Journal of Environmental Biology

Morphometry and molecular insights into three species of Balistidae family from the South-eastern Arabian Sea, India

K.S. Pratiksha¹, R. Mridula¹*, K.M. Rajesh² and N.K. Suyani³     

¹Department of Fisheries Resources and Management, College of Fisheries, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Mangaluru-575 002, India

²Finfish Fisheries Division, ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mangalore Regional Centre, Mangaluru-575 001, India

³Peninsular and Marine Fish Genetic Resources Division, National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Kochi-682 018, India

Received: 30 June 2025                   Revised: 26 September 2025                   Accepted: 25 October 2025

*Corresponding Author Email : mridularajesh789@yahoo.co.in                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3925-2956

Abstract

Aim: The present investigation aimed to evaluate the mitochondrial COI and 16s rRNA gene sequences of three balistid species—Abalistes stellaris, Sufflamen fraenatum and Odonus niger—to assess the genetic congruence and phylogenetic relationships from the waters along the south-west coast of India.

Methodology: Three species of balistids—Abalistes stellaris, Sufflamen fraenatum and Odonus niger procured from three major marine landing centres of Karnataka were examined for morphometry and genetic identification using partial sequences of the COI and 16S rRNA to distinguish between species and understand their relationships.

Results: The morphometric measurements of Odonus niger and Abalistes stellaris showed a narrow range of coefficient of variation, suggesting minimal or very low intra-population variation, whereas Sufflamen fraenatum displayed a wide range, indicating high intra-population variation. The intra- and inter-species sequence divergence values, based on the COI gene, ranged between 0.0034 to 0.0051 and 0.1549 to 0.1824, respectively.

Interpretation: The present analysis clearly distinguished the three balistid species from the south-eastern Arabian Sea, aligning with established Balistidae taxonomy. The findings underscore the value of morphometric analysis in species identification and population assessment, offering a foundation for future genetic and evolutionary studies crucial for effective fisheries management and conservation.

Key words: Arabian Sea, Balistidae, COI, Triggerfish, 16S rRNA

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