. Summary of Results

This paper analyzes the aerial survey data from the Atlantic coast population only. Although McClenaghan and O'Shea (1988) provide genetic evidence that manatees from the east and west coasts of Florida intermingle, behavioral studies (e.g., Reid, Rathbun and Wilcox, 1991) suggest that such mixing is infrequent. closed (Reid, Rathbun and Wilcox, 1991). Because a standard survey protocol was not used prior to the 82-83 winter, only the data from that winter on are analyzed. For simplification, the seven site-specific counts at each survey are collapsed into two; the total of the two most northerly sites and the total of the remaining five. Table 1 summarizes the observed regional counts over the ten year period. Note the considerable variability among counts in each region and year. TABLE 1 HERE In addition to the counts themselves, several covariates were collected at each survey. Two covariates are the northern and southern water temperatures, each averaged over the two days prior to and the day of the survey. Also included is the total number of NOAA degree-days (number of air degrees below 6