Species New to Science: Syngnathidae

Showing posts with label Syngnathidae. Show all posts

Sunday, September 8, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2024] Cylix nkosi • A New Record and Species of Pygmy Pipehorse of the Genus Cylix (Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae) from South Africa and the African Continent

Cylix nkosi

Short, Smith, Harasti & Claassens, 2024

Sodwana Pygmy Pipehorse || DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2023053

Abstract

Cylix nkosi, new species, of the formerly monotypic pygmy pipehorse genus Cylix, is described on the basis of the female holotype and the male paratype collected between 14–50 m over inshore warm-tropical coral reefs from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The new taxon possesses derived characters consistent with the diagnosis of the type species Cylix tupareomanaia from Aotearoa New Zealand, including a prominent supraoccipital bone bearing a highly derived bony protuberance and the presence of distinct midventral head spines. The new species is distinguished from its congener primarily by the distinct shapes of the supraoccipital protuberance, midventral head spines, and the dorsomedial crest-like ridge on the first trunk ridge. Cylix nkosi, new species, can be further differentiated by genetic divergence in the mitochondrial COI gene from C. tupareomanaia and the morphologically similar members of the Indo-Pacific pygmy pipehorse genera Acentronura and Idiotropiscis (estimated uncorrected p-distances of 10.0% C. tupareomanaia, 16.6% A. breviperula, 20.6% A. tentaculata, 18.1% I. australe, and 18.8% I. lumnitzeri, respectively). Cylix nkosi, new species, is the first confirmed record of the genus in South Africa and the African continent. In addition, the occurrence of C. nkosi, new species, in the western Indian Ocean represents a substantial expansion of the geographical distribution of the genus beyond its original type locality in New Zealand.

Lateral view of the head of Cylix nkosi, SAMC F041935, female, holotype, highlighting positions of diagnostic characters, including the supraoccipital protuberance and medioventral conical spines on the cleithral symphysis and the first trunk ring between the pectoral-fin bases. Abbreviations: CS, cleithral spines; CSS, medioventral spine on the cleithral symphysis; DHS, double head spine; FS, frontal spine; FTRC, first trunk ring crest; LHS, lateral head spine; MVFTRS, medioventral spine on first trunk ring between the pectoral-fin bases; ORE, orbital rim extension; PLS, posterolateral spine on pectoral-fin base; SnS, snout spines; SP, supraoccipital protuberance. Scale bar = 5 mm.

Cylix nkosi in situ, SAMC F041935, female, holotype, 45.9 mm SL, 2 Mile Reef, Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 22 m depth. (A) Lateral view of the body. (B) Anterolateral view of the head highlighting the diamond-shaped supraoccipital protuberance pair on the head. Abbreviation: SP, supraoccipital protuberance. Photographs by Richard Smith.

Cylix nkosi, new species

Common Name: Sodwana Pygmy Pipehorse

Diagnosis.—Cylix nkosi differs from C. tupareomanaia in possessing a supraoccipital bone bearing a highly derived and distinct diamond-shaped bony protuberance (SP; vs. cup-like bony protuberance; Table 3) oriented anteriorly, rhombus-shaped in anterodorsal view, divided transversally into two sections by a ridge; knob-shaped midventral spine (CSS; vs. udder-shaped bony protuberance; Table 3) on the cleithral symphysis; blunt midventral spine (MVFTRS; vs. conical midventral spine; Table 3) on the first trunk ring between the pectoral-fin bases; thick dorsomedial crest-like ridge (FTRC; vs. thin and rugose crest-like ...

Cylix nkosi in situ, 2 Mile Reef, Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 22 m depth:
(A) male, pregnant, red coloration; (B) male, pregnant, yellow coloration; (C) female, brown coloration; (D) female, brown coloration.

Photographs © Christo van Jaarsveld (SeaXplore), used with permission.

Etymology.—The species epithet is derived from the Nguni or Zulu term for chief due to the crown-like nature of the highly derived bony protuberance on the supraoccipital bone. A noun in the genitive. New English Names: Sodwana Pygmy Pipehorse is proposed here for Cylix nkosi.

Graham Short, Richard Smith, David Harasti and Louw Claassens. 2024. A New Record and Species of Pygmy Pipehorse of the Genus Cylix (Teleostei, Syngnathidae) from South Africa and the African Continent. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 112(3):315-327. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2023053

Sunday, February 5, 2023

[Ichthyology • 2022] Kyonemichthys rumengani (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) is Sister Taxon to the Pipefish Genus Urocampus: Genetic and Morphological Evidence

Kyonemichthys rumengani Gomon, 2007

in Hanahara, Tanimoto & Shirakawa, 2022.

DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.293

twitter.com/Species_Divers

Abstract

A single female specimen (25.6 mm in standard length) of the thread-like Indo-Pacific pygmy syngnathid Kyonemichthys rumengani Gomon, 2007 was collected from fringing reef at eight meters depth from Okinawa Island in the Ryukyu Archipelago of southern Japan. It represents the first specimen of this species to be housed in a museum fish collection in Japan, where for the first time it is available for molecular analysis. We assessed the morphological hypothesis that previously suggested Kyonemichthys Gomon, 2007 is allied with the Indo-Pacific pygmy pipehorse genera Acentronura Kaup, 1853 and Idiotropiscis Whitley, 1947 based on similar characteristics of the head angled slightly ventrally from the abdominal axis, dermal appendages, and flexible tail lacking a caudal fin. However, Kyonemichthys differs from these genera in having a dorsal-fin origin on the tail versus the trunk, a characteristic shared by two Indo-Pacific pipefish genera: the morphologically similar Urocampus Günther, 1870 and the distinct worm-like Siokunichthys Herald, 1953. We therefore investigated the evolutionary relationships of K. rumengani within Syngnathidae based on the genetic divergence of the mitochondrial CO1 gene (uncorrected p-distances) and a phylogenetic hypothesis generated from the analysis of three partial mitochondrial genes (12S, 16S, and CO1). Genetic analyses demonstrated that Kyonemichthys and Urocampus are closely related and form a strongly supported clade that excludes the phylogenetically distant Acentronura, Idiotropiscis, and Siokunichthys. Furthermore, morphological comparisons of K. rumengani with members of Urocampus revealed numerous synapomorphies distinct from the pygmy pipehorses, including meristic characters, trunk and tail ridge configurations, placement of dorsal fin on the tail, and shape of the prehensile tail. Therefore, based on the genetic and morphological characteristics, we suggest that Kyonemichthys is sister to Urocampus and is allied with pipefishes rather than with pygmy pipehorses. In addition, the Japanese standard name “Hari-youji” was proposed for K. rumengani.

Keywords: marine fish, pygmy pipehorse, CO1, phylogeny, taxonomy, Indo-Pacific

Photograph of preserved specimen of Kyonemichthys rumengani (OCF-P 10439, 25.6mm SL) collected from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands.

Aquarium photograph of Kyonemichthys rumengani (OCF-P 10439, 25.6mm SL).

Kyonemichthys rumengani Gomon, 2007

[New standard Japanese name: Hari-youji]

Nozomi Hanahara, Miyako Tanimoto and Naoki Shirakawa. 2022. Kyonemichthys rumengani (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) is Sister Taxon to the Pipefish Genus Urocampus: Genetic and Morphological Evidence. Species Diversity. 27(2); 293-299. DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.293

twitter.com/Species_Divers /status/1580838206064693249

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

[Ichthyology • 2021] Cylix tupareomanaia • A New Genus and Species of Pygmy Pipehorse (Teleostei, Syngnathidae) from Taitokerau Northland, Aotearoa New Zealand, with a Redescription of Acentronura Kaup, 1853 and Idiotropiscis Whitley, 1947

Cylix tupareomanaia Short, Trnski, & Ngātiwai,

in Short & Trnski, 2021.

DOI: 10.1643/i2020136

Abstract

Cylix tupareomanaia, new genus and species, is described from three specimens (35.5–55.5 mm SL), collected from rocky reefs at 12–17 m depth from Taitokerau Northland, New Zealand. The new taxon shares morphological synapomorphies with the superficially similar Australian endemic Idiotropiscis and Indo-Pacific Acentronura, including head angled ventrally approximately 25° from the principal body axis, enclosed brood pouch, brood pouch plates, prehensile tail, and absence of caudal fin. Cylix tupareomanaia, new genus and species, however, is distinguishable from all other members of the Syngnathidae by the following combination of bony autapomorphic characters: a cup-like crest present anterodorsally on the supraoccipital; and large conspicuous midventral conical spines on the cleithral symphysis and first trunk ring between the pectoral-fin bases. The new species can be further differentiated by genetic divergence in the mitochondrial COX1 gene from Acentronura breviperula, A. tentaculata, Idiotropiscis australe, and I. lumnitzeri (estimated uncorrected p-distances of 19.5%, 20.4%, 17.9%, and 18.4%, respectively). A phylogenetic hypothesis from the analysis of two nuclear loci, 18S and TMO-4C4, supports the placement of C. tupareomanaia, new genus and species, as the sister taxon to a clade comprising the genera Acentronura and Idiotropiscis. Cylix tupareomanaia, new genus and species, represents the eighth member within the pygmy pipehorse clade to be described from the Indo-Pacific and the first new genus and species of syngnathid to be reported from New Zealand since 1921.

Cylix tupareomanaia.
(A) AIM MA122274, female, holotype shortly after death, 31.4 mm SL; Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand (photograph © Auckland Museum).
(B) NMNZ P.056154, female, paratype, shortly after death, 35.5 mm SL; Cavalli Islands, Northland, New Zealand (photograph © Irene Middleton).

Cylix tupareomanaia.
(A) AIM MA122274, female, preserved holotype, 31.4 mm SL; Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand (photograph © Auckland Museum).
(B) NMNZ P.056154, female, preserved paratype, 35.5 mm SL; Cavalli Islands, Northland, New Zealand (photograph © Auckland Museum).
(C) NMNZ P.046322, male, preserved paratype, 55.5 mm SL; east of Oturori Rock, Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand (photograph Graham Short).

µCT scan of Cylix tupareomanaia, NMNZ P.046322, male, paratype, 55.5 mm SL.
(A, B) Anterolateral view of the head highlighting the bifurcated and cup-like crest present on the supraoccipital, continuous cleithral ring, and the strongly elevated ventrolateral bulge of the pectoral-fin base.
(C) Anterodorsal aspect of the neurocranium highlighting the bifurcated and cup-like pentamerous bony crest present on the supraoccipital.

