A new distributional record of alligator pipefish, Syngnathoides biaculeatus (Bloch, 1785) along Goa, central west coast of India

Abstract

Present study is based on a single male specimen of alligator pipefish, Syngnathoides biaculeatus (Bloch, 1785) collected from the bay-estuarine system of, Goa (central west coast of India) which is the new distributional record for this species. A comparison of 20 morphometric and 5 meristic characters of the specimen collected from Goa waters with those from the eastern coast of India revealed significant differences in the number of pre and post-anal rings. An attempt has been made to elucidate its rare occurrence along the coast of Goa in the light of its ecological prerequisites