New records of seahorses (Teleostei: Syngnathidae: Hippocampus) from Kuwait in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf

Abstract

A single species of seahorse, Hippocampus kuda, has been reported from the Arabian/Persian Gulf. Anatomical and DNA analyses of specimens from Kuwait indicate a second species occurs in the northern Gulf, and based on available specimens, may be the most prevalent species in the region. Evidence indicates the species to be H. trimaculatus and represents a range extension from India’s Gulf of Kutch of 2,600 km. DNA analysis of additional specimens is encouraged, particularly of H. trimaculatus specimens from outside the Gulf.

Keywords:

• Hippocampus trimaculatus
• H. kuda
• H. kelloggi
• catch rates
• DNA barcoding

Acknowledgements

The crew on the RV Bahith II is thanked for conducting trawling activities. Messrs. Hamdi Imbarak and Talal Deshti are responsible for saving the seahorses from the trawl bycatch; without their cooperation, seahorses in the Gulf would still be identified as H. kuda. Dr. Mohsen Alhusaini patiently responded to a number of requests for various project details. We thank him and Mr. David Boyd, Collections Manager of Fishes at the LSU Museum of Natural Science, for providing some seahorse meristic information. Kuwait’s Environmental Public Authority is gratefully acknowledged for issuing the necessary export permits for CITES listed species.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for the projects responsible for the capture of seahorses include the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science, and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Abu Dhabi, UAE.