Evolution of Lined Seahorse
Due to their tiny bones, there is little fossil evidence to figure out the evolutionary history of seahorses. But scientists believe that seahorses evolved from pipefishes when 25 million years ago tectonic activity in the oceans created shallow water seagrass habitats. Seahorses upright body shape allowed them to blend in with seagrass and avoid predators. Other scientists explain seahorses S-shaped body and curved head as an adaptation to allow them to help them hunt and feed. Since seahorses sit and wait for prey, their flexible neck allows them to spring and attack more distant prey. Seahorses have a 20% greater strike range than their closest relative the pipefish. Natural selection favors fish with greater feeding ability.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090522-seahorses-stand-up.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1351406/How-seahorse-evolved-arched-head-S-shape-body-better-hunter.html
Scientists predict that male seahorses choice of similar sized mates may effect speciation in just tens or hundreds of generations. Accordingly, male pregnancy in seahorses has extraordinary evolutionary consequences.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=male-pregnancy-may-spur-s
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090522-seahorses-stand-up.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1351406/How-seahorse-evolved-arched-head-S-shape-body-better-hunter.html
Scientists predict that male seahorses choice of similar sized mates may effect speciation in just tens or hundreds of generations. Accordingly, male pregnancy in seahorses has extraordinary evolutionary consequences.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=male-pregnancy-may-spur-s