A novel non-invasive efficient photography-based technique for length measuring and individual identification of seahorses
Abstract This study aimed to develop a non-invasive and efficient method for measuring and identifying individual seahorses (Hippocampus patagonicus) in their natural habitat. A total of 976 seahorses were captured and photographed on a measuring board to obtain standard length (L s) measurements. H...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2023-10-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45420-9 |
| _version_ | 1797452956728033280 |
|---|---|
| author | Diego Luzzatto Victor Cussac |
| author_facet | Diego Luzzatto Victor Cussac |
| author_sort | Diego Luzzatto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study aimed to develop a non-invasive and efficient method for measuring and identifying individual seahorses (Hippocampus patagonicus) in their natural habitat. A total of 976 seahorses were captured and photographed on a measuring board to obtain standard length (L s) measurements. Head photographs were also taken for individual recognition, and a set of 100 seahorses were tagged with visible implant elastomers (VIE) to verify the correspondence between photograph recognition and the applied tags. The analysis showed no significant difference between left and right L s measurements. The unique pattern of white dots on the heads served as individual fingerprints, consistent with VIE tagging. The recapture rate was 12%, with 89 individuals observed multiple times. Two distinct growth patterns were identified: males exhibited higher growth rates and a negative correlation with L s compared to females. Released seahorses exhibited significantly different behaviors that were related to their sizes (L s). Smaller seahorses tended to swim slowly towards nearby holdfasts, while larger seahorses escaped further or remained rigid before grasping a holdfast. The proposed methodology allowed for estimating individual seahorse growth rates, and the measurements were objective and precise. The results were obtained through quick and minimally invasive manipulation of the observed individuals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:16:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f81ea5c6a69044c88af4c18677703fb5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:16:10Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-f81ea5c6a69044c88af4c18677703fb52023-11-26T13:05:59ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-10-011311710.1038/s41598-023-45420-9A novel non-invasive efficient photography-based technique for length measuring and individual identification of seahorsesDiego Luzzatto0Victor Cussac1Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales (IPATEC), Universidad Nacional del Comahue (UNCo) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales (IPATEC), Universidad Nacional del Comahue (UNCo) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)Abstract This study aimed to develop a non-invasive and efficient method for measuring and identifying individual seahorses (Hippocampus patagonicus) in their natural habitat. A total of 976 seahorses were captured and photographed on a measuring board to obtain standard length (L s) measurements. Head photographs were also taken for individual recognition, and a set of 100 seahorses were tagged with visible implant elastomers (VIE) to verify the correspondence between photograph recognition and the applied tags. The analysis showed no significant difference between left and right L s measurements. The unique pattern of white dots on the heads served as individual fingerprints, consistent with VIE tagging. The recapture rate was 12%, with 89 individuals observed multiple times. Two distinct growth patterns were identified: males exhibited higher growth rates and a negative correlation with L s compared to females. Released seahorses exhibited significantly different behaviors that were related to their sizes (L s). Smaller seahorses tended to swim slowly towards nearby holdfasts, while larger seahorses escaped further or remained rigid before grasping a holdfast. The proposed methodology allowed for estimating individual seahorse growth rates, and the measurements were objective and precise. The results were obtained through quick and minimally invasive manipulation of the observed individuals.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45420-9 |
| spellingShingle | Diego Luzzatto Victor Cussac A novel non-invasive efficient photography-based technique for length measuring and individual identification of seahorses Scientific Reports |
| title | A novel non-invasive efficient photography-based technique for length measuring and individual identification of seahorses |
| title_full | A novel non-invasive efficient photography-based technique for length measuring and individual identification of seahorses |
| title_fullStr | A novel non-invasive efficient photography-based technique for length measuring and individual identification of seahorses |
| title_full_unstemmed | A novel non-invasive efficient photography-based technique for length measuring and individual identification of seahorses |
| title_short | A novel non-invasive efficient photography-based technique for length measuring and individual identification of seahorses |
| title_sort | novel non invasive efficient photography based technique for length measuring and individual identification of seahorses |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45420-9 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT diegoluzzatto anovelnoninvasiveefficientphotographybasedtechniqueforlengthmeasuringandindividualidentificationofseahorses AT victorcussac anovelnoninvasiveefficientphotographybasedtechniqueforlengthmeasuringandindividualidentificationofseahorses AT diegoluzzatto novelnoninvasiveefficientphotographybasedtechniqueforlengthmeasuringandindividualidentificationofseahorses AT victorcussac novelnoninvasiveefficientphotographybasedtechniqueforlengthmeasuringandindividualidentificationofseahorses |