Researchers Determine the Benefits of Partial Fin-Clipping for Seahorses
Researchers determined that Partial fin-clipping was indeed a beneficial instrument for tissue sampling in seahorses. The results of the study confirmed no significant impact of clipping a phase of the fin seahorses, whether long time period or short term, on their growth or mortality. The remoted DNA was also seen and was sufficient to use. The regenerated fin did now not show any visible deformities. This facts found on pages 3 and 4 under the results and dialogue section.
Growth and Regeneration of Clipped Fins
The clipped fin grew after one week in some individuals while whole regeneration of the dorsal fin occurred after four weeks for all seahorses under study. There was no distinct variance in fin re-growth between the two sexes as the marginal difference was very little.
Response to Fin Clipping Procedure
The response to the fin clipping procedure was not that ideal for men and women as measured by the change in mean trunk length with the difference being most likely as a result of experimental error.
Similar Outcomes for Clipped and Unclipped Seahorses
Both the clipped and unclipped seahorses had almost similar outcomes. There wasn’t much notable change in the rates of growth for both seashores (clipped and unclipped) over the entire experiment as measured by the change in mean weight.
Differences in Regeneration Time
The research showed complete re-generation of the partially clipped fins in Hippocampus kuda after four weeks. The time was lesser than that taken by Hippocampus guttulatus and Hippocampus which were studied under captivity. The H. kuda lived in waters of higher temperature which contributed to the faster regrowth.
Comparison with Seahorses in Captivity
Seahorses living in captivity have more stable conditions and more regular food than those in the natural habitat, therefore re-growth may be faster for those in captivity. More so, predators are absent in a controlled habitat. Some ill effects of the fin-clipping may therefore not be noticed.
Considerations for Natural Environment
It is important to include this information in the study to make the readers understand that there may be variations in results if the experiment was done in a natural environment.
Works Cited
Woodall, Lucy C., Rachel Jones, Brian Zimmerman, Samantha Guillaume, Teague Stubbington, Paul Shaw, and Heather J. Koldewey. "Partial fin-clipping as an effective tool for tissue sampling seahorses, Hippocampus spp." Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 92.06 (2012): 1427-1432. Print.
