Endemic to the waters of Southern Australia,
Leafy sea dragons (Phycodurus eques) belong to the Syngnathidae family (which includes seahorses, pipefish, and
weedy seadragons, Phyllopteryx
taeniolatus, the leafy sea dragons closest relative). These majestic
creatures have leaf like appendages (hence the name), which aid in camouflage,
and grow up to 43cm in length (Larson et
al. 2014).
A leafy sea dragon pictured in the wild
(Photograph by George Grall)
Unlike their reddish coloured cousins
(weedy sea dragons), leafy sea dragons are typically yellow with olive-brown
specked appendages. This colouration helps the sea dragon to blend into the
kelp and seaweed formations they live amongst (Larson et al. 2014).
Though they do maintain sanctuary
hidden amongst the underwater forests, leafy sea dragons do have a defence
mechanism in the form of long spines located on the side of their bodies. Leafy
sea dragons are incredibly vulnerable to population disruption with ever-increasing
pollution and habitat degradation, as well as harvesting for aquariums, low
genetic diversity and dispersal, and small home ranges unfortunately leading to
population fragmentation (Larson et al.
2014).
Watch the video below to see the leafy
sea dragon floating majestically amongst aquatic vegetation.
WATCH: Leafy Sea Dragon, South Australia - Phycodurus eques
References:
Larson, S., Ramsey, C., Tinnemore, D.
& Amemiya, C. 2014, "Novel Microsatellite Loci Variation and
Population Genetics within Leafy Seadragons, Phycodurus eques", Diversity,
vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 33-42.
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