Planiliza macrolepis (Smith, 1846)

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 : 143-144

Planiliza macrolepis (Smith, 1846)

(Figure: 12)

D1: IV; D2: 8 A: III, 9; Pc: 14–15; Pl: I, 5 L. S: 33–34; T .S: 12–13

Local name: Boi, Chhodi (Sin); Murbo, Mundi (BAL)

FAO name: Large scale mullet

Material examined. 9 specimens of 141–178 mm TL.

Diagnosis. Body depth at first dorsal fin origin is 24–26 % of SL, 22–23% of SL at anal fin and 12 % of SL at caudal peduncle. Dorsally flattened and bluntly pointed head, Origin of first dorsal fin is closer to the caudal fin base than to the snout tip.At vertical second dorsal fin originates behind one quarter to half of anal fin. Pectoral fin 20–22 % of SL, 70–72 % of HL. Scale numbers: Scale numbers: 33–34 in lateral series and 12–13 in transverse series.

Description. Moderately robust body. Body depth is equal to or slightly larger than head length. Adipose eyefold is less developed just present around eye as a narrow rim. Terminal mouth, thin lips. Stout maxilla, distally curved. Both dorsal and anal fins are densely scaled and emarginated. Caudal fin is forked and scaled. Pectoral fin has I, 14–15 rays, not reaching to the origin of first dorsal fin. Pectoral axillary scale rudimentary. Pelvic fin length smaller than the pectoral fin length. Scales ctenoid.

Color. Dorsally greenish grey, abdomen and flanks silvery, dorsal and caudal fins bluish grey with dusky margins having yellowish base, anal and ventral fins whitish, pectoral fin yellowish grey, golden base with dusky margins.

Distribution. Distributed widely throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Collected from Karachi fishing port, Somniani and WWFH (Karachi).