Research Article Documenting the First Record of the Unicorn Leatherjacket Filefish Aluterus Monoceros

Home , Aluterus, Longrakered trevally, Pinjalo (genus), Pinjalo pinjalo, Unicorn leatherjacket

Iran. J. Ichthyol. (March 2020), 7(1): 85-91 Received: November 01, 2019 © 2020 Iranian Society of Ichthyology Accepted: December 28, 2019 P-ISSN: 2383-1561; E-ISSN: 2383-0964 doi: 10.22034/iji.v7i1.328 http://www.ijichthyol.org Research Article

Documenting the first record of the Unicorn leatherjacket filefish Aluterus monoceros (Tetraodontiformes: Monacanthidae) from the marine waters of Odisha coast, Bay of Bengal, India

Tapan Kumar BARIK, Surya Narayan SWAIN, Bijayalaxmi SAHU, Bibarani TRIPATHY, Usha Rani ACHARYA*

PG. Department of Zoology, Berhampur University, Berhampur, India. *Email: [email protected] Abstract: The unicorn leatherjacket filefish Aluterus monoceros (Linnaeus, 1758) belonging to family Monacanthidae inhabits in the coastal waters of Indo-West pacific, western India to Andaman Sea. For the first time, three specimens of this species were caught in the Odisha coast, Bay of Bengal, India. The morphological characteristics of the collected specimens are given and its geographical distribution have been reviewed based on available literatures. Keywords: Monocanthids, Distribution, Indo-Pacific region, Morphology, Taxonomy.

Citation: Barik, T.K.; Swain, S.N.; Sahu, B.; Tripathy, B. & Acharya, U.R. (2020). Documenting the first record of the Unicorn leatherjacket filefish Aluterus monoceros (Tetraodontiformes: Monacanthidae) from the marine waters of Odisha coast, Bay of Bengal, India. Iranian Journal of Ichthyology 7(1): 85-91.

Introduction scales with one or more short spines giving a rough, Leatherjackets or filefish are part of a highly velvety feel (Last 1983a). modified and advanced group of fish which form the Tropical triggerfishes from the Balistidae family order Tetraodontiformes, belonging to the are close relatives of the leatherjacket. There are 42 Monacanthidae family. Monacanthids are well- species throughout in many oceans of the world, with represented throughout all the oceans with 111 valid three species inhabiting Bay of Bengal. These fish are species (Fricke et al. 2019). Fish found in the very similar to monacanthid species. Apart from northern hemisphere are referred to as filefish and in residing in tropical waters and appearing colourful, the southern hemisphere, they are known as they differ slightly by being more laterally leatherjackets. In contrast, these fishes are also reared compressed and possesses more spines in the dorsal in major fisheries, exist throughout Asia in coastal fin (three rather than one), and containing larger bony waters of Japan, Korea, China and Vietnam (Chen et knob at rear of the abdomen, which is relatively al. 1997; Wei-Zhong et al. 1998; Daug 2002). The smaller in leatherjackets (Allen & Swainston 1988; highest diversity of monacanthid fish world-wide Hutchins 1999). inhabits Australian waters. A total of 59 species have Throughout their distribution, leatherjackets are been recorded till yet (Hoese et al. 2006). found in many habitats. As juveniles, many species There are distinctive features which distinguish are found in estuaries and bays particularly in monacanthid fish from other families. These include seagrass beds of Zostera sp. and Posodonia sp. (1) reduced gill apertures and pelvic bones, (2) dorsal (Grove-Jones & Burnell 1991; Pollard 1994; Hannan fins that have been reduced to a single long spine & Williams 1998; Jones & West 2005). They also bearing rows of serrations which can be locked appear along with oceanic floating algae such as upright by a second smaller spine, and (3) the body is pelagic Sargassum sp. (Rogers et al. 2001; covered with a thick skin and small partly embedded Hoffmayer et al. 2005). Sub-adults and adults have 85

