New Record of Blue Striped Snapper, Lutjanus Notatus (Cuvier, 1828) (Family: Lutjanidae), From Indian Waters

doi:10.15406/jamb.2017.05.00113

Journal of

eISSN: 2378-3184

Aquaculture & Marine Biology

Research Article Volume 5 Issue 2

New Record of Blue Striped Snapper, Lutjanus Notatus (Cuvier, 1828) (Family: Lutjanidae), From Indian Waters

Govinda Rao Velamala,

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Krishna Naranji M, Ramesh Babu K

Department of Marine Living Resources, Andhra University, India

Correspondence: Govinda Rao Velamala, Department of Marine Living Resources, Andhra University, India, Tel 09440395067

Received: January 10, 2017 | Published: February 2, 2017

Citation: Velamala GR, Naranji KM, Babu RK (2017) New Record of Blue Striped Snapper, Lutjanus Notatus (Cuvier, 1828) (Family: Lutjanidae), From Indian Waters. J Aquac Mar Biol 5(2): 00113 DOI: 10.15406/jamb.2017.05.00113

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Abstract

Single species of the blue striped snapper, Lutjanus notatus belonging to the family Lutjanidae, was first time collected from the Visakhapatnam, India. The specimen (156 mm Standard length) was caught by deep sea trawl net. The present study deals with detail description of the species given here with illustration. In addition, pre dorsal scales origin at first dorsal spine and those are extend from first dorsal spine to inter orbital region and pre dorsal scales rows were 12. Transverse check scales were10; there is no gap between temporal scale bands of each side, Inter orbital with scaly sheath. The present study confirms the presence of Lutjanus notatus in Indian coast.

Keywords: Ichthyology; Rare species; L. notatus; Andhra Pradesh; India

Introduction

The rare blue striped snapper Lutjanus notatus (Cuvier, 1828) (Lutjanidae) is a reef fish found relatively large distribution around the western Indian Ocean. It is harvested as a food source, but is not a commercial species [1]. Rare blue striped snapper belongs to the fishes of the family Lutjanidae. This is one of the largest families in the order perciformes and comprises 4 subfamilies, 17 genera and 110 species, mainly found on coral reefs in tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific [2,3]. The largest subfamily is Lutjaninae with six genera Hoplopagrus, Lutjanus, Macolor, Ocyurus, Pinjalo and Rhomboplites with about 72 species. The genus Lutjanus has about 64 species [4,5]. Here we described the morphological characteristics of Lutjanus notatus have added them to the Indian Ichthyofauna. Previously many reports were recorded from Mainland of India. New record of low fin scorpion fish Scorpaenodes parvipinnis from Indian waters [6] first time recorded of Rama Rao’s scorpion fish, Scorpaenopsis ramaraoi from Andhra Pradesh Coast [7] First record of golden barred butterfly fish Roa Jayakari from Visakhapatnam coast [8], first record of spiny snout squirrel fish Middle East coast of India [9], rare sharp tail mola Masturus lanceolatus recorded from coastal waters of Visakhapatnam [10].

Materials and Methods

Single specimen of the Lutjanus notatus was collected from Visakhapatnam coastal waters, India (17º44'N, 83º23'E) during the period 2013-2015. Specimen of L. notatus was examined and identified as Lutjanus notatus. The color of the specimen in the samples was noted in fresh condition. Morphometric and meristic data of the fresh specimen were taken. Measurements were made with calipers. Methodology followed by [5,11]. The specimens were preserved in 5% formaldehyde for further analysis.

Results

Lutjanus notatus (Cuvier, 1828) (Figure 1) Diacope notatus Cuvier (in C. & V.), 1828, Hist. Nat. Poiss, 2: 422 (Type Locality: Indian Ocean).

Figure 1: Lutjanus notatus. 201mm, TL.

Morphometric and meristic data given in Table 1

	*Lutjanus notatus, n=1*
Standard Length	156 SL
Total Length	134.61
Body depth	32.69
Head length	37.17
Pre dorsal distance	39.74
Pre pectoral distance	37.17
Pre pelvic distance	38.46
Pre anal distance	66.02
Dorsal fin base	53.84
Pectoral fin base	14.74
Anal fin base	5.76
Dorsal spine height	14.74
Soft dorsal height	9.61
1st anal spine height	24.35
2nd anal spine height	13.46
Soft anal height	20.51
Pectoral length	14.74
Pelvic spine length	10.89
Soft pelvic length	10.25
Head depth	75.86
Head width	53.44
Eye diameter	25.86
Pre orbital distance	25.86
Post orbital distance	44.82
Inter orbital	25.86
Upper jaw length	36.20
Lower jaw length	27.58
Maxillary width	10.34
Snout length	18.6
Dorsal	XII,13
Anal	III,8
Pectoral	16
Ventral	I,5
Caudal	16
Gill rakers	20
Lateral line scales	50
Pored scales	45
Lateral transverse scales	7+1+19

Table 1: Morphometric and meristic data of species L.notatus represented in the catches of Visakhapatnam, India.

Body fusiform, slender to moderately deep; dorsal profile convex; dorsal profile of head gently sloped; snout profile slightly concave; mouth large; maxilla reaches vertical below the midpoint of the eye; eyes are large in size; preorbital bone is narrow than the eye diameter; inter orbital slightly convex; vomerine tooth present without a medial posterior extension; tongue smooth without teeth; palatines present; pre opercle slightly produced at angle on ventral and serrated; upper profile straight with serrations; preopercle notch and knob is well developed. Lower profile rounded with serrations; opercle flap pointed and extended up to the vertical line of origin of the dorsal fin. Head covered with ctenoid scales, originating from inter orbital region and extending up to the base of the first dorsal fin; transverse scales rows on cheek ten. Body covered with ctenoid scales.

Origin of dorsal and pelvic on same line and the origin of pectoral slightly anterior; fifth dorsal spine is longest and succeeding spines decrease in size; soft part of the dorsal fin slightly angular in shape; membrane between the spines is incised; first anal spine shorter than second and third; second anal spine longer and stouter than first and third spine; anal fin angular; pectoral fin pointed, extending up to posterior region of the anus; pelvic fin short; caudal fin emarginated; scales above the lateral line run appear as oblique rows and run straight and parallel below lateral line horizontal to it; below the lateral line, scales are parallel to the ventral side of the body; the scales on caudal peduncle run parallel to the lateral line. Soft parts of dorsal, anal and pectoral fins covered with scaly sheath; the lateral line is slightly arch shaped up to spinous dorsal end and runs down parallel to the dorsal profile.

Colour

Anterior part of back and upper part of head brownish; sides yellow, grading to pale yellowish-white ventrally; a series of four narrow blue stripes on sides, the upper most slanting posteriorly toward dorsal fin base; all fins mainly yellowish.

Discussion

Descriptions, meristic counts and morphometric data in the present study are in good agreement with that of [2,5,13]. This species closely resembles Lutjanus bengalensis in body shape and coloration, but is separable from it in having gill rakers 26-28 but in this species having 20 gill rakers. This is the new record from mainland of India. This is the rare species from Visakhapatnam coastal waters. This is the IUCN Red list of threatened species [1]. Locally called as a“Aratikaya”.

Distribution

Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique, Natal in South Africa, Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius.

Habitat and Ecology

The blue striped snapper inhabits coral reefs in tropical climates. It is found either individually or in groups of 5-10 individual species, at a depth range of 10-50m. This species feeds on small fishes and crustaceans.

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to Head, department of Marine Living Resources, Andhra University for providing facilities during the entire study period 2013-2016.