A Record of Anophthalmia in Aesopia Cornuta (Kaup, 1852) from Gulf of Mannar, India

Abstract

An abnormal case of anopthalmia in true sole Aesopia cornuta, collected from Tuticorin coast of Gulf of Mannar, India is reported. Eighteen morphological and nine meristic characters were studied in abnormal specimen along with normal specimens. In the abnormal specimen, the morphometric ratios of standard length to snout length, head length to snout length and snout to mouth distance was found to be higher than that of the normal specimens (78.12 - 125.64mm); while the ratio of caudal fin length to standard length, mouth distance to head length and mouth to gill distance was found to be lower. However, meristic characters did not reveal any significant variation. The abnormality does not seem to have affected the other morphological features of the specimen.