DOCSLIB.ORG

Recovery Plan for Bermuda's Seahorses (Hippocampus Erectus

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Recovery Plan for Bermuda's Seahorses (Hippocampus Erectus Recovery Plan for Bermuda’s Seahorses (Hippocampus erectus and Hippocampus reidi) Government of Bermuda Ministry of Home Affairs Department of Environment and Natural Resources Recovery plan for Bermuda’s Seahorses; Hippocampus erectus and Hippocampus reidi Prepared in Accordance with the Bermuda Protected Species Act 2003 Author This recovery plan was prepared by: Mark Outerbridge Ph.D. ([email protected]) Cover photo: Male longsnout seahorse Hippocampus reidi by Jessica Riederer Published by Government of Bermuda Ministry of Home Affairs Department of Environment and Natural Resources “To conserve and restore Bermuda’s natural heritage” 2 CONTENTS CONTENTS ......................................................................................................................... 3 LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................... 4 LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................ 4 DISCLAIMER ...................................................................................................................... 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................... 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... 7 PART I: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 9 A. Brief Overview ........................................................................................................... 9 B. Taxonomy and Description of Species .................................................................... 10 C. Current Status ........................................................................................................... 13 Global Distribution ................................................................................................... 13 Local Distribution ..................................................................................................... 13 Species Protection ..................................................................................................... 14 Habitat Protection ..................................................................................................... 15 D. Ecology .................................................................................................................... 15 Habitat Requirements ................................................................................................ 15 General biology ......................................................................................................... 15 Reproduction ............................................................................................................. 16 Life Cycle .................................................................................................................. 16 Diet ............................................................................................................................ 16 E. Current Threats ......................................................................................................... 16 F. Current Conservation Actions .................................................................................. 17 PART II: RECOVERY ........................................................................................................ 18 A. Recovery Goals ........................................................................................................ 18 B. Recovery Objective and Criteria .............................................................................. 18 C. Recovery Strategy .................................................................................................... 18 D. Tools Available for Strategy .................................................................................... 19 E. Step-down Narrative of Work Plan .......................................................................... 20 PART III: IMPLEMENTATION ......................................................................................... 23 APPENDIX ........................................................................................................................ 25 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 29 3 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Lined seahorse Hippocampus erectus………………………………………………………………11 Figure 2. Lined seahorse Hippocampus erectus………………………………………………………………12 Figure 3. Map of known seahorse collections and reported sightings on Bermuda between 1870 and 2017………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Summary of recorded seahorse collections from Bermuda…………..…………………..…26 Table 2. Summary of reported seahorse observations from Bermuda………………………………29 4 DISCLAIMER Recovery plans delineate reasonable actions that are believed to be required to recover and/or protect listed species. We, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, publish recovery plans, sometimes preparing them with the assistance of field scientists, other government departments, and other affected and interested parties, acting as independent advisors to us. Plans are submitted to additional peer review before they are adopted by us. Objectives of the recovery plan will be attained and necessary funds made available subject to budgetary and other constraints affecting the parties involved. Recovery plans may not represent the views nor the official positions or approval of any individuals or agencies involved in the recovery plan formulation, other than our own. They represent our official position only after they have been signed by the Director of Environment and Natural Resources as approved. Approved recovery plans are subject to modifications as dictated by new findings, changes in species status, and the completion of recovery actions. Literature citation of this document should read as follows: Outerbridge, M.E. 2020. Recovery plan for Bermuda’s seahorses Hippocampus erectus and Hippocampus reidi. