This news was posted on another forum but it's so cool that I thought it should be here, too...thanks to JTemple. Sarah Lourie was the scientist that described Hippocampus denise while still a student at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Looks she has been extremely busy since achieving her Doctorate. I think it's great that she usually honors the photographer or guide that brought it to her attention in the first place by naming it after them. She worked with Rudie Kuiter from Australia on three of the new species, whilst Kuiter worked with Gomon on describing H. waleananus and H. debelius.
the second seahorse is very rare, it has been found a few times in only one place in the red sea.
hopefully i can present some shots in the future:)
beo
Wow, thats so cool.
Amazing...
Didn't even know there were pygmies in the Red Sea. Where are they located (no nooed for exact spot, just north mid or south)?
How many species are known now?
Two months now... Then I might shoot some of my own...
Amazing...
Didn't even know there were pygmies in the Red Sea. Where are they located (no nooed for exact spot, just north mid or south)?
north - you should go below 30 meter and look into soft corals.
this species is not a pygmy but a very small "normal" seahorse, dont ask me why.
How many species are known now?
Two months now... Then I might shoot some of my own...
Cool stuff!
Todd
Marli
What are these pygmi's? are they Hippocampus Pontohi?
Nige Wade
Wow. totally incredible.
The first looks like H. severnsi, while the second appears to be H. pontohi
They're on the hydroid (kind of a wine red colour) they're usually found on. Excellent pics!
Are they from Bunaken?
Marli
Thanks Marli
Yes they were found in about 30m just north of the boat jetty at Thalassa Dive center in the Bunaken. and they were only a few metres apart. (Lucky me)
Ellen thanks for your kind comment
Nige
Well, you are just darn lucky to have found them or your guide was superb!
Marli
Well, you are just darn lucky to have found them or your guide was superb!
Marli
The dive guides at Thalassa are brilliant. Anyone visiting are in for a treat!!
I've changed the text on my website to H. severnsi thankyou for your knowlege and help.
Wetpixel rocks
Nige
excellent shots Nige!
sorry Marli but i have to contradict, they are both Pontohis, Severnsis dominant color is dark brown.
beo
excellent shots Nige!
sorry Marli but i have to contradict, they are both Pontohis, Severnsis dominant color is dark brown.
beo
Marli, Beo,
Could this be H. severnsi same divesite different day.
(Apologies for the quality of the image)
Yes, that's more typical color for a severnsi. The color can be fairly light with "marbling"; the bright red patch at the curve of the neck, the small red spots on the breast, the red band where the tail connects to the body, the white tail, and the white spots seem to be consistent characters. Dave Harasti & Richard Smith have some nice shots of light colored ones -
