New seahorse species discovered off Tamil Nadu coast by Kerala scientists

Scientists from Kerala's University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies have uncovered a new species of seahorse in the Indian Ocean. Published in the journal Zootaxa, the research team identified Hippocampus amandavincentae, named after seahorse researcher and Project Seahorse founder Amanda Vincent. The discovery, made off Tamil Nadu's coast, revealed that the original Indian Ocean seahorses, previously thought to be a Pacific species, are, in fact, a distinct species.

The Indian Ocean variant, Hippocampus amandavincentae, shares some physical traits with another Indian seahorse, Hippocampus histrix, which was first described in Japan in 1856. However, genetic studies showed a significant genetic difference between the two. The new species is found in coral reef habitats, primarily in the Indian Ocean, while Hippocampus histrix is predominantly a Pacific Ocean species.

The research also revealed that bycatch, when fishing unintentionally captures marine animals, contributed to the discovery of new seahorse species. The new species, Hippocampus amandavincentae, is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List due to threats from fishing for traditional Chinese medicine and the aquarium trade, which are illegal in Indian waters.