Hippocampus ingens és una espècie de peix de la família dels singnàtids i de l'ordre dels singnatiformes.
Els mascles poden assolir els 30 cm de longitud total.[2][3]
Es troba des de San Diego (Califòrnia, Estats Units) fins al Perú, incloent-hi les Illes Galápagos.[2]
Hippocampus ingens és una espècie de peix de la família dels singnàtids i de l'ordre dels singnatiformes.
Hippocampus ingens hè una spezia d'animali di a fauna marina chì faci partita di u genaru di l'Hippocampus.
Com'è tutti i spezii di u genaru di l'hippocampus, Hippocampus ingens hè prutettu da:
Hippocampus ingens hè una spezia d'animali di a fauna marina chì faci partita di u genaru di l'Hippocampus.
The Pacific seahorse, also known as the giant seahorse, (Hippocampus ingens) is a species of fish in the family Syngnathidae. Their genus name (Hippocampus) is derived from the Greek word hippos, which means "horse" and campus, which means "sea monster."[4] This species is the only seahorse species found in the eastern Pacific Ocean.[5]
Hippocampus ingens are one of the largest seahorses, with adult pacific seahorses ranging in size from 12 to 19 centimetres (4.7 to 7.5 in) in height, with a maximum known size of 30 centimetres (12 in). Offspring are approximately 9 mm after birth.[6] While large compared to others of their kind, their size hinders them in the conservation world. Minimum size limits are a common and favored conservation tool, usually starting at 10 cm. Thus, it is crucial that Pacific seahorses are accurately measured when they reach sexual maturity, for it determines if they will be protected or not.[7]
Pacific seahorses can be a variety of colors, including green, brown, maroon, grey, and yellow. Males can be distinguished from females by their prominent keel.[6]
Pacific seahorses share the common traits of seahorses, including a prehensile tail used for anchoring, skin instead of scales, a digestive tract without a distinct stomach, no teeth, and the ability to move each eye independently.[8] It is one of the six species listed as "under the greatest threat from unsustainable levels of harvest and international trade" by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna (CITES).[7]
The pacific seahorse is distributed in the Pacific Ocean from Baja California to Chile, with an additional transient population off of San Diego.The only known oceanic island population occurs around the Galapagos Islands[5] with some additional populations also located in Northern Peru.
Pacific seahorses are nocturnal and known to inhabit a variety of sub-tidal habitats to a maximum depth of 60 metres (200 ft).[8] Habitats include mangroves, seagrass meadows, rocky reefs, coral reefs and sponges.[5][8] Other common habitats are sea kelp and eelgrass. They also camouflage around the branches of gorgonians and black corals. [4]
South America specifically is home to an abundance of aquatic ecosystems. As a result, this region is more susceptible to environmental crime and many species such as the Pacific seahorse are affected by this. Furthermore, Peru trades the most pacific seahorses and this environmental crime in this country regarding the species is very high.[9]
The first record of Hippocampus ingens in Guadalupe Island, Mexico, was in November 2015. This is a northern oceanic island, differing from its usual Eastern Pacific locations. The presence of Hippocampus ingens at this new location could be due to the fact that its population is vulnerable as well as long distance dispersal methods, which other seahorse species have recently been doing.[10]
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna (CITES) data did not become available for seahorses until 2004, and thus until then Latin American countries were not thought of to be heavily involved in international seahorse trade. However, it is now known that countries such as Peru and Mexico are some of the greatest culprits of this trade and although the Pacific seahorse is an Eastern Pacific species, its trade and exploitation has gone largely beyond this region.[7]
Female pacific seahorses in captivity have been observed producing small broods at three months of age. Sexually mature females often develop a dark patch below the anal fin. Males reach sexual maturity at around 5.4 centimetres (2.1 in) in height. Unsuccessful reproductive activity in captivity has been noted at around three months of age, with successful pregnancies as early as six months of age.[6]
Like all seahorses, females deposit their eggs in the brood pouch of the male, where they are subsequently fertilized by the male and sealed into the pouch. As the embryos develop, the fluid inside the pouch changes in salinity to acclimate the embryos to the salinity of the surrounding sea water. Research suggests that pacific seahorse males can brood up to 2000 eggs at once, and may brood multiple times in a breeding season. At the end of the fourteen day gestation period, the male goes into labor and must force the young out of the pouch one at a time, which sometimes takes hours.[6][8]
Birth marks the end of parental care, as young are born fully self-sufficient. It has been hypothesized that juveniles spend the first few months after birth in the open ocean. This is based on their large juvenile dorsal fin and lack of juvenile anchoring behavior, and not specific field observation.[6]
Although they do not have a stomach, Hippocampus ingens juveniles have a well-developed digestive system. They have good immune function and their intestine does most of the work, for it has a larger area since there is no stomach present. Furthermore, the species has enough enzymes to digest its major nutrients, including those to account for the higher than average lipid requirements.[11]
