The leafy seadragon or Glauert's seadragon ( Phycodurus eques ) is a marine fish in the Syngnathidae family, which includes seadragons, pipefishs, and seahorses. This is the only member of the genus Phycodurus .
These are found along the south and western shores of Australia. The name is derived from appearance, with long leaf bulges that come from the whole body. This protrusion is not used for propulsion; they only serve as camouflage. The leafy Seadragon pushes itself with a pectoral fin on the ridge of his neck and the dorsal fin on his back is closer to the tip of the tail. These small fins are almost completely transparent and hard to see as they swing smoothly to move the creature quietly through the water, completing the illusion of floating seaweed.
Known as "leafies", it is the epitome of the state of South Australia and the focus for local marine conservation.
Video Leafy seadragon
Description
Just like a seahorse, the name leafy seadragon comes from its resemblance to another creature (in this case, the mythical dragon). Although not large, they are slightly larger than most seahorses, growing to about 20-24 cm (8-9.5 inches). They eat small plankton and crustaceans.
The leather lobes that grow in the leafy seadragon give the camouflage, giving it the appearance of seaweed. He is able to maintain the illusion when swimming, appear to move through the water like a piece of seaweed floating. It can also change the color to blend, but this ability depends on the diet, age, location, and stress level of the seadragon.
This leafy Seadragon is linked to the pipefish and belongs to the Syngnathidae family, along with the sea horses. It differs from a sea horse in appearance, form of propulsion, and its inability to wrap or grasp objects with its tail. The related species are thin, multicolored seadragos and grow like fins, but smaller than leafy seadragons. Another unique feature is the small circular gill opening that covers the tufted gills, very unlike the crescent-shaped openings and jagged gills of most fish species.
Maps Leafy seadragon
Habitat and distribution
The leafy Seadragon is found only in the waters of southern Australia, from Wilson's Promontory in Victoria at the eastern end of its reach, west to the Jurien Bay, 220 km (140 miles) north of Perth in Western Australia. Individuals were once thought to have very limited ranges; but further research has found that seadragons actually travel a few hundred meters from their habitual location, returning to the same place using strong directions. They are mostly found above the sand patches in the waters to a depth of 50 m (160 ft), around the rocks covered in seaweed and seaweed clumps. They are generally seen by scuba divers near Adelaide in South Australia, especially in Rapid Bay, Edithburgh, and Victor Harbor.
Ecology
Leafy sharks usually live a separate lifestyle. When the time comes, the male confronts the female, they then pair up to breed. From the moment they hatch, the leaf seadragons are completely independent. At the age of two, they are usually grown and ready to breed.
This species feeds on small crustaceans, such as amphipods and mysid shrimp, plankton, and fish larvae through its long snout like a pipe.
Reproduction
Like seahorse, the male seabirds take care of the eggs. The female produces up to 250 bright pink eggs, then deposits it to the male tail with its ovipositor, long tube. The eggs then attach themselves to the parent patch, which supplies them with oxygen. After 9 weeks, the eggs begin to hatch, depending on the water condition. The egg turns purple or mature orange during this period, after which the man pumps his tail until the young appears, a process that lasts for 24-48 hours. Help the man in the egg hatch by wagging his tail, and rub it with seaweed and stone. Once born, the young seadragon is completely independent, eating small zooplankton until large enough to hunt for mysids. Only about 5% of the eggs survive.
Movement
The leafy Seadragon uses a fins along the side of its head to allow it to drive and spin. However, the outer skin is quite stiff, limiting mobility. Individual leaf seadragons have been observed remaining in one location for a long time (up to 68 hours), but will sometimes move for long periods. Tracking from one individual indicates it moves up to 150 m (490 ft) per hour.
Preservation
Leafy sharks depend on many threats, both natural and man-made. They are captured by collectors, and are used in alternative medicine. They are vulnerable when first born, and slow swimmers, reducing their chances of escaping from predators. Seadragons often stranded on shore after a storm, unlike their seahorse relatives, seadragons can not curb their tails and hold back the seagrass to remain safe.
This species has become endangered through industrial pollution and runoff, as well as collection for aquarium trade. In response to this danger, the species has been fully protected in South Australia since 1987, Victoria at least since 1995, and Western Australia since 1991. Additionally, the species list is in the Australian Government's Biodiversity Conservation and Conservation Act means that the wellbeing of the species should be considered as part of any development project.
