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New locality of sharp-tail sunfish (Masturus lanceolatus) in Indian waters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2014

Pratyush Das ,
Puran Singh ,
A.K. Bhargava ,
Premchand Singh  and
Raju S. Nagpure
Pratyush Das*
Affiliation:
Fishery Survey of India, Mormugao, Goa, India
Puran Singh
Affiliation:
Fishery Survey of India, Mormugao, Goa, India
A.K. Bhargava
Affiliation:
Zonal Director, Fishery Survey of India, Mumbai, Maharastra, India
Premchand Singh
Affiliation:
Director General, Fishery Survey of India, Mumbai, Maharastra, India
Raju S. Nagpure
Affiliation:
Fishery Survey of India, Mormugao, Goa, India
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: P. Das, Fishery Survey of India, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Opposite Microwave Towers, Mormugao, Goa, India email: pratyush84@gmail.com
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Abstract

Sharp-tail sunfish (Masturus lanceolatus) occurrence in Indian seas is uncommon and its taxonomy is still in controversy. The species was hooked in a sub-surface long-line during an exploratory survey for oceanic tuna and allied fish within the Indian exclusive economic zone in the Lakshadweep Sea along the west coast of India by survey ship MFV ‘Yellow Fin’ attached to the Fishery Survey of India, Mormugoa, Goa, India. It is reported to be the first Masturus species in the Lakshadweep Sea. The sample weighted 100 kg and had a total length of 147 cm. The morphometric and meristic measurements were made and results indicated; the species recorded was the third largest in total length and the heaviest in terms of mass compared to earlier reports in Indian seas.

Keywords

sunfishtaxonomyLakshadweep Seamorphometric
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 7 , 2014 , e75
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2014 

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