Syngnathus temminckii
| Longsnout pipefish | |
|---|---|
| Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Syngnathiformes |
| Family: | Syngnathidae |
| Subfamily: | Syngnathinae |
| Genus: | Syngnathus |
| Species: | S. temminckii |
| Binomial name | |
| Syngnathus temminckii Kaup, 1856 | |
| Synonyms | |
The Longsnout pipefish, Syngnathus temminckii, is the most common pipefish in southern African estuaries, ranging from Walvis Bay (Namibia) to the Tugela River on the east coast of South Africa.[1]
Biology
This species is common in estuaries, usually in eelgras beds, but has also been found offshore to depths of 110 m.[1] Sexual maturity is reached at 12 cm, and breeding occurs from March to November. Males carry the developing embryos in a brood pouch on their belly.[1]
Taxonomy
Syngnathus temminckii was until recently synonymised with the European species S. acus Linnaeus, 1758 (greater pipefish), but morphological data show that it is distinct.[2] Genetic data further indicate that it is not even the sister taxon of S. acus, but of another southern African species, the critically endangered river pipefish S. watermeyeri.[2]