RESUMO
Objective: Syngnathus has long been used as an important traditional animal medicine in China,but many syngnathus-like animals also used as Hailong in herbal markets. This study aims to define the zoological origin of Syngnathus in China Pharmacopoeia. Method: Herbalogical records,particularly pictures and photographs of ancient literatures, Syngnathus specimens in museum were stidued to determine the zoological origin of Syngnathus in Chinese herbal medical classics and China Pharmacopoeia. Result: Based on the morphological and DNA sequencing,all the commercial "S. acus" originated from Syngnathus schlegeli (Kaup,1856).Feature description of "S. acus" in China Pharmacopoeia also conformed to S. schlegeli. S. acus in China may be a misidentification of S. schlegeli. Conclusion: Syngnathus in China Pharmacopoeia originates from Solegnathus hardwickii (Gray,1830),Syngnathoides biaculeatus (Bloch,1785) or Syngnathus schlegeli (Kaup,1856).It is suggested to add identification methods of "Hailong", especially molecular identification methods in China Pharmacopoeia,in order to improve quality control standards of Syngnathus.