Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is a traditional holiday celebrated in many Asian countries too mark the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar. This festival is widely celebrated across China, Korea, Vietnam and other countries with a notable Chinese diaspora. In honor of 2026 being the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese zodiac, we have reviewed our journals for studies related to horses. While our recent publications do not focus on horses themselves, we have highlighted several fascinating species that share an equine connection in their names.The first creature we will discuss is not actually a horse at all – its the seahorse! Despite being associated with water and therefore considered an element opposite to fire (which represents 2026), this tiny creature has been chosen as one of our featured species for this year.
In order to study these elusive pygmy seahorses, researchers from Taiwan turned to citizen science by gathering photographs from divers and underwater photographers via social media. Thru this method they were able to identify five different species including two that had never been recorded in that region before.
One of these newly discovered species is called Hippocampus japapigu, or “Japan pig” seahorse.It was originally described from Japan in an open-access journal called ZooKeys. At the time of its revelation there were only seven known pygmy seahorse species globally. Though, documenting five different species in Taiwan established the region as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots for these miniature fish.
But just when they thought they had found them all, another new pygmy seahorse was discovered – bringing their total count up to eight! This new addition is called Hippocampus nalu and it is indeed the first confirmed true pygmy seahorse recorded from Africa. Measuring only 20 mm, this tiny species was found at depths of 17 m on a sandy coral reef in Sodwana Bay, South Africa.
In addition to these new discoveries, there is also a fascinating story about seahorses in the mediterranean. A study published in Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria documented a stable and conspicuous population of the long-snouted seahorse, Hippocampus guttulatus, in a highly polluted coastal lagoon in the Ionian Sea.
as we celebrate Lunar New Year and the Year of the horse, let’s also take some time to appreciate these amazing creatures that share an equine connection through their names. Who knows what other fascinating species may be waiting to be discovered?
Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 44(2): 99-104
Fittingly, we conclude with a bat that was once feared to be extinct. Its name connects our equine theme with a traditional Chinese symbol: the word for bat (fú, 蝠) is a homophone for blessing (fú, 福), representing happiness and prosperity.
Hill’s horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hilli) was listed as Critically Endangered and had not been seen as 1981. However, after extensive cave surveys, forest capture efforts, and long-term acoustic monitoring in Nyungwe national Park in Rwanda, researchers were able to confirm the survival of this elusive species. This rediscovery brings renewed hope for its conservation efforts.
In addition to this exciting rediscovery of the Hill’s horseshoe bat in Rwanda, there have been other recent discoveries of bat species that were previously thought to be extinct or unknown.
In Taiwan, citizen scientists helped uncover the first records of two pygmy seahorse species (Hippocampus japapigu and Hippocampus denise). These tiny seahorses, measuring only a few centimeters in length, were found in the waters off Taiwan and add to the country’s already impressive diversity of pygmy seahorse species.
In South Africa, a new species of pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus nalu) was discovered. This is also the first record of a pygmy seahorse from the Indian Ocean. The discovery highlights the importance of continued exploration and research in understudied areas.
a population of long-snouted seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus) was found in a highly polluted Mediterranean coastal lagoon. This discovery serves as an critically important reminder that even in heavily impacted environments, there is still hope for unique and rare species to persist.
As we enter 2026,may the Year of the Horse bring you strength,endurance,and success on your journey. On behalf of Pensoft, we wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!
References:
- Chen J-J et al (2026) A new leiognathid record from China with complete mitogenomes and phylogenetic insights of two Aurigequula (Teleostei,
Leiognathidae) species.
ZooKeys 1267: 31-49. - Flanders J et al (2022) Rediscovery of the critically endangered Hill’s horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hilli) and other new records of bat species in Rwanda.
Biodiversity data Journal 10: e83546. - Heard J et al (2019) Citizen science yields first records of hippocampus japapigu and Hippocampus denise (Syngnathidae) from Taiwan: A hotspot for pygmy seahorse diversity.ZooKeys 883: 83-90.
- Short G et al (2020) Hippocampus nalu, a new species of pygmy seahorse from South Africa, and the first record of a pygmy seahorse from the Indian Ocean (Teleostei, Syngnathidae).
ZooKeys 934: 141-156. - Tiralongo F, Baldacconi R (2014) A conspicuous population of the long-snouted seahorse, Hippocampus guttulatus (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae
Wow, these equine-inspired species are truly unique and creative!