The present study investigated the occurrence of seahorses in Araruama hypersaline lagoon using a combination of rapid assessment surveys and data from citizen science. We conducted transects at each of the six study sites, where we recorded a series of population parameters. Local citizen scientists also provided records of occurrence through social media. A female-biased population of Hippocampus reidi Ginsburg, 1933 occupies the lagoon, where it reaches high densities. Most of the seahorses were found attached to artificial holdfasts, and ammonia and nitrite concentrations were above the level recommended by environmental agencies. The reports provided by the citizen scientists represented a valuable contribution to the database on the occurrence of seahorses around the lagoon. Our findings provide new insights into the biological potential of seahorses to colonize new areas and tolerate extreme conditions, as well as the importance of partnerships with citizen scientists to expand ecological knowledge.

本研究结合使用快速评估调查和公民科学数据，调查了 Araruama 高盐泻湖中海马的出现情况。我们在六个研究地点中的每一个进行了横断面，在那里我们记录了一系列人口参数。当地公民科学家还通过社交媒体提供了发生的记录。海马 reidi的女性偏向种群Ginsburg，1933 年占据了泻湖，在那里它达到了高密度。大多数海马都附着在人工固着物上，氨和亚硝酸盐的浓度高于环境机构建议的水平。公民科学家提供的报告对泻湖周围海马出现的数据库做出了宝贵贡献。我们的发现为海马在新地区定居和忍受极端条件的生物学潜力以及与公民科学家合作以扩展生态知识的重要性提供了新的见解。