On the utility of the dorsal and anal fins of the Indian Mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta in determining races

Abstract

The median fin ray counts of Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier), as reported by various workers, differ from one another. Perhaps the first to describe this fish was Russell (1803, p. 28). Though there is no ambiguity about his description and drawing, his work has not been recognised on account of the nonusage of binomial nomenclature. Russell's description of the dorsal and anal fins of Kanagurta is as follows: "the first dorsal with 9 spinous rays; the second with 12 rays; 5 pinnulae above and below".