Abbreviations: FS, frontal spine; PFB, pectoral-fin base; SC, supraoccipital crest; SCL, supracleithrum.

Cylix tupareomanaia in situ.
(A) AIM MA122274, female, holotype, Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Shane Housham). (B) Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Shane Housham).
(C) Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Richard Smith). (D) Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Irene Middleton).
(E) Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Irene Middleton). (F) Poor Knights Islands, Northland, New Zealand, at 10 m depth (photograph © Kent Erickson).

Cylix, new genus

Type species.—Cylix tupareomanaia, new species.

Diagnosis.—A genus of the Syngnathidae that shares numerous morphological synapomorphies with Acentronura and Idiotropiscis, including head angled ventrally approximately 25° from the principal body axis, enclosed brood pouch, brood pouch plates, prehensile tail, and absence of caudal fin. However, Cylix tupareomanaia, new species, differs from all other genera by unique anatomical features of the head, including: a distinct, cup-like crest present anterodorsally on the supraoccipital; and large and conspicuous medioventral conical spines on the cleithral symphysis and the first trunk ring between the pectoral-fin bases. It differs further in having the following combination of morphological characters: prominent supraoccipital; continuous cleithrum; prominent supracleithrum; anterior nuchal plate absent; posterior nuchal plate present with bony dorsomedial crest; large gap present between the supraoccipital and posterior nuchal plate; one to three dorsal spines at midline of snout, posteriormost of these spines large; one large double and rugose lateral head spine present below the cup-like supraoccipital crest; three small blunt lateral head spines on operculum; rim of orbit elevated dorsolaterally and strongly ventrally; two spines on cleithral ring; large rugose spine anterior to ventral third of pectoral-fin base; moderate-sized spine at ventral extent of head; small spine present posterolateral to the pelvic-fin base; four subdorsal spines, forming a square, the dorsal two enlarged.

Etymology.—The generic name Cylix is derived from the Greek kylix, meaning cup or chalice, in reference to the cup-like crest present on the head. Gender masculine.

Cylix tupareomanaia Short, Trnski, and Ngātiwai, new species

Common Names: Māori—Tu pare o manaia,

English—Manaia Pygmy Pipehorse

Hippocampus jugumus: Kuiter, 2009: 93, figs. A, B (Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand).

Acentronura australe: Stewart, 2015: 1053, fig. 148.1 (Bay of Islands, New Zealand).

Idiotropiscis aotearoa: Perkins, 2017 (Whangaruru, New Zealand; http://www.inspiredtodive.com/photo-blog/introducing-idiotropiscis-aotearoa).

Etymology.—The species epithet tupareomanaia is a neologism gifted by kaumātua (tribal elders) of Ngātiwai and references Home Point adjacent to the type locality, referred to by Ngātiwai as Tu Pare o Huia, meaning “the plume of the huia”; the huia was a bird that became extinct in the early 20th century. Tu Pare o Manaia translates as “the garland of the Manaia.” The pare, or garland, references the pentamerous head crest of the new species, and Manaia is the Māori name for a seahorse, and is also an ancestor that appears as a stylized figure used in Māori carvings representing a guardian.

Graham A. Short and Thomas Trnski. 2021. A New Genus and Species of Pygmy Pipehorse from Taitokerau Northland, Aotearoa New Zealand, with a Redescription of Acentronura Kaup, 1853 and Idiotropiscis Whitley, 1947 (Teleostei, Syngnathidae). Ichthyology & Herpetology. 109(3); 806-835 . DOI: 10.1643/i2020136

Thursday, February 18, 2021

[Ichthyology • 2021] Genome Sequences reveal Global Dispersal Routes and Suggest Convergent Genetic Adaptations in Seahorse Evolution

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Hippocampus.

in Li, Olave, Hou, ... et Lin, 2021.

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21379-x

Abstract

Seahorses have a circum-global distribution in tropical to temperate coastal waters. Yet, seahorses show many adaptations for a sedentary, cryptic lifestyle: they require specific habitats, such as seagrass, kelp or coral reefs, lack pelvic and caudal fins, and give birth to directly developed offspring without pronounced pelagic larval stage, rendering long-range dispersal by conventional means inefficient. Here we investigate seahorses’ worldwide dispersal and biogeographic patterns based on a de novo genome assembly of Hippocampus erectus as well as 358 re-sequenced genomes from 21 species. Seahorses evolved in the late Oligocene and subsequent circum-global colonization routes are identified and linked to changing dynamics in ocean currents and paleo-temporal seaway openings. Furthermore, the genetic basis of the recurring “bony spines” adaptive phenotype is linked to independent substitutions in a key developmental gene. Analyses thus suggest that rafting via ocean currents compensates for poor dispersal and rapid adaptation facilitates colonizing new habitats.

Fig. 1: Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of 358 seahorse specimens.

Independent evolution in the phylogenetic tree reconstructed for the protein encoded by bmp3. Seahorses illustrations by Geng Qin.

