Taxonomic study of flatheads (Family: Platycephalidae) occurring along the West coast of India

Abstract

A total of thirty-one morphometric and meristic characters were measured, counted and compared among the species along with their respective proportions, like standard length and head length. Among ten meristic characters, six did not show any difference. However, four characters viz. number of gillrakers, black spot on 1st dorsal fin, increasing size of backwardly directed lateral line spines towards posterior end and preopercular spine revealed variations. The proportional measurements with their head length (HL) viz. snout length: head length (SnL: HL, Inter orbital width: head length (IOL: HL), and maximum eye diameter: head length (MED: HL) also revealed significant difference among the species.