Iran. J. Ichthyol. (March 2020), 7(1): 98-91

Fig.1. Collection site of Aluterus monoceros. The spots (blue colour) showing the previous site records and the triangle mark in Northwest Bay of Bengal shows the new site record of A. monoceros. often been observed to move into different for long term storage. environments such as rocky reefs and sandy benthos (Hutchins 1999; Klaer 2001; Daug et al. 2002). Results Most leatherjacket species are thought to be Taxonomic Identification: Specimens were opportunistic feeders, with an omnivorous diet categorized systematically based on the taxonomic consisting of a diverse range of algae, crustaceans, characters as outlined in Commercial Sea fishes of hydroids, molluscs, fish, gastropods, bivalves and India (Talwar & Kacker 1984) and reconfirmed polychaetes (Last 1983b; Park 1985; Peristiwady & following the taxonomic keys and species Geistdoerfer 1991). Aluterus monocerus (Linnaeus, nomenclature as outlined in Catalog of Fishes 1758) is a filefish, living in the continental shelf to (http://research.calacademy.org/ichthyology). 50m depth, with a circumglobal distribution mainly in tropical and sub-tropical waters (Harmelin-Vivien Results & Quéro 1990), of the Atlantic, western Indian Systematics: Ocean. The purpose of the present study is to Order Tetraodontiformes document a new finding on fish species from marine Family Monacanthidae Nardo, 1843 waters of the Odisha coast, Bay of Bengal. Thus, it is Genus Aluterus Cloquet, 1816 hoped this new finding will be used as a new baseline Species Aluterus monoceros (Linnaeus, 1758). of the fishery science which can stimulate future Etymology: Aluterus: Greek, meaning not free or research. detached. Specimen examined: Morphometric and meristic Materials and Methods measurements of A. monoceros (Fig. 2) based on Fish sampling and preservation: Fish specimens were three voucher specimens; Q219-09052017, Q220- caught with gill nets by fishermen in the nearby 09052017 and Q221-09052017 are presented in coastal waters of Gopalpur (19.24°N, 84.90°E) Table 1. Odisha coast, Bay of Bengal (Fig. 1). The specimens Description. Dorsal-fin rays II+48, anal fin rays 47; were vouchered and stored in -20°C for future pectoral-fin rays 13, median fin rays unbranched. Gill morphological studies. After identification, they slit, oblique at an angle of about 45° to horizontal to were fixed in formalin and preserved in 70% ethanol body axis. The first dorsal spine, inserted over middle 86 Barik et al.- First record of Aluterus monoceros from the Odisha coast

Table 1. Counts and measurements of Aluterus monoceros caught in the Odisha coast (Northwest Bay of Bengal). The measurements were of three specimens and represented as Mean±SD.

Counts and Measurements Species (n=3) Counts Dorsal fin rays II, 48 Anal fin rays 47 Pectoral fin rays 13 Caudal fin rays 10 Body and Head Total length (TL) (mm) 230±1.15 Standard Length (SL) (mm) 192±1.15 Measurements in % SL Body depth 43.2 Body width - Head length (HL) 33.8 Pre-pectoral length 30.2 Pre-dorsal length 113 Pre-anal length 58.8 Caudal height 12.5 Caudal-peduncle length 10.9 Caudal-peduncle depth 9.3 Measurements in % HL Eye diameter 18.4 Snout length 12.3 Interorbital width 27.6 Pre-nasal length 78.4 Dorsal fin (mm) Dorsal fin base 69±1.15 Dorsal fin height 18±0.57 Anal fin (mm) Anal fin base 72±0.57 Anal fin height 15±0.57 Caudal fin (mm) Caudal fin length 31±0.57 Pectoral fin (mm) Pectoral fin length 18±0.57 part of the eye. Body depth 43.2% of standard length from Reunion, south-western Indian Ocean (SL), head length 33.8% of SL. Eye diameter 18.4% (Letourneur et al. 2004). of HL and caudal peduncle depth 9.3% of SL. Tail Remarks: Various counts and measurements of the fin usually shorter than snout, with straight to slightly specimen (Table 1) agree with the diagnostic features concave edge. Body compressed with leathery skin proposed by earlier authors (Berry & Vogele 1961; almost oval in shape, a long-pointed snout, a small Guallart & Vicent 2009) for discriminating various mouth that opens above lateral line; teeth moderately species of this genus. strong. Scales on the body, very minute and innumerable, equipped with small fine spinules, Discussion giving it to a coarse texture like sand-paper. During the recent years, an increasing number of fish Color in life: Body pale grey to grey-brown; brown species of Indo-Pacific origin have been recorded for spots and blotches on upper side; dorsal and anal fins the first time in Odisha coast, Bay of Bengal, which are pale yellowish to brown in color. Tail membranes includes documentation of Pinjalo pinjalo, Ulua were dark brown in color. mentalis, Tylosurus crocodilus, and Cephalopholis Distribution: Aluterus monoceros was described in formosa (Barik et al. 2017a, b, 2018). Although some the western Indian Ocean (Hutchins 1986), western of these are probably resident species in this area that and eastern Atlantic (Figueiredo & Menezes 2000), have remained undetected due to their rarity or eastern Pacific Ocean (Pequeño 1989) and recently difficulty of access to its habitat. Added to this, the