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Bermuda. 31 pages. An electronic version of this recovery plan will also be made available at www.environment.bm 30th March 2020 Andrew Pettit Date Director Department of Environment and Natural Resources Bermuda Government 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to express my gratitude to Jessica Riederer for giving permission to use her photographs in this Recovery Plan as well as for spending untold hours in the field patiently searching for, and observing, seahorses in the wild. Sarah Manuel and the marine conservation team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (formerly the Department of Conservation Services) and Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Co-Executive Director at REEF, also supplied me with seahorse observation data from across the Bermuda Platform. Barbara Outerbridge provided the Wildlife Rehabilitation (WRC) records for the seahorses that have been deposited at BAMZ since 2004. Alison Copeland and Dr Robbie Smith both reviewed an earlier draft of this Plan. 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Current Species Status: Legal protection for both the lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) and the longsnout seahorse (Hippocampus reidi) is provided by the Bermuda Protected Species Act (2003). Both species are classified as Vulnerable (VU) under the Protected Species Amendment Order (2016). From an international perspective, The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists Hippocampus erectus as Vulnerable (A4cd) and Hippocampus reidi as Data Deficient. Furthermore, all Hippocampus species are protected under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which restricts international trade, and is administered in Bermuda by the Endangered Animals and Plants Act (2006). Habitat Requirements and Threats: Seahorses living on the Bermuda Platform appear to inhabit coastal mangrove communities, boat moorings and docks (especially those that have heavy growth of algae and sponges), inshore bays, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. Such environments allow seahorses to conceal themselves and also provide live food (e.g. zooplankton and small crustaceans). Seahorses are threatened globally by direct exploitation, accidental capture in non-selective fishing gear (as by-catch), and degradation of their habitats. However, the reason for their perceived decline on Bermuda is currently unknown. It is likely that the decline in seagrass meadows and loss of coastal mangroves are contributing causes. Recovery Objective and Recovery Criteria: The principal aim of this recovery plan is to gather information on the current status and general biology of seahorses in Bermuda in order to provide some understanding of the environmental parameters influencing growth, survival and reproduction in local waters. Additional objectives include the creation of protected areas and the employment of artificial structures which have habitat value for seahorses. Improved conservation status for these species will occur when the following has been accomplished: Data on general biology and recruitment dynamics is obtained, Sources of mortality are identified and effective measures for management are implemented, Legal protection of critical habitats is achieved, Successful juvenile production through aquaculture
Load more

Recommended publications
  • “The Secret Lives of Seahorses” Exhibit Press Kit Click on Headings Below to Go Directly to a Specific Page of the Press Kit
    “The Secret Lives of Seahorses” Exhibit Press Kit Click on headings below to go directly to a specific page of the press kit. 1. Main Exhibit News Release 2. Exhibit Fact Sheet 3. Exhibit Gallery Tour 4. Exhibit Animals 5. Seahorse Conservation News Release NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For information contact: March 23, 2009 Angela Hains: (831) 647-6804; [email protected] Karen Jeffries: (831) 644-7548; [email protected] Ken Peterson: (831) 648-4922; [email protected] DURING ITS SILVER ANNIVERSARY YEAR, AQUARIUM UNVEILS “THE SECRET LIVES OF SEAHORSES” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ New special exhibition offers an intimate look at these fascinating, fragile fishes Seahorses have been celebrated in art, literature and mythology for centuries, so you’d think we know a lot about them. In “The Secret Lives of Seahorses,” the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s new special exhibition, you’ll discover that nothing could be further from the truth. Beginning April 6, more than 15 species of seahorses, sea dragons and pipefish will beckon visitors into the elusive world of these charismatic creatures. The Secret Lives of Seahorses highlights the varied habitats in which seahorses and their relatives live, and shares important stories about the threats they face in the wild. “Seahorses are wonderful ambassadors for ocean conservation because they live in the most endangered habitats in the world – coral reefs, sea grass beds and mangrove forests,” said Ava Ferguson, senior exhibit developer for The Secret Lives of Seahorses. “When you save a seahorse, you also save some of Earth’s most precious marine habitats.” Through wrought-iron gates, visitors will enter the first gallery, “Seahorses and Kin,” and meet the seahorse family: fishes that have fused jaws and bony plates in place of the scales normally associated with fish.
