DORSAL FIN ABNORMALITY IN BUCANNER ANCHOY, ENCRASICHOLINA PUNCTIFER (FOWLER, 1938) FROM MUMBAI COAST, INDIA

Abstract

An abnormal specimen of Bucanner anchovy, Encrasicholina punctifer (Fowler, 1938), collected from the New Ferry Wharf landing centre, Mumbai, West coast of India, is reported in this communication. The major distinguishing characters, from other three normal species of genus Encrasicholina, is the thread like extension of the last ray of the dorsal fin and the number of lower gillrakers (29), which is higher. The analysis of morphometric, meristic and molecular traits (genetic divergence 0.09 %) and analysis of phylogeny tree confirmed the identity of the specimen as Encrasicholina punctifer.