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Research article
Miquel Planas
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC)
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1217-5716
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Syngnathid fishes (Actinopterygii, Syngnathidae) are flagship species strongly associated with seaweed and seagrass habitats. Seahorses and pipefishes are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic and environmental disturbances, but most species are currently Data Deficient according to the IUCN (IUCN, 2019), requiring more biological and ecological research. This study provides the first insights into syngnathid populations in the two marine Spanish National Parks (PNIA –Atlantic- and PNAC –Mediterranean). Fishes were collected periodically, marked, morphologically identified, analysed for size, weight, sex and sexual maturity, and sampled for stable isotope and genetic identification. Due the scarcity of previous information, habitat characteristics were also assessed in PNIA.
Results: Syngnathid diversity and abundance were low, with two species identified in PNIA (Hippocampus guttulatus and Syngnathus acus) and four in PNAC (S. abaster, S. acus, S. typhle and Nerophis maculatus). Syngnathids from both National Parks (NP) differed isotopically, with much lower δ15N in PNAC than in PNIA. The dominant species were S. abaster in PNAC and S. acus in PNIA. Syngnathids preferred less exposed sites in macroalgal assemblages in PNIA and Cymodocea meadows in PNAC. The occurrence of very large specimens, the absence of small-medium sizes and the isotopic comparison with a nearby population suggest that the population of Syngnathus acus (the dominant syngnathid in PNIA) mainly comprised breeders that migrate seasonally. Novel 16S rDNA haplotypes and sequence variants were detected for H. guttulatus, N. maculatus, S. acus, and S. abaster. Our data suggest the presence of a cryptic Syngnathus species in PNAC.
Conclusions: This is the first multidisciplinary approach to the study of syngnathids in Spanish marine NPs. Habitat preferences and population characteristics in both NPs differed. Further studies are needed to assess potential species misidentifications of genus Syngnathus in PNAC, and migratory events in PNIA. We propose several preferential sites in both NPs for future monitoring of syngnathid populations and some recommendations for their conservation.
Keywords
National Park, syngnathids, habitat, stable isotopes, genetic identification, conservation
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This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
- ARRIVEAuthorChecklist.pdf
- ESM1.mp4
Title of data: 3D aerial view of Cíes Archipelago (PNIA) Description of data: 3D video showing surveyed sites and locations of syngnathid captures in Cíes Archipelago (PNIA). The final sites for further monitoring are also shown.
- ESM2.pdf
Title of data: Extra information on sediment, vegetal communities, genetics and growth of syngnathids. Description of data: Textural and compositional parameters of sediment (PNIA), general characteristics of macroalgal species and communities (PNIA), haplotypes detected in syngnathids (PNIA and PNAC), PCO Principal coordinates ordination for seaweed assemblages and syngnathids (PNIA), and length-weight relationships in syngnathids (PNIA).
- ESM3.pdf
Title of data: Bathymetric zonation of seaweed assemblages in PNIA. Description of data: Illustrations of main species (medium-high abundance) of macroalgae and bathymetric zonation of seaweed assemblages in transects surveyed on Cíes Archipelago (PNIA).
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View the published article at BMC Ecology and Evolution.
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Posted 03 Nov, 2020
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Review #1 received
Received 21 Nov, 2020
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 21 Nov, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 18 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 02 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 01 Nov, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 28 Oct, 2020
Editor assigned
On 27 Oct, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 27 Oct, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 27 Oct, 2020
Editor invited
On 27 Oct, 2020
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A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
See the published version of this preprint at BMC Ecology and Evolution.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Miquel Planas
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC)
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1217-5716
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Ecology and Evolution.
Version 1
Posted 03 Nov, 2020
No community comments so far
Review #1 received
Received 21 Nov, 2020
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 21 Nov, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 18 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 02 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 01 Nov, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 28 Oct, 2020
Editor assigned
On 27 Oct, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 27 Oct, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 27 Oct, 2020
Editor invited
On 27 Oct, 2020
First submitted
On 08 Oct, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published article at BMC Ecology and Evolution.
Background: Syngnathid fishes (Actinopterygii, Syngnathidae) are flagship species strongly associated with seaweed and seagrass habitats. Seahorses and pipefishes are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic and environmental disturbances, but most species are currently Data Deficient according to the IUCN (IUCN, 2019), requiring more biological and ecological research. This study provides the first insights into syngnathid populations in the two marine Spanish National Parks (PNIA –Atlantic- and PNAC –Mediterranean). Fishes were collected periodically, marked, morphologically identified, analysed for size, weight, sex and sexual maturity, and sampled for stable isotope and genetic identification. Due the scarcity of previous information, habitat characteristics were also assessed in PNIA.
Results: Syngnathid diversity and abundance were low, with two species identified in PNIA (Hippocampus guttulatus and Syngnathus acus) and four in PNAC (S. abaster, S. acus, S. typhle and Nerophis maculatus). Syngnathids from both National Parks (NP) differed isotopically, with much lower δ15N in PNAC than in PNIA. The dominant species were S. abaster in PNAC and S. acus in PNIA. Syngnathids preferred less exposed sites in macroalgal assemblages in PNIA and Cymodocea meadows in PNAC. The occurrence of very large specimens, the absence of small-medium sizes and the isotopic comparison with a nearby population suggest that the population of Syngnathus acus (the dominant syngnathid in PNIA) mainly comprised breeders that migrate seasonally. Novel 16S rDNA haplotypes and sequence variants were detected for H. guttulatus, N. maculatus, S. acus, and S. abaster. Our data suggest the presence of a cryptic Syngnathus species in PNAC.
Conclusions: This is the first multidisciplinary approach to the study of syngnathids in Spanish marine NPs. Habitat preferences and population characteristics in both NPs differed. Further studies are needed to assess potential species misidentifications of genus Syngnathus in PNAC, and migratory events in PNIA. We propose several preferential sites in both NPs for future monitoring of syngnathid populations and some recommendations for their conservation.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
- ARRIVEAuthorChecklist.pdf
- ESM1.mp4
Title of data: 3D aerial view of Cíes Archipelago (PNIA) Description of data: 3D video showing surveyed sites and locations of syngnathid captures in Cíes Archipelago (PNIA). The final sites for further monitoring are also shown.
- ESM2.pdf
Title of data: Extra information on sediment, vegetal communities, genetics and growth of syngnathids. Description of data: Textural and compositional parameters of sediment (PNIA), general characteristics of macroalgal species and communities (PNIA), haplotypes detected in syngnathids (PNIA and PNAC), PCO Principal coordinates ordination for seaweed assemblages and syngnathids (PNIA), and length-weight relationships in syngnathids (PNIA).
- ESM3.pdf
Title of data: Bathymetric zonation of seaweed assemblages in PNIA. Description of data: Illustrations of main species (medium-high abundance) of macroalgae and bathymetric zonation of seaweed assemblages in transects surveyed on Cíes Archipelago (PNIA).
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