Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 5523 No. 3: 16 Oct. 2024
Type: Article
Published: 2024-10-16
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5523.3.2
Page range: 337-353
Abstract views: 243
PDF downloaded: 18

A Review of Flatfish (Order: Pleuronectiformes) Diversity in Indian Waters: A Literature Overview

Marine Fish Section; Zoological Survey of India; Kolkata; West Bengal; 700016; India
Marine Fish Section; Zoological Survey of India; Kolkata; West Bengal; 700016; India
Pisces India Flatfish Arabian Sea Bay of Bengal Andaman and Nicobar Lakshadweep

Abstract

The present study provides a comprehensive overview of the taxonomic diversity of flatfish in Indian waters. Flatfish play a significant role in artisanal and commercial fisheries in India and are frequently caught as by-catch in trawling operations. However, their benthic nature makes them particularly vulnerable to the pressures of overfishing and bottom trawling practices. Approximately 13% of all documented flatfish species worldwide have been recorded from India, contributing significantly to the global diversity, which includes 815 species across 124 genera and 14 families. Based on available literature, this study documented 108 flatfish species from India, represented by 35 genera in 10 families. The most dominant families identified were Cynoglossidae, Bothidae, Soleidae, and Paralichthyidae. Among the four major oceanic boundaries of India-the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman and Nicobar regions, and the Lakshadweep waters, the Bay of Bengal was identified as having the highest recorded diversity of flatfish species. According to the IUCN classification, approximately 71 species reported from India are categorized as “Least Concern,” 34 as “Data Deficient,” two species as “Vulnerable,” and one species as “Near Threatened.” One species, Paraplagusia blochii, is still not assessed.

 

References

  1. Alcock, A.W. (1889) List of Pleuronectidae obtained in the Bay of Bengal in 1888 and 1889 with descriptions of new and rare species. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 58 (2), 279–295, pls. 16–18. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/175550#page/297/mode/1up]
  2. Alcock, A.W. & Surgeon, M.B. (1890) Natural history notes from H. M. Indian marine survey steamer `Investigator,’ Commander R. F. Hoskyn, R. N., commanding. No. 20. On some undescribed shore-fishes from the Bay of Bengal. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 6, 6 (36), 425–443. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222939008694064
  3. Amezcua, F., Nash, R. & Veale, L. (2003) Feeding Habits of the order Pleuronectiformes and its relation to the sediment type in north Irish Sea. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 83 (03), 593–601. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315403007525h
  4. Anisha, P., Athira, P.S., Anagha, B., Charles, P.E., Prabakaran, K. & Rajendran, R. (2023) First report on occurrence of heavy metals in dried fishes from major fishing villages in Kerala coast, Southwest India. International Journal of Hygeine and Environmental Health, 6, 46–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heha.2023.100051
  5. Ansari, Z.A., Chatterji, A., Ingole, B.S., Sreepada, R.A., Rivonkar, C.U. & Parulekar, A.H. (1995) Community structure and seasonal variation of an inshore demersal fish community at Goa, West Coast of India. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 41 (5), 593–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-7714(95)90029-2
  6. Artedi, P. (1792) Genera Piscium. Pars III. Impensis Ant. Ferdin. Röse, Grypeswaldiae, 16 pp. [pp. 105–120]
  7. Astarloa, D.D. & Juan, M. (2002) A review of the flatfish fisheries of the south Atlantic Ocean. Revista de Biología Tropical, 37 (2), 113–125.
  8. Aung, T.H., Latt, M.M. & Oo, Y.N. (2019) Diversity and Similarity of Flatfishes (Order- Pleuronectiformes) in Mon State, Myanmar. International Marine Science Journal, 1 (1), 28–37. https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2643-0282.imsj-18-2486
  9. Auster, P.J. & Langton, R.W. (1999) The effects of fishing on fish habitat. In: Benaka, L. (Ed.), Fish habitat: essential fish habitat and rehabilitation. Symposium 22: Proceedings of the Sea Grant symposium, Hartford, Connecticut, 26–27 August 1998, pp. 150–187.