Chunyan Li, Melisa Olave, Yali Hou, Geng Qin, Ralf F. Schneider, Zexia Gao, Xiaolong Tu, Xin Wang, Furong Qi, Alexander Nater, Andreas F. Kautt, Shiming Wan, Yanhong Zhang, Yali Liu, Huixian Zhang, Bo Zhang, Hao Zhang, Meng Qu, Shuaishuai Liu, Zeyu Chen, Jia Zhong, He Zhang, Lingfeng Meng, Kai Wang, Jianping Yin, Liangmin Huang, Byrappa Venkatesh, Axel Meyer, Xuemei Lu and Qiang Lin. 2021. Genome Sequences reveal Global Dispersal Routes and Suggest Convergent Genetic Adaptations in Seahorse Evolution. Nature Communications. 12, 1094. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21379-x

Sunday, November 22, 2020

[Ichthyology • 2020] Stigmatopora harastii • A New Species of Pipefish (Syngnathiformes, Syngnathidae) in Facultative Associations with Finger Sponges and Red Algae from New South Wales, Australia

Stigmatopora harastii

Short & Trevor-Jones, 2020

Harasti’s Pipefish or Red Wide-bodied Pipefish || DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.994.57160

Abstract

A new species of pipefish, Stigmatopora harastii sp. nov., is described based on the male holotype and two female paratypes, 136.3–145.5 mm SL, collected from red algae (sp.?) at 12 meters depth in Botany Bay, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The new taxon shares morphological synapomorphies with the previously described members of Stigmatopora, including principle body ridges, fin placement, slender tail, and absence of a caudal fin. It is morphologically and meristically similar to Stigmatopora nigra, including snout length and shape, dorsal-fin origin on 6th–7th trunk ring, and lateral trunk ridge terminating on the first tail ring. Stigmatopora harastii sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners, however, by characters of the head and first trunk ring, distinct sexual dimorphic markings on sides and venter of anterior trunk rings, and red background coloration in life. The new taxon can be further differentiated by genetic divergence in the mitochondrial COI gene (uncorrected p-distances of 9.8%, 10.1%, 10.7%, and 14.6%, from S. argus, S. macropterygia, S. narinosa, and S. nigra, respectively). The type locality is characterised by semi-exposed deep-water sandy areas interspersed with boulders, flat reefs, and an absence of seagrass beds, in which S. harastii has been observed living in facultative associations with a finger sponge and red algae at depths of 10–25 meters, compared to the shallow coastal and estuarine habitats preferred by the fucoid algae and seagrass-associating members of Stigmatopora. Stigmatopora harastii sp. nov. represents the fourth species of Stigmatopora recorded in temperate southern Australia.

Keywords: Botany Bay, COI, cryptobenthic, ichthyology, Jervis Bay, marine fish, morphology, South Pacific, Sydney, systematics, taxonomy

Figure 3. Stigmatopora harastii in situ, AMS I. 49510-001, holotype, male A (right individual) B (left individual); The Steps, Kurnell, Botany Bay, NSW, Australia, 13.5 meters depth, 18 June 2020. The male holotype was photographed with a paired female individual, which was not collected. Note the large cluster of distinct red spots extending posteriad on venter of anterior trunk rings in the male (photographs: Andrew Trevor-Jones).

Figure 4. Stigmatopora harastii in situ, AMS I.47267 paratypes, female, The Steps, Kurnell, Botany Bay, NSW, Australia at 11–12 meters depth, 06 June 2017 (photographs: David Harasti).

Figure 1. Stigmatopora harastii, preserved directly after collection, AMS I. 49510-001, holotype male, 145.5 mm SL A dorsal view B lateral view C ventral view; Australia: NSW, Botany Bay, Kurnell (photograph: Kerryn Parkinson).
Figure 2. Stigmatopora harastii, preserved directly after collection, paratypes, female A AMS I.47267-001, 136.3 mm SL B AMS I.47267-002, 138.2 mm SL; Australia: NSW, Botany Bay, Kurnell (photograph: Kerryn Parkinson).

Stigmatopora harastii sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Stigmatopora harastii differs from its congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: median ridge, distinct, low, present on dorsum of head and first trunk ring starting from the posterior third of the frontal, over the supraoccipital, to the anterior and posterior nuchal plates; opercular ridge prominent, complete, not angled dorsad; lateromedial ridge, distinct, low, present between opercle and pectoral fin base; dorsal-fin origin on 6th–7th trunk rings, subdorsal rings 19–20 (12 trunk rings + 7 or 8 tail rings); lateral trunk ridge ends on first tail ring. Colouration: red background colour; dorsum of snout with large, irregular pale white spots; sides of head and anterior trunk rings with large, irregular pale white spots or with diffuse pale white stripe; venter of first trunk ring with distinct red elongated spots in longitudinal row, almost forming a stripe, on midline present in male (AMS I. 49510-001); venter of anterior trunk rings pale red with a large cluster of distinct red spots extending posteriad from second trunk ring in male (AMS I. 49510-001), few scattered small red spots in females (AMS I.1.47267).

Etymology: This species is named after David Harasti, one of the first to recognize S. harastii as being a new species, for recognition of his efforts towards conservation of Syngnathidae in Australia, and for being an aficionado extraordinaire of his beloved genus Stigmatopora. David has stated he counts green pipefish to fall asleep. Harasti’s Pipefish and the Red Wide-bodied Pipefish are proposed here as the common names for S. harastii.

