VIDEOS

You can see some of our video footages in ABC program Catalyst

More video footages:


Leafy seadragons, Rapid Bay, SA



Weedy seadragons, Kurnell



Weedy seadragons, Kurnell



Weedy seadragons, North Bondi



Weedy seadragons, Kurnell



Weedy seadragons, Kurnell


We will be slowly uploading more videos, editing is a very hard task...

PUBLICATIONS

Sanchez-Camara J, Martin-Smith M, Booth DJ, Fritschi J, Turon X (2011). Demographics and vulnerability of a unique Australian fish, the weedy seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus. Marine Ecology Progress Series 422: 253-264.

Sanchez-Camara J (2010) Biology and Ecology of the weedy seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Pisces: Syngnathidae) and their implications for the species' conservation. PhD Thesis. University of Barcelona, Spain. Ask for PDF

Sanchez-Camara J, Fritschi J (2008) Ecología del dragón de mar común Phyllopteryx taeniolatus. Acuario Práctico 762, 48-56.

Sanchez-Camara J, Booth DJ (2007) Weedy seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus: review of ecology and management. Report for Sydney Water Corporation.

Sanchez-Camara J, Booth DJ, Murdoch J, Watts D, Turon X (2006) Density, habitat use and behavior of the weedy seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) around Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 57, 737-745.

Sanchez-Camara J, Booth DJ, Turon X (2005) Reproductive cycle and growth of Phyllopteryx taeniolatus. Journal of Fish Biology 67, 133-148.

Sanchez-Camara J, Booth DJ (2004) Movement, home range and site fidelity of the weedy seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Teleostei: Syngnathidae). Environmental Biology of Fishes 70, 31-41.

SEAHORSES AT CHOWDER BAY, SYDNEY HARBOUR

Photos of a single dive conducted in December 2004 to admire the seahorses of Sydney Harbour

A TRIP TO TWO FOLD BAY

During December 2007 we conducted a trip of several days to Two Fold Bay (37 S) to study the seadragon populations there. In particular we wanted to corroborate the latitudinal differences observed between the studied NSW (34 S) and Tasmanian populations (43 S).

POTENTIAL THREATS TO POPULATIONS

Patterns shared among Northern and Southern seadragon populations that make them vulnerable are: low density, extremely low fecundity, life-time restricted home ranges in a threatened habitat, lack of a dispersive egg phase, limited dispersal of the young and low emigration and relocation rates. This is compensated by fast growth and high survival rates and a greater life span compared to most syngnathids. 
From 2001 to 2009, we found evidence of population declines in NSW and TAS populations. The main concern is whether these were temporary declines produced by natural causes, such as interannual fluctuations in recruitment, or were due to anthropogenic disturbances. Habitat loss is, after exploitation, the main cause of extinction in marine populations, but invasive species, climate change, pollution and disease, all account in the list of potential threats. During our study, a non-identified disease was observed in the skin of some seadragons.  Another impact that poorer water quality and degradation of the habitat can have is a reduction in the mysid populations which represents 80 % of the diet of P. taeniolatus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIODIVERSITY

Incredible variety of fishes and invertebrates at the study sites in NSW. Great variety of sponges and starfish, Port Jackson sharks, blind sharks, wobbegongs, leatherjackets, bluedevils, seahorses, giant cuttlefish, stingrays.....

 

 

 

  

see full gallery biodiversity NSW sites


And awesome also in Tasmania...

 

 

see full gallery biodiversity TAS sites

ABUNDANCE, HABITAT, BEHAVIOUR

Distribution, abundance and sex ratios of seadragons were temporally stable, suggesting no large-scale seasonal migrations. Sex ratios were close to 1:1. Individuals were concentrated near the border of the kelp and the sand except when exhibiting hiding behaviour, when they were more often found in the kelp beds. The same kelp beds were the least used habitat when feeding . Pregnant males tended to hide more often than other seadragons and therefore were more frequent in kelp and kelp patches. Seadragons tended to be solitary although pairing and grouping behaviour was also observed. Pairings between male-female were more common than pairings of the same sex.

Feeding on mysids

Paring and grouping was common...

Amazing camouflage behaviour. Observed only once!

Hidden in the kelp bed was more common

See full gallery abundance, habitat and behaviour in NSW
See full gallery abundance, habitat and behaviour in TAS