Which group includes gentle aquatic herbivores like manatees and dugongs?

Which group includes gentle aquatic herbivores like manatees and dugongs?

• A. Sirenia
• B. Polyp
• C. Porifera
• D. Polychaeta

Answer: (A)

This question tests recognizing the group of aquatic herbivorous mammals that includes manatees and dugongs. Sirenia are warm-water, slow-moving marine mammals known as sea cows. They graze on aquatic vegetation, especially seagrass, and spend most of their time grazing rather than swimming quickly. Their body shape—with paddle-like forelimbs and a horizontally oriented, paddle-like tail—and their herbivorous diet set them apart from the other options, which are a sessile Cnidarian stage (polyp), sponges (Porifera) that filter feed, and marine worms (Polychaeta). In short, sirenia are the gentle herbivores of the sea that include manatees and dugongs.

This question tests recognizing the group of aquatic herbivorous mammals that includes manatees and dugongs. Sirenia are warm-water, slow-moving marine mammals known as sea cows. They graze on aquatic vegetation, especially seagrass, and spend most of their time grazing rather than swimming quickly. Their body shape—with paddle-like forelimbs and a horizontally oriented, paddle-like tail—and their herbivorous diet set them apart from the other options, which are a sessile Cnidarian stage (polyp), sponges (Porifera) that filter feed, and marine worms (Polychaeta). In short, sirenia are the gentle herbivores of the sea that include manatees and dugongs.