Almost all information on dugong life history has
been obtained from the analysis of animals accidentally
drowned in shark nets or killed by native hunters in
northern Australia. The age-determination method
developed for pinnipeds and toothed cetaceans was
adapted for dugongs enabling their age to be estimated
from the number of growth layer groups in the tusks (see
Marsh 1980). Life-history parameters are summarized in
Marsh (1995a, 1999). Dugongs are long-lived with a low
reproductive rate, long generation time, and a high
investment in each offspring. The oldest dugong whose
tusks have been examined for age determination was
estimated to be 73 years old when she died. Marsh’s
research suggested that females do not bear their first calf
until they are at least ten and up to 17 years old. Using the
same age determination technique, Kwan (unpublished
data) has recent evidence from Torres Strait of dugongs
producing their first calf as early as age 6 years. Gestation
is in the region of 13-15 months. The usual litter size is
one. The calf suckles for 14-18 months or so, and the
period between successive calvings is spatially and
temporally variable; estimates range from 2.4 (Kwan
unpublished data) to seven years. Dugongs start eating
seagrasses soon after birth, but they grow rapidly during
the suckling period when they also receive milk from their
mothers. Population simulations indicate that even with
the most optimistic combinations of life-history
parameters (e.g. low natural mortality and no humaninduced
mortality) a dugong population is unlikely to
increase more than 5% per year (Marsh 1995a, 1999).
Although this figure will be revised slightly upward as a
result of Kwan's unpublished data, the conclusion that its
life history makes the dugong vulnerable to overexploitation
remains.
Almost all information on dugong life history has
been obtained from the analysis of animals accidentally
drowned in shark nets or killed by native hunters in
northern Australia. The age-determination method
developed for pinnipeds and toothed cetaceans was
adapted for dugongs enabling their age to be estimated
from the number of growth layer groups in the tusks (see
Marsh 1980). Life-history parameters are summarized in
Marsh (1995a, 1999). Dugongs are long-lived with a low
reproductive rate, long generation time, and a high
investment in each offspring. The oldest dugong whose
tusks have been examined for age determination was
estimated to be 73 years old when she died. Marsh’s
research suggested that females do not bear their first calf
until they are at least ten and up to 17 years old. Using the
same age determination technique, Kwan (unpublished
data) has recent evidence from Torres Strait of dugongs
producing their first calf as early as age 6 years. Gestation
is in the region of 13-15 months. The usual litter size is
one. The calf suckles for 14-18 months or so, and the
period between successive calvings is spatially and
temporally variable; estimates range from 2.4 (Kwan
unpublished data) to seven years. Dugongs start eating
seagrasses soon after birth, but they grow rapidly during
the suckling period when they also receive milk from their
mothers. Population simulations indicate that even with
the most optimistic combinations of life-history
parameters (e.g. low natural mortality and no humaninduced
mortality) a dugong population is unlikely to
increase more than 5% per year (Marsh 1995a, 1999).
Although this figure will be revised slightly upward as a
result of Kwan's unpublished data, the conclusion that its
life history makes the dugong vulnerable to overexploitation
remains.
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