Distribution and diversity of needlefishes (Belonidae) and halfbeaks (Hemiramphidae) of the order Beloniformes in India

Thomas, Toji and Abdussamad, E M and Amrutlal, T M and Tomy, Elezebath and Mohammed, Abbas A (2024) Distribution and diversity of needlefishes (Belonidae) and halfbeaks (Hemiramphidae) of the order Beloniformes in India. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India, 66 (2). pp. 41-52. ISSN 0025-3146

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Abstract

Beloniformes are the common fishes seen in marine, freshwater, and brackish water habitats. They are widely dispersed over diverse temperate and tropical waters. Family Belonidae and Hemiramphidae were considered from diverse inspecting areas from both the east and west coasts containing Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands with the expansion of lakes and riverine bodies of India related with the east and west coasts. Sampling was done from 2019 to 2022, the study discovered that there are 19 species in 9 genera. The Belonidae family comprises four genera- Ablennes, Strongylura, Tylosurus, and Xenentodon. Ablennes and Tylosurus are dominant genera and are restricted to marine habitats. Strongylura is seen on both marine and brackish water. Xenentodon is the only freshwater genus in the family Belonidae. Family Hemiramphidae represents 10 species under five genera, Euleptorhamphus, Hemiramphus, Hyporhamphus,Oxyporhamphus and Rhynchorhamphus. The sole freshwater speciesHyporhamphus xanthopterus is exclusive to Vembanad Lake of Kerala and all remaining are marine. This study sheds insight into a neglected group of fish that are as valuable as food sources and biological indicators.

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