  10. Baiju, P.T., Prabhakaran, M.P., Benno Pereira, F.G. & Jayaprakash, V. (2016) Rocky Reef-associated fish diversity of South Kerala coast, India. Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 4, 31–44.
  11. Barman, R.P., Mukherjee, P. & Kar, S. (2000) Marine and Estuarine Fishes. In: Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata (Ed.), Fauna of Gujarat. Part 1. State Fauna Series. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, pp. 311–411.
  12. Barman, R.P., Kar, S. & Mukherjee, P. (2004) Marine and Estuarine Fishes. In: Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata (Ed.), Fauna of Andhra Pradesh. Part-2.State Fauna Series 5. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, pp. 97–311.
  13. Barman, R.P., Mukherjee, P. & Das, A. (2007a) On a Collection of fishes from the Malvan Marine Sanctuary, Malvan, Maharashtra, India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 107 (1), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v107/i1/2007/159165
  14. Barman, R.P., Mishra, S.S., Kar, S., Mukherjee, P. & Saren, S.C. (2007b) Marine and estuarine fish fauna of Orissa. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, Occasional Paper No. 260, 1–186.
  15. Barman, R.P., Mishra, S.S., Kar, S., Mukherjee, P. & Saren, S.C. (2012) Marine and Estuarine Fishes. In: Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata (Ed.), Fauna of Maharashtra. Part 1. State Fauna Series 20. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, pp. 369–480.
  16. Barman, R.P., Mishra, S.S., Kar, S., Mukherjee, P. & Saren, S.C. (2013) Marine and Estuarine Fishes. In: Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata (Ed.), Fauna of Karnataka. State Fauna Series 21. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, pp. 277–387.
  17. Bhakta, D., Anand, W., Vaisakh, G., Kamble, S., Das, S.K. & Das, B.K. (2018) Finfish Diversity of Narmada Estuary in Gujarat of India. Proceedings of the Zoological Society, 72 (1), 257–262. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12595-018-0263-1
  18. Bhanja, A., Payra, P., Mandal, B., Das, M., Mandal, S. & Bhunia, T. (2023) A Study on the Availability of Marine Fishes in Digha Mohana Fish Landing Centre, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India. Biology and Life Sciences Forum, 15 (4), 279–292. [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370527439_A_Study_on_the_Availability_of_Marine_Fishes_in_Digha_Mohana_Fish_Landing_Centre_Purba_Medinipur_West_Bengal_India]
  19. Bharadwaj, R.A. & Prasad, A.G.D. (2021) Assessment of Ichthyofaunal Diversity in Sasihithlu Estuary of Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 3 (1), 30–36. https://doi.org/10.30564/jfsr.v3i1.3270
  20. Bhat, M., Nayak, V.N., Chandran, M.D.S. & Ramachandra, T.V. (2014) Fish Distribution in Relation to Salinity in the Aghanashini Estuary Kumta, Karnataka. Current Science, 106 (12), 1739–1744.
  21. Biju Kumar, A. (1997) Studies on the host specificity of metazoan parasites associated with flatfishes (Order: Pleuronectiformes) of the Kerala coast. Rivista di Parassitologia, 141, 131–141.
  22. Biju Kumar, A. & Deepthi, G.R. (2009) Diversity of flatfishes (Order: Pleuronectiformes) along the Kerala coast of India, with notes on two rare species. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 56 (3), 211–214. https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2643-0282.imsj-18-2486
  23. Cantor, T.E. (1849) Catalogue of Malayan fishes. Journal & proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 18 (2), i–xii + 983–1443, pls. 1–14.
