Pterygotrigla intermedica

About Pterygotrigla intermedica:

• It is commonly known as gurnards or sea-robins, and belongs to the family Triglidae.
• It is the fourth species of Pterygotrigla genus reported in India so far and there are a total 178 species of the Triglidae family worldwide.
• The specimens of this fish were found to be very distinct from other gurnad species in various aspects such as snout length, shape of the internuchal space and size of the cleithral spine.
• Features
  • The scientists found a distinct pectoral-fin with black membranes on the inner surface, white posterior margin and three small white spots basally in fin, each ray creamy white on the new species
  • It had a combination of characters like a long opercular spine and a very short cleithral spine;
  • The lateral-line,gill rakers on upper limb and 12–13 on lower limb of first gill arch and  a large black blotch between the 4th and 6th spines of the first dorsal fin.

Key facts about Zoological Survey of India

• It was established in 1916 as the premier Indian organisation in zoological research and studies.
• Nodal Ministry: the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Objectives
  • Exploration, survey, and monitoring of faunal (animal) diversity in various states, ecosystems and protected areas of India.
  • Periodic review of the status of threatened and endemic species.
  • Preparation of databases for the recorded species of the country.

Q1) What is cleithral spine?

A cleithral spine, also known cleithral bone, is a bony structure found in some fish species. It is part of the fish's skeletal system and is typically located near the base of the pectoral fin, often extending backward into the body of the fish.

Source:  New fish species discovered in Bengal’s Digha harbor.