The Experts below are selected from a list of 306 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Greg W. Rouse - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
First live records of the ruby seadragon (Phyllopteryx dewysea, Syngnathidae)
Marine Biodiversity Records, 2017Co-Authors: Greg W. Rouse, Josefin Stiller, Nerida G. WilsonAbstract:Until recently, only two species of seadragon were known, Phycodurus eques (the leafy seadragon) and Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (the common seadragon), both from Australia. In 2015, we described a new species of seadragon, Phyllopteryx dewysea (the ruby seadragon). Although the leafy and common seadragons are well known and commonly seen in aquarium exhibits world-wide, the ruby seadragon was known only from four preserved specimens, leaving many aspects of its biology unknown. Based on specimen records, it was speculated that the ruby seadragon normally lives at depths beyond recreational SCUBA diving limits, which may also explain why it went undiscovered for so long. The ruby seadragon also bears a superficial resemblance to the common seadragon, with a number of specimens misidentified in museum collections. The only recent live-collected specimen was trawled from the Recherche Archipelago, a cluster of over 100 islands in Western Australia. We took a small remotely operated vehicle (miniROV) to this locality to obtain the first images of live ruby seadragons. We made observations on the seadragon habitat and behavior, including feeding. We also provide new key observations on their morphology, notably that they lack dermal appendages and have a prehensile tail. We recommend that the ruby seadragon be protected as soon as practicable.
-
A spectacular new species of seadragon (Syngnathidae)
2015Co-Authors: Josefin Stiller, Nerida G. Wilson, Greg W. RouseAbstract:Josefin Stiller, Nerida G. Wilson, Greg W. Rouse (2015): A spectacular new species of seadragon (Syngnathidae). Royal Society Open Science 2 (40458): 1-12, DOI: 10.1098/rsos.14045
-
A spectacular new species of seadragon (Syngnathidae).
Royal Society open science, 2015Co-Authors: Josefin Stiller, Nerida G. Wilson, Greg W. RouseAbstract:The exploration of Earth's biodiversity is an exciting and ongoing endeavour. Here, we report a new species of seadragon from Western Australia with substantial morphological and genetic difference...
-
convergent camouflage and the non monophyly of seadragons Syngnathidae teleostei suggestions for a revised taxonomy of syngnathids
Zoologica Scripta, 2010Co-Authors: Nerida G. Wilson, Greg W. RouseAbstract:Wilson, N. G. & Rouse, G. W. (2010). Convergent camouflage and the non-monophyly of ‘seadragons’ (Syngnathidae: Teleostei): suggestions for a revised taxonomy of syngnathids. —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 551–558. The phylogeny and classification of the charismatic Syngnathidae (e.g. pipefish, seahorses) has not been comprehensively examined to date. In particular, we assessed morphological hypotheses that previously suggested the three ‘seadragon’ genera (Phycodurus, Phyllopteryx, Haliichthys) do not form a monophyletic group. We used three mitochondrial markers to investigate evolutionary relationships within Syngnathidae, and demonstrated that Phycodurus + Phyllopteryx formed a clade that excluded Haliichthys, indicating the elaborate appendages used for camouflage have evolved independently. A time-calibrated tree revealed the divergence of true seadragons as coincident with other kelp-associated fauna. We found evidence for the resurrection of neglected subfamily names, and recovered Doryrhampinae, Nerophinae, Soleganthinae, Phyllopteryginae, Sygnathoidinae and Haliichthyinae as clades. Even after removing these groups from what is currently recognized as Syngnathinae, we showed that the remaining members of Syngnathinae are not monophyletic. In the light of this information, some conclusions about the diversity of reproductive strategies found within ‘Syngnathinae’ need to be re-examined and further revision of syngnathid classification is needed.
