Practical Manual on Keys to Marine Fish Identification

Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Marine fishes. 2. Importance to people. 3. General profile of marine fishery sector of India. 4. External characters of fishes. 5. Systematic position. 6. Families of the pelagic fishes of India. 7. Families of the demersal fishes of India. 8. Keys to the identification of marine fishes pelagic and demersal of India. 9. Internal organs of a fish. 10. Methods of measuring and counting of characters in fishes. 11. Glossary. 12. Scientific and common names of commercially important marine fishes of India. 13. Bibliography. Fish represent as an important group of vertebrates with the descriptions of an estimated 27, 977 valid species. Despite their association in the phenomenon of food web and also in ecological role, fishes contribute greatly in food supply for human. India’s contribution towards marine fishery productivity is gaining significant growth in terms of economy and employment opportunities. There are more than 2500 marine fish species are reported to occur in Indian marine waters. Identification of marine fishes is a paramount importance for any kind of basic research and advanced studies with special reference to Marine Biology, Marine Biotechnology, Marine Biodiversity conservation pharmacology and others. Identification keys form as an excellent tool as they are integral part in the process of taxonomic analysis. In finfish taxonomy, the main aim of a key is to facilitate identification of a species with reference to marine fishes which is achieved by providing appropriate diagnostic characters. The book titled Practical Manual on Keys to Marine Fish Identification consists of identification of external characteristics, systematic position, methods of meristic and morphometric measurements scientific and common names besides keys for identification of pelagic and demersal fishes of India. This book will be of valuable source of information to teachers, students and researchers, entrepreneurs, planners and policy makers and those who are interested in fisheries.(jacket).…