Fish, fans and hydroids: host species of pygmy seahorses

Abstract

An overview of the octocoral and hydrozoa host species of pygmy seahorses is provided, based on recently collected data for H. bargibanti, H. denise and H. pontohi and literature records. Seven new interspecific host-species associations are recognized, and an overview of the so far documented number of host species is given. Detailed re-examination of octocoral type material and a review of the taxonomic history are included, as a baseline for further studies. The host-specificity and colour morphs of pygmy seahorses are discussed, as well as the validity of (previous) identifications and conservations issues.

Keywords

• Acanthogorgiidae
• Alcyonacea
• <i>Annella</i>
• Anthozoa
• <i>Hippocampus</i>
• host specificity
• Hydrozoa
• Indo-Pacific
• <i>Muricella</i>
• new associations
• Octocorallia
• Subergorgiidae