HippocampusThe genus Hippocampus belongs to the family Syngnathidae, the order Syngnathiformes, the class Osteichthyes, the phylum Chordata and the kingdom Animalia. The genus Hippocampus is made up of more than twenty different species of seahorses (Beltran). They preferentially live in coral reefs or seagrass beds where they can easily camouflage themselves to avoid predators. They are found primarily in tropical or temperate shallow water areas of the world's oceans. Seahorses are most closely related to sea dragons, pipefish, and flag-tailed pipefish (seahorses). Although seahorses look similar to their relatives, they have many different characteristics that their relatives do not have. Seahorses are distinctive species that possess the most unique characteristics of all marine fish. One of the differences between seahorses and other fish is their appearance. Seahorses have a body of bony plates arranged in rings and covered with thin skin all the way to their tail, which curls toward the body. Their head resembles a horse's head with a long, tube-shaped snout and large eyes. At the end of their snouts are their mouths, which they use to feed. At the top of their head is a crown unique to each individual. Finally, only male seahorses have a pouch in front of their belly. Although all seahorse species share the same basic morphological characteristics as other marine fish, they differ in their size, number of rings on their body, and colors (seahorses). Seahorses also behave in their own unique way. themselves. One of their particularities is their vision. Unlike other marine animals, seahorses' eyes move independently of each other, which helps them become aware of their surroundings...... middle of paper ...... Marsden, Karl L. Evans, Laila Mr. Sadler. “Temporal and spatial opportunities for polygamy in a monogamous seahorse, Hippocampus whitei.” Brill. Behavior, Vol. 141, no. 2 (February 2004), pp. 141-156. March 20, 2011. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/4536118.>Gardiner, N. "Hippocampus erectus". Web on animal diversity. 2001. March 21, 2011Hashikawa, M. and W. Fink. “Seahorse kuda”. Animal Diversity Web.2004. March 20, 2011Irey, B. and W. Fink. “Seahorse zosterae.” Web on animal diversity. 2004. March 20, 2011. “Seahorses.” Allthesea.com. March 20 2011.