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Planas M*, Pereira S, Fernández J and Hernández UJ
Department of Marine Ecology and Resources, Institute of Marine Investigations (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain
*Corresponding author:Miquel Planas, INMARE, Department of Marine Ecology and Resources, Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain
Submission: October 04, 2024;Published: October 18, 2024
ISSN : 2640-9275Volume5 Issue1
Seahorses are vulnerable due to habitat loss, overfishing, and pollution. Understanding their distribution
is crucial for conservation. Citizen Science (CS) initiatives offer valuable tools for collecting large-scale
data of marine species, including seahorses. This study used citizen science data to investigate seahorse
distribution along the Spanish coast, including Balearic and Canary Islands. Data from the CS platform
Observadores del Mar were analyzed for seahorse occurrence. We identified significant gaps in coverage,
particularly in the Cantabrian littoral and some Mediterranean areas. The presence of three species
were confirmed: H. algiricus (only present in Canary Islands), H. hippocampus, and H. guttulatus (absent
in Canary Islands). Notably, our study revealed a lower abundance of H. hippocampus compared to H.
guttulatus, especially in the Mediterranean. We also observed a preference for sandy areas and deeper
depths in H. hippocampus. Due to the extremely limited observations of H. algiricus, we are unable to
provide ecological information at this time. This study highlights
a) The value of CS in understanding seahorse distribution and informing future conservation
initiatives, and
b) The need for targeted conservation efforts in areas with scarce seahorse observations.
Keywords:Hippocampus; Seahorse; Distribution; Spain; Citizen science; Conservation
Keywords:Abbreviations:CS: Citizen Science, GIS: Geographic Information System, IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature, OdM: Observadores del Mar