Trichechus: Genus Trichechus

All living manatees (not dugongs) are species within the genus Trichechus.  The name "manatee" comes from manatí, a word from the Taíno people of the Caribbean meaning breast.

There is some controversy as to how many species are in the genus Trichechus.  The following three are not in question: 

• West Indian Manatee
• West African Manatee
• Amazonian Manatee

The closest livig relatives of the Manatee are the Elephants and the Hyraxes.