IDENTIFICATION (with reason) OF Hippocampus sp (B.Sc. ZOOLOGY_CCF- SEMESTER5_DSCC-9)

  Identifying features are:

1. Multicellular heterotroph.
2. embryonic development, preceded by heterogametic fertilization.

            Hence, the specimen belongs to the Kingdom Animalia.

1. Presence of hollow, dorsal, tubular nerve cord.
2. Presence of notochord, at any stage of their life or throughout the life.
3.  Presence of pharyngeal gill slits & post anal tail during some stage in the ontogeny.

            Hence, the specimen belongs to the Phylum Chordata.

1. Presence of Cranium.
2. Presence of vertebral column.
3. Presence of paired lateral appendages.
4. A post anal tail usually present.

           Hence, the specimen belongs to the Sub Phylum: Vertebrata

1. Mouth is covered by functional jaws.
2. Presence of paired appendages.

       Hence, the specimen belongs to the Super Class Gnathostomata

1. Operculum is present to cover the gills.
2. Homocercal type of tail is present.
3. Presence of bony endoskeleton.
4. Presence of terminal mouth.

     Hence, the specimen belongs to the Class: Osteichthyes

1. Fins are  supported by lepidotrichia—thin, bony, or horny spines that radiate from the body.
2. Fin rays attach directly to the internal skeletal elements (radials).
3. Rays are connected by a thin layer of skin (webbing), acting like a folding fan. 

   Hence, the specimen belongs to the Sub Class: Actinopterygii

1. Scales are absent or covered by epidermis.
2. Presence of fully filamentous gills.
3. Presence of swim bladder.

Hence, the specimen belongs to the Super Order Teleostei

1. Body is covered with ring like bony plates.
2. Tubular snout with suctorial mouth.

   Hence, the specimen belongs to the Order: Solenichtheyes

1. Head positioned at a right angle to the body axis that is Orthograde.
2. Long, prehensile tail.
3. Tubular, Toothless Snout.
4. Presence of a brood pouch (in male) or an anal fin (in female).

Hence, the specimen seems to be Hippocampus sp.

Systematic Position: (Young,1981)

Kingdom: Animalia

         Phylum: Chordata

             Sub Phylum: Vertebrata

                    Super Class: Gnathostomata

                         Class: Osteichthyes

                               Sub Class: Actinopterygii

                                  Super Order:Teleostei

                                              Order: Solenichthyes

                                                 Genus: Hippocampus