Fishes of the Family Peristediidae (Pisces: Scorpaeniformes ) from Indian Waters with Four New Records

Abstract

Knowledge of family Peristediidae from Indian waters; comprising Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea is limited. The present study aims to unwind the taxonomic ambiguity and demarcates the distribution of peristediid within Indian waters. Indian peristediid were now represented by seven species; Satyrichthys laticeps, Scalicus serrulatus, Scalicus investigatoris, Scalicus orientalis, Heminodus philippinus, Peristedion amblygenys and Satyrichthys milleri ; among them four species were the first findings from the study area. A key to all genera and species of peristediid recorded from India as well as the diagnosis, synonyms and distribution of each species are provided.