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{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{Speciesbox
{{Speciesbox
| name = Hedgehog seahorse
| name = Hedgehog seahorse
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| status = VU
| status = VU
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Pollom, R. |date=2017 |title=''Hippocampus spinosissimus'' |volume=2017 |page=e.T107259870A54906372 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T107259870A54906372.en |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>
| status_ref = <ref name = iucn/>
| status2 = CITES_A2
| status2_system = CITES
| status2_ref = <ref>{{Cite web|title=Appendices {{!}} CITES|url=https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php|access-date=2022-01-14|website=cites.org}}</ref>
| taxon = Hippocampus spinosissimus
| taxon = Hippocampus spinosissimus
| authority = [[Max Carl Wilhelm Weber|M. C. W. Weber]], 1913
| authority = [[Max Carl Wilhelm Weber|M. C. W. Weber]], 1913
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}}
}}


The '''hedgehog seahorse''' (''Hippocampus spinosissimus'') is a species of fish of the family [[Syngnathidae]]. It inhabits coastal waters from [[India]] and [[Sri Lanka]] to [[Taiwan]] and northern [[Australia]].<ref name=iucn>{{cite journal | author = Pollom, R. | year = 2017 | title = ''Hippocampus spinosissimus'' | journal = [[The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] | volume = 2017 | page = e.T107259870A54906372 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T107259870A54906372.en }}</ref> It is threatened by [[overfishing]], as both targeted catch and [[bycatch]]. This species is [[ovoviviparous]], with males carrying eggs in a brood pouch before giving birth to live young.<ref name=fb>Lourie, S.A., A.C.J. Vincent and H.J. Hall, 1999. Seahorses: an identification guide to the world's species and their conservation. Project Seahorse, London. p. 214</ref>
The '''hedgehog seahorse''' (''Hippocampus spinosissimus'') is a species of fish of the family [[Syngnathidae]]. It inhabits coastal waters from [[India]] and [[Sri Lanka]] to [[Taiwan]] and northern [[Australia]].<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" /> It is threatened by [[overfishing]], as both targeted catch and [[bycatch]]. This species is [[ovoviviparous]], with males carrying eggs in a brood pouch before giving birth to live young.<ref name=fb>Lourie, S.A., A.C.J. Vincent and H.J. Hall, 1999. Seahorses: an identification guide to the world's species and their conservation. Project Seahorse, London. p. 214</ref>


==Identification==
==Identification==
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==Habitat==
==Habitat==


''Hippocampus spinosissimus'' inhabits [[reef]] systems, occupying sand or [[silt]] bottoms, to a maximum depth of {{convert|70|m|ft}}.<ref name=iucn/> In the central [[Philippines]], individuals are most commonly found on relatively barren soft or sandy bottoms and depressions, where they associate with [[octocorals]], [[sea stars]], [[sea pens]], [[sea urchins]], [[sponges]], submerged wood and [[macroalgae]]. They are rarely found in direct association with [[reefs]] or hard [[corals]]. Trawls in Malaysia indicate similar habitat choice.<ref name=iucn/>
''Hippocampus spinosissimus'' inhabits [[reef]] systems, occupying sand or [[silt]] bottoms, to a maximum depth of {{convert|70|m|ft}}.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" /> In the central [[Philippines]], individuals are most commonly found on relatively barren soft or sandy bottoms and depressions, where they associate with [[octocorals]], [[sea stars]], [[sea pens]], [[sea urchins]], [[sponges]], submerged wood and [[macroalgae]]. They are rarely found in direct association with [[reefs]] or hard [[corals]]. Trawls in Malaysia indicate similar habitat choice.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" />


==Ecology==
==Ecology==
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===Reproduction and growth===
===Reproduction and growth===


