First record of the rare Wide-mouth flounder Kamoharaia megastoma (Kamohara, 1936) (Pleuronectiformes, Bothidae) from the western Indian Ocean collected during the ATIMO VATAE expedition to Madagascar “Deep South”

Abstract

ABSTRACT Four specimens of Kamoharaia megastoma (Kamohara, 1936) were collected during the Atimo Vatae expedition to the “Deep South” region of Madagascar for the exploration of fauna and flora, representing the first record of this species from the western Indian Ocean. Kamoharaia megastoma has been known to occur exclusively in the southeastern Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. Morphometric and meristic characters of these specimens are congruent with those described for K. megastoma. A description of the morphology and morphometrics are provided along with photographs. These records constitute a considerable range extension for the species.