Table 3 Consensual responses from the informants (n = 32) about seahorse biological and ecological issues

 No. of species

4

One species: Longsnout

(H. Reidi)

20

62.5

Yes [20]

 Classification criteria

2

Body shape (not coloration)

31

97

Yes [24]

 Habitat

1

Mangrove and reef

32

100

Yes [20]

 Vertical distribution

3

No specific depth. (daily intense tidal depth variations in the estuary)

26

81

Yes [2]

 Occurrence determinant

1

Determined by the presence of mangrove roots as anchoring points and shelter

32

100

Yes [30]

 Exposition to water currents

2

Preferentially inhabit backwater areas protected from strong currents

31

97

Yes [3, 30]

 Salinity

1

In the mangrove, are abundant in sites with high salinity levels

32

100

Yes [3, 35]

 Water transparency

1

Abundant in high transparency level conditions

32

100

No data

 Seasonal abundance

2

Abundant in summer (dry season), scarce in winter (wet season).

31

97

Yes [3]

 Migration period

2

Rainy season, in winter (May to September)

32

100

Yes [3]

 Reason for migration

2

To avoid low salinity levels caused by the rainy season’s freshwater input. Also are removed out of the mangrove to the sea by floods and currents

32

100

Yes [3]

 Anchoring points

6

Mangrove roots

32

100

Yes [30, 33, 44]

 Diet

7

Shrimp larvae

32

100

Yes [3, 37, 38]

Fish larvae

25

78

 Feeding behavior

4

Sucks the prey

31

97

Yes [2, 36]

 Predators

10

Crabs and fishes

32

100

Yes [3, 40, 44]

 Is camouflage related to color shift?

2

Yes. Is capable of changing its own color

30

94

Yes [24]

 Sexual dimorphism

1

Brooding pouch present on males

32

100

Yes [25]

 Reproductive behavior

2

Contraction to give birth, releasing neonates as a “dust cloud”.

20

62.5

Yes [45]

 Brood size

3

500 to 1000 newborns

29

91

Yes [2]

 Survival rate

3

Up to 15 %

29

91

Yes [24]

 Reproductive period

1

Throughout the year

32

100

Yes [3, 20, 33]