On the occurrence of white mouth crevalle, Uraspis helvola (Forster) in the Bay of Bengal

Abstract

During the study of the carangids off the coasts of Andhra and Orissa in 1964-'65, the author was able to collect a large number of specimens of Uraspis helvola (Forster) varying from 92 mm. to 220 mm. in standard length from the trawl catches in the depth range 20-50 metres. The genus Uraspis Bleeker is unique among carangidae in having edentulous tongue, palate and vomer, a thick white membrane on the toiigue, roof and floor of the mouth (the rest dark) and the scutes along the straight part of the lateral line with the spinose projections sometimes directed forwards. This is the first record of the genus Uraspis Blkr. from seas around India