[Animals] They capture the first pregnant male sea dragon of 2023 in a US aquarium

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After an intense mating dance, the first sea dragon of the year was impregnated by a female of the same species at Birch Aquarium.
A bright yellow natural clothing covers the only pregnant sea dragon specimen at Birch Aquarium, United States. With some purple specks on the tail, the specimen moves through the aquarium waters with its delicate purple fins. According to the specialists who deal with his case, this concept is unique in its kind.

A press release emailed to National Geographic en Español notes that, on the night of January 9, 2023, "a rare egg transfer took place." For the first time, this phenomenon occurred between a female sea dragon and a male of the same species. This is what we know.

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After a complex mating dance

The egg transfer took place in the aquarium's Seadragons & Seahorses Habitat, a space specially designed to guarantee the conservation of both species. Although there is a record that a similar transfer happened behind the scenes in 2020, this is the first time that such an event has been made public, explains Birch Acuarium.

Researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California at San Diego are in charge of studying the case. Just like male seahorses, male sea dragons bear young. Although the transfer of eggs is quick, the specialists explain, it only occurs after a complex courtship dance:

"THE MALE AND FEMALE REFLECT EACH OTHER," EXPLAINS THE INSTITUTION IN AN EMAIL, "OFTEN WITH THEIR TAIL COILED AWAY FROM ITS PARTNER, AND THEY ROLL TOGETHER, SNOUT TO SNOUT, MOVING UP AND DOWN IN THE WATER COLUMN. .”

Specialists say that this dance is "essential for the successful transfer of eggs from the female to the tail of the male." There it fertilizes and stores them, the specialists add, throughout the 6 weeks that gestation lasts. On average, according to the records of the Barcelona Aquarium, each male can hold up to 300 eggs.

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An "extremely rare" case

Sea dragons are characterized by being solitary animals. In freedom, if they do not live on their own, they only share life with their partners: one for life. It seems that, from now on, this male will spend the rest of his days with the female from which he recently received the eggs.

The aquarium keepers did not stop showing their emotion for this "extremely rare" case, as described by the director of the institution, Jenn Nero Moffatt. More than anything, explains the specialist, because it is very rare for sea dragons to reproduce in captivity:

“WE HAVE WORKED WITH SEA DRAGON SINCE 1996. SINCE THEN WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THE CARE OF THESE CREATURES AND WE HAVE INVESTED A LOT IN OUR BREEDING PROGRAM. FROM THE LIGHTING TO THE ROCALLA; EVERYTHING HAS BEEN STRATEGICALLY DESIGNED WITH THE BREEDING OF SEA DRAGONS IN MIND”, DETAILS IN A STATEMENT.

Today, the specialized habitat built at Birch Aquarium is one of the largest in the world. It was designed more than two decades ago with the intention of reproducing specimens of the species, which is threatened by the impacts that the climate crisis has had on coral reefs.

https://www.ngenespanol.com/animales/dragon-marino-resulto-prenado/