Hippocampus ingens diet consists of small organisms that live on the bottom of the sea such as mysids, small crustaceans, and other plankton. Like most seahorses, Pacific seahorses are ambush predators, meaning that they camouflage in their habitats and wait for their prey to pass. They then suck their prey in and swallow it whole, for they do not have teeth.[4]
Hippocampus ingens have low genetic diversity, which is one of the reasons they are a vulnerable species, and thus it is difficult identify a geographic origin for this species. Researchers are looking into possibly sequencing loci of the species or microsatellite markers to gain more information about the geographic origin of the species and how they are relocating to new locations.[7]
However, it is known that the lineage of seahorses leading to modern pacific seahorses diverged from slender seahorses after the rise of the Isthmus of Panama, between 4 and 5 mya. Pacific seahorses and Fisher's seahorses split from this lineage 2.5 to 3 mya.[5]
Although little research has been conducted regarding the origins of the Hippocampus ingens, one study looked at the histological structure of the species' digestive tract as well as their digestive enzymes and found informative data. The histological structure of their intestine is similar to that of seahorse species that also lack a stomach (agastric teleosts) such as the H. abdomnialis and the H. guttulatus. Thus, these species may have split from each other from a common ancestor, but more than just morphological data would be needed to confirm this observation.[11]
Pacific seahorses face many of the same threats that other seahorses face; over 20 million seahorses are sold each year to be used in Chinese medicine, the aquarium trade, or dried as curios. Mexico and Peru are the largest exporter of pacific seahorses, selling more than 1 dry ton annually.[5] Seahorses are particularly susceptible to over-harvesting due to characteristics such as low fecundity, monogamous mating, long development of embryos, low dispersal ability, and limited geographic distribution.[8] Habitat degradation also poses a threat to Pacific seahorses as humans destroy and pollute their habitats. Commercial fishing also poses as threat to Pacific seahorses as fisherman often catch and kill them in their large fishing nets as bycatch.[4]
Chinese medicine is one of the main risks to the Hippocampus ingens species, thereby making them one of the most vulnerable fish populations in the world. Hippocampus ingens account for the majority of species identified in Chinese medicinal markets around the world in places such as San Francisco's Chinatown.[7] This species specifically is favorable for this industry due to its large size (compared to other seahorses) and smooth texture. Powdered forms of these seahorses are very profitable and thus those who partake in these illegal activities are always finding new ways to conduct their methods. For instance, seahorse powder is not particularly hard to get through customs in many places, for it can be easily disguised as something legal such as plant extract or other substances. These powdered forms are used as "at home remedies" for many common illnesses. For example, some countries mix the powder in various liquids to treat common respiratory illnesses.[9]
Another ways humans exploits seahorses such as the Pacific seahorse is they kill and use them to make crafts and jewelry. Locals will kill seahorses for this reason and sell them to tourists. There are even websites where seahorse products are sold online.[4]
There are some efforts to stop the exploitation of seahorses such as Hippocampus ingens, but little enforcement. For example, in Mexico Hippocampus ingens are listed as a species subject to special protection, but Mexico is still one of the leading contributors to the issue. Additionally, many countries have tried to get legislature involved and implement bans against some of the illegal activity involving the seahorses. For instance, in 2004, the entire genus Hippocampus was included in appendix II of CITES.[8] This action was taken by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and as a result, many countries directly involved in the illegal trade of these species, such as Peru, made more formal bans on it through their legislature. Nonetheless, illegal activity involving the species still continued and confiscation rates were around the same as before the ban was put into place.[12]
Because the main form of the confiscation of these seahorses is powder, chemical identification of the powder would be extremely useful in working towards prevention of illegal trade and trafficking of the species. If a protocol was constructed to determine identify the powdered substance, then it would be much easier for law officials to track the criminal activity being done and hold those accountable.[9]
Additionally, scientists and researchers are searching for new and innovative ways to combat exploitation of Hippocampus ingens and increase the size of their populations. One study in particular took the angle of possibly trying to cultivate the existing seahorse populations by supplementing their diet. They enriched their diet with different foods in the first months of the Hippocampus ingens' life and saw a significant effect on the seahorses' survival.[13]
The Pacific seahorse, also known as the giant seahorse, (Hippocampus ingens) is a species of fish in the family Syngnathidae. Their genus name (Hippocampus) is derived from the Greek word hippos, which means "horse" and campus, which means "sea monster." This species is the only seahorse species found in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
El Caballito del Pacífico (Hippocampus ingens) es una especie de pez de la familia Syngnathidae en el orden de los Syngnathiformes.