87 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (March 2020), 7(1): 98-91

Fig.2. Aluterus monoceros voucher Q220-09052017, 230 mm TL, 09 May 2017, Odisha coast, Northwest Bay of Bengal, India. list of non-native species extends across several taxa, including A. monoceros which represents the latest Conflict of Interest Statement record of a non-native fish in this region. The The authors declare that the research was conducted presence of this species along with other species with in the absence of any commercial and financial their subtle demographic changes i.e. increase in relationships that could be constructed as a potential population size with warm water affinities, has been conflict of interest. described as a phenomenon of “tropicalization” of Bay of Bengal, which might have originated due to Acknowledgements the increase of sea water temperature as a This work was supported by Department of consequence of global climatic changes. Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Filefishes are considered as bathypelagic fishes Technology, Government of India and the fishes were abundant during monsoon period (BT/PR5259/AAQ/3/592/2012). in depth range of 40-60mm. However, the decline in their population were due to effectively exposed to References over exploitation by trawlers during the subsequent Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of post-monsoon months. In addition, these fishes are North-Western Australia: A field guide for anglers often associated with floating objects, which may and divers. Western Australian Museum, Perth. facilitate the dispersal of isolated individuals from Barik, T.K.; Swain, S.N.; Sahu, B.; Tripathy, B. & the main distribution area (Sommer et al. 1996). The Acharya, U.R. 2017a. Morphological and genetic analyses of the first record of longrakered trevally, present record possibly corresponds with the Ulua mentalis (Perciformes: Carangidae) and of the spreading of this species towards north which might pinjalo snapper, Pinjalo pinjalo (Perciformes: be due to increased water temperature in northern Lutjanidae) in the Odisha coast, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Bengal. On the contrary, the occurrence and Mitochondrial DNA Part A. 29(4): 552-560. proliferation of these species need adequate Barik, T.K.; Swain, S.N.; Sahu, B.; Tripathy, B. & monitoring as one cannot exclude the possibility that Acharya, U.R. 2018a. First Record of Tylosurus expanding populations of these species might lead to crocodilus (Péron & Lesueur, 1821) (Beloniformes: interspecific competition for resources with other Belonidae) from Odisha Coast, Bay of Bengal, India: existing vulnerable native species in the Bay of Exploration of a Biological Invasion Using DNA Bengal. Barcoding. Thalassas 34(1): 209-217. 88 Barik et al.- First record of Aluterus monoceros from the Odisha coast

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90 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (March 2020), 7(1): 85–91 Received: November 01, 2019 © 2020 Iranian Society of Ichthyology Accepted: December 28, 2019 P-ISSN: 2383-1561; E-ISSN: 2383-0964 doi: 10.22034/iji.v7i1.328 http://www.ijichthyol.org .328 مقاله پژوهشی مستندسازی اولین گزارش تکشاخ ماهی خاکستری Aluterus monoceros )بادکنک ماهی شکالن: تکخار ماهیان( از آبهای دریایی ساحل ادیسا، خلیج بنگال، هند

Tapan Kumar BARIK, Surya Narayan SWAIN, Bijayalaxmi SAHU, Bibarani TRIPATHY, Usha Rani ACHARYA* بخشجانورشناسی، دانشگاه برهامپور، برهامپور، هندوستان.

چکیده: تکشاخ ماهی خاکستری (Aluterus monoceros (Linnaeus, 1758 از خانواده تک خارماهیان ساکن آبهای ساحلی ناحیه آقیانوس هند-آرام از غری اقیانوس هند تا دریای آندامان است. برای اولین بار سه نمونه از این ماهی از آبهای دریایی ساحل ادیسا، خلیج بنگال، هند صید گردید. ویژگیهای ریختی نمونههای جمعآوری شده ارائه گردیده و پراکنش جغرافیایی آن براساس دادههای موجود مرور گردید. کلماتکلیدی: تکخار ماهیان، پراکنش، ناحیه هند-آرامی، ریختشناسی، تاکسونومی.