A newly identified seahorse species measuring roughly 16 centimeters long has been discovered in the Indian Ocean, ending a taxonomic mystery that spanned more than a century, according to research published in the journal Zootaxa. Named Hippocampus amandavincentae, the elegant fish features a short snout, an elevated crown formed by five spines on top of its head, and additional spines running along its body and tail.
The discovery was made by an international team of scientists who examined specimens found among heaps of fish bycatch at Tuticorin harbour in southern India. According to senior author Rajeev Raghavan, an assistant professor at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, researchers realized that spiny seahorse specimens and online biodiversity records from the region had been misidentified as Hippocampus histrix for decades. By closely analyzing snouts, spines, DNA, and museum specimens, the research team resolved the grouping into three distinct species: Hippocampus amandavincentae, Hippocampus histrix, and Hippocampus jayakari.
Honoring a Marine Conservation Pioneer
UBC’s Project Seahorse director and co-founder Professor Amanda Vincent is the namesake for the newly discovered species, recognized for her groundbreaking work in seahorse science and marine preservation. Vincent was the first biologist to study seahorses underwater, document the extensive trade in the species, and launch dedicated conservation initiatives for the fish. In 2021, she became the first marine biologist to receive the Indianapolis Prize.
“We have named this seahorse, Hippocampus amandavincentae, for Amanda Vincent, whose work established seahorse conservation as a field,” noted Graham Short, a co-author who serves as the taxonomy and evolution specialist for the international conservation working group focused on seahorses and their close kin. Vincent noted that the naming coincides with the 30th anniversary of Project Seahorse achievements.
“I surveyed the array of fishes dragged up by trawlers in Tuticorin, India, where this new species was first found, and missed it completely,” Vincent said. “Now I have yet another special reason to push hard at ending bottom trawl fishing.”
Conservation Implications for Indian Ocean Biodiversity
The identification of Hippocampus amandavincentae carries significant implications for marine policy and conservation management across the Indian Ocean, where researchers believe the species ranges from Mozambique to the Red Sea and India. Lead author Shalu Kannan emphasized that accurate species identification serves as a crucial first step toward understanding population distributions and establishing effective management strategies.
Seahorses are globally recognized flagship species facing pressure from unsustainable fishing, the aquarium trade, and exploitation for traditional medicine, alongside habitat loss. Because of these vulnerabilities, all seahorse species are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates international trade to ensure survival in the wild. Approximately one-third of seahorses are known to be threatened.
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