''Hippocampus spinosissimus'' is a [[ovoviviparous]] species, with the female using an [[ovipositor]] to transfer eggs to an enclosed brood pouch on the male's stomach. The male then fertilizes and protects the developing [[embryos]] before giving birth to tiny ({{convert|5.63|mm|in}}) independent young.<ref name=foa/><ref name=iucn/> Individuals reach sexual maturity when they are around {{convert|10.4|cm|in}}.<ref name=fb/>
''Hippocampus spinosissimus'' is an [[ovoviviparous]] species, with the female using an [[ovipositor]] to transfer eggs to an enclosed brood pouch on the male's stomach. The male then fertilizes and protects the developing [[embryos]] before giving birth to tiny ({{convert|5.63|mm|in}}) independent young.<ref name=foa/><ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" /> Individuals reach sexual maturity when they are around {{convert|10.4|cm|in}}.<ref name=fb/>


==Population==
==Population==


Although there have been no dedicated population estimates for ''H. spinosissimus'', analyses of seahorse trade and fisher surveys suggest population declines of at least 30% in the past 10 years. In specific areas these declines can be even more significant, with 80% population decline over two months occurring in the central Philippines due to targeted fishing.<ref name=iucn/>
Although there have been no dedicated population estimates for ''H. spinosissimus'', analyses of seahorse trade and fisher surveys suggest population declines of at least 30% in the past 10 years. In specific areas these declines can be even more significant, with 80% population decline over two months occurring in the central Philippines due to targeted fishing.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" />


==Threats==
==Threats==


The major threat to ''H. spinosissimus'' is [[overfishing]]. It is caught as [[bycatch]] in many artisanal and commercial fisheries throughout its range, such as in [[Cambodia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Thailand]], the [[Philippines]] and [[Vietnam]]. This species is one of the two most heavily reported species in trade - an indicator of the high levels of exploitation pressure from [[bycatch]] that is exerted on it.<ref name=iucn/>
The major threat to ''H. spinosissimus'' is [[overfishing]]. It is caught as [[bycatch]] in many artisanal and commercial fisheries throughout its range, such as in [[Cambodia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Thailand]], the [[Philippines]] and [[Vietnam]]. This species is one of the two most heavily reported species in trade - an indicator of the high levels of exploitation pressure from [[bycatch]] that is exerted on it.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" />


==Conservation==
==Conservation==


All ''Hippocampus'' species are listed under Appendix II of the [[Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora]] (CITES), which regulates the export of seahorses. Signed countries are meant to provide permits for seahorse exports, and ensure that these exports are not harmful to wild populations. This, however, becomes difficult when population information is unavailable and authorities cannot assess the [[sustainability]] of their seahorse exploitation. The challenge is increased further by the fact that most seahorses are caught as [[bycatch]], so imposing export quotas has little effect on the impact to seahorses. Therefore, it is important that we gather information regarding the spatial and temporal distributions of seahorses, so that area restrictions can be imposed that are most effective in conserving populations.<ref name=iucn/>
All ''Hippocampus'' species are listed under Appendix II of the [[Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora]] (CITES), which regulates the export of seahorses. Signed countries are meant to provide permits for seahorse exports, and ensure that these exports are not harmful to wild populations. This, however, becomes difficult when population information is unavailable and authorities cannot assess the [[sustainability]] of their seahorse exploitation. The challenge is increased further by the fact that most seahorses are caught as [[bycatch]], so imposing export quotas has little effect on the impact to seahorses. Therefore, it is important that we gather information regarding the spatial and temporal distributions of seahorses, so that area restrictions can be imposed that are most effective in conserving populations.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" />


==References==
==References==
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*[http://eol.org/pages/1011543/overview Encyclopedia of Life]
*[http://eol.org/pages/1011543/overview Encyclopedia of Life]
*[https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/102835-Hippocampus-spinosissimus iNaturalist]
*[https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/102835-Hippocampus-spinosissimus iNaturalist]
*[https://www.iseahorse.org/ iSeahorse]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180317175447/https://www.iseahorse.org/ iSeahorse]
*[https://iucn-seahorse.org/ IUCN Seahorse, Pipefish & Stickleback Specialist Group]
*[https://iucn-seahorse.org/ IUCN Seahorse, Pipefish & Stickleback Specialist Group]
*[http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1549 Fishes of fAustralia : ''Hippocampus spinosissimus'']
*[http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1549 Fishes of fAustralia : ''Hippocampus spinosissimus'']
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q301908}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q301908}}


