Seahorses
Type: Fish
Number of Species: about 47 discovered so far
Size: range from 1.5 cm to 35 cm long
Habitat: All around the world. Found off every coast of every continent except Antarctica. Commonly seen in shallow, warm, tropical water but can also be found in cold waters as well
Fun Fact: Seahorses have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries and and it is estimated that the medicine trade takes in excess up to 150 million seahorses a year
Number of Species: about 47 discovered so far
Size: range from 1.5 cm to 35 cm long
Habitat: All around the world. Found off every coast of every continent except Antarctica. Commonly seen in shallow, warm, tropical water but can also be found in cold waters as well
Fun Fact: Seahorses have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries and and it is estimated that the medicine trade takes in excess up to 150 million seahorses a year
Seahorse Reproduction
|
|
Mechanisms for Adaptation
Fertilization Mechanism
The female inserts her ovipositor which is the organ located close to the anal fin to deposit unfertilized eggs into the male's brood pouch. The male then releases sperm directly into the seawater. The spermatozoa travels a significant distance (>4 mm) outside the body of the male to reach and fertilize the eggs in his pouch. This is possible because the female releases ovarian fluid while depositing the eggs and this ovarian fluid was found to prolong the activation of the spermatozoa and increase its mobility. This fertilization mechanism is highly efficient because of the mixture of ovarian fluid in the environment and the sperm to egg ratio (<200:1).
Fertilization Mechanism
The female inserts her ovipositor which is the organ located close to the anal fin to deposit unfertilized eggs into the male's brood pouch. The male then releases sperm directly into the seawater. The spermatozoa travels a significant distance (>4 mm) outside the body of the male to reach and fertilize the eggs in his pouch. This is possible because the female releases ovarian fluid while depositing the eggs and this ovarian fluid was found to prolong the activation of the spermatozoa and increase its mobility. This fertilization mechanism is highly efficient because of the mixture of ovarian fluid in the environment and the sperm to egg ratio (<200:1).
Defense Mechanisms
Seahorse Armour
The seahorse tail is comprised of subdermal bony plates arranged in ring-like segments that overlap for controlled ventral bending and twisting. These bony plates are highly deformable materials designed to slide past one another and buckle when compressed and make it so the bones of the tail are fracture resistant. The hardiness distribution and structural hierarchy of each plate provides a rigid structure for myomere muscles to pull on and transmit forces to the vertebrae and ultimately provide seahorses with joint flexibility while shielding them against impact and crushing. This natural armor provides body support and protection and also contributes to the ability to bend their tails to grasp and hold objects.
Seahorse Armour
The seahorse tail is comprised of subdermal bony plates arranged in ring-like segments that overlap for controlled ventral bending and twisting. These bony plates are highly deformable materials designed to slide past one another and buckle when compressed and make it so the bones of the tail are fracture resistant. The hardiness distribution and structural hierarchy of each plate provides a rigid structure for myomere muscles to pull on and transmit forces to the vertebrae and ultimately provide seahorses with joint flexibility while shielding them against impact and crushing. This natural armor provides body support and protection and also contributes to the ability to bend their tails to grasp and hold objects.
Camouflage
Seahorses are very poor swimmers which may lead them to be easy prey. However some species are able to use camouflage as a defense mechanism by rapidly changing colors in order to blend into their surroundings. Some species can even grow fleshy filaments which mimic algae, corals, or other plant life in the ocean. Seahorses are able to change colors because of organelles called chromatophores that are embedded within their skin. These small sacklike organs contain pigments and can expand or contract in response to a variety of stimuli. The pigments of these chromatophores are usually stacked on top of each other or clustered in groups explaining the ability of seahorses to change into a variety of different colors.
Seahorses are very poor swimmers which may lead them to be easy prey. However some species are able to use camouflage as a defense mechanism by rapidly changing colors in order to blend into their surroundings. Some species can even grow fleshy filaments which mimic algae, corals, or other plant life in the ocean. Seahorses are able to change colors because of organelles called chromatophores that are embedded within their skin. These small sacklike organs contain pigments and can expand or contract in response to a variety of stimuli. The pigments of these chromatophores are usually stacked on top of each other or clustered in groups explaining the ability of seahorses to change into a variety of different colors.