Attached with the new Poppy, researchers at the University of Queensland have kicked off a population survey of the White’s Seahorse. Symbolically, this species has become a measure of our ecosystem’s health. This survey is crucial as the White’s Seahorse, found primarily in seagrass beds along Australia’s east coast, has been listed as endangered in New South Wales, Queensland, and federally since 2020. The study aims to better understand the demographics and habitat preferences of this unique marine creature.
The survey will focus on key areas in Moreton Bay, where the Brisbane River meets the sea, as well as the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. In recent years, the work of passionate citizen scientists has been invaluable in documenting sightings of White’s Seahorse, allowing researchers to identify areas where populations are thriving. Yet, a robust baseline for the general population is still lacking. This project addresses some very alarming data. For others, it shines a light on alarming data showing that certain populations have plummeted by as much as 90% within the last six years.
Unique Characteristics of White’s Seahorse
There are five other remarkable characteristics of the White’s Seahorse that make it so special and unique. It changes color to blend in with its environment, and during courtship has displays of flashing colors to signal potential partners. Each day, these seahorses participate in daily synchronized courtship rituals. In a dazzling spectacle of aerial performance, they perfectly color match and flash bright iridescent colors to one another.
The White’s Seahorse reaches a standard length of 10 to 15 cm. It is famous for its relatively monogamous reproductive strategy. Researchers think this deep predisposition for long-term pair bonding supercharges their courting displays. With every passing moment, they begin to pick up on each other’s cues.
“They colour match and flash different colours when they do their mating dance in the morning,” – Rowan Carew
Conservation Efforts and Research Goals
This collaborative community-based research project hopes to bring a more comprehensive picture of the White’s Seahorse population found in Queensland, Australia. Past research has centrally studied populations from New South Wales. One big remaining question is whether the Queensland specimens are genetically the same as those in Sydney.
Rowan Carew, a researcher working on the project, summarized the difficulties the team encountered most succinctly. “It’s really difficult starting from scratch, but someone’s gotta do it,” he noted. The team’s primary efforts center on finding essential habitats and understanding these species’ threats.
“In terms of future conservation, we are trying to figure out what areas are going to be the most important,” – Rowan Carew
“It is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the species,” said Associate Professor Karen Cheney. “We keep seeing them, we know that they’re here, we just don’t know anything about their population structure, what type of habitat they like to live on, and we just don’t know how many we’ve got,” she said.
Importance of Healthy Ecosystems
The conservation of the White’s Seahorse goes far beyond the quantitative. In addition to being economically lucrative, it serves a critical function in the overall health of our marine ecosystems. Carew noted that when you can find seahorses, you know the area is in pretty good shape.
“If you are finding seahorses, it often means that area is quite healthy,” – Rowan Carew
Scientists are now gathering a more accurate data set through genetic testing and population-wide surveys. Their goal is to shed light on the habitat needs and conservation needs of this compelling species. These results will be key for informing future landscape-level adaptations of species conservation strategies. Their goal is to rescue the White’s Seahorse as well as the fragile ecosystems that sustain them.