Los machos pueden llegar alcanzar los 30 cm de longitud total.[2][3] Siendo los caballitos de mar de mayor tamaño conocido.
Se encuentra desde San Diego (California, Estados Unidos) hasta Chile, incluyendo las Islas Galápagos.
Esta especie se considera Sujeta a Protección Especial en la Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM 059).[4]
El Caballito del Pacífico (Hippocampus ingens) es una especie de pez de la familia Syngnathidae en el orden de los Syngnathiformes.
Hippocampus ingens Hippocampus generoko animalia da. Arrainen barruko Syngnathidae familian sailkatzen da.
Hippocampus ingens Hippocampus generoko animalia da. Arrainen barruko Syngnathidae familian sailkatzen da.
L'hippocampe du Pacifique, aussi connu sous le nom d'hippocampe géant (Hippocampus ingens) est la seule espèce d'hippocampe que l'on retrouve dans l'est de l'Océan Pacifique[1].
Adultes, les hippocampes géants mesurent généralement entre 12 et 19 cm et peuvent atteindre jusqu’à 30 cm de long[2]. Ils peuvent être de couleurs très variées : brun, marron/rouge, jaune, gris, et vert. La majorité de leur corps est tacheté de brun, et recouvert de taches sombres et blanches. Ces hippocampes sont couverts de stries longitudinales sur tout le corps. Au sommet de leur tête se trouve une structure osseuse, appelée couronne, ornée de 5 petites taches. Leur museau est allongé.
Les hippocampes géants ont également de fines marques claires autour des yeux. Les mâles se distinguent des femelles par leur quille proéminente[2], de plus, les femelles sexuellement matures ont souvent une tâche sombre située sur la nageoire anale. Les hippocampes ont la capacité de changer la couleur de leur corps en fonction de leur environnement. L’hippocampe du Pacifique vit généralement entre 3 et 5 ans, dépendant des conditions de son milieu[3].
L’hippocampe géant partage certains traits communs à tous les hippocampes, comme le fait d’avoir une queue préhensile utilisée pour l’ancrage, une peau au lieu d’écailles, un tube digestif sans estomac distinct, une absence de dents, et la capacité de mouvoir chaque œil indépendamment de l'autre[4].
Cette espèce semble être plutôt solitaire, ne migre pas et est nocturne[3].
On le trouve le long de la côte de l'océan Pacifique est[3],[5],[6],[7]. En Colombie, Costa Rica, Équateur, Salvador, Guatemala, Mexique, Panama, Pérou et États-Unis.
