An order of heavy-bodied, slow-moving, completely aquatic, herbivorous mammals. The body is fusiform, plump, and hairless, except for bristles on the snout. Hindlimbs are absent, the forelimbs are modified to flippers, and the tail is a horizontal fluke. (From Scott, Concise Encyclopedia Biology, 1996)

DUI

D020453 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0030119

Previous indexing

Mammals (1966-1998)

History note

1999; 1963-1997; use MAMMALS 1998; use SIRENIA 1963-1967

Public note

1999; see MAMMALS 1998; see SIRENIA 1963-1967