Syngnathus temminckii
| Longsnout pipefish | |
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Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
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S. temminckii
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| Binomial name | |
| Syngnathus temminckii Kaup, 1856
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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]
