DOCSLIB.ORG

Dwarf Seahorse (Hippocampus Zosterae)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Dwarf Seahorse (Hippocampus Zosterae) Dwarf Seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) Figure 1: Mean number of Hippocampus zosterae caught per sample (+/- Standard Deviation; 21.3 m beach/boat seine, covering 140 m² each area sampled) over most recent 10-year span for all Florida sites combined. THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™ Figure 2: Number of Hippocampus zosterae caught per sample (21.3 m beach/boat seine, covering 140 m2 each area sampled). Calculations included samples with no H. zosterae captured. Sites listed clockwise around the state of Florida, with coordinates provided indicating the overall location of the sampling location: JK (not shown – zero H. zosterae collected during the time period, 30.424670, -81.413847), IR – Indian River Lagoon (28.054087, -80.574791), FB – Florida Bay (25.038184, -80.694039), CH – Charlotte Harbor (26.755285, -82.146981), TB – Tampa Bay (27.708551, -82.576045), CK – Cedar Keys (29.143598, -82.946536), AP – Apalachicola Bay (29.647549, - 84.992495). Data source, fisheries independent monitoring program, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation commission, years 1996-2014, except for FB (2006-2009 only). Figure 3: Hippocampus zosterae density (animals/m2) in Tampa Bay (center of sampling location 27.875165, -82.539946) between 2005 and 2013, sampled across seagrass types and season. Linear model fit with Density = 0.085114 - 3.462e-12*Sampling Date, r2 =0. Data from Masonjones et al., in prep. Figure 4: Distribution map of Hippocampus zosterae in the state of Florida, based on fisheries independent monitoring data collected from 1996-2014. Data from FIM program, Florida Fish and Wildlife commission (FWC). Sites with H. zosterae listed clockwise around the peninsula of Florida: IR – Indian River Lagoon (28.054087, - 80.574791), FB – Florida Bay (25.038184, -80.694039), CH – Charlotte Harbor (26.755285, -82.146981), TB – Tampa Bay (27.708551, -82.576045), CK – Cedar Keys (29.143598, -82.946536), AP – Apalachicola Bay (29.647549, -84.992495). Analysis and figure produced by B. Froeschke. Figure 5: Boosted regression results investigating all Hippocampus zosterae data available through the fisheries independent monitoring program (FIM) for the state of Florida investigated across 18 years (1996-2014) for salinity, water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and depth sampled. Presence/absence of Hippocampus zosterae modeled, with % of variation explained for presence indicated below each RUG plot. Analysis and plot produced by B. Froeschke. Figure 6: Number of Hippocampus zosterae caught per sample (21.3 m beach/boat seine, covering 140 m2 each area sampled) over most recent 10-year span. All six sites included (see Figure 2 for site locations). Figure 7: Number of Hippocampus zosterae caught per sample (21.3 m beach/boat seine, covering 140 m² area sampled) over most recent 10-year span, FWC-FWRI (2017). Five sites included (AP,CK,TB,CH,IR; FB excluded because only 4 years of data; see Figure 2 for site locations). Figure 8: Boosted regression results investigating all data available for Indian River Lagoon through the fisheries independent monitoring program (FIM) for the state of Florida investigated across 18 years (1996-2014) for salinity, water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and depth sampled. Presence/absence of Hippocampus zosterae modeled, with % of variation explained for presence indicated below each RUG plot. Analysis and plot produced by B. Froeschke. Figure 9: Number of Hippocampus zosterae caught per sample (21.3 m beach/boat seine, covering 140 m² area sampled, FWC-FWRI (2017). over most recent 10-year span for Indian River Lagoon. Table 1. Mean (Standard Error) number of Hippocampus zosterae captured per sampling event, with annual number of samples for each location and number of fish caught indicated. Data source fisheries independent monitoring program (FIM) Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC). Year Parameter AP CH CK FB IR TB 1996 Mean(SE) .013(.013) .196(.039) .034(.019) .018(.01) .068(.013) N (n Fish) 160(2) 312(61) 88(3) 171(3) 588(40) 1997 Mean(SE) .051(.036) .087(.019) .01(.007) 0 .054(.014) N (n Fish) 39(2) 449(39) 207(2) 184(0) 723(39) 1998 Mean(SE) .014(.014) .039(.009) .008(.006) .011(.006) .024(.008) N (n Fish) 74(1) 541(21) 242(2) 358(4) 656(16) 1999 Mean(SE) 0 .068(.018) .017(.008) .021(.008) .034(.01) N (n Fish) 92(0) 474(32) 241(4) 376(8) 678(23) 2000 Mean(SE) 0 .103(.027) 0 .116(.033) .067(.015) N (n Fish) 124(0) 379(39) 242(0) 378(44) 848(57) 2001 Mean(SE) 0 .214(.055) 0 .069(.018) .031(.008) N (n Fish) 388(0) 398(85) 388(0) 391(27) 1132(35) 2002 Mean(SE) .008(.008) .222(.053) .005(.005) .049(.013) .019(.006) N (n Fish) 365(3) 379(84) 394(2) 390(19) 1130(22) 2003 Mean(SE) .003(.003) .074(.015) 0 .026(.008) .036(.007) N (n Fish) 369(1) 612(45) 411(0) 388(10) 1352(49) 2004 Mean(SE) 0 .049(.008) 0 .037(.012) .051(.012) N (n Fish) 375(0) 1108(54) 409(0) 435(16) 1303(66) 2005 Mean(SE) 0 .063(.011) 0 .032(.01) .016(.005) N (n Fish) 389(0) 975(61) 403(0) 380(12) 1249(20) 2006 Mean(SE) 0 .127(.019) 0 .51(.075) .029(.012) .025(.01) N (n Fish) 423(0) 889(113) 407(0) 210(107) 380(11) 1169(29) 2007 Mean(SE) 0 .057(.011) 0 .649(.08) .046(.01) .016(.005) N (n Fish) 463(0) 929(53) 410(0) 259(168) 570(26) 1168(19) 2008 Mean(SE) 0 .063(.02) 0 .351(.036) .044(.009) .016(.004) N (n Fish) 418(0) 718(45) 391(0) 262(92) 607(27) 1124(18) 2009 Mean(SE) .003(.003) .051(.011) 0 1.048(.079) .086(.016) .078(.017) N (n Fish) 312(1) 470(24) 249(0) 105(110) 371(32) 370(29) 2010 Mean(SE) .003(.003) .038(.009) 0 .021(.007) .023(.009) N (n Fish) 390(1) 575(22) 402(0) 377(8) 1201(28) 2011 Mean(SE) .005(.005) .048(.01) .017(.008) 0 .021(.004) N (n Fish) 390(2) 517(25) 409(7) 379(0) 1250(26) 2012 Mean(SE) 0 .077(.014) .002(.002) 0 .03(.006) N (n Fish) 389(0) 492(38) 405(1) 348(0) 1150(35) 2013 Mean(SE) .003(.003) .074(.014) .002(.002) .008(.004) .028(.006) N (n Fish) 389(1) 498(37) 406(1) 511(4) 975(27) 2014 Mean(SE) 0 .058(.012) 0 .011(.004) .056(.009) N (n Fish) 297(0) 671(39) 399(0) 729(8) 1038(58) .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Courtship Behavior in the Dwarf Seahorse, Hippocampuszosterae
    Copeia, 1996(3), pp. 634-640 Courtship Behavior in the Dwarf Seahorse, Hippocampuszosterae HEATHER D. MASONJONESAND SARA M. LEWIS The seahorse genus Hippocampus (Syngnathidae) exhibits extreme morpho- logical specialization for paternal care, with males incubating eggs within a highly vascularized brood pouch. Dwarf seahorses, H. zosterae, form monoga- mous pairs that court early each morning until copulation takes place. Daily behavioral observations of seahorse pairs (n = 15) were made from the day of introduction through the day of copulation. Four distinct phases of seahorse courtship are marked by prominent behavioral changes, as well as by differences in the intensity of courtship. The first courtship phase occurs for one or two mornings preceding the day of copulation and is characterized by reciprocal quivering, consisting of rapid side-to-side body vibrations displayed alternately by males and females. The remaining courtship phases are restricted to the day of copulation, with the second courtship phase distinguished by females pointing, during which the head is raised upward. In the third courtship phase, males begin to point in response to female pointing. During the final phase of courtship, seahorse pairs repeatedly rise together in the water column, eventually leading to females transferring their eggs directly into the male brood pouch during a brief midwater copulation. Courtship activity level (representing the percentage of time spent in courtship) increased from relatively low levels during the first courtship phase to highly active courtship on the day of copulation. Males more actively initiated courtship on the days preceding copulation, indicating that these seahorses are not courtship-role reversed, as has previously been assumed.
