Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Osteological studies on three species of Carangoides ((Family : Carangidae).

Volume 24 Issue 1&2

V. K. Venkatramani and N. Ramanathan

Abstract

The systematic status of three closely related carangid fishes namely Carangoides malabaricus (Bl. & Schn.), Carangoides talamparoides Blkr. and Carangoides chrysophrys (Cuv. & Val.) was clarified by employing osteological studies. All the three species were identified as Carangoides malabaricus by earlier authors. The taxonomic status of Carangoides talamparoides often synonymised with Carangoides malabaricus by earlier authors was assessed through the use of detailed osteological characters. In the present study distinct generic and specific osteological characters were made out for all the three closely related species. Thirteen osteological morphomatrics were also taken from large number of specimens covering different length groups. Of all these, the length of the supraoccipital crest was found to be much useful in separating Carangoides malabaricus from Carangoides chrysophrys. The otolith sagitta was also studied and species specific sculptural patterns of sagitta were also observed in all the studied species. The sagittae of Carangoides malabaricus and Carangoides talamparoides were broad and oval in shape and that of Carangoides chrysophrys was much elongated. In Carangoides malabaricus and Carangoides chrysophrys the inner view of sagitta showed a central groove extending to full length and touched one side of the sagitta, but in Carangoides talamparoides the central groove ended blindly without touching the side of the sagitta

Date : 30-12-1982