El manatí (Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus,1758) (Sirenia) una especie sombrilla, para el Sistema Lagunar de Alvarado, Veracruz

Abstract

The most emblematic mammal in the Alvarado Lagoon System (ALS) is the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus). In July 1975 was considered as endangered species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), since 1982 as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is considered an endangered species under Mexican laws. The manatee is a poorly studied animal in the state of Veracruz because in natural conditions are very difficult to observe. This species is reported as extinct in the northen region of Veracruz and recent observations indicate that the manatee population that survives in this area took refuge in the lagoons system Alvarado. Alvarado is a site with high biodiversity, coastal lagoons, and composed of more than 100 lakes and several rivers inland. We sought to establish the benefits of considering the manatee as a focal species to use as a charismatic species or flag in a conservation effort and run as an umbrella species.