Dugongs have been tending to the Persian Gulf, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• Fossils discovered in Al Maszhabiya, Qatar, indicate dugongs have shaped the Persian Gulf for over 20 million years.
• A new, small species of dugong was identified from bone beds in shallow marine rocks dating back to the early Miocene epoch.
• The condition of the bones suggests that herds of dugongs repeatedly fed in local seagrass meadows.

Detailed Insights:

• The discovery suggests the Persian Gulf has been a consistent sea cow habitat across various climates over millions of years.
• Dugongs, often referred to as sea cows, play a crucial role in maintaining the health of seagrass ecosystems.
• The study of these fossils provides insights into the evolutionary history and adaptation of dugongs in the Persian Gulf.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Dugong: A large marine mammal, also known as a sea cow, that feeds on seagrass.
• Miocene: A geological epoch that lasted from about 23 to 5 million years ago.
• Seagrass meadows: Underwater ecosystems formed by seagrasses, providing habitats for marine life.