Seahorses Redpath Museum Mc Gill University Photos Accessed

Seahorses Redpath Museum, Mc. Gill University Photos: Accessed at http: //worldmysteries 9. blogspot. com/2008/11/seahorse-wonderful-world-of-miniature. html ©Mc. Gill University 2010

Photo: Accessed at http: //worldmysteries 9. blogspot. com /2008/11/seahorse-wonderful-world-of-miniature. html Is it a horse or a fish? The seahorse is a bony fish! : © Mc. Gill University 2010

• Seahorses are in the genus Hippocampus. From ancient Greek: hippo = horse kampos = sea monster • There are thirty or so species in the world Photo: Accessed at http: //mmem. spschools. org/links/seahorse/paleseahorse. html Hippocampus © Mc. Gill University 2010

When did seahorses first appear? • Oldest fossil discovered in Slovenia in 2009 • We estimate the seahorse genus (Hippocampus) to be about 15 million years old Photo: Accessed at http: //www 2. arnes. si/~jzaloh/fossil_seahorses. htm © Mc. Gill University 2010

Where do seahorses live? • Throughout the world in warm, coastal waters • Mainly in sea grass beds, coral reefs, and mangrove forests Image: Sara Lourie et al. Used with permission of the author. © Mc. Gill University 2010

Seahorses in Canada • Found in Nova Scotia • Three species have been found in the wild Photo: E. Pluribus Anthony. Wikipedia. org. Public domain. © Mc. Gill University 2010

Seahorse ID • Each species has a specific number of rings around the body and tail • Each individual has an unique coronet (crown) on top of its head. This coronet is like a person’s fingerprint: no two are alike. Photo: Accessed at http: //mmem. spschools. org/links /seahorse/anatomy. html © Mc. Gill University 2010

Photo Nick Hobgood. Wikipedia. org. License: http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/File: Hippocampus_hystrix _%28 Spiny_seahorse%29. jpg. • Can change into bright colors for courtship Photo: Accessed at www. botanybay. info Colour • Usually dull-coloured for camouflage © Mc. Gill University 2010

Size • Most seahorses measure from 1. 5 cm to 35 cm in length • Pygmy seahorses are less than 15 mm long Photo: Steve Childs. Wikipedia. org. Public domain. © Mc. Gill University 2010

Food • Slow feeders • Eat fish larvae, plus small shrimp and other crustaceans • No teeth: suck prey in using their snout Photo: Paul Hebert. Accessed at Wikipedia. org. License: http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/File: Daphnia_pulex. png • No true stomach, very long intestine, always eating Photo: Paul Hebert. Accessed at Wikipedia. org. License: http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/File: Daphnia_pulex. png : © Mc. Gill University 2010

How do they move? • Swim upright • More sedentary than many other fish: attach to vegetation with their tails and wait for prey to pass by Photo: Steven G. Johnson. Wikipedia. org. License: http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/File: Seahorse-aquarium. jpg • Small fins © Mc. Gill University 2010

Reproduction • The male carries the fertilized eggs in a pouch • The eggs incubate for 2 -4 weeks • Live birth, 5 -200 babies, few survive • The male cares for the young Photo: Accessed at http: //worldmysteries 9. blogspot. com/2008/11/seahorse-wonderful-world-of-miniature. html © Mc. Gill University 2010

How long do they live? • On average, they live for 1 -5 years • Larger species live longer Photo: Accessed at http: //mmem. spschools. org/links/seahorse/paleseahorse. html © Mc. Gill University 2010

• Skates, rays • Crabs • Penguins, seabirds Photo: Su Neko. Wikipedia. org. License: http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/File: Sphen iscus_humboldti_-swimming_-aquarium -8 a. jpg • Tuna Photo: Mt. Desert Island Biological Laboratory, ME, Wikipedia. org. Public domain Photo: NOAA, public domain. Accessed at Wikipedia. org Predators © Mc. Gill University 2010

Use in medicine • Believed that they can cure infections and coughing, they are a painkiller, and they have tranquilizing abilities • Used in traditional medicine by the Chinese, Indonesians, Filipinos, and others Photo: Jonathan Zander, . Wikipedia. org. License: http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/File: Seahorse_Skeleton_Macro_8_-_edit. jpg © Mc. Gill University 2010

Seahorses in popular culture • In traditional Mexican culture, the seahorse is believed to be a man who dived into the ocean with his sandals tied to his belt! • Symbol of friendship in Hawaii Image: Lee Hansen Graphics. http: //www. leehansen. com/clipart/Holidays/Christmas/pages/mele-kalikimakawreath. htm © Mc. Gill University 2010

Save Our Seahorses! On the Red List of Threatened Species – They are used in medicine, fishing, and the pet trade – Their habitat is being destroyed Photo: SEAFDEC. Accessed at http: //www. fusedjaw. com/aquariumcare/net-penraised-seahorses/ © Mc. Gill University 2010

Photo: Steve Childs. Wikipedia. org. Public domain. © Mc. Gill University 2010