Figure 6. Aerial view of the scuba dive site The Steps, Kurnell, Botany Bay, NSW, Australia A shore and entrance B inshore boulders (photographs: Michael McFadyen).

Figure 8. Stigmatopora harastii in situ, male-female pair A lateral view B anterior view, Minmi Trench, Botany Bay, NSW, Australia, 18 meters depth, 17 February 2019 (photographs: Duncan Heuer).

Figure 9. Stigmatopora harastii in situ A–C male D female, The Gutter, Bass Point, Shellharbour, NSW, Australia, 18 meters depth, 17 Feb 2017 (photographs: Craig Taylor).

Graham Short and Andrew Trevor-Jones. 2020. Stigmatopora harastii, A New Species of Pipefish in Facultative Associations with Finger Sponges and Red Algae from New South Wales, Australia (Teleostei, Syngnathidae). ZooKeys. 994: 105-123. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.994.57160

Meet the spectacular Red Wide-bodied Pipefish: Australia's newest endemic fish species

australian.museum/blog/amri-news/meet-the-spectacular-red-wide-bodied-pipefish-australias-newest-endemic-fish-species

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

[Ichthyology • 2020] Hippocampus nalu • A New Species of Pygmy Seahorse (Teleostei, Syngnathidae) from South Africa, and the First Record of A Pygmy Seahorse from the Indian Ocean

Hippocampus nalu

Short, Claassens, Smith, Brauwer, Hamilton, Stat & Harasti, 2020

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.934.50924
(photograph Richard Smith / oceanrealmimages.com).

Abstract
A new species and the first confirmed record of a true pygmy seahorse from Africa, Hippocampus nalu sp. nov., is herein described on the basis of two specimens, 18.9–22 mm SL, collected from flat sandy coral reef at 14–17 meters depth from Sodwana Bay, South Africa. The new taxon shares morphological synapomorphies with the previously described central Indo-Pacific pygmy seahorses, H. colemani, H. japapigu, H. pontohi, and H. satomiae, and H. waleananus, including diminutive size, twelve trunk rings, prominent cleithral ring and supracleithrum, spines on the fifth and twelfth superior and lateral trunk ridges, respectively, and prominent wing-like protrusions present on the first and/or second superior trunk rings posterior to the head. Hippocampus nalu sp. nov. is primarily distinguished from its pygmy seahorse congeners by highly distinct spine morphology along the anterior segments of the superior trunk ridge. Comparative molecular analysis reveals that the new species demonstrates significant genetic divergence in the mitochondrial COI gene from the morphologically similar H. japapigu and H. pontohi (estimated uncorrected p-distances of 16.3% and 15.2%, respectively). Hippocampus nalu sp. nov. represents the eighth member of the pygmy seahorse clade to be described from the Indo-Pacific, the first confirmed record from the African continent and the Indian Ocean, and an extension of more than 8000 km beyond the previously known range of pygmy seahorses from the Central and Western Indo-Pacific.

Keywords: Africa, COI, cryptobenthic, ichthyology, marine fish, morphology, Sodwana Bay, taxonomy

Figure 5. Hippocampus nalu in situ, SAMC-F041933, holotype, female, Sodwana Bay, South Africa at 14 m depth

(photograph Richard Smith / oceanrealmimages.com).

Figure 6. Hippocampus nalu in situ, SAMC-F041934, paratype, male, Sodwana Bay, South Africa at 14 m depth

(photograph Richard Smith / oceanrealmimages.com).

Hippocampus nalu sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Hippocampus nalu sp. nov. is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: tail rings 29–30; dorsal fin rays twelve; pectoral fin rays ten; subdorsal rings four; two pairs of bilateral wing-like protrusions behind the head formed by a pair of large oblong spines projecting anterolaterad on the first superior trunk ridge and a pair of unique double cuspidate spines projecting anteriad on the second superior trunk ridge; double spine above the eyes; absence of spines at the sixth superior trunk and eighth inferior trunk ridges; superior trunk ridge ending with two subdorsal spines protruding laterad; the posteriormost spine greatly enlarged on twelfth trunk ridge.

Etymology: Named after Savannah Nalu Olivier who discovered the new species in Sodwana Bay. In the South African languages, Xhosa and Zulu, nalu refers to the expression ‘here it is’ and therefore we extend its meaning in this case to the simple fact that H. nalu was there all along until its discovery. Additionally, the species name nalu is also the Hawaiian word that refers to the waves or surf of the moana (ocean), for that reason we find the name relevant as H. nalu was observed moving about in strong surge to different locations in the sandy habitat. A noun in the genitive.

New English Names: Sodwana pygmy seahorse, African pygmy seahorse, and Honeypot seahorse are proposed here for Hippocampus nalu.

Figure 7. Hippocampus nalu in situ, juvenile, approximately 10 mm SL, Sodwana Bay, South Africa at 14 m depth

(photograph Richard Smith / oceanrealmimages.com).

Figure 8. Distribution of Hippocampus nalu. Type locality in red.

