Abstract
Abstract: The population structure of the longsnout seahorse Hippocampus reidi (Ginsburg 1933) was evaluated in an estuarine system in northeastern Brazil. A total of 425 captures were performed in the Vaza-Barris estuary and 232 individuals were marked with Visible Implant Fluorescent Elastomers. The population was estimated to be composed of 428 fish. The von Bertalanffy growth curve shows a steeper growth during the first months of life, up to about 17 months, and stabilization after 16 cm and 27 months of age. The hereby study indicates that the Vaza-Barris estuary is home to resident populations of longsnout seahorses. Moreover, these populations use mangrove roots as the main substrate for attachment and present well-defined ecological characteristics, such as habitat fidelity and highly structured social organization.
Highlights
Human activity in the marine environment has caused a decline in the number of species worldwide
The three species of the genus Hippocampus in Brazil (H. erectus, H. patagonicus, and H. reidi) are considered vulnerable in the list of Brazilian fauna species threatened with extinction (Portarias MMA no 444/2014 e no 445/2014)
Hippocampus reidi (Ginsburg 1933), has been included in Appendix II of the National List of Species of Aquatic Invertebrates and Fish Overexploited or Threatened by Overexploitation since 2004, in accordance with Normative Instruction 05 of the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment. This species is classified as near-threatened by the IUCN (Oliveira & Pollom 2017)
Summary
Human activity in the marine environment has caused a decline in the number of species worldwide. Overfishing, pollution, bioinvasions, climate change, and habitat loss pose serious threats to marine species worldwide (Lotze et al 2006; Worm et al 2006; Hughes et al 2009). Hippocampus reidi (Ginsburg 1933), has been included in Appendix II of the National List of Species of Aquatic Invertebrates and Fish Overexploited or Threatened by Overexploitation since 2004, in accordance with Normative Instruction 05 (dated May 21, 2004) of the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment. This species is classified as near-threatened by the IUCN (Oliveira & Pollom 2017)
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