-
Convergent camouflage and the non‐monophyly of ‘seadragons’ (Syngnathidae: Teleostei): suggestions for a revised taxonomy of syngnathids
Zoologica Scripta, 2010Co-Authors: Nerida G. Wilson, Greg W. RouseAbstract:Wilson, N. G. & Rouse, G. W. (2010). Convergent camouflage and the non-monophyly of ‘seadragons’ (Syngnathidae: Teleostei): suggestions for a revised taxonomy of syngnathids. —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 551–558. The phylogeny and classification of the charismatic Syngnathidae (e.g. pipefish, seahorses) has not been comprehensively examined to date. In particular, we assessed morphological hypotheses that previously suggested the three ‘seadragon’ genera (Phycodurus, Phyllopteryx, Haliichthys) do not form a monophyletic group. We used three mitochondrial markers to investigate evolutionary relationships within Syngnathidae, and demonstrated that Phycodurus + Phyllopteryx formed a clade that excluded Haliichthys, indicating the elaborate appendages used for camouflage have evolved independently. A time-calibrated tree revealed the divergence of true seadragons as coincident with other kelp-associated fauna. We found evidence for the resurrection of neglected subfamily names, and recovered Doryrhampinae, Nerophinae, Soleganthinae, Phyllopteryginae, Sygnathoidinae and Haliichthyinae as clades. Even after removing these groups from what is currently recognized as Syngnathinae, we showed that the remaining members of Syngnathinae are not monophyletic. In the light of this information, some conclusions about the diversity of reproductive strategies found within ‘Syngnathinae’ need to be re-examined and further revision of syngnathid classification is needed.
Nerida G. Wilson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
First live records of the ruby seadragon (Phyllopteryx dewysea, Syngnathidae)
Marine Biodiversity Records, 2017Co-Authors: Greg W. Rouse, Josefin Stiller, Nerida G. WilsonAbstract:Until recently, only two species of seadragon were known, Phycodurus eques (the leafy seadragon) and Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (the common seadragon), both from Australia. In 2015, we described a new species of seadragon, Phyllopteryx dewysea (the ruby seadragon). Although the leafy and common seadragons are well known and commonly seen in aquarium exhibits world-wide, the ruby seadragon was known only from four preserved specimens, leaving many aspects of its biology unknown. Based on specimen records, it was speculated that the ruby seadragon normally lives at depths beyond recreational SCUBA diving limits, which may also explain why it went undiscovered for so long. The ruby seadragon also bears a superficial resemblance to the common seadragon, with a number of specimens misidentified in museum collections. The only recent live-collected specimen was trawled from the Recherche Archipelago, a cluster of over 100 islands in Western Australia. We took a small remotely operated vehicle (miniROV) to this locality to obtain the first images of live ruby seadragons. We made observations on the seadragon habitat and behavior, including feeding. We also provide new key observations on their morphology, notably that they lack dermal appendages and have a prehensile tail. We recommend that the ruby seadragon be protected as soon as practicable.
-
A spectacular new species of seadragon (Syngnathidae)
2015Co-Authors: Josefin Stiller, Nerida G. Wilson, Greg W. RouseAbstract:Josefin Stiller, Nerida G. Wilson, Greg W. Rouse (2015): A spectacular new species of seadragon (Syngnathidae). Royal Society Open Science 2 (40458): 1-12, DOI: 10.1098/rsos.14045
-
A spectacular new species of seadragon (Syngnathidae).
Royal Society open science, 2015Co-Authors: Josefin Stiller, Nerida G. Wilson, Greg W. RouseAbstract:The exploration of Earth's biodiversity is an exciting and ongoing endeavour. Here, we report a new species of seadragon from Western Australia with substantial morphological and genetic difference...
-
convergent camouflage and the non monophyly of seadragons Syngnathidae teleostei suggestions for a revised taxonomy of syngnathids
Zoologica Scripta, 2010Co-Authors: Nerida G. Wilson, Greg W. RouseAbstract:Wilson, N. G. & Rouse, G. W. (2010). Convergent camouflage and the non-monophyly of ‘seadragons’ (Syngnathidae: Teleostei): suggestions for a revised taxonomy of syngnathids. —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 551–558. The phylogeny and classification of the charismatic Syngnathidae (e.g. pipefish, seahorses) has not been comprehensively examined to date. In particular, we assessed morphological hypotheses that previously suggested the three ‘seadragon’ genera (Phycodurus, Phyllopteryx, Haliichthys) do not form a monophyletic group. We used three mitochondrial markers to investigate evolutionary relationships within Syngnathidae, and demonstrated that Phycodurus + Phyllopteryx formed a clade that excluded Haliichthys, indicating the elaborate appendages used for camouflage have evolved independently. A time-calibrated tree revealed the divergence of true seadragons as coincident with other kelp-associated fauna. We found evidence for the resurrection of neglected subfamily names, and recovered Doryrhampinae, Nerophinae, Soleganthinae, Phyllopteryginae, Sygnathoidinae and Haliichthyinae as clades. Even after removing these groups from what is currently recognized as Syngnathinae, we showed that the remaining members of Syngnathinae are not monophyletic. In the light of this information, some conclusions about the diversity of reproductive strategies found within ‘Syngnathinae’ need to be re-examined and further revision of syngnathid classification is needed.