Graham Short, Louw Claassens, Richard Smith, Maarten De Brauwer, Healy Hamilton, Michael Stat and David Harasti. 2020. Hippocampus nalu, A New Species of Pygmy Seahorse from South Africa, and the First Record of A Pygmy Seahorse from the Indian Ocean (Teleostei, Syngnathidae). ZooKeys. 934: 141-156. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.934.50924

Sunday, June 30, 2019

[Ichthyology • 2019] Leptonotus vincentae • A New Pipefish Species (Syngnathidae: Syngnathinae) from the south‐west Atlantic Ocean near northern Patagonia

Leptonotus vincentae

Luzzatto & Estalles, 2019

Patagonian Pipefish || DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14056

twitter.com/AmandaVincent1

Abstract

A new species of pipefish Leptonotus vincentae sp. nov. (Syngnathidae) is described on the basis of 12 specimens found in shallow waters (<2 m depth) of San Antonio Bay, Patagonia, Argentina, in the south‐west Atlantic Ocean. The species is distinguished from congeners by the combination of: dorsal‐fin rays 30–33, pectoral‐fin rays 12–13, trunk rings 18–19, tail rings 43–46, subdorsal rings (2–4) + (5.5–8) = (8.5–10), head length 13–14% standard length, snout length 35–55% head length and snout depth 21–30% in snout length. Although this species has often been mistaken for Leptonotus blainvilleanus, most diagnostic characters of the two species differ. Both species are clearly distinguished by their snout length. L. blainvilleanus has a relatively longer snout than L. vincentae sp. nov. The new species is similar to a south‐west Pacific species, Leptonotus elevatus. However, L. vincentae sp. nov. differs from this species in that it exhibits a lower number of dorsal‐fin rays and a relatively longer head.

Keywords: Atlantic Ocean, Leptonotus blainvilleanus, new species, San Antonio Bay, sexual dimorphism, Syngnathiformes

Leptonotus vincentae sp. nov.

Etymology: The species is named after Amanda Vincent, whose work on conservation of syngnathids has increased our chances of having healthy populations of these fishes in the threatened seas of the world.

English: Patagonian Pipefish;

Spanish (Argentina): pez aguja patagónico;

Spanish (Spain): pez pipa patagónico.

Diego C. Luzzatto and María L. Estalles. 2019. Leptonotus vincentae, A New Pipefish Species (Syngnathidae: Syngnathinae) from the south‐west Atlantic Ocean near northern Patagonia. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14056

twitter.com/AmandaVincent1/status/1141485476559257600

Monday, August 6, 2018

[Ichthyology • 2018] Hippocampus japapigu • A New Species of Pygmy Seahorse (Teleostei, Syngnathidae) from Japan, with A Redescription of H. pontohi

Hippocampus japapigu

Short, Smith, Motomura, Harasti & Hamilton, 2018

Japanese Pygmy Seahorse | 日本のピグミータツノオトシゴ Hachijo-tatsu
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.779.24799

Abstract

The pygmy seahorse Hippocampus japapigu sp. n. is described based on three specimens, 13.9–16.3 mm SL, collected from a mixed soft coral and algae reef at 11 m depth at Hachijo-jima Island, Izu Islands, Japan. The new taxon shares morphological synapomorphies with the previously described central Indo-Pacific pygmy seahorses, H. colemani, H. pontohi, H. satomiae, and H. waleananus, including extremely small size, 12 trunk rings, strongly raised continuous cleithral ring, snout spine, large spine on the eighth lateral and fifth and 12 superior trunk ridges, respectively, and unusual wing-like-protrusions immediately posterior to the head. Hippocampus japapigu sp. n. can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of features in the anterodorsal area of the trunk: bilaterally paired wing-like protrusions formed by a single pair of large, truncate spines projecting dorsolaterad on the first superior trunk ridge, followed by a unique elevated dorsal ridge formed by triangular bony mounds dorsally on the second to fourth superior trunk ridges. In contrast, H. pontohi possesses a pair of large truncate spines projecting strongly laterad on both the first and second superior trunk ridges followed by flat surfaces dorsally on the third and fourth superior trunk rings. The new species can be further differentiated by genetic divergence from H. pontohi (an uncorrected p-distance of 10.1% in the mitochondrial COI gene) and a striking reticulated white and brown lattice pattern on the head, trunk, and tail. Hippocampus japapigu sp. n. represents the fifth species of pygmy seahorse recorded in Japan.

Keywords: Acanthomorpha, computed tomography, reef fish, new species, systematics, taxonomy, computed tomography

Figure 1. Hippocampus japapigu, UW 157506, female holotype directly after collection, 16.33 mm SL, Hachijo-jima Island, Izu Islands, Japan (photograph Hiroyuki Motomura).

Figure 2. Hippocampus japapigu, paratypes directly after collection (A) UW 157507, male, 15.59 mm SL (B) KAUM-I. 111770, female, 14.54 mm SL, Hachijo-jima Island, Izu Islands, Japan (photographs Hiroyuki Motomura).

Hippocampus japapigu sp. n.

Diagnosis. Hippocampus japapigu sp. n. differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: tail rings 28; dorsal fin rays 14; pectoral fin rays nine; subdorsal rings four; bilaterally paired wing-like protrusions formed by a pair of large truncate spines projecting laterad on first superior trunk ridge; elevated dorsal ridge formed by unique triangular bony mounds dorsally on second, third, and fourth trunk rings with the posterior mound less pronounced; large and prominent spine projecting laterad on eighth lateral trunk ridge.

