Dugong grazing scars confirmed in Enhalus acoroides meadows

Abstract

We performed a survey from 27 to 30 October 2005 in the seagrass meadows along the southeast coast of Talibong Island. Trang province. Thailand. We found three typical characteristics of dugong grazing scars on Enhalus acoroides leaves. The blades were unevenly cut (not in straight lines), and these same general shapes were observed at the same abovegroiind height on all leaves. Tooth marks consistent with dugong molars were observed on E. acoroides leaves, and the shapes of grazing scars in E. acoroides meadows were elliptical, whereas scars found in meadows of small seagrass species were meandering lines.