Indian Journal of Innovations and Developments

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Fecundity of Seahorse, Hippocampus Kelloggi, (Jordan and Snyder, 1902) in Cuddalore Coast, Southeast Coast of India


Affiliations
1 Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai-608 502, Tamil Nadu, India
 

Background/Objectives: Commercial demands for seahorses, mainly for medical purposes, are increasing by 20% per year. Seahorses are found worldwide in shallow coastal tropical and temperate seas. The reproductive behaviour of seahorses, found the females to deposit pear-shaped eggs in the male brood pouch where fertilization takes place. The dwarf seahorse, H. zosterae to form monogamous pair every morning until copulation takes place.

Methods/Statistical Analysis: The collection was made from Cuddalore coast on monthly basis over the period of one year (October 2000 to September 2001). The samples after collection were preserved in 5% formalin and later dissected along latero-ventral side near the abdominal region and the gonads were removed carefully. Ovaries were preserved in modified Gilson’s fluid and ova diameter measurements were made from ovaries. For fecundity estimation, only stage V ovary was taken into consideration. Fecundity was estimated by the gravimetric method of various maturity stages.

Findings: The fecundity of the seahorse was calculated in the animals having stage V (mature) ovary only. The number of eggs varied from 850 to 18,950 in the size range 156 - 296 mm (SL). The average fecundity of H. kelloggi observed in the present study was 6638.2 eggs.

Application/Improvements: It is particularly used as ingredients in traditional medicine, particularly in Southeast Asia where Traditional Chinese Medicine. The decline of these species is great concern in the light of global exploitation of seahorses. The fecundity aspect must be established to know the production and survival of the seahorse species and with effective conservation measures can be applied to target organisms. Hence, the present study has been carried out the fecundity of seahorse H. kelloggi.


Keywords

Seahorses.
User
Notifications

  • M. Prein. Aquaculture potential of seahorses and pipe fishes. Naga, the World Fish Center. 1995; 18(1), 20-21.

  • J.A. Lovern, H. Wood. Variations in the chemical composition of herring. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the U.K. 1937; 22(1), 281-293.

  • S.M.S. Hoda. Maturation and fecundity of the mudskipper Boleophthalmus dussumeeri Cuv. & Val. from the Karachi Coast. Mahasagar. 1986; 19(1), 73-78.

  • R.L. Teixeira, J.A. Musick. Reproduction and food habits of the lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) of Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. Revista Brasileira de Biologia. 2001; 61(1), 79-90.

  • E.D. Le Cren. The length-weight relationship and seasonal cycle in the gonad weight and condition in the perch (Perca fluviatilis). Journal of Animal Ecology. 1951; 20, 201-219.

  • T.B. Bagenal, H. Braum. Eggs and early life history. In: Methods for assessment of fish production in freshwater. 3rd Edition. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. 1978; 165-201.

  • J.N. Bal, J.W. Jones. On the growth of brown trout of Lyn Tegid. Proceedings of the Zoological of London banner. 1960; 134(1), 1-41.

  • D.W. Rowe, J.E. Thorpe. Differences in growth between maturing and non-maturing male Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., Parr. Journal of Fish Biology. 1990; 36(5), 643-658.

  • N. Cai, X. Quan, Y. Fucai, W. Xianhan. Studies on the reproduction of the seahorse. Studia Marina Sinica. 1984; 23, 95-103.

  • H.D. Masonjones, S.M. Lewis. Courtship behaviour in the Dawrf seahorse, Hippocampus zosterae. Copeia. 1996; (3), 634-640.

  • A.C.J. Vincent. A role for daily greetings in maintaining seahorse pair bonds. Animal Behaviour. 1995, 49, 258-260.

  • T.B. Bagenal. Eggs and early life history I. Fecundity. In methods for assessment of fish production in freshwater (W. E. Ricker, Ed.). Oxford Blackwell Scientific Publication. 1968; 160-169.

  • P.B. Reddy. The fecundity of Channa punctata (Bolch, 1793) (Pisces, Teleostei, Chennidae) from Guntur, India. Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences. 1979; 88(2), 95-98.

  • S.K. Truong, T.K.L. Doan. Reproduction of the seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) inhabiting the Cuabe Estuary. Tuyen Tap Nghien Cuu Bien. 1994; 5, 111-120.


Abstract Views: 227

PDF Views: 0




  • Fecundity of Seahorse, Hippocampus Kelloggi, (Jordan and Snyder, 1902) in Cuddalore Coast, Southeast Coast of India

Abstract Views: 227  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

R. Balasubramanian
Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai-608 502, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract


Background/Objectives: Commercial demands for seahorses, mainly for medical purposes, are increasing by 20% per year. Seahorses are found worldwide in shallow coastal tropical and temperate seas. The reproductive behaviour of seahorses, found the females to deposit pear-shaped eggs in the male brood pouch where fertilization takes place. The dwarf seahorse, H. zosterae to form monogamous pair every morning until copulation takes place.

Methods/Statistical Analysis: The collection was made from Cuddalore coast on monthly basis over the period of one year (October 2000 to September 2001). The samples after collection were preserved in 5% formalin and later dissected along latero-ventral side near the abdominal region and the gonads were removed carefully. Ovaries were preserved in modified Gilson’s fluid and ova diameter measurements were made from ovaries. For fecundity estimation, only stage V ovary was taken into consideration. Fecundity was estimated by the gravimetric method of various maturity stages.

Findings: The fecundity of the seahorse was calculated in the animals having stage V (mature) ovary only. The number of eggs varied from 850 to 18,950 in the size range 156 - 296 mm (SL). The average fecundity of H. kelloggi observed in the present study was 6638.2 eggs.

Application/Improvements: It is particularly used as ingredients in traditional medicine, particularly in Southeast Asia where Traditional Chinese Medicine. The decline of these species is great concern in the light of global exploitation of seahorses. The fecundity aspect must be established to know the production and survival of the seahorse species and with effective conservation measures can be applied to target organisms. Hence, the present study has been carried out the fecundity of seahorse H. kelloggi.


Keywords


Seahorses.

References