
International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) status. The work is . . .
indexed [by scientific and vernacular names] and includes a list of references and sources for further
reading.
- Perrin, W. F., M. L. L. Dolar, and M. N. R. Alava, eds. Report on the Biology and Conservation of Small Cetaceans
and Dugongs of Southeast Asia. UNEP(W)/EAS WG.1/2. Bangkok: UNEP, 1996.
Ordering information available from
Ms. Unchalee Kattachan at kattachan.unescap@un.org.
Report of workshop in Dumaguete, Philippines, 27-30 June 1995.
- Perrin, W. F., and A. C. Myrick, Jr. Age Determination Age of Toothed Whales and Sirenians. Reports of the
International Whaling Commission, Special Issue No. 3. Cambridge: International Whaling Commission, 1980.
"Age determination is a tool central to the development of life history parameters. This essential
reference volume examines the practical problems in age determination of toothed whales and
Sirenians and reviews current and new techniques of specimen preparation and reading. In addition to
an extensive report agreed to by over 50 experts from around the world, the 16 papers included cover
theoretical, histological and practical aspects of this topic, including case studies for a number of
species. Over 15 years after its appearance it remains the leading volume on this subject . . . "
- My personal Favorite:
Reynolds, John E., and Daniel K. Odell. Manatees and Dugongs. New York:
Facts on File, 1992, ISBN 0-8160-2436-7.
"It's an excellent reference ... and gives good historical background to the entire
Sirenian group. It's not pure science text so students can probably read it
in a couple of days and not be thoroughly fried."
- Jeff Ripple, Doug Perrine (Photographer)
Manatees and Dugongs of the World
Hardcover - 144 pages (November 1999)
Voyageur Press; ISBN: 0896583937
- Ridgway, Sam H., and Richard J. Harrison, eds. Handbook of Marine Mammals: Volume 3: The Sirenians and Baleen
Whales. London/San Diego: Academic Press, 1985.
Chapters include: Dugong--Dugong dugon; Manatees--Trichechus manatus, Trichechus senegalensis,
and Trichechus inunguis; Gray Whale-- Eschrichtius robustus; Minke Whale--Balaenoptera
acutorostrata; Bryde's Whale--Balaenoptera edeni; Sei Whale--Balaenoptera borealis; Fin
Whale--Balaenoptera physalus; Blue Whale--Balaenoptera musculus; Humpback Whale--Megaptera
novaeangliae; Right Whales--Eubalaena glacialis and Eubalaena australis; Bowhead Whale--Balaena
mysticetus; Pygmy Right Whale--Caperea marginata.
- Scheffer, Victor. A Natural History of Marine Mammals. New York: Scribner's & Sons, 1976.
From a review by John Dillon in the March-April 1977 issue or Oceans magazine: "Victor Scheffer has
that rare and precious ability to excel in the two worlds of top-drawer science and top-notch
literature . . . [His] newest work is a popular introduction to . . . the natural history of the six
mammalian groups which have taken to a fully ocean dependent existence: the sea otter, the walking
seals, the crawling seals, sirenians, toothed cetaceans, and baleen cetaceans. Peter Parnall's
illustrations add the appeal that has made him one of the leading wildlife illustrators in the country. He
does, however, succumb to the common 'blimp-body' misconception of the great whales which has
plagued scientists and artists alike for so many years.
- Stonehouse, Bernard. Sea Mammals of the World. Harmondsworth, England/New York: Penguin Books, 1985.
Includes sections on Whales, Porpoises and Dolphins; Dugongs and Manatees; Seals, Sea Lions and
Walruses; and Bears and Otters, plus a worldwide distribution map.
Links to further Literature Lists:
- A comprehensive "Recent Literature"-list is published in
Sirenews - the bi-annual Electronic Magazine by IUCN/SSC Sirenia Specialist Group.
eMail us please, if any other publication should be added.
|