Sphyraena arabiansis explained

Sphyraena arabiansis commonly known as the Arabian barracuda Is a species of barracuda found in the eastern Arabian Sea. Once thought to be a population of great barracuda they are now considered distinct due to morphological and genetic differences.^{[1] [2]}

Distribution

Discovered off the coast of Kerala in Southwest India and around the Lakshadweep Islands.^[3] They are also known to occur in other parts of the Arabian sea such as off the coast of Pakistan.^[4]

Distinction

Arabian barracudas are closely related to Great barracudas but are distinguished by having many small cycloid scales down the length of the body, a lack of black spots, a rounded maxilla that ends before and below the anterior margin of the eye, and their Lateral line curves before the origin of the dorsal fin.^[5] These morphological differences along with a few others and genetic differences distinguish the two species.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Sudha Nambudiri. Jul 8, 2015. New species of barracuda identified in Arabian Sea Kochi News - Times of India. 2022-01-01. The Times of India. en.
2. ABDUSSAMAD. E. M.. 2015. Sphyraena arabiansis a new species of barracuda (Family: Sphyraenidae) from the south-west coast of India. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. 62. 1–6.
3. Web site: Sphyraena arabiansis, Arabian barracuda. 2022-01-01. fishbase.mnhn.fr.
4. Manzoor. Hina. 2020. FIRST RECORD OF ARABIAN BARRACUDA SPHYRAENA ARABIANSIS, ABDUSSAMAD & RETHEESH, 2015 (FAMILY: SPHYRAENIDAE) FROM PAKISTAN. International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology. 17. 463–468.
5. ABDUSSAMAD. E. M.. 2015. Sphyraena arabiansis a new species of barracuda (Family: Sphyraenidae) from the south-west coast of India. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. 62. 1–6.
6. ABDUSSAMAD. E. M.. 2015. Sphyraena arabiansis a new species of barracuda (Family: Sphyraenidae) from the south-west coast of India. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. 62. 1–6.