2 weeks ago
Kerala scientists discover new seahorse species in Indian Ocean
Scientists in Kerala found a brand new kind of seahorse in the ocean near the coast of Tamil Nadu.
Seahorses are tiny fish that look a bit like little horses.
For a long time, people thought this seahorse was the same as another one from the Pacific Ocean.
But the scientists looked at the seahorse's body and its genes, and they learned it was different.
The two kinds are more than 6 percent different in their genes, even though they look almost the same on the outside.
The scientists named the new seahorse Hippocampus amandavincentae, after a famous seahorse scientist named Amanda Vincent.
They told the world about their discovery in a science magazine called Zootaxa.
The new seahorse also lives in coral reefs near Kerala and Lakshadweep.
Because it is a new species, scientists will need to check how safe it is and take care of it.
Researchers from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) discovered a new seahorse species, Hippocampus amandavincentae, off the Tamil Nadu coast.
The seahorse was found in fishing bycatch and had long been mistaken for Hippocampus histrix, which is primarily a Pacific Ocean species.
Genetic studies revealed a 6-7 per cent genetic difference between the new species and H. histrix, despite their similar external features.
The discovery was published on August 5 in the journal Zootaxa, and the species was named in honour of Amanda Vincent, founder of Project Seahorse.
Hippocampus amandavincentae, also found in coral reef habitat off the Kerala coast near Lakshadweep, requires a fresh IUCN conservation assessment as H. histrix is listed as 'Vulnerable'.
- Who
- Researchers from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos), including first author Kannan Shalu and team members Rajeev Raghavan, Graham Short, Ghosh Ramvilas and Kutty Ranjeet.
- What
- Discovered a new seahorse species, Hippocampus amandavincentae, previously misidentified as the Pacific Ocean species Hippocampus histrix.
- Where
- Off the Tamil Nadu coast in the Indian Ocean, with the species also found in coral reef habitat off the Kerala coast near Lakshadweep.
- When
- The findings were published on August 5 in the journal Zootaxa.
- Why
- Morphological and genetic studies showed more than a 6-7 per cent genetic difference from H. histrix, and the new species requires a fresh conservation assessment.
Key facts
- New species name
- Hippocampus amandavincentae
- Research institution
- Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos)
- Publication
- Zootaxa, August 5
- Discovery location
- Off the Tamil Nadu coast, Indian Ocean
- Previously misidentified as
- Hippocampus histrix (primarily a Pacific Ocean species)
- Genetic difference from H. histrix
- More than 6-7 per cent
- Named in honour of
- Amanda Vincent, founder of Project Seahorse
- Conservation status
- H. histrix is 'Vulnerable' on IUCN Red List; new species needs fresh assessment
Quotes
Kannan Shalu
First author of the research paper and marine biologist
“Hippocampus histrix was originally described from Japan in 1856...there was more than a 6-7 per cent genetic difference between the two groups”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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