An international group of researchers from India and Australia has identified a new species of spiny seahorse in the Indian Ocean. This discovery resolves a scientific confusion that has lasted for over a century. The new species has been named Hippocampus amandavincentae.
Although this species has likely inhabited these waters for millennia, it was previously mistaken for similar relatives in the Pacific and Arabian regions.
The discovery was made after specialists from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Oceanography (KUFOS), the Australian Museum Research Institute, the California Academy of Sciences in the USA, and the Burke Museum in the USA studied samples collected during incidental catches off the coast of Tamil Nadu in southeastern India. The team used a combination of traditional physical measurements and modern DNA barcoding, which analyzes specific genetic fingerprints.
This method revealed that these seahorses are genetically and physically distinct from the well-known Spiny Seahorse (Hippocampus histrix) found in the Pacific Ocean. Further study of museum records and online databases confirmed that this new species is widespread across a vast area of the Indian Ocean—from India to Madagascar and Mozambique, and far north to the Red Sea.
Although H. amandavincentae closely resembles other spiny seahorses to the untrained eye, scientists pointed out several distinguishing features. Most notably, the new species has five sharp spines on its crown (the coronoid structure on its head), whereas its Pacific relative, H. histrix, typically has only four. Additionally, it has a shorter snout and possesses sharp spines on each ring of its tail. This differs from H. jayakari, a neighboring species found in the Arabian Sea, which has spines only on every second tail ring and has a uniquely separated spine near the gill opening.
The new seahorse is named after Dr. Amanda Vincent, a world-renowned expert on seahorses and co-founder of the Seahorse Project. Researchers chose this name to acknowledge her many years of pioneering work in marine conservation and her efforts to make seahorses a global symbol of protecting our oceans.
For over a century, scientists believed that the Spiny Seahorse represented one massive population spanning half the globe. By proving that the Indian Ocean has its own unique lineage, researchers can now develop more accurate conservation plans tailored to this specific environment. The study also corrected decades of misidentification in museum collections, ensuring that future marine biologists will be looking at the correct fish. As seahorses face growing threats such as habitat loss and accidental capture in fishing nets, the team hopes this discovery will provide a solid foundation for future research and regional conservation efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown plant species growing on the sandy shores of the Coromandel Coast. This new species, a small herbaceous shrub named Leucas droupadiae, was identified by a scientific group from Anna University and Siddha Government Medical College while surveying coastal dunes in the Kudalur district, Tamil Nadu.
The discovery occurred when scientists encountered an unusual plant thriving in nutrient-poor sandy conditions. After collecting samples and conducting a year-long study of its life cycle, the team compared the specimen with existing plants in renowned collections, including the Natural History Museum in London and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Their analysis confirmed that the plant's physical characteristics did not match any of the 155 known species of the genus Leucas, marking it as a completely new scientific finding.
Leucas droupadiae is distinguished from its closest relatives by its unique solitary growth habit and striking seeds. While most similar plants in this family grow as creeping vines or branched shrubs with deep taproots, this new species stands upright as a single, unbranched stem, reaching only about 15 centimeters in height. It anchors itself in the sand with a shallow network of fibrous roots rather than a single thick root. The most distinctive feature is that the plant produces oval fruits, known as nuts, which are bright golden-yellow and covered with irregular dark brown spots—a trait absent in its relatives.
The scientists named the plant after Smata Droupadi Murmu, the 15th President of India. The researchers chose this name to acknowledge her historical role as the first person from a tribal community to hold the highest office in the country, as well as her dedication to public service. By naming the species after her, the team aims to recognize the representation of marginalized communities at the national level.
Despite this being a joyful victory for biodiversity, the plant's future remains uncertain. Currently, it is known that Leucas droupadiae exists only in one specific location. Researchers noted that its habitat is threatened by local livestock grazing and the expansion of eucalyptus plantations, which can deplete necessary soil resources. Due to its limited range, the species has been preliminarily classified as 'Data Deficient,' and experts are calling for further research to ensure this coastal survivor does not disappear before it can be fully studied.