[[Category:Hippocampus (genus)|hedgehog seahorse]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:seahorse, hedgehog}}
[[Category:Hippocampus|hedgehog seahorse]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Max Carl Wilhelm Weber]]
[[Category:Fauna of Queensland]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1913|hedgehog seahorse]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1913|hedgehog seahorse]]
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]

Latest revision as of 08:53, 19 November 2023

Hedgehog seahorse
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Syngnathiformes
Family: Syngnathidae
Genus: Hippocampus
Species:
H. spinosissimus
Binomial name
Hippocampus spinosissimus
Synonyms
  • Hippocampus aimei Roule, 1916
  • Hippocampus alatus Kuiter, 2001
  • Hippocampus queenslandicus Horne, 2001
  • Hippocampus semispinosus Kuiter, 2001

The hedgehog seahorse (Hippocampus spinosissimus) is a species of fish of the family Syngnathidae. It inhabits coastal waters from India and Sri Lanka to Taiwan and northern Australia.[1] It is threatened by overfishing, as both targeted catch and bycatch. This species is ovoviviparous, with males carrying eggs in a brood pouch before giving birth to live young.[3]

Identification[edit]

Hippocampus spinosissimus is usually around 12.5 centimetres (4.9 in) long, with a long snout and a low coronet. Spines vary through life, with juveniles being more spiny than adults. Individuals usually have a yellow-orange to deep red or dark brown snout, a dark front of head, and pale grey saddles or bands over the trunk and tail. Deepwater specimens are usually red or orange, likely to match the sponges and corals at that depth.[4]

Habitat[edit]

Hippocampus spinosissimus inhabits reef systems, occupying sand or silt bottoms, to a maximum depth of 70 metres (230 ft).[1] In the central Philippines, individuals are most commonly found on relatively barren soft or sandy bottoms and depressions, where they associate with octocorals, sea stars, sea pens, sea urchins, sponges, submerged wood and macroalgae. They are rarely found in direct association with reefs or hard corals. Trawls in Malaysia indicate similar habitat choice.[1]

Ecology[edit]

Feeding[edit]

This species is carnivorous, feeding on small crustaceans such as copepods, amphipods, and gammarid, caprellid, and caridean shrimps, as well as other planktonic invertebrates.[4]

Reproduction and growth[edit]

Hippocampus spinosissimus is an ovoviviparous species, with the female using an ovipositor to transfer eggs to an enclosed brood pouch on the male's stomach. The male then fertilizes and protects the developing embryos before giving birth to tiny (5.63 millimetres (0.222 in)) independent young.[4][1] Individuals reach sexual maturity when they are around 10.4 centimetres (4.1 in).[3]

Population[edit]

Although there have been no dedicated population estimates for H. spinosissimus, analyses of seahorse trade and fisher surveys suggest population declines of at least 30% in the past 10 years. In specific areas these declines can be even more significant, with 80% population decline over two months occurring in the central Philippines due to targeted fishing.[1]

Threats[edit]

The major threat to H. spinosissimus is overfishing. It is caught as bycatch in many artisanal and commercial fisheries throughout its range, such as in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. This species is one of the two most heavily reported species in trade - an indicator of the high levels of exploitation pressure from bycatch that is exerted on it.[1]

Conservation[edit]

All Hippocampus species are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates the export of seahorses. Signed countries are meant to provide permits for seahorse exports, and ensure that these exports are not harmful to wild populations. This, however, becomes difficult when population information is unavailable and authorities cannot assess the sustainability of their seahorse exploitation. The challenge is increased further by the fact that most seahorses are caught as bycatch, so imposing export quotas has little effect on the impact to seahorses. Therefore, it is important that we gather information regarding the spatial and temporal distributions of seahorses, so that area restrictions can be imposed that are most effective in conserving populations.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Pollom, R. (2017). "Hippocampus spinosissimus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T107259870A54906372. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T107259870A54906372.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ a b Lourie, S.A., A.C.J. Vincent and H.J. Hall, 1999. Seahorses: an identification guide to the world's species and their conservation. Project Seahorse, London. p. 214
  4. ^ a b c Dianne J. Bray & Vanessa J. Thompson, Hippocampus spinosissimus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 17 Mar 2018, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1549

Further reading[edit]

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