Description of a new species of queenfish, Scomberoides pelagicus from Indian seas

Aim: The study was carried out to ascertain whether morphotype of Scomberoides commersonnianus (Talang queenfish) existing along the Indian coast is a new species or not. Methodology: Talang queenfish and the morphotype were tested for their uniqueness using systematic and molecular tools. The morphometric and meristic details including otolith morphometry were analysed and compared for taxonomic divergence and Cytochrome Oxidase I and Cytochrome b gene sequences for quantifying genetic divergences. Results: The systematic analysis indicated significant morphometric differences between both. The otolith morphometry and phylogeny also confirmed the divergence between them, and qualified the morphotype as an independent species status and named Scomberoides pelagicus sp. nov. Interpretation: The new species is distinct by deep ovate body, concave dorsal head profile, anal fin origin anterior to second dorsal fin and pelvic to pectoral fin, helical arrangement of body scale and stout and less numerous gill rakers on the first gill arch. The phylogeny as on Cytochrome b and Cytochrome Oxidase 1 sequences are very distinct, with 11.2% and 2.0% divergence respectively. Their known distributional range are peninsular region of Indian coast, Malaysian region of the South China Sea and Manila Bay, Philippines.

New record of the swimming crab Charybdis (Archias) hongkongensis Shen, 1934 (Brachyura, Portunidae) from India

Charybdis (Archias) hongkongensis Shen, 1934 was collected from the Indian coast of the Bay of Bengal and this is the first record from Indian waters. The distinct key characters of this species are: a relatively more produced last antero-lateral tooth, strongly convergent postero-lateral margins, and a smooth, rounded, reduced apex of the male first gonopod. This is the ninth member of Charybdis (Archias) Alcock, 1899 from Indian waters. The species is diagnosed and figured herein.