Studies on some aspects of biology of Uranoscopus cognatus Cantor, 1849 (Pisces: Uranoscopidae) off Visakhapatnam, central eastern coast of India

85-92Present study aims at generating baseline data on biology of the most common species, Uranoscopus cognatus that includes length frequency distribution, Length-Weight Relationship (LWR), population parameters and various aspects of reproductive biology. These studies are based on 618 specimens of length range 51-189 mm TL collected during the period January 2015 to December 2016. The present study contributes to an improved understanding of biology of fish communities and the possible impact of fishing on the long-term sustainability of exploited ecosystems

First record of valid species of torpedo electric ray, Torpedo polleni (Bleeker, 1865) (Torpediniformes: Torpedinidae) from Indian waters

1338-1343A species of torpedo electric ray, Torpedo polleni (Bleeker, 1865) has been reported for the first time from Indian waters. Six specimens of T. polleni measuring 147-397 mm TL were collected from shrimp trawl by-catches at Visakhapatnam, central eastern coast of India. The present paper provides description and comparison of morphometric data of T. polleni with closely resembling species of genus Torpedo thus helping in clearing taxonomic ambiguities. The present study suggests that T. polleni (Bleeker, 1865) with 6‑8 knob-like papillae on the posterior margin of spiracle, the central papilla being larger, distance between eye and spiracle less than eye diameter, nasal curtain short and wide, its length more than half the length of inter narial width, first dorsal fin originating entirely above the pelvic fin base and base ending little beyond the pelvic fin, dorsal surface showing ornate appearance with close set of brownish-black spots, few spots very closely set or joined together forming vermiculations and dark brown lines is a valid species

Studies on length frequency distribution, length - weight relationship and some aspects of reproductive biology of <em>Katsuwonus pelamis </em> (Linnaeus, 1758) off north Andhra Pradesh, central eastern coast of India

2295-2302Present paper deals with biological parameters such as length groups represented in the catches, Length-Weight Relationship studies and some aspects of reproductive biology such as maturity stages, ova diameter frequency studies, Gonado Somatic Index, size at first maturity and fecundity of skipjack tuna of size range 25.7 cm to 69.8 cm FL caught by troll line, gillnet, hook and line and long line during the period January 2007 to December 2010. Fecundity ranges between 1,24,247 to 9,08,013 in the specimens of size range 430&nbsp; to 648 mm FL

<span style="font-size:15.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: HI;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-GB">Taxonomic studies and phylogenetic relationship of seven spotted groupers species of genus <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Epinephelus</i> (Pisces: Serranidae) off Visakhapatnam, middle east coast of India</span>

2254-2268Present study consists the meristic, morphometric characters and colour pattern that are used to identify seven spotted grouper species: Epinephelus coioides, E. malabaricus, E. tauvina, E. angularis, E. bleekeri, E. chlorostigma, E. longispinis that are represented in the catches of Visakhapatnam.  Biometric measurements are subjected to multivariate analysis (Principal Component Analysis) to distinguish each species and to infer relationship of the closely related species. In addition to traditional taxonomic work, allozyme based survey of genetic variation in these seven species has also been carried out.  Eleven enzyme systems screened yielded twenty six scorable loci. Average heterozygosity ranged from 0.048 to 0.154. The results yielded species specific diagnostic markers in the above species.  UPGMA dendrogram revealed two main branches where <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Epinephelus coioides, E. malabaricus and E. tauvina formed one cluster and E. angularis, E. bleekeri, E. chlorostigma and E. longispinis formed another cluster

Allozyme electrophoretic studies in four species of groupers (Pisces: Serranidae) represented in the commercial fishery of Visakhapatnam - India

365-371Several species of groupers belonging to the genus Epinephelus have overlapping colour patterns. In the present study four species of groupers, Epinephelus epistictus, E. latifasciatus, E. magniscuttis and E. radiatus, that are represented in the catches of Visakhapatnam were analysed for allozyme variation. The eleven enzyme systems screened twenty-five scorable loci. Sixteen loci in E. episticuts, nineteen in E. latifasciatus, fifteen in E. magniscuttis and twenty-two loci in E. radiatus were found to be polymorphic at p = 0.95 level. Average heterozygosity ranged form 0.0582±0.063 to 0.0704±0.0442. Diagnostic alleles that help in clearly distinguishing the species were identified. UPGMA dendrogram revealed that E. epistictus is closely related to E. magniscuttis compared to other two species

Studies on length groups and length-weight relationship of puffer fishes (Pisces: Tetraodontidae) in the catches off Visakhapatnam, India

972-981The fishes of family Tetraodontidae were collected from the trawl, trammel net, shore seine and hook and line catches of Visakhapatnam (lat 17º39´N; long 83º14´E) from January 2009 to December 2011. Of the 15 species, a total of 2751 specimens belonging to ten species, regularly represented in the catches of this region, were collected for length frequency distribution and length-weight relationship (LWR) studies. From LWR estimates b value varied from 2.8113 to 3.0223. These studies on length frequency and LWR for Arothron immaculatus, A. stellatus, Chelonodon patoca, Lagocephalus lagocephalus, L. guentheri, L. inermis, L. lunaris, L. sceleratus, Takifugu oblongus and Torquigener hypselogeneion has been estimated for the first time from Indian waters