This meeting will discuss theories behind the population increase of syngnathids in Britain’s coastal waters and the possible impacts this will have on other species.

There has been a rapid and dramatic increase in numbers of snake pipefish Entelurus aequoreus occurring in the sea around northern Britain. Whilst these major outbreaks of previously rare species do occur in marine ecosystems, the reason for this population explosion is currently unclear. The increase in numbers and range expansion will have an effect on the food web dynamics and snake pipefish have been increasingly reported in the diet of many species of seabird breeding in colonies around the UK, often with detrimental consequences.

This ZSL Scientific Meeting will discuss theories behind the population increase and possible impacts.

Have there been changes in distribution and abundance in other members of the Syngnathid family too? People are often surprised when they find out there are seahorse populations in Britain’s coastal waters. Find out about the resident species and their populations.

Research described here is informed by ZSL’s Project Seahorse.

Organised by Dr Heather Koldewey and Alison Shaw, ZSL

Speakers
to be confirmed

The talks are free and open to the public – talks will begin at 6.00pm. A dinner with the speakers will follow this Scientific Meeting and places must be booked in advance. A dinner booking form will be available from January for further information.

Further Information: please contact Joy Hayward, Scientific Meetings Coordinator, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY.
Tel:+44 (0)20 7449 6227. Fax: +44 (0)20 7449 6411. E-mail: joy.hayward@zsl.org.

Registration required:

No

Free:

Yes