Short-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus hippocampus)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 182519021

The unknown European seahorses:contribution to increasing the knowledge for the classification and conservation status of the Atlantic seahorse in Portugal

The project will contribute to the knowledge and classification / conservation status of two European sympatric seahorses (Hippocampus hippocampus and Hippocampus guttulatus) in Portugal through formal data collection and informal data collection - based on an innovative digital platform for collecting civil society data. The data collection will allow to the update the Red List category and criteria of these vulnerable species (currently listed as Data Deficient) to push for the implementation of protective measures on a national level, considering the increase of detrimental pressure factors and the dramatic decline recently documented. Underwater visual census will be used to collect biological and ecological information at six different locations in Portugal based on anecdotal information and previous studies. In addition, a literature revision will be made to compile existent data (administration, universities, etc.) and further data analysis. Moreover, a digital platform will be created and made publicly available to gather information regarding seahorse sightings, locations and other additional information. A final report will be made by cross-referencing the formal and informal data, as well as a recommendation factsheet to inform the stakeholders and decision makers. There will be a strong communication emphasis to increase the outreach of this project.

Project documents

• Published article entitled: Identifying key environmental variables of two seahorse species (Hippocampus guttulatus and Hippocampus hippocampus) in the Ria Formosa lagoon, South Portugal
• Published article entitled: A synthesis of European seahorse taxonomy, population structure, and habitat use as a basis for assessment, monitoring and conservation
• Published article entitled: A novel underwater visual census: Seahorse population survey as a case study.
• Published article entitled: Seahorse (Hippocampinae) population fluctuations in the Ria Formosa Lagoon, south Portugal
• Published article entitled: Effects of artificial holdfast units on seahorse density in the Ria Formosa lagoon, Portugal.
• PhD Thesis - Miguel Correia
• Published article entitled: The use of a non-invasive tool for capture-recapture studies on a seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus population.
• Published article entitled: The use of a non-invasive tool for capture-recapture studies on a seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus population.
• Published article entitled: Advances in tagging syngnathids, with the effects of dummy tags on behaviour of Hippocampus guttulatus




Project 182519021 location - Portugal, Europe