A case of mistaken identity: skin filaments are unreliable for identifying Hippocampus guttulatus and Hippocampus hippocampus

2006/12/01 by J. M. R. Curtis · 26 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · Neuroscience · #Anatomy #Aquatic life and conservation #Biology #Ecology #Fish Biology and Ecology Studies #Hippocampus #Ichthyology and Marine Biology #Neuroscience #Seahorse #Snout #Trunk #Zoology

paper · doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2006.01228.x

published in Journal of Fish Biology 69(6), 1855-1859 (Wiley)

openalex publication_date 2006/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

The presence or absence of skin filaments is an unreliable character for identifying European seahorses. Growth of skin filaments on Hippocampus guttulatus coincides with maturation, while presence on Hippocampus hippocampus is highly variable. Multiple morphological traits including snout, head and trunk shape should be used for identification.

Citations

• Life history of an unusual marine fish: survival, growth and movement patterns ofHippocampus guttulatusCuvier 1829

Cited by

• Life history and ecology of the elusive European short‐snouted seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus
• Seahorses of the Hippocampus coronatus complex: taxonomic revision, and description of Hippocampus haema , a new species from Korea and Japan (Teleostei, Syngnathidae). [europepmc]
• A synthesis of European seahorse taxonomy, population structure, and habitat use as a basis for assessment, monitoring and conservation. [europepmc]

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• Morphological development and allometric growth patterns in the juvenile seahorseHippocampus kudaBleeker
• Life history of an unusual marine fish: survival, growth and movement patterns ofHippocampus guttulatusCuvier 1829
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