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- Title
Observation of yawn-like behavior in a dugong (Dugong dugon).
- Authors
Enokizu, Akiko; Morisaka, Tadamichi; Handa, Yukari; Yoshioka, Motoi
- Abstract
Yawning is an involuntary action that occurs in three phases: (1) slow mouth opening accompanied by inhalation, (2) maintaining the maximum mouth size, and (3) quick closure with exhalation. Yawning is a phylogenetically widespread behavior in vertebrates. Here, we report yawn-like behavior in a captive dugong. Fourteen yawn-like behaviors were identified in a 20.1 h observation period. These yawn-like behaviors occurred significantly more during resting states than during more active states. These yawn-like behaviors of the dugong may function as yawns, typically associated with drowsiness. These findings imply that yawning may be a universal behavior, even in fully aquatic mammals.
- Subjects
DUGONG; YAWNING; AQUATIC mammals; DROWSINESS; VERTEBRATES
- Publication
Journal of Ethology, 2022, Vol 40, Issue 1, p103
- ISSN
0289-0771
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10164-021-00732-z