Pegasus volitans

Scope: Persian Gulf

Language: English

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Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Use and Trade

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
Animalia	Chordata	Actinopterygii	Gasterosteiformes	Pegasidae

Scientific Name:

Pegasus volitans

Species Authority:

Linnaeus, 1758

Regional Assessments:

Global

Common Name(s):

English

–

Longtail Seamoth, Long-tailed Dragonfish, Pelagic dragon-fish, Slender seamoth, Winged Dragonfish

Synonym(s):

Cataphractus anceps Gronow, 1854

Pegasus volitans Linnaeus, 1758

Pegasus natans Linnaeus, 1766

Pegasus pristis Bleeker, 1852

Pegasus volans Linnaeus, 1766

Taxonomic Source(s):

Eschmeyer, W.N., Fricke, R. and Van der Laan, R. (eds). 2016. Catalog of Fishes: genera, species, references. Updated 01 November 2016. Available at: http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp. (Accessed: 01 November 2016).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Least Concern (Regional assessment) ver 3.1
Year Published:	2015
Date Assessed:	2014-02-24
Assessor(s):	Monroe, T. & Feary, D.
Reviewer(s):	Buchanan, J.
Facilitator/Compiler(s):	Linardich, C., Slater, D. & Shores, E.
Justification: Pegasus volitans occurs over soft substrates in shallow coastal waters, where it has been reported from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf. It is not often recorded. Due to its habitat preferences, it likely ranges along the western and southern coast of the Persian Gulf. Pegasus volitans occurs as bycatch in seine and trawl fisheries, but is not commercially valued in the Persian Gulf. There are no known major threats. Oceanographic data suggests that a rescue effect through the Strait of Hormuz is negligible. Pegasus volitans is listed as Least Concern in the Persian Gulf.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:

In the Persian Gulf, Pegasus volitans has been reported from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but likely occurs off the western and southern coasts (D. Feary pers. comm. 2014).

Countries occurrence:

Native:

Bahrain; Iraq; Kuwait; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates

FAO Marine Fishing Areas:

Native:

Indian Ocean – western

Additional data:

♦ Lower depth limit (metres):	73

Range Map:

Population [top]

Population:

Population information for Pegasus volitans in the Persian Gulf is limited. Oceanographic data suggests that a rescue effect through the Strait of Hormuz is negligible.

Current Population Trend:

Unknown

Additional data:

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Pegasus volitans is a rare, demersal, marine species that occurs is tropical waters between depths of 1 to 73 m, but usually found between 9 to 27 m (Smith 1986, Palsson and Pietsch 1989, Randall 1995). Adults are usually found in pairs, inhabiting muddy and sandy bottoms and estuaries (Kuiter and Tonozuka 2001), where they are often found in association with prawns (Conlu 1986). This species is occasionally found in seagrass areas (Allen and Erdmann 2012). Maximum total length for this species is 20.0 cm male/unsexed.
Systems:	Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

Pegasus volitans is a rare, demersal, marine species that occurs is tropical waters between depths of 1 to 73 m, but usually found between 9 to 27 m (Smith 1986, Palsson and Pietsch 1989, Randall 1995). Adults are usually found in pairs, inhabiting muddy and sandy bottoms and estuaries (Kuiter and Tonozuka 2001), where they are often found in association with prawns (Conlu 1986). This species is occasionally found in seagrass areas (Allen and Erdmann 2012). Maximum total length for this species is 20.0 cm male/unsexed.

Systems:

Marine

Use and Trade [top]

Use and Trade:	Pegasus volitans is of no commercial interest (Reader and Neira 1998). It is caught by seine, trawl, dredge, and shrimp nets (Vincent 1997).

Use and Trade:

Pegasus volitans is of no commercial interest (Reader and Neira 1998). It is caught by seine, trawl, dredge, and shrimp nets (Vincent 1997).

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Pegasus volitans occurs as bycatch in seine and trawl fisheries, but is not commercially valued in the Persian Gulf. Sea moths may possess characteristics that make them unsuited to heavy exploitation, such as low population densities and established long-term pair bonds of one male and one female that mate repeatedly (Kuiter 1985, Herold and Clark 1993).

Major Threat(s):

Pegasus volitans occurs as bycatch in seine and trawl fisheries, but is not commercially valued in the Persian Gulf. Sea moths may possess characteristics that make them unsuited to heavy exploitation, such as low population densities and established long-term pair bonds of one male and one female that mate repeatedly (Kuiter 1985, Herold and Clark 1993).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	There are no known species-specific conservation measures in place for Pegasus volitans. However, there are several marine protected areas within its distribution.

Conservation Actions:

There are no known species-specific conservation measures in place for Pegasus volitans. However, there are several marine protected areas within its distribution.

Citation:	Monroe, T. & Feary, D. 2015. Pegasus volitans. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T16476A57167078. . Downloaded on 12 July 2017.
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