    [Show full text]
  • Of the Americas
    iSeahorse.org – Saving Seahorses Together seahorses of the Americas Seahorses of the Americas Masters of Disguise There are currently fi ve recognized species of Seahorses are well-camoufl aged, and individuals seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) in the Americas, can be covered by seaweeds and sediments in one in the Pacifi c Ocean and four in the the wild. Color and lengths of skin fi laments (“hairs”) Atlantic. All of these American seahorses tend can vary for individuals within the same species to live in relatively shallow coastal areas with and so are NOT useful for identifi cation. Practice 3D-structured habitat, including seagrasses, your identifi cation skills before starting surveys. corals, and mangroves. Above: Potential seahorse habitats. Left to right: coral reef, seagrass bed, mangrove forest. Photos by Tse-Lynn Loh and Ria Tan/Wild Singapore. Seahorse Parts Hippocampus barbouri Coronet Trunk Eye spine Nose spine Dorsal fi n Cheek spines Snout Brood pouch (males only) Tail Female Male In females, the belly does not extend past the bottom of the dorsal fi n. If you are uncertain, it is likely male. Pacifi c Seahorses Don’t Know Which Seahorse Species? How to Photograph for ID For unknown species, record the Head length following characteristics: • Torso length Torso length (distance from top of coronet to base of dorsal fi n) • Head length (from immediately behind the operculum – the fl ap covering the gills – to tip of snout) • Snout length Snout length (from bump immediately in front of the eye to tip of snout) or Take a photo of the side profi le of the seahorse with a ruler and calculate these measurements from the photo.
    [Show full text]
  • Diversity of Seahorse Species (Hippocampus Spp.) in the International Aquarium Trade
    diversity Review Diversity of Seahorse Species (Hippocampus spp.) in the International Aquarium Trade Sasha Koning 1 and Bert W. Hoeksema 1,2,* 1 Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700 Groningen, The Netherlands; [email protected] 2 Taxonomy, Systematics and Geodiversity Group, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 Leiden, The Netherlands * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) are threatened as a result of habitat degradation and over- fishing. They have commercial value as traditional medicine, curio objects, and pets in the aquarium industry. There are 48 valid species, 27 of which are represented in the international aquarium trade. Most species in the aquarium industry are relatively large and were described early in the history of seahorse taxonomy. In 2002, seahorses became the first marine fishes for which the international trade became regulated by CITES (Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), with implementation in 2004. Since then, aquaculture has been developed to improve the sustainability of the seahorse trade. This review provides analyses of the roles of wild-caught and cultured individuals in the international aquarium trade of various Hippocampus species for the period 1997–2018. For all species, trade numbers declined after 2011. The proportion of cultured seahorses in the aquarium trade increased rapidly after their listing in CITES, although the industry is still struggling to produce large numbers of young in a cost-effective way, and its economic viability is technically challenging in terms of diet and disease. Whether seahorse aqua- Citation: Koning, S.; Hoeksema, B.W.
    [Show full text]
  • A Global Revision of the Seahorses Hippocampus Rafinesque 1810 (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes): Taxonomy and Biogeography with Recommendations for Further Research
    Zootaxa 4146 (1): 001–066 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/ Monograph ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2016 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4146.1.1 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:35E0DECB-20CE-4295-AE8E-CB3CAB226C70 ZOOTAXA 4146 A global revision of the Seahorses Hippocampus Rafinesque 1810 (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes): Taxonomy and biogeography with recommendations for further research SARA A. LOURIE1,2, RILEY A. POLLOM1 & SARAH J. FOSTER1, 3 1Project Seahorse, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, The University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada 2Redpath Museum, 859 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2K6, Canada 3Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Magnolia Press Auckland, New Zealand Accepted by E. Hilton: 2 Jun. 2016; published: 29 Jul. 2016 SARA A. LOURIE, RILEY A. POLLOM & SARAH J. FOSTER A global revision of the Seahorses Hippocampus Rafinesque 1810 (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes): Taxonomy and biogeography with recommendations for further research (Zootaxa 4146) 66 pp.; 30 cm. 1 Aug. 2016 ISBN 978-1-77557-509-2 (paperback) ISBN 978-1-77557-534-4 (Online edition) FIRST PUBLISHED IN 2016 BY Magnolia Press P.O. Box 41-383 Auckland 1346 New Zealand e-mail: [email protected] http://www.mapress.com/j/zt © 2016 Magnolia Press All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, transmitted or disseminated, in any form, or by any means, without prior written permission from the publisher, to whom all requests to reproduce copyright material should be directed in writing.
