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Seahorse Tagging Project, Studland Bay, Dorset, UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2010

N. Garrick-Maidment ,
S. Trewhella ,
J. Hatcher ,
K.J. Collins  and
J.J. Mallinson
N. Garrick-Maidment*
Affiliation:
The Seahorse Trust, Escot Park, Ottery St Mary, Honiton, Devon EX11 1LU, UK
S. Trewhella
Affiliation:
Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve, Kimmeridge, Dorset BH20 5AR, UK
J. Hatcher
Affiliation:
Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve, Kimmeridge, Dorset BH20 5AR, UK
K.J. Collins
Affiliation:
School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
J.J. Mallinson
Affiliation:
School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: N. Garrick-Maidment, The Seahorse Trust St Mary, Escot Park, Ottery, Honiton, Devon EX11 1LU, UK email: info@theseahorsetrust.org
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Abstract

Studland Bay contains an extensive seagrass (Zostera marina) bed and two species of seahorse: spiny (Hippocampus guttulatus) and short snouted (H. hippocampus). All are protected under UK and international legislation. Five H. guttulatus have been tagged and all re-sighted several times within the seagrass bed. Home ranges of 30–400m2 were found. The three tagged males have all been observed to be pregnant throughout the summer months suggesting up to five broods per year. On one occasion the courtship display was recorded. This study has demonstrated the value of volunteer divers in monitoring which would not have been so successful without them. This project arose from concerns over negative impacts of boat anchoring and mooring on the seagrass habitat. It is hoped that the insights gained into site fidelity, territory size and breeding ecology of the seahorses will contribute to management plans for this unique site.

Keywords

Hippocampus guttulatusH. hippocampusZostera marinahome rangecourtshipreproductionSCUBA
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 3 , June 2010 , e73
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2010

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