Syngnathiformes {order} - Chordata; Actinopterygii;

The Syngnathiformes are an order of ray-finned fishes that includes the leafy seadragons, sea moths, trumpetfishes and seahorses, among others. These fishes have generally elongate, narrow bodies surrounded by a series of bony rings, with small, tubular mouths. The shape of their mouth—at least, in syngnathids—allows for the ingestion of prey at close range via suction. Many species of Syngnathiformes also employ strategic camouflage (such as cryptic coloration and overall physical form) to hunt successfully and gain closer access to prey, as well as to protect themselves from larger predators. Several groups, for example, live among seaweed, not only swimming with their bodies aligned vertically (to blend in with the floating plant matter) but have also developed physical features that mimic the seaweed. The pygmy seahorses are among the smallest of all syngnathids, with most being so tiny—and mimicking the specific coral they spend their lives on—that they were only recently described by scientists. The most defining characteristic of Syngnathiformes is their reproductive and sexual system, in which syngnathid males become "pregnant" and carry the embryonic fry. The males house the fertilized eggs in an osmo-regulated brood pouch, or (in some species) adhere them to their tail, until the eggs reach maturity. The name Syngnathiformes means "conjoined-jaws". It is derived from Ancient Greek syn (συν, "together") + gnathos (γνάθος, "jaw"). The ending for orders, "-formes", is derived from Latin, and indicates "of similar form". full article at Wikipedia

Specimen Records:	8,097	Public Records:	4,892
Specimens with Sequences:	7,684	Public Species:	390
Specimens with Barcodes:	7,017	Public BINs:	393
Species:	456
Species With Barcodes:	416
Species List - Progress		Access Published & Released Data

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Collected from 60 countries. Top 20: Show All Countries

United States 509 South Africa 69 Taiwan 27 Australia 474 French Polynesia 45 Vanuatu 27 Madagascar 276 Brazil 42 United States Virgin Islands 21 Indonesia 175 France 40 Portugal 20 Philippines 122 Malaysia 30 China 20 Mexico 112 Belize 28 Russia 19 New Caledonia 78 Panama 28