From pasture to sea: Assessing the viability of ruminant forage species for dugong (Dugong dugon) domestication and welfare https://doi.org/10.12982/VIS.2026.035
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Abstract
Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are specialized marine herbivores that primarily feed on seagrass species such as Thalassia hemprichii, Halophila ovalis, and Halodule uninervis. Their feeding behavior, including grazing and excavating, is influenced by seagrass morphology and sediment type. Dugongs exhibit high digestive efficiency (>90%) when consuming low-fiber seagrasses, which support consistent weight gain and health maintenance. While terrestrial forage species like Brachiaria, Pennisetum purpureum, and Leucaena leucocephala are widely used in ruminant nutrition, their suitability for dugongs remains unproven due to significant differences in palatability, digestive physiology, and ecological compatibility. Captive feeding trials have demonstrated dugongs' strong preference for native seagrasses, supported by nutritional analyses indicating high digestibility and adequate protein content. Ethical and ecological concerns further limit the use of non-native diets and domestication practices. Conservation and ex-situ management strategies must prioritize habitat protection, forage availability, and species-specific nutritional requirements. This review underscores the critical role of seagrass ecosystems in dugong survival and cautions against introducing alternative forages without thorough ecological and physiological evaluation.
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