Population characteristics, space use and habitat associations of the seahorse Hippocampus reidi (Teleostei: Syngnathidae)

• Autor(a) principal: Rosa,Ierecê Lucena
• Data de Publicação: 2007
• Outros Autores: Oliveira,Tacyana P. R., Castro,André L. C., Moraes,Luiz E. de Souza, Xavier,Josias H. A., Nottingham,Mara C., Dias,Thelma L. P., Bruto-Costa,Leonardo V., Araújo,Maria E., Birolo,Alesandra B., Mai,Ana C. G., Monteiro-Neto,Cassiano
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Neotropical ichthyology (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252007000300020
• topic: Longsnout seahorse; Mangrove; Habitat use; Population structure; Brazil; Conservation

This paper provides a case study of a threatened seahorse species, Hippocampus reidi, highlighting the importance of using ecological information to assist conservation and management initiatives. Underwater visual sighting data (50 x 2m transect) gathered along the NE, SE and S portions of the Brazilian coast revealed an unequal distribution across localities, perhaps related to harvesting pressure, and a mean density of 0.026 ind.m-2. Our findings suggest some restricted spatial use by H. reidi, which was consistent with its estimated home range, and with re-sighting of specimens. Reproduction was recorded year-round, however productive peaks may exist. Components of habitat structure mostly used as anchoring points were mangrove plants, macroalgae, cnidarians, seagrass, sponges, and bryozoans. Conservation recommendations include: further characterization and mapping of habitats; assessment of availability and condition of microhabitats in selected areas, and studies on dispersal routes during initial life stages.