DIURNAL ACTIVITY PATTERN OF THE LONGSNOUT SEAHORSE, Hippocampus reidi, IN RIO DE JANEIRO STATE, BRAZIL.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize the diurnal patterns of
activity of Hippocampus reidi and determine its behavioral repertoire during this period of activity. Behavioral observations were made between 07:00h and 19:30h at five different sites in Rio de Janeiro state, during which
all recorded behaviors of each observed individual were quantified over one hour. A total of 90h of observation were made, 30h for females, 30h for pregnant males and 30h for non-pregnant males. The results suggest that
seahorses are very active during the day. Swimming and foraging were the most frequent behaviors observed. Non-pregnant males presented a similar behavioral repertoire to females, while pregnant males were less
active during the day.