Dugongids

Dugongids refer to the members of the family Dugongidae, a small group of marine herbivores within the order Sirenia. The only extant genus is Dugong, containing the single living species, the dugong (Dugong dugon). Fossil records also include extinct genera such as Hydrodamalis – the Steller's sea cow – and several South American lineages that survived until the Pleistocene.

Dugongs possess a fusiform body streamlined for slow swimming, a long, tapering rostrum, and a wide, paddle‑shaped tail that provides propulsion. Their forelimbs are modified into flippers with a dorsal surface adapted for steering, while the hind limbs are greatly reduced and used only for locomotion along the seafloor. A dorsal fin and a large dorsal sac once linked to their slow‑breathing respiration are among the most distinctive features of the family.

These mammals feed exclusively on seagrass, grazing from beneath the sediment in shallow coastal waters. Their distribution spans tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo‑West Pacific to the Atlantic coasts of West Africa and the Caribbean. Dugongs are generally solitary but may gather in small groups around abundant seagrass beds. They reach sexual maturity at about 5–7 years, give birth to a single calf after a gestation of 13–15 months, and the young nurse for almost a year.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies all dugongs as Vulnerable, with some populations critically endangered. Major threats include habitat degradation, accidental entanglement in fishing gear, hunting for meat and cosmetic purposes, and pollution. Conservation measures focus on protected areas, regulation of fishing practices, and increasing public awareness of the species' ecological role as essential grazers of seagrass ecosystems.