Heraldia nocturna | |
---|---|
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Syngnathiformes |
Family: | Syngnathidae |
Subfamily: | Syngnathinae |
Genus: | Heraldia |
Species: | H. nocturna
|
Binomial name | |
Heraldia nocturna
Paxton, 1975
|
The upside-down pipefish (Heraldia nocturna) is a species of pipefish endemic to the coasts of southern Australia, from New South Wales to Geographe Bay in Western Australia, [2] where it is found in rocky reefs at depths of from 2 to 15 metres (6.6 to 49.2 ft). It grows to a length of 9.2 centimetres (3.6 in) SL. This species is the only known member of its genus. [3] Like other pipefish it is ovoviviparous but it may breed seasonally, as gravid males have been collected between September and November. [1]
This genus was named in honor of Earl Stannard Herald, an American expert on syngnathids who died as a result of a diving accident off of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. [4] The common name, "upside-down pipefish", comes from its habit of swimming upside down in caves before emerging at night to feed, [1] and this nocturnal habit gives rise to its specific name, nocturna. [2]
Heraldia nocturna | |
---|---|
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Syngnathiformes |
Family: | Syngnathidae |
Subfamily: | Syngnathinae |
Genus: | Heraldia |
Species: | H. nocturna
|
Binomial name | |
Heraldia nocturna
Paxton, 1975
|
The upside-down pipefish (Heraldia nocturna) is a species of pipefish endemic to the coasts of southern Australia, from New South Wales to Geographe Bay in Western Australia, [2] where it is found in rocky reefs at depths of from 2 to 15 metres (6.6 to 49.2 ft). It grows to a length of 9.2 centimetres (3.6 in) SL. This species is the only known member of its genus. [3] Like other pipefish it is ovoviviparous but it may breed seasonally, as gravid males have been collected between September and November. [1]
This genus was named in honor of Earl Stannard Herald, an American expert on syngnathids who died as a result of a diving accident off of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. [4] The common name, "upside-down pipefish", comes from its habit of swimming upside down in caves before emerging at night to feed, [1] and this nocturnal habit gives rise to its specific name, nocturna. [2]