In captivity
Because protected by law, acquiring seadragons is often an expensive and difficult process because they have to come from farms, and exporters must prove that their mothers are caught before the restrictions are imposed, or that they have a license to collect seadragons. Seadragons have a special level of protection under federal fisheries law as well as in most of the Australian states where they occur. Seadragons are difficult to treat in an aquarium. Success in keeping them largely confined to the public aquarium sector, because of funding and knowledge that will not be available to the average fan. Efforts to cultivate leafy leaves in captivity so far have not been successful. Aside from legality, seadragons cost leaved between $ 10,000 and $ 15,000 per piece, very expensive for most collectors.
Australia
Australian aquariums feature lush seadragons including Sydney Aquarium, Melbourne Aquarium and Aquarium of Western Australia.
Canada
The Ripley aquarium in Canada in Toronto features leafy and lean seadragons.
United States
A number of aquaria in the United States have a program or look of a leafy seadragon research. Among these are Aquarium Adventure in Camden, New Jersey, Pacific Aquarium in Long Beach, Scripps Birch Aquarium, San Diego, Minnesota Zoo, Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, Dallas World Aquarium, Texas, New England Aquarium, Boston, Point Zoo Defiance & amp; Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, California Academy of Sciences, Tennessee Aquarium, Sea World Orlando, Florida, Pittsburgh Zoo & amp; PPG Aquarium, Ripley's Aquarium in the Smokies, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Florida. and Mote Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida., Ripley's Broadway Aquarium in Beach, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Cultural reference
The leafy seadragon is the official seal of the state of South Australia. It also features in the following South Australian association logo - Adelaide University Scuba Club Inc. and Marine Life Society of South Australia Inc.
The two-year annual Leaf Fish Festival is held within the limits of the Yankalilla District Council in South Australia. This is the festival of the environment, art and culture of the Fleurieu Peninsula, with the theme celebrating the lush seadragon. The inaugural festival in 2005 attracted more than 7,000 participants including 4,000 visitors.
In 2006, an animated short film, The Amazing Adventure Gavin, a Leafy Seadragon , was created on behalf of several South Australian organizations involved in the preservation of the marine environment, including the Coast Protection Council, the Department of Environment and Heritage and the Center Marine Discovery. Created through the collaboration of People's Animation Republic, Waterline Productions and SA Film Corporation, this film is a preliminary guide to marine conservation and marine bioregion of South Australia suitable for children aged 8-12 years, and copies are distributed on DVD for all primary schools in the country. Educational resource kit to accompany this movie was released in 2008.
See also
- Sea Dragon (disambiguation)
- Weedy seadragon (Common seadragon)
- Ruby seadragon
- Sea horse
- Pipefish
References
Further reading
-
Connolly, R. M. (September 2002). "The patterns of movement and habitat used by leafy sailors are tracked ultrasonically". Fish Biology Journal . 61 (3): 684-695. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2002.tb00904.x.
External links
Australia
- Australian Museum & gt; Leafy Seadragon Accessed August 8, 2011.
- South Australian Sea Life Society & gt; Photo Leafy Seadragon Accessed August 8, 2011.
- Reef Watch & gt; Dragon Search & gt; Photo Library Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- Seadragon Foundation Inc & gt; Leafy Seadragon Archived from the original web page. Retrieved on February 17, 2014.
- Underwater Australasia & gt; Vanishing Dragon Articles about documentary and DVD making. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- The leafy sea dragon documentary "The Vanishing Dragon" Scuba diving in South Australia, Accessed January 9, 2013.
- Fish from Australia: Phycodurus match
International
- Pacific Aquarium & gt; Online Learning Center & gt; Leafy Seadragon Accessed August 8, 2011.
- Seadragon leaf information
- FishBase & gt; Phycodurus emulate (GÃÆ'¼nther, 1865), Leafy seadragon Retrieved 17 August 2011.
- Fused Jaw & gt; Stay Awake Eye on the Sea Dragons of Southern Australia Accessed August 8, 2011.
- Jeffrey N. Jeffords, Dive Gallery & gt; Leafy Sea Dragons Photos and multimedia galleries. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- MarineBio Conservation Society & gt; Phycodurus emulate , Sea Dragons Sea Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- Phycodurus equals - IUCN's database entry includes a long range map and justification on why this species is Less Caring.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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