Juma M. Al-Mamry

First record of Antennarius coccineus from the Gulf of Oman and second record of Antennarius indicus from the Arabian Sea coast of Oman

The present paper reports the first record of one antennarid species from the Gulf of Oman and the second record of another frogfish from the Arabian Sea coasts of Oman. The record of Antennarius coccineus is a north-eastern extension of its distribution in Omani waters. Antennarius indicus was recorded for the second time from the Arabian Sea coasts of Oman.

First record of Mola ramsayi from the Sea of Oman, Sultanate of Oman

The first record of the southern ocean sunfish Mola ramsayi in Omani waters is reported based on a single 916 mm total length specimen found stranded on the coasts of Sur City 193 km south of the Omani capital Muscat, 22835′10.22′′N 59830′18.91′′E. This account also represents the third northernmost record of a south ocean sunfish in the Indian Ocean. Morphometric and meristic data are provided and compared with those of 5 specimens caught off United Arab Emirates, Brazil and India. The southern ocean distribution of M. ramsayi is corrected in this report.

Five new records of fishes from the Arabian Sea coasts of Oman

New records of five fish species from the Arabian Sea coasts of Oman are reported: arrowhead dogfish Deania profundorum (one specimen), Sloanes viperfish Chauliodus sloani (nine specimens), moustache grouper Epinephelus chabaudi (one specimen); sackfish Neoepinnula orientalis (12 specimens) and the Natal duckbil, Bembrops platyrhynchus (11 specimens). All specimens were obtained from the Arabian Sea coasts of Oman during surveys by the trawler ‘Al-Mustaquila’ between 2006 and 2008.

Asymmetry in some morphological characters of Leiognathus equulus (Forsskal) (Leiognathidae) collected from the Sea of Oman

Asymmetry in some morphological characters of Leiognathus equulus (Forsskål) (Leiognathidae) collected from the Sea of Oman Asymmetry analysis was conducted on four morphometric bilateral characters and one meristic character of Leiognathus equulus (Forsskål) collected from the Sea of Oman at the city of Muscat. The results showed that the level of asymmetry of the characters of preorbital distance and head length is higher than that of the rest of the characters studied. Increasing asymmetry values with fish length were noted in preorbital and postorbital distances and head length. This might be the result of incomplete development. The possible cause of asymmetry in this species is discussed in relation to different pollutants and their presence in the area. Asymetria niektórych parametrów morfologicznych u Leiognathus equulus (Forsskål) (Leiognathidae) z Zatoki Omańskiej Cechy mierzalne oprócz znaczenia przy identyfikacji ryb wykorzystywane są do oceny zmienności kształtu ciała W pracy przeprowadzono analizę asymetrii wybranych cech morfometrycznych i merystycznych u Leiognathus equulus (Forsskål) złowionych w Zatoce Omańskiej w pobliżu Maskatu. L. equulus zasiedla wody przybrzeżne Oceanu Indyjskiego i zachodniego Pacyfiku. Największym poziomem asymetrii wyróżniały się odległość przedoczna oraz długość głowy. Wraz ze wzrostem długości wzrastał poziom asymetrii odległości przedocznej, odległości zaocznej oraz długości głowy. Jako przyczynę obserwowanej asymetrii rozważane były zanieczyszczenia wód morskich.

Asymmetry in certain morphological characters of the carangid species Decapterus russelli, collected from the Lemah coastal area, on the northern part of Oman Sea

Asymmetry in certain morphological characters of the carangid species Decapterus russelli, collected from the Lemah coastal area, on the northern part of Oman Sea Asymmetry analysis has been carried out for some bilateral characters of Decapterus russelli (Family: Carangidae) collected from Oman Sea. The results showed that postorbital length demonstrated the highest incidence of asymmetry among the characters studied. The lowest asymmetry value was for the number of pectoral fin rays. An increasing trend in the asymmetry value with fish length is also obtained for preorbital length, number of pectoral fins and number of lateral line scutes. A similar trend is also evident in the postorbital length and eye lens diameter of individuals with body sizes <160 mm. The possible causes of asymmetry in this species are herein discussed in relation to different pollutants and their presence in the area.

