Kerala Researchers Identify New Seahorse Species ‘Hippocampus amandavincentae’

Key facts

• Researchers from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) identified a new seahorse species named Hippocampus amandavincentae.
• The species was previously misclassified as the thorny seahorse Hippocampus histrix, a taxonomic error that persisted for over 150 years.
• The discovery was published in the journal Zootaxa.
• Lead author Shalu Kannan collected specimens from fish bycatch at the Tuticorin fisheries harbor.
• The species is named in honor of marine biologist Amanda Vincent.
• This is the fifth recognized seahorse species along the Kerala coast.
• The new species was photographed alive at a depth of approximately 15 meters on rocky reefs off Anchuthengu.
• Another species, Hippocampus jayakari, was also identified as previously misclassified as Hippocampus histrix.