Dr Richard Smith from the UK has been working in South Africa and found a new species of seahorse; the seahorse is a cute little thing!
Sodwana Bay, South Africa (22 May 2020) – Meet the Hippocampus Nalu also known as the African Pygmy Seahorse, a new species of pygmy seahorse in South Africa. The discovery is a first of its kind in Africa! Dr Richard Smith from the United Kingdom was the man behind the discovery. He and fellow South African researchers, recently published their findings on the ZooKeys zoology journal.
The new discovery has already been featured on National Geographic. It was a shock to the team to find a pygmy seahorse so far from the coral triangle. The Coral Triangle is a roughly triangular area of the tropical marine waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. There is one species that has also been found in Japan waters.
This little seahorse has accomplished many firsts already! It is a first of its kind to be found anywhere in the Indian Ocean or the African continent. According to Dr Smith, it would be like finding a kangaroo in Norway.
The original finding was made by dive instructor Savannah Nalu Olivier in Sodwana Bay in 2017. After the finding, research began, and this led to its official discovery. Savannah was honoured by having the species named after her.
We may know a lot about the world but hardly everything. It is exciting to know that there are many discoveries still to be made! Take a look at the Hippocampus Nalu below.
SUPER EXCITING news! Colleagues and I have just named the new Sodwana Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus nalu) from South Africa. The first pygmy known from the Indian Ocean!!! https://t.co/xm5OGhzuA2 pic.twitter.com/tL9KAw88KA
— Dr Richard Smith (@Rich_Underwater) May 19, 2020