Black True Mullet

materials_examined

Mediterranean Sea: 18000 - 765 (3 spc.), 29.04.2005, Samandagi, cast net, C. Dalyan. Inland water: 18000 - 352 (3 spc.), 28.03.1972, Kuecuekcekmece Lagoon, Istanbul, N. Meric.

A catalogue of the fishes held in the Istanbul University, Science Faculty, Hydrobiology Museum.

distribution

Distribution. Nearly circumglobal in temperate and tropical seas and estuaries (including Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, Red Sea, Persian Gulf); introduced elsewhere. Conservation. IUCN: Global (LC: 21 December 2018); Med. (LC: 16 November 2007). Capture and threats: FIT, FIB, unknown. Occurrence: Common. Low priority for conservation action.

The marine ichthyofauna of Lebanon: an annotated checklist, history, biogeography, and conservation status

description

The morphometric data obtained are shown in Table 1. Adults have a thick layer of adipose tissue around the eye, covering most of pupil; hind edge of preorbital does not extend beyond the corner of the mouth. Preorbital extends almost to the end of the maxilla (Figure 2). Both the second dorsal and anal fins have small scales on the basal parts. Anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays in adults (the first spine is very short, and may be hidden under the overlapping scales). Juvenile fish, especially those ≤ 30 mm standard length, usually have 2 spines and 9 soft rays. Pectoral fin with 1 spine and 15 to 16 (rarely 17) soft rays; its length does not reach the origin of the first dorsal fin. The number of scales of the longitudinal series is generally 38 – 43 (mean 40) for the samples analyzed (reported range worldwide is 36 to 44), and from 12 to 15 in the transverse series (Table 1). The number of gill rakers on the first gill arch is 53 – 89, showing a positive relationship with standard length. Dorsally, specimens are gray-olive or grayish brown colored. Flanks are silver and the abdomen is whitish; 7 to 10 dark longitudinal stripes are visible along the sides. Dorsal and caudal fi

Can the name Mugil cephalus (Pisces: Mugilidae) be used for the species occurring in the north western Atlantic?

discussion

Interspecific comparison The morphometric measures of M. cephalus and M. liza are shown in Table 1. The mean values of all measurements are similar between the two species except the distance from the snout to the origin of the dorsal fin, which is much larger for M. liza. In this case, the beginning of the dorsal fin is located towards the distal zone while in M. cephalus the beginning of the dorsal fin has an anterior location. Also, the body width is greater in M. liza than in M. cephalus, which appears more robust. This fact has also been recognized by Harrison (2002) who mentions that the ratio of body depth to standard length in M. liza ranges from 17 to 23 % while values of 24 to 28 % are common in M. cephalus. Even if the majority of the mean values of the morphometric variables are similar, ranges are generally wider in M. cephalus. In M. liza, adipose tissue around eye is almost absent and the hind edge of the preorbital extends beyond the corner of the mouth. The preorbital ends before the end of maxilla (Figure 3). The second dorsal and the anal fin of M. liza have no scales in the basal parts. Anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays in adults; usually 2 spines and 9 soft

Can the name Mugil cephalus (Pisces: Mugilidae) be used for the species occurring in the north western Atlantic?