Trichechidae (manatees; superorder Paenungulata, order Sirenia) A family of aquatic paenungulates in which the upper lip is deeply cleft and each side is capable of independent movement and is used for cropping vegetation. There are no incisors or canines, but the gums form horny pads. There are up to 20 cheek teeth which are peg-like and fall out when worn, probably without being replaced. The tail is unnotched. Manatees occur in coastal waters and rivers in tropical and subtropical America and W. Africa. There are three species in a single genus, Trichechus.

man·a·tee / ˈmanəˌtē/ • n. an aquatic mammal (family Trichechidae, genus Trichechus) with a rounded tail flipper, living in shallow coastal waters of the tropical Atlantic. Three species, all of which are endangered, include the West Indian manatee (T. manatus).

manatee Any of three species of large, plant-eating, sub-ungulate, aquatic mammals found primarily in shallow coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It has a tapered body ending in a large rounded flipper; there are no hind limbs. Length: to 4.5m (14.7ft); weight: 680kg (1500lb). Family Trichechidae; genus Trichechus. See also dugong

manatee (Trichechus) See TRICHECHIDAE.

manatee large aquatic cetacean. XVI. — Sp. manati, of Carib orig.