Subal Kumar Roul

First Record of the Keeltail Pomfret Taractes rubescens (Jordan & Evermann, 1887) (Teleostei: Perciformes: Bramidae) from the South-Eastern Arabian Sea

Present study reports the first record of the keeltail pomfret, Taractes rubescens (Jordan & Evermann 1887) in the south-eastern Arabian Sea based on four specimens collected from the Cochin Fisheries Harbour, Kerala, India. The results of the comparative morphometric and meristic analysis of the present and previous records are presented here. This study revealed the first record of T. rubescens in south-eastern Arabian Sea extending its known geographical range by more than 2000 km in southward direction from the Oman Coast. Further, it is an addition to the deep sea ichthyofaunal biodiversity of the west coast of India.

New Distributional Record of Flat Needlefish Ablennes hians (Valenciennes, 1846) (Beloniformes: Belonidae) in the North-Eastern Indian Ocean with Taxonomic Details

Present study is based on five specimens of flat needlefish Ablenneshians collected from Puri North (Lat. 19047′43.062″N, Long. 85049′38.5788″E), Odisha, India on 7 January 2018. Based on morphometric and meristic characters, the specimens were identified as Ablenneshians (family Belonidae), having laterally compressed body with a series of vertical bars, 26 to 27 anal fin rays, 24–25 dorsal fin rays, 13–14 pectoral fin rays, and single lobe of gonad. A.hians can be distinguished from other three species of needlefishes reported from northeast coast of India based on body shape (body strongly compressed laterally in A. hians vs. rounded in cross section in other three species), number of anal fin rays (24–28 in A. hians vs. 15–25), vertical bars on body (a series of vertical bars in A. hians vs. no vertical bars in others except for S. leiura where few vertical bars are present on anterior half of the body). The occurrence of flat needlefish along Odisha Coast revealed the extension of its known geographical distributional range i.e. from noth of Andhra Pradesh in the North-eastern Indian Ocean. Further, it is an addition to the ichthyofaunal biodiversity of northeast coast of India.

Extending Geographical Distribution Range of Reef Needlefish Strongylura incisa (Valenciennes, 1846) (Teleostei: Beloniformes: Belonidae) in the Eastern Indian Ocean with a Key to the Species of Needlefish Occurring in the Area

Present study deals with new distributional records of Strongylura incisa (Belonidae) based on five specimens collected from the Andaman Islands and Tuticorin Coast (Tamil Nadu), India during 2016–17. Specimens were identified by absence of scales at bases of dorsal and anal fins, 19–20 dorsal fin rays, 21–23 anal fin rays, 102–113 predorsal scales, dorsal fin origin over 4–5 anal fin rays, prominent elongate spot on cheek between opercle and preopercle, and double lobe of gonad. Strongylura incisa can be distinguished from its most similar congener S. leiura based on number of predorsal scales (100–125 in S. incisa versus 130–180 in S. leiura), dorsal fin origin over anal fin rays (4–6 in S. incisa versus 7–10 in S. leiura), number of gonad lobes (2 in S. incisa versus 1 in S. leiura) and colour characteristics (prominent elongate spot on cheek between opercle and preopercle in S. incisa versus black bar on cheek between opercle and preopercle and anterior region of the body in S. leiura). Present study provides the first documented record of S. incisa from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and East Coast of India with an updated key for Strongylura species. Further, it is an addition to the ichthyofaunal biodiversity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and East Coast of India.

First Record of Arrow Gaper, Champsodon sagittus Nemeth, 1994 (Family: Champsodontidae) from Bay of Bengal, Eastern Indian Ocean

Champsodon sagittus, a species belonging to group popularly known as gapers has earlier known to occur in a narrow region of Indo-pacific along the coast of Australia, Philippines and Indonesia. The current report is the first record of the species from the Bay of Bengal, suggesting its possible wider distribution of the species in Indo-pacific Ocean. C. sagittus can be separated from other congeneric species by the combination of two gill rakers of upper limb, naked belly, five pair of sensory papillae on snout and no expansion of haemal spine The study also gives an insight into its depth of occurrence and habitat sharing with deep sea crustaceans.

Filling missing links in albuneid crab distributions (superfamily Hippoidea) in the Bay of Bengal, eastern Indian Ocean

Albuneid crabs are specialized and active sand-burrowing organisms. Despite their substantial diversity, their ability to avoid fishing gear leads to “under collection” and a discontinuous record of distribution. The present study documents the first distributional record of Albunea occulta Boyko, 2002 from the Bay of Bengal, eastern Indian Ocean. Albunea thurstoni Henderson, 1893 is also recorded for the first time from the area, i.e., from the Gulf of Mannar, southwestern Bay of Bengal. This study further reports variation in morphological characters, especially in the carapace grooves (CG) from previous records and across specimens from different regions. Morphometric characters were found useful in species discrimination, which is explained as well.

First Record of Abnormal Hermaphroditism in the Common Dolphin Fish, Coryphaena hippurus (Linnaeus, 1758)

In this communication, an abnormally hermaphroditic specimen of common dolphin fish, Coryphaena hippurus, is reported from Indian waters. Morphological and histological studies clearly revealed the presence of developing ovary and testis with series of gametogenetic cells. This is the first case of hermaphroditism in common dolphin fish.