Laith A. Jawad

The slender sunfish, Ranzania laevis (Actinopterygii, Tetraodontiformes, Molidae), in the coastal waters of the Oman Sea

temperate waters (Parin 1968), the capture reported here in is the first for the Oman Sea and the northernmost record of slender sunfish adult for the Indian Ocean. Frasser-Brunner (1951) recognized two subspecies of the slender sunfish, R. laevis laevis in the Atlantic Ocean, and R. laevis makua in the North Pacific. The two sub species differ in a number of characters such as the posi tion of the axil of pectoral fin in relation to the level of centre of eye and height of anal fin relative to the head length. The external morphology of the specimens at hand agrees with the description provided by Frasser-Brunner (1951) and matches the characteristics of the subspecies R. laevis laevis in having axil of pectoral fin well below level of centre of eye and height of anal fin less than 3/5 length of head. The latter character fits one of the speci mens, but not the other. Mixture of subspecific characters * **

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.

Johnius (Johnius) majan sp. nov., a sciaenid fish (Pisces: Sciaenidae) from Oman, Indian Ocean

Johnius (Johnius) majan sp. nov. is described on the basis of 8 specimens (117–158xa0mm in standard length) from Oman, Indian Ocean. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: black axillary spot on upper pectoral fin base; dorsal soft rays 29–32; anal soft rays 8; scales above lateral line 6, below 11; eye diameter 22.9–28.9% HL; interorbital width 32.0–38.0% HL; gill rakers 5–6xa0+xa015–18xa0=xa021–24; no mental barbel; last well developed pleural rib on 7th vertebra; swim bladder appendages 11; vertebrae 10xa0+xa014xa0=xa024.

Callionymus omanensis, a new species of dragonet from Oman, north-western Indian Ocean (Teleostei: Callionymidae)

A new species of deep-living dragonet Callionymus omanensis from Oman is described on the basis of a single male specimen collected in a trawl from 500 m depth off the coast of Oman. The new species is characterized within the subgenus Bathycallionymus by having a small branchial opening; head short (3·9 in proportion to standard length); eye large (2·4 in proportion to head length); preopercular spine with a long, upcurved main tip, with a small antrorse barb and a larger antrorse spine, and with a strong antrorse spine laterally at the preopercular-spine base, ventral margin smooth; first dorsal fin slightly higher than second dorsal fin (male); second dorsal fin distally straight; 17 pectoral fin rays; distal end of caudal fin slightly pointed, with two median unbranched rays bearing short filaments; first dorsal fin with basal black spot reaching from first to fourth membranes, third membrane with an ocellated distal black blotch; second dorsal fin with vertical dark grey bars; distal three-fourths of anal fin black; upper half of caudal fin with oblique dark grey bars; pelvic fin dark grey, second ray basally with a black blotch. The new species is compared with similar species. Revised keys to callionymid species of the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, as well as species of the subgenus Bathycallionymus, are presented.

First record of Neoharriotta pinnata (Condrichthys: Rhinochimaeridae) and second record of Satyrichthys adeni (Osteichthys: Peristediidae) from Gulf of Aden, Republic of Yemen

The present paper reports the first record of Neoharriotta pinnata and a second record of Satyrichthys adeni from the Gulf of Aden, Republic of Yemen. The record of N. pinnata is a northward extension of its distribution. Satyrichthys adeni was recorded for the second time from the Arabian Sea coast of Republic of Yemen.

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.

Dotted Grouper, Epinephelus epistictus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1842) (Osteichthyes: Serranidae), recorded from the marine waters of Iraq

Most members of the family Serranidae are large, piscivorous fishes associated with coral reefs or rocky bottoms and other inshore environments of tropical seas (HEEMSTRA & RANDALL 1993). At present, this family comprises approximately 450 species in 64 genera; among these is the large genus Epinephelus, commonly known as Groupers, with about 98 species (CRAIG et al. 2001, FROESE & PAULY 2010) and distributed in tropical and subtropical latitudes of all oceans (HEEMSTRA & RANDALL 1993). Epinephelus epistictus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1842) is known from the Arabian Sea coasts of Oman, the Sea of Oman and the Iranian coats of the Sea of Oman (ASSADI & DEHGANI 1997). In the Arabian Gulf area, it has been reported from the waters around Bahrain (AL-BAHARNA 1986), the coasts of Saudi Arabia at Dammam City (KRUPP et al. 2000) and the Iranian coasts of the Arabian Gulf at Kharg Island (GBIF 2010). We report here three records from the Arabian Gulf representing its northernmost distribution. No previous records of this species have been found in the northern part of the Arabian Gulf. The present study represents the first record of the Dotted Grouper in the Iraqi marine waters.

Ocular lens diameter and weight as age indicators in two teleost fishes collected from the Red Sea of Yemen

Abstract In the Synodontid fish Saurida undosquamis and the Sillagid Sillago sihama the diameter of the eye lens can be used for identifying first-year animals, while the eye lens weight proved unreliable for age determination.

Scale deformity descriptions for 23 species of fish, from various geographical areas and habitats

A renewed interest in fish scale anomalies prompted the present study, wherein we document a wide range of scale morphological abnormalities, including deformities in shape and structure, of a large number of species. In the present study, 63 cases of deformities were reported from 23 fish species collected from five countries. The abnormalities observed are discussed within the framework of contaminated aquatic environments, with a goal of recognising the cause of abnormality. Deformed scales exhibited different shapes, showing both slight (n=52 cases) and severe (n=9 cases) abnormalities. The scale deformations described in the present study should help direct future work on the relationships between environmental condition and fish health.