Site fidelity of Hippocampus guttulatus Cuvier, 1829 at Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Southern Italy; Ionian Sea)

摘要: Lack of detailed knowledge on ecological niche, life cycles, spatial distribution, reproductive biology and space use strongly affects the selection useful tools measures in conservation threatened marine species. Especially for sedentary slow species, behaviour movement capacities are supposed to be most important functional traits. Indeed, behavioural variability concerning available close presence individuals is considered a crucial trait population dynamics assessments, especially when disturbances various causes present environment. The study aimed investigate site fidelity degree Hippocampus guttulatus, an emblematic Mediterranean seahorse With this aim, number seahorses were tagged monitored throughout two years within limited area lagoon Mar Piccolo Taranto (Southern Italy). studied initially morphometrically measured size, sex life-cycle stage subsequently through repeated four-month surveys each year. Obtained results indicated high regardless habitat type. Movement pattern was line with data congeneric although values slightly higher. analyses showed differences among different sexes stages greater mobility adult females compared males juveniles. investigated parameters great suggesting that even small-scale environmental factors can influence species mobility. Finally, change structure has been observed, loss large 2016 reduced recruitment 2017. These findings possible stressors could lead alteration at Taranto.