    [Show full text]
  • Cop12 Doc. 43
    CoP12 Doc. 43 CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA ____________________ Twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties Santiago (Chile), 3-15 November 2002 Interpretation and implementation of the Convention Species trade and conservation issues CONSERVATION OF SEAHORSES AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY SYNGNATHIDAE 1. This document is submitted by the Animals Committee pursuant to paragraph b) of Decision 11.97 regarding seahorses and other members of the family Syngnathidae. Summary 2. At its 11th meeting (CoP11) of the Conference of the Parties to CITES adopted Decisions 11.97 and 11.153 regarding seahorses and other members of the family Syngnathidae to take action for the management and conservation of these fishes. The Animals Committee (AC) submits the present repot on the biological and trade status of seahorses and other syngnathids at the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP12) to outline the implementation of the Decisions and to provide guidance towards further trade management for these animals. 3. The large international trade in seahorses (genus Hippocampus) is leading to population depletion in some regions. Most other syngnathids are either not traded internationally or not known to be threatened, although concern is rising about the conservation status of Solegnathus pipehorses. Seahorse species are susceptible to overexploitation because of their low population densities, low mobility, small home ranges, inferred low rates of natural adult mortality, obligatory and lengthy paternal care, fidelity to one mate, and a small brood size. 4. Seahorses are often target-fished by subsistence fishers, although most are caught in non-selective fishing gear as bycatch or secondary catch.
    [Show full text]
  • Fishes of the Indian River Lagoon and Adjacent Waters, Florida
    FISHES OF THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON AND ADJACENT WATERS, FLORIDA by R. Grant Gilmore, Jr. Christopher J. Donohoe Douglas W. Cooke Harbor Branch Foundation, Inc. RR 1, Box 196 Fort Pierce, Florida 33450 and David J. Herrema Applied Biology, Inc. 641 DeKalb Industrial Way Decatur, Georgia 30033 Harbor Branch Foundation, Inc. Technical Report No. 41 September 1981 Funding was provided by the Harbor Branch Foundation, Inc. and Florida Power & Light Company, Miami, Florida FISHES OF THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON AND ADJACENT WATERS, FLORIDA R. Grant Gilmore, Jr. Christopher Donohoe Dougl as Cooke Davi d Herrema INTRODUCTION It is the intent of this presentation to briefly describe regional fish habitats and to list the fishes associated with these habitats in the Indian River lagoon, its freshwater tributaries and the adjacent continental shelf to a depth of 200 m. A brief historical review of other regional ichthyological studies is also given. Data presented here revises the first regional description and checklist of fishes in east central Florida (Gilmore, 1977). The Indian River is a narrow estuarine lagoon system extending from Ponce de Leon Inlet in Vol usia County south to Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County (Fig. 1). It lies within the zone of overlap between two well known faunal regimes (i.e. the warm temperate Carolinian and the tropical Caribbean). To the north of the region, Hildebrand and Schroeder (1928), Fowler (1945), Struhsaker (1969), Dahlberg (1971), and others have made major icthyofaunal reviews of the coastal waters of the southeastern United States. McLane (1955) and Tagatz (1967) have made extensive surveys of the fishes of the St.
