Thread by @alyb_batgirl

UP NEXT from the Tricksy Taxonomy division: No.1 seed Dugong (Dugong dugon) Vs. No 3 seed Mountain Tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) #2021MMM

Tonight's battle is a team effort with genetics tweets by @sexchrlab and battle narration by @MarcKissel, @TanisBP, and me! #2021MMM

While Mountain Tapirs are "precariously balanced on the edge of extinction's precipice" they also play a critical role in the ecosystem, both as seed dispersers & since they topple trees that open paths for other herbivores (Padilla et al 2010, bit.ly/3dblHbW) #2021MMM

Mountain Tapirs may have coevolved & become coadapted with Andean plants, some of which have no other adaptations for seed dispersal (endozoochory) ...This makes them a #keystone species #2021MMM

When building rhinoceros phylogenies, either tapir or horse can be used as an outgroup reference, suggesting a quick radiation of the species, nuclear DNA could help resolve some confusion from mtDNA analyses (Willersley et al 2009, bit.ly/3lVTUjJ) #2021MMM

The underwater-shovel-faced-vacuum cleaner, i mean, the Dugong, also plays an important role in the ecosystem. They have a direct effect on the seagrasses they eat and indirectly on other organisms that use the grasses as shelter #2021MMM

Although we don’t have a picture (karyotype) of Dugong chromosomes, we do know that their close relative, the manatee, has one extra pair of chromosomes relative to humans, & shares long stretches of chromosome DNA similarity (Kellogg et al 2007, bit.ly/3waCxR8) #2021MMM

This song about dugongs is pretty catchy, but FACT CHECK: Dugongs are NOT manatees & OPINION CHECK: Dugongs are NOT ugly #2021MMM

Tonight's Battle takes place in... THE SWAMP FOREST!!!! #2021MMM

Specifically, we are in the Paramaribo swamp forests of Suriname, a forest inundated with fresh water. Sounds of life such as loud screeches from Howler monkeys & calls of tamarins echo through the forest. Baboonwood and açaí palm trees provide cover #IncidentalPrimates #2021MMM

However, it is the dry season and the water is not as deep, making animals more vulnerable to predators #UhOh #2021MMM

The loud & unfamiliar sounds are omnidirectional. This agitates Tapir, already on edge from #MMMagic. Feeling threatened, Tapir uses a reliable defense tactic - going for a swim! #2021MMM

Mountain Tapir are known for spending a lot of time in water! It helps them escape predators, regulate temperatures, & usually offers some tasty plants to nom. They also defecate more often in water than on land. #2021MMM

Sticking to the deeper areas of the swamp is our Dugong, searching for some yummy seagrass to eat. Dugongs usually stick to coastal coves and bays on the other side of the world, so this swamp feels ALL WRONG. #2021MMM

AND there is no seagrass, as this is freshwater! Determined, the Dugong scans its surroundings, using its stiff lip bristles to try to feel out some potential treats amongst the freshwater plants. Its whiskers brush up against a strange, spiky stump #2021MMM

Then the stump moves! That's because its not a stump, but actually a Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus). bit.ly/39gqjfR #2021MMM

Tapir, living its best #TapirLife, has been hiding in the water, using its trunks as a snorkel. The startled caiman startles the Tapir, who was hoping for a relaxing bathtime #2021MMM

While mostly nonaggressive, Tapirs will fight back when necessary. He draws some water into his trunk and sprays its straight at the caiman! (Padilla et al 2010, bit.ly/3dblHbW) #NoseWaterGun #2021MMM

Underwater, the Dugong hears a sound like a gurgly squeaky wheel. Is this another Dugong, also transported via #MMMagic? Dugongs communicate w/each other using "chirp-squeaks" (bit.ly/3w0HDz9). Which is impressive considering they don't have vocal cords! #2021MMM

Alas, this chirp-squeak doth not belong to a dugong, but a manatee! #OhTheHuManatee! It seems that all Sirenians produce these calls, though manatee calls are slightly longer than those of Dugongs (Anderson & Barclay 1995, bit.ly/3siRTAB). #2021MMM

Dugong does not realize this. Vocalizations can vary between individuals (Ichikawa et al 2003, bit.ly/2PuIrLM), leaving the Dugong intrigued. Uninterested in the foolishness between Tapir & Caiman, he swims off in search of a fellow sea cow/food vacuum #DuGone #2021MMM

The Tapir scrambles towards the muddy banks and pulls itself up to full height (0.9 meters or 3.6 stoats). But at only 64 cm, our Caiman is dwarfed by the much larger Tapir & instead glides to another resting spot elsewhere. #StoatsAsMeasurement #2021MMM

MOUNTAIN TAPIR OUTLASTS THE DUGONG! #2021MMM