Planiliza klunzingeri (Day, 1888)

Hasan, Ariba & Siddiqui, Pirzada Jamal Ahmed, 2020, Taxonomic study of the family Mugilidae from Pakistan coast (northern Arabian Sea), Zootaxa 4881 (1), pp. 131-151 : 144-145

Planiliza klunzingeri (Day, 1888)

(Figure: 13)

D1: IV; D2: 8 A: III, 9; Pc: 14–15; Pl: I, 5 L. S: 33–36; T .S: 12–13

Local name: Chowdi, Mundi, Bhangan, Mori (sin); Murba, Maingh (BAL)

FAO name: Klunzinger’s mullet

Material examined. 15 specimens of 162–192 mm TL.

Diagnosis. Keel present above the operculum in front of first dorsal fin. Body depth is 2729% of SL at origin of first dorsal fin, 22–23% of SL at origin of anal fin and 12–14% of SL at caudal peduncle. Origin of first dorsal fin is nearer to caudal fin base than to tip to snout or equidistant. Second dorsal fin originates posterior to base of anal fin vertically. Pectoral fin 20–23 % of S.L and 74–78% of HL. Scale numbers: 33–36 in lateral series and 12–13 in transverse series.

Description. Body well compressed and short. Large head, moderately convex interorbital space, widely developed adipose eye-fold. Terminal mouth. Stout maxilla, curved down posteriorly, tip exposed when mouth closed. Fins covered with minute scales antero-basally. Pectoral fin has I, 14–16 rays, almost reaching to the level of first dorsal fin. Pectoral axillary scale is rudimentary. Weakly ctenoid scales without digitated hind margin.

Color. Greyish dorsally, abdomen and flanks silvery, few scale rows of abdomen are darker than the others. Caudal fin with black margin. Ventral, anal and dorsal fins pale. Pectoral fin base with black defused spot.

Distribution. Reported from coast of Bombay, Karachi and Persian Gulf. Collected from Karachi fishing port, Somniani, WWFH (Karachi), Keti Bunder, Gwadar.