Range extension of Günther's waspfish, Snyderina guentheri (Boulenger, 1889) (Synanceiidae: Tetraroginae) from Gujarat, Northeastern Arabian Sea

Abstract

Waspfish family Synanceiidae (Swainson, 1839), comprises nine subfamilies, 52 valid genera, and about 141 valid species1. Subfamily Tetraroginae (Smith, 1949), commonly known as waspfishes or sailback scorpionfishes, consists of 17 valid genera and about 44 valid species1,2. Indo-Pacific genus Snyderina Jordan & Starks, 1901 comprises only two species, such as S. guentheri (Boulenger, 1889) (Northern Indian Ocean) and S. yamanokami Jordan & Starks, 1901 (North western Pacific). Genus Snyderina is diagnosed by having the following key characteristics3: (i) absence of palatine teeth; (ii) XII–XIII dorsal-fin spines; (iii) last four pectoral-fin rays attached; (iv) cirri, papillae and tentacles are absent on body and eyes; and (v) absence of cleithral spines. Snyderina guentheri is known for its rarity, and only a few known reports have been documented in the Indian Ocean as well as on the Indian coast. Previously, it was reported from Quilon4 and Visakhapatnam, the central eastern coast of India5. During regular fishery survey, authors collected five specimens of Günther’s waspfish, Snyderina guentheri, from Veraval fishing harbour for the first time from off Gujarat waters, Northeastern Arabian Sea.