  24. https://biostor.org/reference/235123
  25. Chakraborty, R.D., Maheswarudu, G., Ratheesh, K.R., Sreesanth, L. & Ragesh, N. (2022) A new record of deep-sea flatfish Poecilopsetta colorata Gunther, 1880 (Pleuronectiformes: Pleuronectidae) from the Arabian Sea. Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences, 51 (11), 930–932. https://doi.org/10.56042/ijms.v51i11.3510
  26. Chatterjee, N.R. (2017) Study on the by catch loss in two districts of West Bengal, India. Marine Biology Research, 2 (2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.15226/24754706/2/2/00114
  27. Chatla, D. & Padmavathi, P. (2021) Fish Diversity of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Southeast Coast of India. Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 9 (9), 1424–1436. https://doi.org/10.17582/journal.aavs/2021/9.9.1424.1436
  28. CMFRI, Kochi. (2023) CMFRI Annual Report 2022–2023. Technical Report. CMFRI, Kochi, 6 pp.
  29. Das, Mihir. (1981) n.k. In: Coastal water ichthyofauna of two districts of Orissa with observations on the feeding and reproductive biology of some flatfishes. PhD Thesis, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India, pp. 23–24.
  30. Das, M. & Mishra, B. (1989a) On the biology of Psettodes erumei (Bloch & Schn.) an Indian Halibut. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 37 (2), 79–92.
  31. Das, M. & Mishra, B. (1989b) Observation on the occurrence of dimorphic forms of Psettodes erumei (Bloch and Schn.), an Indian halibut. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 36 (4), 337–338.
  32. Das, M. (2018) Environmental impact of trawling on the continental shelf of Bay of Bengal. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 4, 1091–1104.
  33. Dasmahapatra, D. (2023) Sustainable Tourism Development Prospects in Digha Sankarpur Coastal area using Tourism Quality Index and SWOT Analysis. International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, 9 (7), 50–58.
  34. Day, F. (1889) Fishes. In: Blanford, W.T. (Ed.), The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Taylor and Francis, London, pp. i–xviii + 1–548. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.19531
  35. Devadoss, P., Pillai, K.M., Natarajan, P. &. Muniyandi, K. (1977) Observations on some aspects of the biology and fishery of Psettodes erumei (Bloch) at Porto Novo. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 24 (1 & 2), 62–68. [https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/819]
  36. Dutta, N.C. & Das, M. (1983) Observation on the food and feeding habits of some flatfishes of Orissa Coast. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 30 (2), 241–248.
  37. Dineshbabu, A.P., Thomas, S., Jose, J., Sarada, P.T., Pillai, L., Chakraborty, R.D., Dash, G., Chellappan, A., Ghosh, S., Purushottama, G.B., Kumar, R., Rajkumar, M., Divipala, I., Ajay, D.N., Ratheeshkumar, R., Akhilesh, K.V., Mahesh, V., Sen, S., Pradhan, R., Rahangdale, S., Vinothkumar, R., Kizhakudan, S.J., Rajesh, K.M., Narayanakumar, R., Swathilekhsmi, P.S., Raju, S.S., Maheswarudu, G. & Sivadas, M. (2020) Bycatch in Indian trawl fisheries and some suggestions for trawl bycatch mitigation. Current Science, 123 (11), 1372–1380. https://doi.org/10.18520/cs/v123/i11/1372-1380
  38. Dineshbabu, A.P., Thomas, S. & Radhakrishnan, E.V. (2012) Spatio-temporal analysis and impact assessment of trawl bycatch of Karnataka to suggest operation based fishery management options. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 59 (2), 27–38. [https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/8987]
  39. Dumeril, A.M.C. (1806) Zoologie analytique, ou methode naturelle de classification des animaux, rendue plus facile a l’aide de tableaux synoptiques. Allais, Libraire, Paris, [33] + 344 pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.44835
  40. Dutt, S. & Rao, K.H. (1965) A new bothid flatfish Cephalopsetta ventrocellatus Gen. et Sp. Nov. from Bay of Bengal. Proceedings/ Indian Academy of Sciences, 62 (4), 180–187. [https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:82744007] https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03051661
  41. Fricke, R., Eschmeyer, W.N. & van der Laan, R. (2024) Eschmeyer’s Catalogue of Fish, California Academy of Sciences. Available from: https://www.calacademy.org/scientists/projects/eschmeyers-catalog-of-fishes (accessed 18 September 2024)
  42. Pauly, D. & Froese, R. (2024) Fish base, Philipines. Available from: https://fishbase.se/search.php (accessed 18 September 2024)
  43. Gunalan, B & Lavanya, E. (2020) Taxonomical Identification and Diversity of Flat Fishes from Mudasalodai Fish Landing Centre (Trawl by Catch), South East Coast of India. Journal of Marine Science Research and Oceanography, 3 (1), 26–29. https://doi.org/10.33140/JMSRO.03.01.06
  44. Hamilton, F. (1822) An account of the fishes found in the river Ganges and its branches. A. Constable and company, Edinburgh, vii + 405 pp., 39 pls. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.59540
  45. Hegde, M.R. (2013) Studies on Spatio-Temporal Variation and Community Structure of Demersal Resources of Goa, West Coast of India. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Goa, Goa, 79 pp.
