Morpho-meristic characteristics of a rare species Synaptura Commersonnii (Lacepède, 1802) from North-East coast of India, West Bengal

Abstract

Three specimen of a rare species, Synaptura commersonnii (Lacepede, 1802) were collected from Sankarpur coastal waters, North-east coast of India. In the present study detailed morphometric and meristic data for this species are provided. Eighteen characters have been studied in percentage of total fish length from which ten characters were genetically controlled, seven characters were intermediate and one character was environmentally controlled. The meristic characters were also counted especially to draw fin formula of this fish. Some variation in the count of fin rays, lateral line scales have been observed. However positive correlation has been observed between total length and external body parts.