    [Show full text]
  • Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus Oxyrinchus) -Worldwide Temperate
    Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) -worldwide waters -eats mostly squid, also octopuses and rays -uses echolocation -can dive for more than an hour while hunting Drawing by CM Scannon, image courtesy of RawPixel LTD Dwarf Seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) -Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Atlantic coast of Florida -eats shrimp larvae and copepods -found in sea grass beds Photo from NOAA Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) -worldwide temperate waters -plankton filter-feeder -seasonal migration Photo by Florian Graner Shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) -worldwide temperate and tropical waters -eats mainly cephalopods and bony fishes -fastest shark on record (bursts over 40 mph) -typically found in same habitat as swordfish Orange-fin anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysopterus) -found in the western Pacific Ocean -eats plankton, algae, scraps from anemone meals -symbiotic relationship with sea anemones Photo by D Meadows, courtesy of NOAA Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) -all tropical and temperate oceans except Mediterranean -eats fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods -daily movement between water depths Photo courtesy of NOAA -large, well developed eyes Shaefer's anglerfish (Sladenia shaefersi) -found off the eastern coast of Central and North America -eats fish -uses fins to 'walk' along the sea floor and Photo courtesy of NOAA Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) -found throughout the world's oceans -eats sea grasses and algae -nests on beaches of 80 countries Image courtesy of NOAA -young turtles grow in drift communities Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas)
    [Show full text]
  • Hippocampus Zosterae) As Threatened Or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act
    BEFORE THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE © Jeff Jeffords, www.divegallery.com PETITION TO LIST THE DWARF SEAHORSE (HIPPOCAMPUS ZOSTERAE) AS THREATENED OR ENDANGERED UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY NOTICE OF PETITION Mr. Gary F. Locke Secretary of Commerce U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Rm. 5516 Washington, D.C. 20230 Email: [email protected] Mr. Eric Schwaab Assistant Administrator for Fisheries National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 Email: [email protected] Dr. Roy E. Crabtree Administrator, Southeast Region National Marine Fisheries Service 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Email: [email protected] Date: this 6th day of April, 2011 Pursuant to section 4(b) of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”), 16 U.S.C. § 1533(b), section 553(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. § 553(e), and 50 C.F.R. § 424.14(a), the Center for Biological Diversity (“Center”), Tierra Curry and Noah Greenwald hereby petition the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Marine Fisheries Service (“NMFS”), to list the dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 et seq. The Center is a non-profit, public interest environmental organization dedicated to the protection of imperiled species and their habitats through science, policy, and environmental law. The Center has 320,000 members and online activists throughout the United States. NMFS has jurisdiction over this Petition. This Petition sets in motion a specific process, placing definite response requirements on NMFS.
    [Show full text]
  • Population Genetic Structure of the Dwarf Seahorse (Hippocampus Zosterae) in Florida
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Population Genetic Structure of the Dwarf Seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) in Florida Nathan Fedrizzi1,2*, Melanie L. J. Stiassny2,3, J. T. Boehm2,4, Eric R. Dougherty2,5, George Amato2, Martin Mendez2,6 1 Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America, 2 Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America, 3 Department of Ichthyology, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America, 4 Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, CUNY Graduate Center, New York, New York, United States of America, 5 Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America, 6 Latin America and Caribbean Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America * [email protected] Abstract OPEN ACCESS Citation: Fedrizzi N, Stiassny MLJ, Boehm JT, The dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) is widely distributed throughout near-shore Dougherty ER, Amato G, Mendez M (2015) habitats of the Gulf of Mexico and is of commercial significance in Florida, where it is har- Population Genetic Structure of the Dwarf Seahorse vested for the aquarium and curio trades. Despite its regional importance, the genetic struc- (Hippocampus zosterae) in Florida. PLoS ONE 10(7): e0132308. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132308 ture of dwarf seahorse populations remains largely unknown. As an aid to ongoing conservation efforts, we employed three commonly applied mtDNA markers (ND4, DLoop Editor: Wolfgang Arthofer, University of Innsbruck, AUSTRIA and CO1) to investigate the genetic structuring of H.
