Morphological feature of Elopidae, Champsodontidae and

Hemiramphidae

By: Chea TharithInland Fisheries Research and

Development Institute, Fisheries Administration, Phnom Penh

Family: ElopidaeSpecies Name: Elops sp.Sampling Location: Prapat Beach, Ranong, ThailandFishing Gear: Push netStage: Flexion Measurements: Body Length 29.6 mm

Head Length 2.9 mmED 0.4 mmSnL 0.8 mmPAL 27.3 mmBD 4.5 mm

Counts: D: 20 A: 15 P1: finfold P2: finfold C: 10+9 Myomeres: 55+8

Pigmentation:

Pigment discrete on dorsal edge of gut,few oblique streaks on myosepta of caudal peduncle, few spots on lower part of caudal fin membranes.

Morphological feature: with forked caudal fin, triangle head and ribbon like body, gut long 80-90% TL.

Similar families: Megalops

Elops sp.

Family: ChampsodontidaeSampling Location: Andaman SeaFishing Gear: Bongo netStage: FlexionMeasurements: Body Length 4.9 mm

Head Length 1.5 mmED 0.3 mmSnL 0.6 mmPAL 2.5 mmBD 1.8 mm

Counts: D: Finfold A: Finfold P1: Finfold P2: Finfold C: 13 Myomeres: 10 + 17

Pigmentation: Pigment along the dorsal surface of the gut and gas bladder and have some pigmentation on eye, trunk and head, one melanophores near the level of anusMorphological feature:Body moderate elongate and slende, the gut is short, PAL is 45-68% due to the large head.The gas bladder is small spherical and located above the anterior portion of gutTeeth appear in both jawsEye is round, Have spiny ridges on the head and on the opercula Similar families: a few taxa trichonotid, creediids, some ammodytids and trichiurids)

Champsodontidae

Family: HemiramphidaeSpecies Name: Hyporhamplus sp. Sampling Location: Andaman sea (owner: Pitoon)Fishing Gear: Bongo netStage: Post flexionMeasurements: Body Length 9.6 mm

Head Length 2 mmED 0.6 mmSnL 0.4 mmPAL 6.9 mmBD 1.1 mm

Counts: D: 14 A: 15P1:13 P2: C:15 Myomeres: 30+20

Pigmentation: Discreted longitudinal rows of malanophores on dorsally and ventrally portion, on the dorsal surface of the head and opercule, ventral surface of the gut and later on caudal fin raysMorphological feature:Larvae are elongate, gut reach to about three quarter of BL. The inially ovate head become increase elongateSnout length constant but the lower jaw increaseThere is no head spinationThe eye is slighly elongate. Similar families: Scomberesocid (62-70) more compress boy and their dorsal and anal finlets. Belonids generally have myomere counts and better developed eye lappers. Laevae of exocoetid genus Oxyporhamphus very similar, but fin and scal development, and lower jaw always less tham 20%.

Hyporhamplus sp.