-
Convergent camouflage and the non‐monophyly of ‘seadragons’ (Syngnathidae: Teleostei): suggestions for a revised taxonomy of syngnathids
Zoologica Scripta, 2010Co-Authors: Nerida G. Wilson, Greg W. RouseAbstract:Wilson, N. G. & Rouse, G. W. (2010). Convergent camouflage and the non-monophyly of ‘seadragons’ (Syngnathidae: Teleostei): suggestions for a revised taxonomy of syngnathids. —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 551–558. The phylogeny and classification of the charismatic Syngnathidae (e.g. pipefish, seahorses) has not been comprehensively examined to date. In particular, we assessed morphological hypotheses that previously suggested the three ‘seadragon’ genera (Phycodurus, Phyllopteryx, Haliichthys) do not form a monophyletic group. We used three mitochondrial markers to investigate evolutionary relationships within Syngnathidae, and demonstrated that Phycodurus + Phyllopteryx formed a clade that excluded Haliichthys, indicating the elaborate appendages used for camouflage have evolved independently. A time-calibrated tree revealed the divergence of true seadragons as coincident with other kelp-associated fauna. We found evidence for the resurrection of neglected subfamily names, and recovered Doryrhampinae, Nerophinae, Soleganthinae, Phyllopteryginae, Sygnathoidinae and Haliichthyinae as clades. Even after removing these groups from what is currently recognized as Syngnathinae, we showed that the remaining members of Syngnathinae are not monophyletic. In the light of this information, some conclusions about the diversity of reproductive strategies found within ‘Syngnathinae’ need to be re-examined and further revision of syngnathid classification is needed.
John C Avise - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Pipefishes and Seahorses (Syngnathidae)
Sketches of Nature, 2016Co-Authors: John C AviseAbstract:In the 200+ living species of pipefishes and seahorses (family Syngnathidae), males invariably are the pregnant gender, gestating large cohorts of progeny in a ventral brood pouch on their abdomen or tail. This happens when a female transfers her unfertilized eggs, during copulation, to the brood pouch of a male, who then fertilizes the eggs internally and carries and nurtures the resulting embryos for several weeks, until finally giving birth to live young. The whole process is quite analogous to female pregnancy, except that the “conventional” sexual roles of the two genders tend to be reversed.
-
The genetic mating system and tests for cuckoldry in a pipefish species in which males fertilize eggs and brood offspring externally
Molecular ecology, 2001Co-Authors: E. E. Mccoy, Adam Jones, John C AviseAbstract:Highly variable microsatellite loci were used to study the mating system of Nerophis ophidion, a species of pipefish in which pregnant males carry embryos on the outside of their body rather than in an enclosed brood pouch. Despite this mode of external fertilization and brooding, otherwise rare in the family Syngnathidae, the genotypes of all embryos proved to be consistent with paternity by the tending male, thus indicating that cuckoldry by sneaker males is rare or nonexistent in this species. N. ophidion is a phylogenetic outlier within the Syngnathidae and its reproductive morphology is thought to be close to the presumed ancestral condition for pipefishes and seahorses. Thus, our genetic results suggest that the evolutionary elaboration of the enclosed brood pouch elsewhere in the family was probably not in response to selection pressures on pregnant males to avoid fertilization thievery. With regard to maternity assignments, our genotypic data are consistent with behavioural observations indicating that females sometimes mate with more than one male during a breeding episode, and that each male carries eggs from a single female. Thus, the polyandrous genetic mating system in this species parallels the social mating system, and both are consistent with a more intense sexual selection operating on females, and the elaboration of secondary sexual characters in that gender.
-
the genetic mating system of a sex role reversed pipefish syngnathus typhle a molecular inquiry
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 1999Co-Authors: Adam Jones, Anders Berglund, Gunilla Rosenqvist, John C AviseAbstract:In the pipefish Syngnathus typhle as in other species of Syngnathidae, developing embryos are reared on the male's ventral surface. Although much laboratory research has been directed toward understanding sexual selection in this sex-role-reversed species, few studies have addressed the mating behavior of S. typhle in the wild, and none has capitalized upon the power of molecular genetic assays. Here we present the first direct assessment of the genetic mating system of S. typhle in nature. Novel microsatellite loci were cloned and characterized from this species, and employed to assay entire broods from 30 pregnant, field-captured males. Genetic analysis of 1340 embryos revealed that 1-6 females (mean = 3.1) contributed to each brooded clutch, the highest rate of multiple maternity yet documented in any pipefish. Evidence of multiple mating by females was also detected. Thus, this population of S. typhle displays a polygynandrous mating system, a finding consistent with previous field and laboratory observations. Our results, considered together with similar studies of other syngnathid species, provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that the genetic mating system is related to the evolution of sexual dimorphism in the fish family Syngnathidae.
