The presence of the Patagonian seahorse Hippocampus patagonicus in Monte Hermoso, southwestern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

JUAN M. DÍAZ DE ASTARLOA; MARÍA L. ESTALLES; DIEGO C. LUZZATTO; MARIA GABRIELA PUJOL

Tampa

Congreso; 3rd SYNG BIO. Fantastical Fishes: Seahorses, Pipefishes and Seadrogons into the Future; 2017

Seahorses are often difficult to detect in their natural habitats due to theireffective camouflage. They can remain virtually immobile for a long time andchange colour. In addition, they can present a patchy distribution and occur atlow densities, which further complicates their localization in poorly exploredareas. The Patagonian seahorse Hippocampus patagonicus occurs in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean from southern Brazil to northern Patagonia, Argentina. In Argentina, there are currently only two populations described, one in SanAntonio Bay, the type locality of the species, and the other in Mar del Plata dock. Although sporadic records have been reported in the area between these twopopulations, no other population has been detected so far. Data gathered atinterviews with local artisanal fishermen and seahorses collected by them wereanalyzed to determine the presence of H. patagonicus in the coastal area ofMonte Hermoso (38º 59? 33??S- 61º 15? 55??W), southwestern Buenos AiresProvince, Argentina. The record of the species over the years, the high catchesreported and the characteristics of the individuals sampled confirmed thepresence of a third population of H. patagonicus in the area of Monte Hermoso.