  46. IUCN. (2024) The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available from: http://www.iucnredlist.org (accessed 19 May 2024)
  47. Jaleel, K.A., Mumthaz, T.M.V., Vinayan, T & George, T. (2022) Ichthyofaunal diversity of Kavvayi Backwaters, Malabar Coast of India: a preliminary study. Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research, 19 (2), 12–19. https://doi.org/10.9734/AJFAR/2022/v19i230470
  48. Jayaprakash, A.A. (1998) Study on the Fishery, Biology and Population Dynamics of Flatfishes (Cynoglossus sp; Family Cynoglossidae) along the Kerala coast. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Calicut, Kerala, 229 pp.
  49. Jayaprakash, A.A. (1999) On the breeding biology of the Malabar sole Cynoglossus macrostomus Norman off Kerala. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India, 41 (1 & 2), 85–95. [https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/1952]
  50. Jayaprakash, A.A. (2000) Food and feeding habits of Malabar sole Cynoglossus macrostomus Norman. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India, 42 (1 & 2), 124–134. [https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/1960]
  51. Jayaprakash, A.A. (2001) Length weight relationship and relative condition in Cynoglossus macrostomus Norman and C.arel (Schneider). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India, 43 (1 & 2), 148–154. [https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/1976]
  52. Jenkins, D.S. (1910) On a collection of Indian Pleuronectidae. Memoirs of the Indian Museum, 3, 23.
  53. Joglekar, A. (1976) On a new species of the genus Zebrias Jordan and Snyder, 1900 (Pisces: Soleidae) from Kerala coast (India). Zoologischer Anzeiger, 197 (1–2), 67–70.
  54. Jones, S. (1969) Catalogue of Fishes from the Laccadive Archipelago in the Reference Collections of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. CMFRI Bulletin No. 8. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, Kerala, pp. 29.
  55. Jones, S. & Kumaran, M. (1980) n.k. In: Fishes of the Laccadive archipelago. The Nature and Aquatic Sciences Service, Trivandrum, pp. 649–653.
  56. Joshi, A.M., Rahim, P.E.A., Temkar, G., Desai, A. & Bhatt, A. (2018) Ichthyofaunal Biodiversity of Kharakuva Fish Market, Veraval, Gujarat, India. International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, 9 (5), 596–605. https://doi.org/10.23910/IJBSM/2018.9.5.1902
  57. Kairanna, S.S. & Ganesh, C.B. (2015) Ichthyofaunal diversity and status with reference to physicochemical characteristics in Sharavathi Estuary, Uttara Kannada District. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 2 (3), 171–175.
  58. Khan, M.F. & Nandakumaram, K. (1993) Population dynamics of Malabar sole, Cynoglossus macrostomus Norman along Kerala coast. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 40 (4), 225–230.
  59. Kishorc, S. Benakappa, M.P. & Thomas, S. (2019) Assessment of ichthyofaunal biodiversity of trawling grounds off Malpe coast, Karnataka. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 7 (4), 1022–1026.
  60. Koya, K.P.S., Koya, V.A.K. & Mohammed, F.G. (2022) Lakshadweep Fisher’s Handbook. CMFRI Special Publication No. 136. CMFRI, Kochi, Kerala, 12 pp.
  61. Kumar, J., Benakappa, S., Dineshbabu, A.P., Anjanayappa, H.N., Somashekara, S.R., Naik Kumar, A.S. & Mahesh, V. (2015) Marine Ichthyofaunal biodiversity in the trawling grounds off Mangalore coast. Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences, 46 (6), 879–885.