Figure 4. Hippocampus japapigu in situ, Hachijo-jima Island, Izu Islands, Japan at 15 m depth (photograph Richard Smith).

Figure 5. Hippocampus japapigu in situ, Hachijo-jima Island, Izu Islands, Japan from 10 m depth (photograph Richard Smith).

Distribution and habitat: Hippocampus japapigu sp. n. is only known to occur in Japan, from scattered localities including Kashiwa-jima Island, Sukumo Bay; Kushimoto, Kii Peninsula; Osezaki, Izu Peninsula; the Izu Islands of Miyake and Hachijo; Sagami Bay; and Chichi-jima, Ogasawara Islands. The specimens described herein were found off the northwest coast of Hachijo-jima Island at a depth of 10–13 m, and have been anecdotally reported elsewhere at 5–22 m by local divers. Owing to its diminutive size and extraordinary crypsis, this species may have a wider distribution within Japan. The new taxon is not associated with a particular host, and has been observed in association with mixed soft coral, the coralline algae Halimeda sp., and hydroids on rocky reef walls and large boulders in both exposed and semi-sheltered locations. During 15 dives initially spent searching ad hoc for this species by the second author in July 2013, 13 individuals were observed in an approximately 100 m stretch of rocky reef. These ranged in depth from 10 to 20 m and water temperature fluctuated between 19–24°C over 6 days. When one individual was discovered, another was often found in close proximity and appeared to represent male-female pairs. Returning in June 2015 with a larger group of experienced dive guides, with 10 dives searching for the species, only a single individual was found, possibly suggesting fluctuations in the abundance of the species. Several pregnant males were observed in July 2013, but it is unknown whether reproduction occurs seasonally or year-round.

Etymology: The specific epithet is from the colloquial Japanese name of the new species, Japan Pig, Japapigu, or 日本のピグミータツノオトシゴ.

Common name: New common English and Japanese names, Japanese Pygmy Seahorse and Hachijo-tatsu, respectively, are proposed here for Hippocampus japapigu.

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Figure 7. Comparison of live specimens of A Hippocampus japapigu photographed off Hachijo-jima Island, Japan (Richard Smith), and its most similar congener B Hippocampus pontohi photographed off Tomia Island, southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia (Richard Smith). Note the differences in the anterodorsal area of the trunk in H. japapigu vs. H. pontohi: single vs. double pair of bilaterally paired wing-like protrusions behind the head, raised dorsal ridge vs. laterodorsal flat surface, and large and prominent vs. small eighth lateral trunk ridge spine. Abbreviations: SP-WP, single pair of bilaterally paired wing-like protrusions; DP-WP, double pair of bilaterally paired wing-like protrusions; DR, raised dorsal ridge; FS, flat dorsal surface; P-8LTR, prominent eighth lateral trunk ridge spine; S-8LTR, small eighth lateral trunk ridge spine.

Graham Short, Richard Smith, Hiroyuki Motomura, David Harasti and Healy Hamilton. 2018. Hippocampus japapigu, A New Species of Pygmy Seahorse from Japan, with A Redescription of H. pontohi (Teleostei, Syngnathidae). ZooKeys. 779: 27-49. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.779.24799

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Sunday, November 5, 2017

[Ichthyology • 2017] Seahorses of the Hippocampus coronatus complex (Teleostei, Syngnathidae): Taxonomic Revision, and Description of Hippocampus haema, A New Species from Korea and Japan

Hippocampus haema

Han, Kim, Kai & Senou, 2017

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.712.14955

Abstract

Morphological and molecular analyses were conducted on 182 specimens belonging to the Hippocampus coronatus complex (H. coronatus sensu lato), collected in Korea and Japan 1933–2015, in order to clarify the taxonomic status of the species within this complex. Three species are recognized based on the shape of the coronet, the number of trunk rings (TrR) and tail rings (TaR), and presence or absence of a wing-tip spine (WS) at the dorsal fin base. Hippocampus coronatus Temminck & Schlegel, 1850 (H. coronatus sensu stricto), is diagnosed by 10 TrR, 37–40 TaR, an extremely high coronet (55.7–79.0 % head length) with four tips on the corona flat (CoT), and one WS. Hippocampus sindonis Jordan & Snyder, 1901 is diagnosed by 10 TrR, 35–38 TaR, a moderately high coronet (36.3–55.4 % HL) with five CoT, and no WS. A new species, Hippocampus haema is described on the basis of 140 specimens, characterized by 10 TrR, 35–38 TaR, a moderately high coronet (34.1–54.9 % head length) with four CoT, and two WS. Hippocampus haema is only known from the Korea Strait, western Kyushu, and East/Japan Sea. Recognition of the three species is supported by differences in mitochondrial DNA fragments (cytochrome b, 16S rRNA, and 12S rRNA).

Keywords: Genetic distance, morphology, molecular systematics, Pacific Ocean, taxonomy

Figure 4. Coloration of fresh specimens. A Hippocampus haema (paratype, PKU 9424) B H. coronatus (FAKU 137351) C H. sindonis (FAKU 137339).

