Phyllopteryx is a genus of small fishes, commonly called seadragons, in the family Syngnathidae that are found along the western and southern coasts of Australia. Since the 19th century, the weedy or common seadragon was the only known species, until the description of the ruby seadragon in 2015.[1][2] They are closely related to other members of the Syngnathidae such as the leafy seadragon, pipefish and seahorses, which all exhibit male pregnancy.

Phyllopteryx
Phyllopteryx taeniolatus above,
Phyllopteryx dewysea below
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Syngnathiformes
Family: Syngnathidae
Subfamily: Syngnathinae
Genus: Phyllopteryx
Swainson, 1839
Type species
Syngnathus foliatus
Shaw, 1804

Species

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Two species are recognised:[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ "Rare Ruby Seadragon uncovered in Western Australia". Western Australian Museum. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  2. ^ Geggel, Laura (18 February 2015). "Ruby-Red Sea Dragon Is Brand-New Species". livescience.com. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  3. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Phyllopteryx". FishBase. June 2017 version.
  4. ^ Stiller, Josefin; Wilson, Nerida G.; Rouse, Greg W. (18 February 2015). "A spectacular new species of seadragon (Syngnathidae)". Royal Society Open Science. 2 (2): 140458. Bibcode:2015RSOS....240458S. doi:10.1098/rsos.140458. PMC 4448810. PMID 26064603.