Les hippocampes géants se trouvent dans les récifs de corail, généralement entre 1 et 20 mètres de profondeur, mais peuvent aller jusque 60 mètres maximum[4],[5],[7].Leurs différents habitats comprennent des mangroves, des herbiers marins, des récifs rocheux, des récifs coralliens, et des éponges.Ils ont pour habitude d’enrouler leur queue autour des arbres de corail noir, des branches de coraux, des brins d’herbes marines, des branches de gorgones et des fouets de mer afin de se camoufler des prédateurs.[1],[3],[4]
L'hippocampe géant se nourrit de petits crustacés et de zooplancton. Il mange des Artémies et des mysidacés, des crustacés semblables à des crevettes très riches en protéines et en lipides. Les juvéniles peuvent consommer du phytoplancton. Les hippocampes se nourrissent en aspirant la nourriture à travers leur museau tubulaire, leur absence de dent les empêchant de faire autrement[3].
Comme de nombreuses espèces dans le règne animal, ce sont les mâles qui se disputent les femelles, et ce bien que ce soient les mâles qui portent les œufs. Les mâles peuvent se montrer agressifs les uns envers les autres, en se donnant des coups de tête et de queue. Une fois que le couple s’est trouvé, tous deux se frottent la tête ensemble, entrelacent leur queue et font une danse. Ce comportement dure 3 jours. A la fin de ces 3 jours, la femelle dépose les œufs dans la poche du mâle à l’aide de son ovipositeur. Le mâle gardera la couvée dans sa poche durant 14 ou 15 jours, selon la température de l’eau. Il a été observé que la taille des couvées peut aller jusque 2000 larves. On n’observe pas de saison de reproduction, il semblerait donc que cet hippocampe se reproduise toute l’année. Les œufs sont lisses, en forme de poires, et jaunâtres. Les juvéniles sont généralement relâchés durant les marées hautes afin de maximiser leurs chances de trouver de la nourriture, et l’expulsion peut durer parfois jusqu’à plusieurs heures.[2],[3],[4],[7]
Les jeunes H. ingens, une fois expulsés, sont indépendants de leur parent, mesurant environ 9 mm durant les deux premiers mois. Les mâles atteignent leur maturité à 5,4 cm de long. Lorsque la maturité sexuelle des femelles est atteinte, elles développent généralement une tâche sombre sous la nageoire anale. En captivité, il a été observé que des hippocampes géants se reproduisaient dès l’âge de 3 mois. Cependant, la couvée à cet âge est assez petite, et les mâles échouent souvent lors de la parade nuptiale. Les reproductions réussies se font généralement vers l’âge de 6 mois.[2],[3]
Les juvéniles sont davantage exposés à la prédation que les adultes. Cette espèce d’hippocampe parvient à diminuer les risques de prédation grâce à sa capacité à se camoufler. Ils peuvent être la source alimentaire de grands poissons, et peuvent également être l’hôte de parasites et victimes d’infections fongiques.
Les exigences pour les réservoirs restent similaires aux autres espèces d’hippocampes, mais la température est inférieure à celle des hippocampes indopacifiques ou tropicaux. On recommande d’utiliser un réservoir profond (de plus d’1m de profondeur) et la température de l’eau doit se situer entre 15 et 25 °C.[2]
Il est difficile de savoir comment ces espèces communiquent. Ce sont des poissons osseux donc leur système de lignes latérales est capable de déterminer la pression et les mouvements de l’eau autour d’eux. Ils peuvent utiliser l’ouïe pour distinguer les cliquetis produit par des couples lors de l’accouplement, et utilisent la vue pour détecter leur proie ainsi que pendant la parade nuptiale. Enfin, ils peuvent utilisent l’odorat pour repérer les produits chimiques dissous éventuellement présents dans l’eau[3].
Les hippocampes géants sont importants dans le commerce international pour l'aquariophilie. Comme les autres hippocampes, ils sont également utilisés dans la médecine traditionnelle chinoise. Ces utilisations ont entrainé un déclin important des populations.[3],[7]
Les populations d’hippocampes géants sont en diminution depuis plusieurs années, plus précisément de 50% des effectifs entre 2007 et 2012. Ceci est principalement dû à la destruction de leur habitat et à la surpêche. Chaque année, des milliers d’hippocampes géants sont accidentellement capturés par les pêcheurs de crevettes. Le Mexique et le Pérou sont les plus gros exportateurs d’hippocampes du Pacifique, avec plus d’une tonne sèche d’hippocampe du Pacifique vendue par an[3].
