Page 9 - IJMS-2014v4n58

International Journal of Marine Science 2014, Vol.4, No.59, 1-5
http://ijms.biopublisher.ca
2
villages (30°27’N, 47°58’E), by coastal seine net
during December 2010 and December 2012
respectively. An additional eight specimens were
collected from marine territorial waters of Iraq near
Khor Al-Ummiah (29º46’ N, 48º48’E) by trawl net
during December 2011, December 2012 and March,
August and December 2013 (Figure 1). The specimens
were fixed and preserved in a 10% Formalin solution.
Terminology followed Iwatsuki et al. (2001). All
measurements are presented in millimetres [mm].
Common and scientific names of the fish followed
Froese and Pauly (2014). The picture of the smaller
specimen (<65 mm standard length [SL], Figure 2) is
from the FAO (Froese and Pauly, 2014), as the
original specimen was lost. All specimens are
deposited temporarily in the senior author’s collection
in the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources,
College of Agriculture, Basrah University.
Figure 1 Map of collection area, showing the stations, st 1:
Hamdan, st 2: Abu Al-Khaseeb, st 3: Khor Al-Ummiah
2 Results
A total of 10 specimens of G. limbatus Cuvier, 1830
were caught at three stations along the
Shatt-Al-Arab River and from marine waters near
Khor Al-Ummiah, Arabian Gulf. Absolute and
relative (as % of SL) measurements of morphometric
characters and meristic count data are provided
(Tables 1 and 2).
Figure 2 Gerres limbatus. 113 mm SL, Khor Al-Ummiah
(29º46’ N, 48º48’E), December 2013
2.1 Description
Small and relatively deep body in small specimens
with a slightly slender body in the larger specimens.
The body is compressed; anterodorsal finely convex,
ascending at an angle of ~40°to horizontal axis. The
snout is short and less than eye diameter. Standard
length [SL] 3.2-3.3xs head length, about 2.5 to 3 scale
rows between the lateral line and the 5th dorsal spine
base. The predorsal length is less than dorsal fin base
length; pectoral fin length > head length. Tip of
pectoral fin reaches beyond the vertical through the
anterior margin of anus and at the vertical level of the
base of 7th dorsal fin spine. First dorsal and anal spines
very short. Second dorsal spine thick and equal to or
slightly longer than the 3rd dorsal spine and longer
than eye diameter. Caudal fin forked. Gill rakers: 5-6
on upper limb; one on the angle, and 7 on the lower
limb. Fresh specimens have silvery body and four
Table 1 Meristic characters of Gerres limbatus collected from
Iraqi waters
Character N=10
Dorsal fin IX, 10
Anal fin III, 6-8
Pelvic fin I, 5
Pectoral fin rays 15-16
Pored lateral line scales 34-36
Scales above/below lateral line 4- 4.5/7.5-9
Scale row between 5th dorsal fin spine base to
lateral line
2.5-3
Gill rakers 5- 6,1,7
Branchiostegal rays 6