Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Systematic comparison of the stromateid fishes of the genus Pampus Bonaparte (Family Stromateidae).

Volume 20 Issue 1&2

S. Pati

Abstract

Pampus chinensis (Euphrasen), Pampus argenteus (Euphrasen) and Pampus echinogaster (Basilewsky) are the three recognised species of the genus Pampus. The genus is described and a key is provided to the three species. The synonymies, details of range in variation in morphometric and meristic characters and distribution of each species is given. The three species can be completely distinguished on the basis of vertebral count. P. argenteus and P. echinogaster have falcate median fins preceded by peculiar trenchent spines which demarcates them from P. chinensis. P. echinogaster differs from P. argenteus in the higher number of gillrakers and vertebrae. The vertebral number is constant throughout the range of distribution in P. chinensis and P. echinogaster. Geographical variation in vertebral number is observed In P. argenteus, basing which four distinct allopatric races can be recognised in the Indo-West Pacific. In P. argenteus, speciation is in progress as evidenced by the similarity in form amongst the races coupled with divergence in the vertebral number.

Date : 31-12-1978