Studies on the taxonomy and Some aspects of biology of the Fishes of the family balistidae From the indian seas (TH 122)

Samples of fishes of the family Balistidae were collecfed regularly from landings of hook and line and trawl at Tuticorin and Kanyakumari along southeast coast of India; Vizhinjam and Colachel along southwest coast oflndia during August 1998 to October 2000. Specimens of a few species were collected from trawl, trap, spear, gill net and hook and line landings of Mumbai, Veraval, Chennai, Mandapam and Kelakarai and Minicoy Island (Lakshadweep) were also analysed for this work. Specimens in the collections of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkatta and those in the reference collection Museum of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) at Cochin and Mandapam were also examined. 2. The morphological characters like teeth, nasal apertures, gi ll rakers were studied. 3. Based on the shape of the first and second teeth of the upper and lower jaw, fi ve types have been identi fied. 4. The anterior nasal aperture has different shapes, which is species specific but the posterior aperture is similar in all species. Based on the shape of the anterior nasal aperture five types have been identified. S. The outer most branchial arch possesses gill rakers. Based on its shape they are divided into five types. 6. The pattern of arrangement of scales and its eternal morphology was studied. 7. Scales on body and caudal peduncle are diamond shaped, were as scales on cheek are rhomboid, rectangular, square or triangular occurring in different combinations. Scales on abdomen are rhomboid or rectangular or square with round edges. 8. The arrangement of scales on body, abdomen and caudal peduncle were similar between the species. 21

Morphological characteristics of selected body parts of trigger fishes (Tetradontiformes, Balistidae) from India with details on ultrastructural features of body scales

The morphological characters like shape of teeth, nasal apertures, gill rakers and scales of trigger fishes collected from southern India were studied during the period 2000-2002. Based on the shape of the first and second teeth of the upper and lower jaw, five types have been identified. The anterior nasal aperture has different shapes, which is species specific but the posterior aperture is similar in all species. Based on the shape of the anterior nasal aperture, five types have been identified. The outermost branchial arch possesses gill rakers and based on shape they are divided into five types. Scales on body and caudal peduncle are diamond shaped, whereas scales on cheek are rhomboid, rectangular, square or triangular occurring in different combinations. The arrangement of scales on body, abdomen and caudal peduncle were similar in all the species studied while scales are arranged in three patterns on cheek. Scales on cheek are of seven types based on shape of the scale and type of protuberances it possessed on the posterior margin. Body scales are of five types and scales on abdomen are of three types. Transverse section of body scales under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed that the scales consist of four layers. Studies on the ultrastructure of the anterior margin of the body scales revealed that there are five types; based on the type of protuberances it possesses and there are of four types of posterior margin

Taxonomy of the Ocean triggerfish, Canthidermis maculata (Tetradontiformes, Balistidae) from the Indian coast

The collection and analysis of fishes of the genus Canthidermis done during 2000-2002. The results revealed high intraspecific colour variation among the samples collected from different localities. Canthidermis maculata from Indian seas is redescribed with new characters and examined the status of synonyms of the species. The regression analysis using data of various morphometric measurements on standard lengths revealed a low relationship and significant, suggesting that C. maculata showed high degree of variability in morphological characters. The examination reveals that C. willughbeii (Lay and Bennett, 1839), C. rotundatus (Proce, 1822), C. villosus Fedoryako, 1981 are junior synonym of C. maculata (Bloch, 1786)

Taxonomic review of the genera Balistoides, Pseudobalistes and Parabalistes of the family Balistidae with redescription of species occurring in Indian Seas

Fish samples under the the three genera Balistoides, Pseudobalistes and Parabalistes of the family Balistidae were collected from Kalpeni, Minicoy and Agatti islands of Lakshadweep seas and also from Tuticorin, Keelakarai and Mandapam along the south-east-coast of India during 2000-2002. The studies on these three genera revealed variation of colour pattern in fishes collected from south-east coast as well as from Minicoy. Parabalistes Bleeker, 1866 which was earlier considered to be a synonym of genus Pseudobalistes has been resurrected as a valid genus. Two species of genus Balistoides and one species each of Pseudobalistes and Parabalistes reported and redescribed in the present study from the Indian seas are Balistoides viridescens (Bloch and Schneider, 1801), Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch and Schneider, 1801), Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus (Ruppell, 1828) and Parabalistes fuscus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801)

Taxonomy of fishes of the family Balistidae in India

Exploitation of marine living resources for food is an age-old practice but this exploitation was largely restricted to near shore regions in the sea. The improvements in the capabilities of exploitation during the past half a century have helped in increasing harvests of living resources from the coastal waters as well as deeper regions of the sea. The rapid increase in the human population and the consequent increased demand for protein-rich seafood, have led to the exploitation of marine fisheries resources to their optimum levels in most cases. Fisheries resources being renewable, managing them on a sound scientific basis is essential to harvest maximum sustainable economic yields on a continual basis, year after year. The basis for such a management is knowledge of the dynamics of every species that contribute to the fishery. The tropical seas, however, unlike their counterparts in the temperate regions, are inhabited by a large number of species. In many cases the species live together sharing the same habitat and food. Several families are represented by several genera and several closely resembling species and any non-selective (or the least selective) gear exploits a large number of species in one haul

