New record of decorated ponyfish Nuchequula gerreoides (Bleeker, 1851) (Perciformes: Leiognathidae) in Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf

Abstract

The decorated ponyfish Nuchequula gerreoides is recorded for the first time from the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf. Identification is confirmed by morphological characteristics and 634 bp sequence of COI mtDNA. The subject record is a new addition to the ichthyofauna of Iran resulting from specimens being collected from the east of Hormuz Island (27°04′N, 56°30′E) and Bandar-Abbas city beach (27°10′N, 56°18′E) in the Persian Gulf.

Keywords:

• Nuchequula gerreoides
• Persian Gulf
• Decorated ponyfish

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Professor Prosanta Chakrabarty for his valuable comments and express gratitude to Mrs Samereh Falahatkar for preparing the map.