María Lourdes Estalles - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
leptonotus vincentae a new pipefish species Syngnathidae syngnathinae from the south west atlantic ocean near northern patagonia
Journal of Fish Biology, 2019Co-Authors: Diego C. Luzzatto, María Lourdes EstallesAbstract:A new species of pipefish Leptonotus vincentae sp. nov. (Syngnathidae) is described on the basis of 12 specimens found in shallow waters (<2 m depth) of San Antonio Bay, Patagonia, Argentina, in the south-west Atlantic Ocean. The species is distinguished from congeners by the combination of: dorsal-fin rays 30-33, pectoral-fin rays 12-13, trunk rings 18-19, tail rings 43-46, subdorsal rings (2-4) + (5.5-8) = (8.5-10), head length 13-14% standard length, snout length 35-55% head length and snout depth 21-30% in snout length. Although this species has often been mistaken for Leptonotus blainvilleanus, most diagnostic characters of the two species differ. Both species are clearly distinguished by their snout length. L. blainvilleanus has a relatively longer snout than L. vincentae sp. nov. The new species is similar to a south-west Pacific species, Leptonotus elevatus. However, L. vincentae sp. nov. differs from this species in that it exhibits a lower number of dorsal-fin rays and a relatively longer head.
-
Leptonotus vincentae, a new pipefish species (Syngnathidae: Syngnathinae) from the south-west Atlantic Ocean near northern Patagonia.
Journal of fish biology, 2019Co-Authors: Diego C. Luzzatto, María Lourdes EstallesAbstract:A new species of pipefish Leptonotus vincentae sp. nov. (Syngnathidae) is described on the basis of 12 specimens found in shallow waters (
Adam Jones - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The genetic mating system and tests for cuckoldry in a pipefish species in which males fertilize eggs and brood offspring externally
Molecular ecology, 2001Co-Authors: E. E. Mccoy, Adam Jones, John C AviseAbstract:Highly variable microsatellite loci were used to study the mating system of Nerophis ophidion, a species of pipefish in which pregnant males carry embryos on the outside of their body rather than in an enclosed brood pouch. Despite this mode of external fertilization and brooding, otherwise rare in the family Syngnathidae, the genotypes of all embryos proved to be consistent with paternity by the tending male, thus indicating that cuckoldry by sneaker males is rare or nonexistent in this species. N. ophidion is a phylogenetic outlier within the Syngnathidae and its reproductive morphology is thought to be close to the presumed ancestral condition for pipefishes and seahorses. Thus, our genetic results suggest that the evolutionary elaboration of the enclosed brood pouch elsewhere in the family was probably not in response to selection pressures on pregnant males to avoid fertilization thievery. With regard to maternity assignments, our genotypic data are consistent with behavioural observations indicating that females sometimes mate with more than one male during a breeding episode, and that each male carries eggs from a single female. Thus, the polyandrous genetic mating system in this species parallels the social mating system, and both are consistent with a more intense sexual selection operating on females, and the elaboration of secondary sexual characters in that gender.
-
the genetic mating system of a sex role reversed pipefish syngnathus typhle a molecular inquiry
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 1999Co-Authors: Adam Jones, Anders Berglund, Gunilla Rosenqvist, John C AviseAbstract:In the pipefish Syngnathus typhle as in other species of Syngnathidae, developing embryos are reared on the male's ventral surface. Although much laboratory research has been directed toward understanding sexual selection in this sex-role-reversed species, few studies have addressed the mating behavior of S. typhle in the wild, and none has capitalized upon the power of molecular genetic assays. Here we present the first direct assessment of the genetic mating system of S. typhle in nature. Novel microsatellite loci were cloned and characterized from this species, and employed to assay entire broods from 30 pregnant, field-captured males. Genetic analysis of 1340 embryos revealed that 1-6 females (mean = 3.1) contributed to each brooded clutch, the highest rate of multiple maternity yet documented in any pipefish. Evidence of multiple mating by females was also detected. Thus, this population of S. typhle displays a polygynandrous mating system, a finding consistent with previous field and laboratory observations. Our results, considered together with similar studies of other syngnathid species, provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that the genetic mating system is related to the evolution of sexual dimorphism in the fish family Syngnathidae.
