Ten New Records of the Reticulate Unicornfish Naso reticulatus Randall, 2001 (Perciformes: Acanthuridae): Distributional Range Expansion along the Southern Coasts of India

Abstract

The reticulate unicornfish Naso reticulatus Randall, 2001 has been previously reported from Indonesia, Taiwan, Philippines, north-east coast of India and Pakistan. In the present study, ten specimens of N. reticulatus were collected during 2016 and 2017 from four locations in Indian waters covering both east coast (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu) and west coast (Kerala and Gujarat). A detailed morphological and morphometric description of the specimens is provided. This species is characterised by V+28–30 dorsal rays, II + 26–28 anal rays, 16–17 pectoral rays, elongate body (body depth 28.1–32.4% in SL in larger specimens and 36.0–38.5% in SL in smaller individuals), angular median interorbital space and reticulated colour pattern on body of larger specimens and absent in smaller individuals which display some irregular white and black patches. This study reports the range extension of N. reticulatus towards the southern coasts of India, suggesting that this species is widely distributed throughout the Indian coast.