Havana, Aug 3 (Prensa Latina) A endocranium cavity that probably belonged to one of the species of sirenian, also known as sea cows, was discovered in a quarry of the southern town of Jaguey Grande, in western Cuba.
These specimens were common in the tropical seas of the Caribbean region, and the fossil is considered of an exceptional paleontological value, reported Granma newspaper.

The piece measures about 12.5 centimeters long, nine centimeters wide and 7.5 centimeters high, and it apparently dates from early to middle part of the Neogene period, second stage of the Cenozoic Era, comprising a period of approximately 23 to 11 million years ago.

According to experts, this is the first endocranium cavity from a sirenian preserved for science in the Caribbean area, and taking into account the excellent conditions of preservation, its study could give new knowledge on the biology of these marine animals.

At present, of the group of sirenians, there are only three species of manatees in the Western Hemisphere, which play an important ecological role in coastal marine ecosystems, hence the need to preserve them.