Ils sont classés comme vulnérables selon la liste rouge de l’UICN des espèces menacées.[8] Au Mexique les hippocampes géants sont soumis à une protection spéciale et les pêcheurs ne peuvent pas capturer de manière volontaire ces animaux. Au Panama, l’espèce est inscrite comme protégée dans un mandat de gestion des récifs coralliens. Il est également sous protection CITES au niveau II comme l’ensemble du genre hippocampus[9].
L'hippocampe du Pacifique, aussi connu sous le nom d'hippocampe géant (Hippocampus ingens) est la seule espèce d'hippocampe que l'on retrouve dans l'est de l'Océan Pacifique.
Hippocampus ingens è un pesce osseo marino appartenente alla famiglia Syngnathidae.
endemico dell'Oceano Pacifico orientale da San Diego e la baia di San Francisco in California (negli Stati Uniti d'America) al Perù, incluso le Isole Galapagos. Vive in acque costiere, di solito sotto i 10 metri e occasionalmente fino a 60. Si trova prevalentemente tra le gorgonie[2].
Misura fino a 30 cm ed è uno dei cavallucci marini più grandi; l'aspetto è simile a quello degli altri Hippocampus[2].
Come in tutti i Syngnathidae i ruoli sessuali sono invertiti. Le uova vengono custodite dal maschio all'interno di una sacca ventrale dove avviene la schiusa[2].
È stato trovato nel contenuto dello stomaco di tonni pinna gialla e di tonni rossi[2].
Si tratta di una specie considerata come vulnerabile a causa della rarefazione di molte popolazioni. Le cause di minaccia sono soprattutto la cattura accidentale nelle reti per la pesca dei gamberi, le modificazioni dell'habitat e l'urbanizzazione costiera[1].
Può essere allevato in acquario ma la sua esportazione e importazione sono vietate dalla CITES[2].
Hippocampus ingens è un pesce osseo marino appartenente alla famiglia Syngnathidae.
Hippocampus ingens is een straalvinnige vissensoort uit de familie van zeenaalden en zeepaardjes (Syngnathidae).[2] De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1858 door Girard.
De soort staat op de Rode Lijst van de IUCN als Kwetsbaar, beoordelingsjaar 2017. De omvang van de populatie is volgens de IUCN dalend.[1]
Bronnen, noten en/of referentiesO Cavalo-marinho do Pacífico (Hippocampus ingens) é uma espécie de peixe da família Syngnathidae.
Pode ser encontrada nos seguintes países: Colômbia, Costa Rica, Equador, El Salvador, Guatemala, México (Região da Baja Califórnia), Panamá, Peru e nos Estados Unidos da América, incuindo as Ilhas Galápagos[1].
Os seus habitats naturais são: recifes de coral e florestas de kelp.
Está ameaçada por perda de habitat.
O Cavalo-marinho do Pacífico (Hippocampus ingens) é uma espécie de peixe da família Syngnathidae.
Pode ser encontrada nos seguintes países: Colômbia, Costa Rica, Equador, El Salvador, Guatemala, México (Região da Baja Califórnia), Panamá, Peru e nos Estados Unidos da América, incuindo as Ilhas Galápagos.
Os seus habitats naturais são: recifes de coral e florestas de kelp.
Está ameaçada por perda de habitat.
Cá ngựa Thái Bình Dương (Hippocampus ingens) là một loài cá thuộc họ Syngnathidae. Nó được tìm thấy ở Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, México, Panama, Peru, và Hoa Kỳ. Môi trường sống tự nhiên của chúng là rạn san hô.
Cá ngựa Thái Bình Dương (Hippocampus ingens) là một loài cá thuộc họ Syngnathidae. Nó được tìm thấy ở Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, México, Panama, Peru, và Hoa Kỳ. Môi trường sống tự nhiên của chúng là rạn san hô.
太平洋海馬為輻鰭魚綱棘背魚目海龍科的其中一種,被IUCN列為次級保育類動物,分布於東太平洋區,從美國加州聖地牙哥至秘魯海域,棲息深度60公尺,體長可達30公分,棲息在外海,夜行性,屬肉食性,以小型甲殼類為食,卵胎生,可作為觀賞魚。