Validity of a blue stripe snapper, Lutjanus octolineatus (Cuvier 1828) and a related species, L. bengalensis (Bloch 1790) with a new species (Pisces; Lutjanidae) from the Arabian Sea

Lutjanus octolineatus (Cuvier 1828), previously considered a junior synonym of Lutjanus bengalensis (Bloch 1790), is shown to be a valid species and lectotypes are designated. Both species are redescribed. The two species have overlapping distributions in the Indian Ocean, but are clearly separable by different dorsal-fin spine counts, blue-striped pattern on the body and the presence or absence of a subocular extension of cheek scales. Lutjanus octovittata (Valenciennes 1830), formerly assigned to synonymy of L. bengalensis, is considered a junior synonym of L. octolineatus based on examination of the holotype. Lutjanus sapphirolineatus n. sp., a species formerly misidentified as L. bengalensis, is described based on 10 specimens from Oman and Somalia. The new species differs from the three species above by a combination of different characters. Analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1, 603 bp) genetic marker, also strongly supports the validity of each species of the blue-striped snapper complex as distinct.

The moonfish, Mene maculata (Perciformes: Menidae), and the crimson snapper, Lutjanus erythropterus (Perciformes: Lutjanidae), in Omani waters: a questioned occurrence and possible presence of self-sustaining populations

The first confirmed record of the moonfish, Mene maculata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Perciformes: Menidae), and the crimson snapper, Lutjanus erythropterus Bloch, 1790 (Perciformes: Lutjanidae), in Omani waters is reported on the basis of 10 (M. maculata) and 7 (L. erythropterus) specimens, ranging in total length 290–410mm and 300–720mm respectively, which were collected using gill-net on the coast of Muscat City, Oman. Morphometric and meristic data are provided and compared with those of several specimens of these species from other parts of the world. The present study reports on the largest recorded specimen of M. maculata. It also reports on the presence of a sustainable population of both species in the Oman Sea, Sultanate of Oman.

Malpigmentation in Diagramma pictum and Pardachirus marmoratus Collected from the Arabian Sea Coasts of Oman

Cases of partial hyper pigmentation and malpigmentation were reported from Diagramma pictum and Pardachirus marmoratus collected from the Arabian Sea coasts of Oman. These cases are the first report on color anomalies in these two fish species. Hyper pigmentation spots were observed mainly on the side of D. pictus , while the malpigmentation patch was observed across the body of P. marmoratus . Both cases are not pathological, but they have an economic effects that the melanic or the ambicolored specimens may cause to the fishermen due to being unfavourable by the customers.

The bycatch composition of shrimp trawl fishery in the Oman coastal waters, the Arabian Sea

Background. Shrimps are one of the most valuable marine resources of Oman and shrimp fi sheries is greatly contributing to the national economy, and sustainability of traditional fi sheries villages. However, the shrimp trawl fi shery has one of the highest bycatch rate of any fi shery and cause negative impacts to marine populations and benthic habitats. This study provides the fi rst data on the c omposition and abundance of the bycatch in the main shrimp fi shing grounds distributed along the south-eastern coastline of Oman in the Arabian Sea. Materials and methods. Shrimp trawl survey was conducted monthly from January to December 2013 in seven sites using demersal otter trawl. Overall, 93 trawl catches were used for the analysis of the bycatch composition based on weight, number, and frequency of occurrence. Top ten species and top fi sh families, cephalopods, and crabs were defi ned in the bycatch. The bycatch compositions were compared in different regions using biodiversity indices and the cluster analysis. Results. Mean monthly bycatch during the shrimp trawling survey in the coastal waters of Oman in 2013 ranged from 22.2 to 191.5 kg · h –1 , in different months with an overall mean (±SE) of 58.7 ± 5.2 kg · h –1 (n = 93). The bycatch to catch ratio was estimated 8.9 : 1 for shrimp fi sheries. This ratio fl uctuated signifi cantly over the year with minimum values from April to September. The bycatch composition included 97 bony fi sh species from 36 families, 12 species from 7 elasmobranchs families and several species of cephalopods and crabs. Catfi shes (Ariidae), frogfi sh (Antennariidae), ponyfi shes (Leiognathidae), and rays (Dasyatidae and Gymnuridae), represented a majority of the bycatch. Conclusion. Shrimp fi shery in Oman is affecting mainly small-sized and slow-moving fi shes, and invertebrates with low economic value. However, the fi ne-meshed shrimp trawls also capture juveniles of commercial important fi shes and cause some ecological problems. The results from the study point out the necessity of management actions to develop a special policy on bycatch reduction in Oman fi sheries.