    [Show full text]
  • 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]
  • An Invitation to Monitor Georgia's Coastal Wetlands
    An Invitation to Monitor Georgia’s Coastal Wetlands www.shellfish.uga.edu By Mary Sweeney-Reeves, Dr. Alan Power, & Ellie Covington First Printing 2003, Second Printing 2006, Copyright University of Georgia “This book was prepared by Mary Sweeney-Reeves, Dr. Alan Power, and Ellie Covington under an award from the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of OCRM and NOAA.” 2 Acknowledgements Funding for the development of the Coastal Georgia Adopt-A-Wetland Program was provided by a NOAA Coastal Incentive Grant, awarded under the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Zone Management Program (UGA Grant # 27 31 RE 337130). The Coastal Georgia Adopt-A-Wetland Program owes much of its success to the support, experience, and contributions of the following individuals: Dr. Randal Walker, Marie Scoggins, Dodie Thompson, Edith Schmidt, John Crawford, Dr. Mare Timmons, Marcy Mitchell, Pete Schlein, Sue Finkle, Jenny Makosky, Natasha Wampler, Molly Russell, Rebecca Green, and Jeanette Henderson (University of Georgia Marine Extension Service); Courtney Power (Chatham County Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission); Dr. Joe Richardson (Savannah State University); Dr. Chandra Franklin (Savannah State University); Dr. Dionne Hoskins (NOAA); Dr. Charles Belin (Armstrong Atlantic University); Dr. Merryl Alber (University of Georgia); (Dr. Mac Rawson (Georgia Sea Grant College Program); Harold Harbert, Kim Morris-Zarneke, and Michele Droszcz (Georgia Adopt-A-Stream); Dorset Hurley and Aimee Gaddis (Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve); Dr. Charra Sweeney-Reeves (All About Pets); Captain Judy Helmey (Miss Judy Charters); Jan Mackinnon and Jill Huntington (Georgia Department of Natural Resources).
    [Show full text]
  • Seahorse Manual
    Seahorse Manual 2010 Seahorse Manual ___________________________ David Garcia SEA LIFE Hanover, Germany Neil Garrick-Maidment The Seahorse Trust, England Seahorses are a very challenging species in husbandry and captive breeding terms and over the years there have been many attempts to keep them using a variety of methods. It is Sealife and The Seahorse Trust’s long term intention to be completely self-sufficient in seahorses and this manual has been put together to be used, to make this long term aim a reality. The manual covers all subjects necessary to keep seahorses from basic husbandry to indepth captive breeding. It is to be used throughout the Sealife group and is to act as a guide to aquarist’s intent on good husbandry of seahorses. This manual covers all aspects from basic set, up, water parameters, transportation, husbandry, to food types and preparation for all stages of seahorse life, from fry to adult. By including contact points it will allow for feedback, so that experience gained can be included in further editions, thus improving seahorse husbandry. Corresponding authors: David Garcia: [email protected] N. Garrick-Maidment email: [email protected] Keywords: Seahorses, Hippocampus species, Zostera marina, seagrass, home range, courtship, reproduction,, tagging, photoperiod, Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Artemia, Rotifers, lighting, water, substrate, temperature, diseases, cultures, Zoe Marine, Selco, decapsulation, filtration, enrichment, gestation. Seahorse Manual 2010 David Garcia SEA LIFE Hanover,
    [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]
  • Ruffles the Rescued Seahorse Released
    Ruffles the Rescued Seahorse to Return Home Clearwater Marine Aquarium cared for and will release seahorse impacted by storm CLEARWATER, FL (Oct. 24, 2018) – Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) rescued, rehabilitated and will release a female lined seahorse, named Ruffles, after she was found washed up on Belleair Beach by a tourist. CMA suspects the rough waves following Hurricane Michael impacted the small seahorse. Ruffles will be released by boat near Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Thurs., Oct. 25 at 11:30 a.m. Media advised to arrive no later than 11:15 a.m. Lou Banholzer found Ruffles on Thurs., Oct. 11 while looking for shark teeth in Belleair Beach, FL. Banholzer and his wife have been vacationing in Florida for 14 years from their Indianapolis home. Banholzer noted there were more shells than usual along the shoreline after Hurricane Michael ripped through the Gulf of Mexico the day prior. While searching for shark teeth, Banholzer discovered a tiny seahorse with seaweed wrapped around it. Banholzer says he knew the seahorse was in distress, as it was 15 – 20 feet inland from the shoreline. He promptly placed it in a container of water and called the CMA rescue team for help. Banholzer’s grandchildren love to visit Winter and Hope at Clearwater Marine Aquarium when they join him on vacation, so he knew all about CMA’s rescue, rehabilitation and release efforts. “It’s remarkable that along the 26 miles of Pinellas County beaches, Ruffles was found just in time to be saved and her rescuers knew who to call,” says David Yates, CEO.
