07/05/2024
New publication standardizes the vernacular names for manatees
A new publication in the journal Caribbean Naturalist, has re-named manatees throughout North, Central and South America with standardized vernacular names.
What’s in a name? Standardization of vernacular names for Trichechus manatus, is the titled of the article, which is in press, and available soon.
Mignucci-Giannoni AA, González-Socoloske D, Álvarez-Alemán A, Aquino J, Caicedo-Herrera D, Castelblanco-Martínez DM, Claridge D, Corona-Figueroa MF, Debrot AO, de Thoisy B, Espinoza-Marín C, Galves JA, García-Alfonso E, Guzmán H, Khan JA, Kiszka JJ, Luna FO, Marmontel M, Olivera-Gómez LD, O’Sullivan C, Powell JA, Pugibet-Bobea E, Roopsind I, Silva CJ. 2024. What’s in a name? Standardization of vernacular names for Trichechus manatus. Caribbean Naturalist (in press).
Twenty-four co-authors from each country were manatees naturally reside, have agreed to standardize the common or vernacular name for the Trichechus manatus species. The species presently has two recognized subspecies, T. manatus latirostris, and T. manatus manatus. Additionally, the authors surveyed 40 Spanish-speaking active manatee professionals in 11 Spanish-speaking countries to vote on the names to be used in Spanish.
Currently, it is known by various vernacular names, none of which are descriptive of the biology and known distribution of the species. This lack of standardization has led to confusion and miscommunication, hindering conservation efforts for this species. The publication suggests that from now on, the vernacular name for the species should be American manatee, and its two subspecies should be known as Florida manatee and Greater Caribbean manatee. The publication also standardize these names in Spanish, French, Dutch, and Portuguese.
Spanish: T. manatus— manatí de las Americas, T. manatus latirostris—manatí de la Florida, T. manatus manatus—manatí del Gran Caribe
French: T. manatus—lamantin d’Amérique, T. manatus latirostris—lamantin de Floride, T. manatus manatus—lamantin des Grandes Caraïbe
Dutch: T. manatus—Amerikaanse lamantijn, T. manatus latirostris—Florida lamantijn, T. manatus manatus—Grotere Caribische lamantijn
Portuguese: T. manatus—peixe-boi das Américas, T. manatus latirostris—peixe-boi da Flórida, T. manatus manatus—peixe-boi do Grande Caribe
Scientific names for species are unequivocal to an animal’s designation, however, standardized vernacular names minimize the proliferation of other vernacular names used, help communicate to lay audiences, disseminate important information about the species, and raise awareness about conservation, threats, and plight for survival.
"By establishing clear and universally recognized standardized vernacular names, we foster a sense of connection and scientific language responsibility, improving public awareness and understanding of these magnificent creatures and ultimately aiding in their protection and preservation,” said Antonio Mignucci, director of the Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center and marine sciences professor at Inter American University of Puerto Rico, one of the lead authors of the publication.
Photo credit: Abimael Márquez
