An order of heavy-bodied, slow-moving, completely aquatic, herbivorous mammals. The body is fusiform, plump, and hairless, except for bristles on the snout. Hindlimbs are absent, the forelimbs are modified to flippers, and the tail is a horizontal fluke. (From Scott, Concise Encyclopedia Biology, 1996)
Registry Numbers
txid9774
Previous Indexing
Mammals (1966-1998)
Public MeSH Note
1999; see MAMMALS 1998; see SIRENIA 1963-1967
History Note
1999; 1963-1997; use MAMMALS 1998; use SIRENIA 1963-1967
An order of heavy-bodied, slow-moving, completely aquatic, herbivorous mammals. The body is fusiform, plump, and hairless, except for bristles on the snout. Hindlimbs are absent, the forelimbs are modified to flippers, and the tail is a horizontal fluke. (From Scott, Concise Encyclopedia Biology, 1996)
