Latest Articles from ZooKeys Latest 7 Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 17:23:02 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://zookeys.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Citizen science yields first records of Hippocampus japapigu and Hippocampus denise (Syngnathidae) from Taiwan: A hotspot for pygmy seahorse diversity https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/39662/ ZooKeys 883: 83-90

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.883.39662

Authors: Joseph Heard, Jeng-Ping Chen, Colin K. C. Wen

Abstract: Relatively very little is known about pygmy seahorses, and even basic information regarding their distributions is largely inconsistent and often based on unofficial reports. However, monitoring marine diversity, particularly for small and cryptic species, such as pygmy seahorses, can be both costly and time consuming. In such cases, the use of citizen science can offer an effective tool for addressing knowledge gaps caused by a lack of biodiversity-related data. Scuba divers and underwater photographers were engaged through social media in order to investigate pygmy seahorse diversity in Taiwan. Using this approach five species of pygmy seahorses were identified, including two new records for Taiwan: Hippocampus denise and Hippocampus japapigu, the latter of which is the first record of the species from outside of Japan. These new records mark Taiwan as one of the world’s pygmy seahorse diversity hotspots, matching that of Japan and Indonesia, as well as demonstrating the value of citizen science for marine biodiversity monitoring, particularly for small cryptic species.

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Short Communication Mon, 28 Oct 2019 16:15:52 +0200
Hippocampus whitei Bleeker, 1855, a senior synonym of the southern Queensland seahorse H. procerus Kuiter, 2001: molecular and morphological evidence (Teleostei, Syngnathidae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/30921/ ZooKeys 824: 109-133

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.824.30921

Authors: Graham Short, David Harasti, Healy Hamilton

Abstract: The taxonomic status of the seahorse Hippocampus procerus Kuiter, 2001, type locality Hervey Bay, QLD, Australia, was re-examined based on its strong morphological similarity and geographical proximity to its congener H. whitei Bleeker, 1855, a species recorded in ten estuaries of New South Wales, Australia. Kuiter (2001) distinguished H. procerus from H. whitei by a taller coronet, marginally lower meristics, and spinier physiognomy. Meristic, morphometric, and key diagnostic morphological character comparisons from vouchered specimens of the two purported species collected from Sydney Harbour, Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, NSW and Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, and Moreton Bay, QLD did not show diagnostic differences to support species-level classification of H. procerus. Furthermore, partial mitochondrial COI sequence data from specimens sampled from known geographical distributions in NSW and Southport, QLD failed to discriminate between populations as a result of shared haplotypes, and revealed an average intraspecific divergence of 0.002%. Hippocampus procerus is hereby placed in the synonymy of H. whitei; a redescription is provided, with a revised record of its range across eastern Australia.

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Research Article Thu, 14 Feb 2019 19:57:04 +0200
Hippocampus japapigu, a new species of pygmy seahorse from Japan, with a redescription of H. pontohi (Teleostei, Syngnathidae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/24799/ ZooKeys 779: 27-49

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.779.24799

Authors: Graham Short, Richard Smith, Hiroyuki Motomura, David Harasti, Healy Hamilton

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.

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Research Article Thu, 2 Aug 2018 20:19:30 +0300
Corrigenda: Han S-Y, Kim J-K, Kai Y, Senou H (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. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.712.14955 https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/25599/ ZooKeys 753: 169-170

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.753.25599

Authors: Sang-Yun Han, Jin-Koo Kim, Yoshiaki Kai, Hiroshi Senou

Abstract: (Empty, due to corrigenda submission)

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Corrigendum Fri, 27 Apr 2018 11:47:01 +0300
Ichthyological collection of the Museu Oceanográfico D. Carlos I https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/20086/ ZooKeys 752: 137-148

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.752.20086

Authors: Ana Serra Silva, Maria Pitta Groz, Paula Leandro, Carlos A. Assis, Rui Figueira

Abstract: The collection of the Museu Oceanográfico D. Carlos I is a historical specimen, instrument, and document collection that has been housed at the Aquário Vasco da Gama since 1935. The collection is largely the result of several scientific campaigns conducted by Dom Carlos de Bragança between 1896 and 1907. Specifically, the ichthyological collection consists of 675 surviving catalogue records of specimens caught, acquired or offered to D. Carlos I between 1892 to 1907, and includes the type specimen for Odontaspis nasutus Bragança, 1904 (junior synonym of Mitsukurina owstoni Jordan, 1898), along with several specimens of deep sea species. All specimens were captured in coastal Portuguese waters, and were preserved in alcohol, formalin, or mounted.

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Data Paper Mon, 23 Apr 2018 09:53:54 +0300
Seahorses of the Hippocampus coronatus complex: taxonomic revision, and description of Hippocampus haema, a new species from Korea and Japan (Teleostei, Syngnathidae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/14955/ ZooKeys 712: 113-139

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.712.14955

Authors: Sang-Yun Han, Jin-Koo Kim, Yoshiaki Kai, Hiroshi Senou

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, H. 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).

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Research Article Tue, 31 Oct 2017 07:02:30 +0200
Fish, fans and hydroids: host species of pygmy seahorses https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/2503/ ZooKeys 103: 1-26

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.103.953

Authors: Bastian Reijnen, Sancia van der Meij, Leen van Ofwegen

Abstract: An overview of the octocoral and hydrozoa host species of pygmy seahorses is provided, based on recently collected data for H. bargibanti, H. denise and H. pontohi and literature records. Seven new interspecific host-species associations are recognized, and an overview of the so far documented number of host species is given. Detailed re-examination of octocoral type material and a review of the taxonomic history are included, as a baseline for further studies. The host-specificity and colour morphs of pygmy seahorses are discussed, as well as the validity of (previous) identifications and conservations issues.

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Research Article Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0300