    [Show full text]
  • Care Sheet for Captive Bred Seahorses
    CARE SHEET FOR CAPTIVE BRED SEAHORSES This care sheet provides guidelines for maintenance of captive-bred (CB) seahorses by new seahorse keepers. Wild caught (WC) seahorses bring with them a host of challenging husbandry issues and often they do not survive for long. CB seahorses, properly cared for, live for several years in the aquarium. Wild caught seahorses appear to be cheaper, but cost more to maintain. We recommend all beginner keepers purchase captive bred seahorses only. Selecting healthy seahorses If you are buying from your local fish store (LFS), observe the seahorses carefully before you purchase. If buying from an e-tailer, be sure they have a good reputation and live guarantee. Confirm the seahorses are captive bred. It is important to observe/ask: • Is the seahorse eating? • What food is it eating and how often is it being fed? • Is the body well-rounded with no signs of abdominal concavity? Do not buy a seahorse that is not eating. You should be able to observe CB seahorses eating frozen mysis shrimp, krill or plankton. If a CB seahorse is not eating frozen food, it may not truly be CB, or it may not be healthy. The dwarf seahorse, H.zosterae, is an exception, whether CB or WC, it requires live food, generally enriched brine shrimp nauplii. Potential problems Do not buy a seahorse if you see: Signs of skin sloughing or discoloration, inflammation, odd swimming behaviour, not using a hold-fast, lying on substrate or hitching upside down, minimal eye movement, protruding eyes, blisters, inflamed gill slits, eroded snout, body or tail lesions or continuous heavy respiration.
    [Show full text]
  • Seahorses & Pipefish
    SSS EAHORSES &&& P IPEFISH OOOVERALL T ARGETS Short term (5 years): To control the threats to Bermuda’s seahorse and pipefish populations so existing population numbers are sustained. Long term (30 years): To increase population numbers of all seahorses and pipefish such that they are no longer rare. Alan MarquadtAlan SSSPECIES P ROFILES BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SPECIES Species: All of the following have been Not much is known about these species. Anecdotal evidence suggests that recorded from Bermuda’s waters: seahorses spend a lot of their time hunting for small crustaceans and Longsnout seahorse, Hippocampus reidi invertebrates. They are known to change colour, and are masters of Lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus disguise - often hiding amongst seaweeds. They propel themselves using Dwarf seahorse, Hippocampus zostera their small fins. Seahorses have a prehensile tail that is used to grab hold Seahorse pipefish, Acentronuria dendritica Sargassum pipefish, Syngnathus pelagicus of anything for support. The dwarf seahorse has not been sighted in Dusky pipefish, Syngnathus floridae Bermuda since 1905. Northern pipefish, Syngnathus fuscus Shortfin pipefish, Cosmocampus elucens Life History Crested pipefish, C. brachycephalus Pugnose pipefish, Bryx dunkeri Banded pipefish, Micrognathus orinitus Both have breeding seasons that can last as long as 8 months. Males can be distinguished from females by the presence of a brood pouch on the Global status : All CITES Red Listed and abdomen. Females lay their eggs inside this pouch and the male will carry considered vulnerable. these fertilized eggs for up to three weeks before giving birth to as many as Global distribution: Bermuda’s species 1,500 live young.
    [Show full text]
  • Aquaculture of the Big-Bellied Seahorse Hippocampus Abdominalis Lesson 1827 (Teleostei: Syngnathidae)
    AQUACULTURE OF THE BIG-BELLIED SEAHORSE HIPPOCAMPUS ABDOMINALIS LESSON 1827 (TELEOSTEI: SYNGNATHIDAE) By Chris M.C. Woods Photo: Chris Woods A thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences Victoria University 2007 ABSTRACT Seahorses (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) are subjects of worldwide demand for medicinal use, as curios, and as live ornamental aquarium fish. Aquaculture has the potential to replace or at least supplement potentially unsustainable wild exploitation as the supply source of seahorses. The primary aim of the research within this thesis was to determine techniques for improving the technical and economic feasibility for commercially culturing the big-bellied seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis in New Zealand. In a preliminary investigation, the breeding of wild H. abdominalis in captivity and rearing of juveniles was examined, as difficulties have been encountered with these in historical attempts at culturing H. abdominalis . Breeding was found to be facilitated by providing tanks with a water height of 1 m. This depth of water allowed females to transfer their eggs to male seahorses during the vertical rising stage of mating. Growth rates of progeny to sexual maturity were reasonable with seahorses reaching an average 11 cm in standard length (SL) at one year of age, but high juvenile mortality was observed in the first few months of age, with an average 10.6% of juveniles surviving to one year. Further on-growing of these first generation progeny to seven years of age (average of 27 cm SL for both sexes) demonstrated the robustness of the species in captivity and potential to supply large seahorses to the medicinal trade where large size is desirable.
    [Show full text]