Fishes and Corals of the World Listed in CITES Appendices

The first global 'Census of Marine Life (2010)' estimated that there are over 2, 30,000 species of organisms living in our Oceans. This census has analyzed the diversity, distribution and abundance of life in the world's oceans. It has been revealed that, the marine life is highly biologically diverse and it has been explored only partially so far. It is estimated that there are almost 22,000 fish species in the world, which is more than the total number of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds combined and every year 100 new species are added to this list. Fish are divided into two major types. The first type is cartilaginous fish, which includes Sharks, Skate and Rays. The second type is the bony fish, which have a complete bony skeleton and are covered with bony scales. Bony fishes are the most common and account for over 90% of all fish.With all this diversity within; the ocean is a major contributor for the world food production. According to FAO (2010), the total world fish production has touched 88 million tons, out of which, inland capture fisheries contributed 11 million tons and the oceans contributed the rest of 77million ton

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Not AvailableThe collection and analysis of fishes of the genus Canthidermis done during 2000-2002. The results revealed high intraspecific colour variation among the samples collected from different localities. Canthidermis maculata from Indian seas is redescribed with new characters and examined the status of synonyms of the species. The regression analysis using data of various morphometric measurements on standard lengths revealed a low relationship and significant, suggesting that C. maculata showed high degree of variability in morphological characters. The examination reveals that C. willughbeii (Lay and Bennett, 1839), C. rotundatus (Proce, 1822), C. villosus Fedoryako, 1981 are junior synonym of C. maculata (Bloch, 1786).Not Availabl

Taxonomy of Fishes of the Family Balistidae in India

The fishes of the family Balistidae are popularly known as trigger fishes and distributed along the Indian and the Pacific Oceans, though certain species are restricted to particular regions. In India, these fishes are abundant in the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, off Maharashtra and Gujarat coast, off Kerala, Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands. The recent trend in exploitation for human consumption and export and the fast increasing demand for these fishes in live condition for aquarium purpose warrant knowledge on taxonomy and distribution in space and time of the individual species for formulating strategies for sustaining yields and addressing the issues of biodiversity conservation. They feed mainly on zooplankton, molluscs, sponges and other associated fauna and the schooling behaviour is directly correlated to its grazing and grabbing nature. Added to this balistids have preference to coral reef habitat for feeding during their younger stages. The coral reefs and sand beds along the coast serve as the feeding ground for them and juveniles migrate to these grounds for feeding. It is also to be noted that trawl catch was constituted exclusively by 8-32 cm fishes, with total absence of small juveniles and mature fishes. Descriptions of the species of the genera viz. Abalistes, Balistapus, Zenodon, Canthidermis, Melichthys, Pseudobalistes, Parabalistes, Rhinecanthus and Sufflamen were don

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Not AvailableThe morphological characters like shape of teeth, nasal apertures, gill rakers and scales of trigger fishes collected from southern India were studied during the period 2000-2002. Based on the shape of the first and second teeth of the upper and lower jaw, five types have been identified. The anterior nasal aperture has different shapes, which is species specific but the posterior aperture is similar in all species. Based on the shape of the anterior nasal aperture, five types have been identified. The outermost branchial arch possesses gill rakers and based on shape they are divided into five types. Scales on body and caudal peduncle are diamond shaped, whereas scales on cheek are rhomboid, rectangular, square or triangular occurring in different combinations. The arrangement of scales on body, abdomen and caudal peduncle were similar in all the species studied while scales are arranged in three patterns on cheek. Scales on cheek are of seven types based on shape of the scale and type of protuberances it possessed on the posterior margin. Body scales are of five types and scales on abdomen are of three types. Transverse section of body scales under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed that the scales consist of four layers. Studies on the ultrastructure of the anterior margin of the body scales revealed that there are five types; based on the type of protuberances it possesses and there are of four types of posterior margin.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableFish samples under the the three genera Balistoides, Pseudobalistes and Parabalistes of the family Balistidae were collected from Kalpeni, Minicoy and Agatti islands of Lakshadweep seas and also from Tuticorin, Keelakarai and Mandapam along the south-east-coast of India during 2000-2002. The studies on these three genera revealed variation of colour pattern in fishes collected from south-east coast as well as from Minicoy. Parabalistes Bleeker, 1866 which was earlier considered to be a synonym of genus Pseudobalistes has been resurrected as a valid genus. Two species of genus Balistoides and one species each of Pseudobalistes and Parabalistes reported and redescribed in the present study from the Indian seas are Balistoides viridescens (Bloch and Schneider, 1801), Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch and Schneider, 1801), Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus (Ruppell, 1828) and Parabalistes fuscus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801).Not Availabl