Syngnathus temminckii
| Longsnout pipefish | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Syngnathiformes |
| Family: | Syngnathidae |
| Genus: | Syngnathus |
| Species: | S. temminckii
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| Binomial name | |
| Syngnathus temminckii Kaup, 1856
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| Synonyms | |
Syngnathus temminckii (longsnout pipefish) 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 eelgrass 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 2013 synonymised with the European species S. acus (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 estuarine pipefish, S. watermeyeri.[2]
See also
- Long-snouted pipefish, Stigmatopora macropterygia.
- Longsnout pipefish, Leptonotus norae