Morphometric analysis confirm disparity between two related toxic fish species among genus Lagocephalus, along Digha coast, West Bengal, east coast of India

Abstract

Two closely related puffer fishes Lagocephalus inermis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850) and Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) were collected from the coastal belt of Digha (between 21°32´N to 21°45´N latitude and 87°32´E to 87°50´E longitude) in West Bengal along the east coast of India. Specimens were collected from different trawling stations of Digha Coastal belt and preserved in 10% formalin solution. Measurement of morphometric and meristic characters were done by using vernier calipers. The total length and fork length of Lagocephalus lunaris is different whereas the total length and fork length is same in Lagocephalus inermis. Spiny prickles are present on dorsal surface of Lagocephalus lunaris. Lagocephalus lunaris morphometrically differs from the Lagocephalus inermis by the presence of spiny prickles on its dorsal surface.