Uraspis helvola (Forster) (Carangidae: Pisces) a detailed description with remarks on the species of the genus Uraspis Bleker

Abstract

According to Williams (1961) and Smith (1962) the genus Uraspis Bleeker is not known from the seas around India. However, the present author was able to collect large number of specimens of Uraspis helvola (Forster) of the length range 92-220 mm. (standard length) from the trawl catches in the Bay of Bengal, off the Andhra and Orissa coasts during 1964 and 1965 (Reuben, 1967). A critical study of the material showed that the morphometric and meristic characters of the species undergo marked changes during growth, and therefore the juveniles and adults are likely to be treated as different species unless a good series of specimens of intermediate lengths are examined. These changes that take place in the specific characters with growth have not been described before and are reported here. A detailed description of the species based on the material available is also given together with brief remarks on the species of the genus Uraspis Bleeker. As the problem of the species of Uraspis Bleeker is far from settled and as different views are held by different authors, a brief historical resum6 is given below.