New Distributional Record of Blacklash scorpionfish, Pontinus nigerimum Eschmeyer, 1983 from Andaman Waters, Eastern Indian Ocean

Abstract

The blacklash scorpion fish, Pontinus nigerimum Eschmeyer, 1983 has been previously reported from the Western Indian Ocean. The two specimens were collected during surveys for fish composition in the long line, landed at South Andaman, on 12th September 2019. The species is characterized by 12 spiny and 10 soft dorsal-fin rays, three spiny and 5 soft (last fin ray bifurcated) anal-fin rays, 16 pectoral-fin rays, 1 spiny and 5 soft pelvic-fin rays, 17 gill rakers on first-gill arch and 3 pairs of chin pores, 12 pairs of papillae in the lateral line. Head length nearly half of the standard length (48.24-48.62 % of standard length), pectoral-fin large (22.94-27.24 % in SL) fan-like, with unbranched rays. The identity of the species was further validated using the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. The present communication reports the first record of P. nigerimum from the Andaman waters, Eastern Indian Ocean.