Hippocampus coronatus Temminck & Schlegel, 1850

English name: Crowned seahorse,

New Korean name: -haema, Japanese name: Tatsu-no-otoshigo

Diagnosis: A species of Hippocampus having a bony body; double gill openings; ring (R: TrR + TaR) 10 + 37–40, mode 10 + 39 (lectotype: 10 + 38); extremely high coronet, straight or inclined backwards; CoT 4; CHGO 43.0–60.1 % HL; CHMC 55.7–79.0 % HL; WS thick and recurved.

Distribution: Southeastern coast of Honshu (Japan), from Izu Peninsula (Shizuoka Prefecture) to Boso Peninsula (Chiba Prefecture) (Fig. 1). Hippocampus coronatus lives in weed habitats, especially in floating Sargassum (Kuiter 2009; Senou 2013), within shallow areas (0–20 m depth).

Etymology: The Latin word coronatus means crowned. The new Korean name, Wanggwan-haema means ‘crowned seahorse’, in agreement with the English and scientific names. In fact, Haema, which has the connotation ‘common’ and ‘fish species belonging to the genus Hippocampus’ in Korean, has been used to name seahorses commonly found in Korea, whereas Wanggwan-haema has been informally used to refer to H. coronatus in Korean. In addition, the word wanggwan [crown] is more suited for H. coronatus, whose coronet is considerably higher than that of H. haema. The Japanese name Tatsu-no-otoshigo literally means ‘dragon’s bastard child’.

Hippocampus sindonis Jordan & Snyder, 1901

English name: Painted seahorse,

Korean name: Sindo-haema, Japanese name: Hanatatsu

Diagnosis: A species of Hippocampus having a bony body; double gill openings; R 10 + 35–38 (holotype: 10 + 37); coronet moderately high; CoT 5; CHGO 26.8–41.0 % HL; CHMC 36.3–55.4 % HL; a very blunt or truncated spine on the dorsal fin base; no WS on dorsal fin base.

Distribution: Southeastern coast of Honshu (Japan), from Tanabe (Wakayama Prefecture) to Boso Peninsula (Chiba Prefecture) (Fig. 1). Hippocampus sindonis lives in a wide range of habitats, from shallow high-energy algae reefs to soft bottom habitats (Kuiter 2009), at 2–30 m depth (Senou 2013).

Etymology: The specific name sindonis was derived from the name of M. Sindo, an assistant curator of fishes at Stanford University (Jordan and Snyder 1901; Lourie 2016). The English name was coined by Kuiter (2009). The Japanese name Hanatatsu literally means ‘hana (flower or blossom, which indicates gorgeous) + tatsu (dragon, or the abbreviation of the word “Tatsu-no-otoshigo: seahorse”)’, and refers to the beautiful color and skin filaments of the species.

Hippocampus haema sp. n.

New English name: Korean seahorse,

Korean name: Haema, New Japanese name: Himetatsu

Hippocampus coronatus: Jordan and Snyder 1901: 19; Mori 1928: 5; Boeseman 1947: 195; Mitani 1956: 30; Chyung 1977: 272; Araga 1984: 89; Senou 1993: 489 (right fig.), 1294; Kim and Lee 1995: 76; Nakamura 1999b: 125; Senou 2000: 536; Choi et al. 2002: 141; Senou 2002: 536, 1508; Kim et al. 2005: 203; Choi et al. 2006; Yoshino and Senou 2008: 76; Kohno et al. 2011: 127; Senou 2013: 635, 1911; Han et al. 2014: 423 (non Temminck & Schlegel).

Hippocampus cf. coronatus: Kuiter 2009: 128.

Hippocampus sindonis: Nakamura 1999a: 124; Yoshino and Senou 2008: 76; Kim et al. 2013: 42 (non Jordan & Snyder).

Hippocampus kuda: Kim et al. 2001: 67, Myoung et al. 2002: 74 (non Bleeker).

Hippocampus sp.: Kim and Ryu 2017: 110.

Diagnosis: A species of Hippocampus having a bony body; double gill openings; R 10 + 35–38, mode 10 + 36 (holotype: 10 + 36); coronet moderately high and turned back on top; CoT 4; CHGO 22.7–41.6 % HL; CHMC 34.1–54.9 % HL; a WS on the dorsal fin base.

Distribution: Korea: southern and southeastern coasts of the Korean Peninsula (from Soan Island to Ulsan); Japan: western coast of Kyushu (western Kagoshima Prefecture), northwestern coast of Honshu (from Kyoto Prefecture to Akita Prefecture) (Fig. 1). Lives in floating Sargassum and weeds on shallow soft bottom habitats from 0–18 m depth (e.g. Kim et al. 2016).

Etymology: The Korean word Haema means ‘seahorse’, which connotes ‘representative’ and ‘common’. Thus, the scientific and Korean names Haema were chosen to indicate that this seahorse is the one most commonly found in Korea. The Japanese name Himetatsu means ‘princess seahorse’ or ‘dwarf seahorse’, and refers to its lower coronet and smaller body compared to H. coronatus.

Sang-Yun Han, Jin-Koo Kim, Yoshiaki Kai and Hiroshi Senou. 2017. Seahorses of the Hippocampus coronatus complex: Taxonomic Revision, and Description of Hippocampus haema, A New Species from Korea and Japan (Teleostei, Syngnathidae). ZooKeys. 712: 113-139. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.712.14955