Morphological and molecular evidence for the occurrence of three Hippocampus species (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) in Brazil Author Silveira, Rosana Beatriz Author Siccha-Ramirez, Raquel Author Silva, José Rodrigo Santos Author Oliveira, Claudio text Zootaxa 2014 3861 4 317 332 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.3861.4.2 08a893d4-52b8-48c2-b6fc-f3c259be9836 1175-5326 228069 90D58311-C740-4D8B-9F36-98DDF72221E4 Hippocampus patagonicus Piacentino & Luzzatto, 2004 Hippocampus patagonicus Piacentino e Luzzatto, 2004 : 340 (orig. descr.; Negro River, San Antonio Oeste Bay, Argentina ; holotype MACN 8806). Diagnosis. (Proportions and meristic data of 59 specimens , 32–153 mm in height). Rings 11 + 34–37. Dorsal-fin rays 16–19 on 2 + 1 rings; pectoral-fin rays 13–15; anal-fin rays 4. HL/SnL 2.85–3.9. Coronet little developed, CI 1–2. Spines small to medium, rounded. Sphenotic bone with one strong spine on each side of head; frontal with one simple spine over each eye. Spines on the body and tail distributed regularly on the rings or absent; dermal appendages on body and tail spines may be present in both juveniles and adults. Coloration. Body color varies: brown, beige, yellow and white; pattern of dark diagonal streaks on the side of the head bordered by intense pigmentation formed by tiny white dots. Tiny black dots and small white dots constituting irregular-shaped spots on body and tail. Dorsal fin with diffuse pigmentation and dark elongated spot on first rays, edges of fin without pigmentation in some fish ( Figure 2 E). Habitat. Shallow waters up to 22 m in depth. Found on marine algae, principally on floating Sargassum sp., sponges and artificial substrates. Distribution. Americas, Western Atlantic: Argentina and Brazil ( Piacentino & Luzzatto, 2004 ; Boehm et al. , 2013 ; González et al. 2014 ; present study).