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Lucy Woodall |
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| PhD student | |||||
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School of Biological Sciences |
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| Population Genetics and Long Term Mating Strategies of European Seahorses | |||||
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Seahorses
are easily identifiable marine fish, characterised as having a prehensile
tail, paternal care, and low mobility. This project will be the first
to study the population genetics of the Short-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus
hippocampus) and Long-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus).
The species in this study are classified as data deficient (IUCN 2003),
highlighting that at present very little is known about them. The study
will be the first to examine the entire distribution of a seahorse species,
and will use both fresh samples and museum collections, thereby establishing
temporal and spatial genetic differentiation. Furthermore, molecular
data produced will clarify taxonomic issues surrounding Hippocampus
guttulatus and its synonym Hippocampus ramulosus, as well
as other suggested sub-species. The analysis of both species will allow
comparison of genetic structuring with differences of habitat distribution
and ecology, and therefore facilitate a more general application of
the results to seahorses globally.
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The research
I am currently undertaking is a European wide project and will address
some of the questions concerning population structure and dynamics of
H. guttulatus and H. hippocampus. My research will demonstrate the conductivity
between populations through-out the species' range, and demonstrate
historical distribution patterns. Using small tissue samples collected
by non destructive sampling, I use molecular methodology to analyse
DNA sequences and determine the genetic composition of seahorse populations.
The variation between seahorses can be inferred by analysing the genetic
diversity within and between populations, showing the movement of seahorses.
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| Hippocampus guttulatus © T. Ang 2006 | |||||
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I also
utilise microsatellites to determine small scale population structure,
and to assess long term mating strategies of H. guttulatus. This project
will aid in understanding dispersal, migration and population structure
thereby enabling more specific conservation efforts. It will also provide
data to help with assessing the potential of localised extinction and
re-colonisation, thus indicating populations of greatest isolation and
vulnerability to environmental change. This will help to assess conservation
status and direct management priorities of the European seahorses.
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| Hippocampus guttulatus pair bonding, © D. Borg 2005 | |||||
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This is the first population genetic study on European seahorses and will help to direct management strategies for seahorses globally by working with both species of European Seahorse, which have different life history traits and prefer contrasting habitats. This research is an important link between what is currently known about seahorses and the strategies that can be implemented to protect them. |
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| Spanish
translation [link] French translation [link] Portuguese translation [link] |
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| H. hippocampus © T.Ang 2006 | |||||
| Funding organisations: | |||||
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| I am also thankful to: | Links: | ||||
| www.britishseahorsesurvey.org
www.seahorsetrust.co.uk www.thediveshoplanzarote www.padiaware.org |
www.tauchen-bulgarien.com www.subaquapixel.net/peaubleue.php?page_id=75 www.scubadoospain.com |
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