    [Show full text]
  • The Biology, Ecology and Conservation of White's Seahorse
    THE BIOLOGY, ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF WHITE’S SEAHORSE HIPPOCAMPUS WHITEI by DAVID HARASTI B.Sci. (Hons), University of Canberra – 1997 This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of the Environment, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. July 2014 CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINAL AUTHORSHIP I certify that the work in this thesis has not previously been submitted for a degree nor has it been submitted as part of requirements for a degree except as fully acknowledged within the text. I also certify that the thesis has been written by me. Any help that I have received in my research work and the preparation of the thesis itself has been acknowledged. In addition, I certify that all information sources and literature used are indicated in the thesis. Signature of Student: ____________________________ ii ABSTRACT Seahorses are iconic charismatic species that are threatened in many countries around the world with several species listed on the IUCN Red List as vulnerable or endangered. Populations of seahorses have declined through over-exploitation for traditional medicines, the aquarium trade and for curios and through loss of essential habitats. To conserve seahorse populations in the wild, they are listed on Appendix II of CITES, which controls trade by ensuring exporting countries must be able to certify that export of seahorses is not causing a decline or damage to wild populations. Within Australia, seahorses are protected in several states and also in Commonwealth waters. The focus of this study was White’s seahorse Hippocampus whitei, a medium-sized seahorse that is found occurring along the New South Wales (NSW) coast in Australia.
    [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]
  • Lined Seahorse Hippocampus Erectus
    Lined Seahorse Hippocampus erectus Image Courtesy of SC Aquarium (M. Ward) Relatives: Class: Actinopterygii – ray-finned fishes Order: Gasterosteiformes – pipefishes and sticklebacks Family: Syngnathidae – includes seahorses, sea dragons and pipefish Description: The seahorse is a horse-looking fish with a prehensile tail and elongated snout. They do not have a caudal (tail fin). The lined seahorse has pale dark lines along the body. Their scales are like armor plates. Size: Adults can reach lengths of 6in (15cm). Habitat: The seahorse is usually found coiling around branches of soft corals, sea grasses or most anything else they can wrap their tail around. They may also be found in sargassum. Range: They are found along the east coast of North America from Nova Scotia south to northern Gulf of Mexico and Argentina. Predators: Crabs, larger fish, and sea turtles will prey on adults and juveniles. Diet/Prey: The lined seahorse will feed on small crustaceans, plankton, worms and other invertebrates. Aquarium Diet: Brine shrimp and mysis (small freshwater shrimp). Reproduction: Mating usually occurs during a full moon. Courtship rituals, including changing color and numerous “dances” with their mate, are preformed for a few days, sometimes for 9 hours or more at a time. Male and female will mate for life. The female will deposit 100 or more eggs into the male’s brood pouch (a hollow section of the male’s abdomen). The male then releases sperm into the pouch to fertilize the eggs; the pouch will then seal shut after mating. The embryos develop in the pouch and are nourished by individual yolk sacs.
    [Show full text]
  • Dolphin Diaries
    Sound UPDATE Newsletter of the Long Island Sound Study FALL 2009 Dolphin Diaries: Following the Dolphin Pod Around the Sound Wildlife By Kimberly Durham In and Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are probably the most recognized species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) in the world, found worldwide in tropical to cold-temperate waters. Bottlenose dolphins, which are known to live more than 50 years, can grow six to 12 feet in length. Their coloration Around varies from blue-gray to brown with white to cream colored sides and belly. There are two distinct types of bottlenose dolphins: the Sound coastal and offshore. The coastal group, Western Noah Goldberg, SEATOW which is the type of dolphin sighted in Seals and the Sound in June, 2sea turtles is generally shorter and slimmer than the offshore group. Sharks The coastal dolphins 3 are often found in shallow, warm inshore waters of River otters bays and rivers. The 4 offshore dolphins are found in deep offshore waters of Shorebirds shelf edges and slopes 5 and are often much larger and robust in body form. Coastal Seahorses dolphins feed on a 6 variety of fish and invertebrates while Congressional the offshore dolphins Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) made a welcomed appearance feed mainly on squid in Long Island Sound this summer. 7spotlight: and small fish. Rep. DeLauro Historic sightings of dolphins and porpoises within the Long Island Sound can be dated back to pre-World War II times when pods of dolphins were a familiar sight to mariners and residents along the north shore What you can of Long Island.
    [Show full text]