  62. Kumar, M.A., Venu, S. & Padmavati, G. (2016) Habitat Ecology and Ichthyofaunal Diversity of Two Creeks and Their Associated Streams from Port Blair, South Andaman Islands. International Journal of Ecology, 3, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1649368
  63. Kyle, H.M. (1900) The classifications of the flat fishes (Heterosomata). Scottish Fisheries Research Report, 18 (1899), Pt. 3, 335–368.
  64. Lacepede, B.G.E. (1801) Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Vol. VI. Imprimerie royale, Paris, lxvi + 558, 34 pls.
  65. Lakshmi, S.A. (2010) Interrelationship between the Alimentary Tract, Food and Feeding Habits of Plueronectiform Fishes of Southeast Coast of India. Journal of Experimental Sciences, 1 (6), 1–7.
  66. Link, J.S., Smith, B.E., Packer, D.B., Fogarty, M.J. & Langton, R.W. (2015) The trophic ecology of flatfishes. In: Gibson, R.N., Nash, R.D.M., Geffen, A.J. & van der Veer, H.W. (Eds.), Flatfishes: Biology and Exploitation. 2nd Edition. John Wiley and Sons, West Sussex, pp. 264–297.
  67. Liu, Y. & Cheng, J. (2023) Analyzing the combined effect of multiple environment factors on fish distribution, by means of the mixed distribution-Decomposition Approach, as illustrated by the East China Sea Hairtail. Biology, 12 (7), 1009. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12071009
  68. Madhupratap, M., Nair, K.N.V., Gopalakrishnan, T.C., Haridas, P., Nair, K.K.C., Venugopal, P. & Gauns, M. (2001) Arabian Sea oceanography and fisheries of the west coast of India. Current Science, 81, 355–361.
  69. Maji, D.A., Pradhan, A., Bhattacharya, S. & Mahapatra, B.K. (2016) Morpho-meristic characteristics of a rare species Synaptura commersonnii (Lacepede, 1802) from the North-East coast of India, West Bengal. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 4 (5), 237–241.
  70. Mankodi, P., Sharma, K.J., Singh, S.K. & Bhatt, D.M. (2021) Ichthyofaunal diversity and fishery status of Sutrapada Coast, Gujarat, India. Journal of Fisheries, 09 (2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.17017/j.fish.291
  71. Manojkumar, P.P. (2006) Fishery, biology and stock assessment of Cynoglossus macrostomus (Norman) off Malabar coast. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 53 (4), 441–447. [https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/6274]
  72. Mishra, S.S. & Gopi, K.C. (2017) Fish Diversity of Indian Sundarban and its Resource and Research Prospects. In: Chandra, K., Alfred, J.R.B. & Mitra, B. (Eds.), Fauna of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, pp. 107–127.
  73. Mishra, S., Gouda, R., Nayak, L. & Panigrahy, R.C. (1999) A Checklist of the Marine and Estuarine Fishes of South Orissa, East Coast of India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 97 (3), 81–90. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v97/i3/1999/160125
  74. Mogalekar, H.S., Canciyal, J., Patadia, D.S. & Sudhan, C. (2018) Marine and estuarine fish fauna of Tamil Nadu, India. Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 8 (4), 231–271.
  75. Mohamed, K.S., Muthiah, C., Zacharia, P.U., Sukumaran, K.K., Rohit, P. & Krishnakumar, P.K. (1998) Marine Fisheries of Karnataka State, India. Naga, the ICLARM Quarterly, 21 (2), 10–15. [https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12348/2540]
  76. Mohapatra, A., Mishra, S.S., Bineesh, K.K., Rajendra, S., Ray, D., Mohanty, S.R. & Roy, S. (2020) Pisces. In: Chandra, K., Raghunathan,C. & Mondal,T. (Eds.), Faunal Diversity of Biogeographic Zones: Coasts of India. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, pp. 655–722.
  77. Moorthy, K.S.V., Joseph, M.M. & Joseph, P.S. (1993) An Account of the Flatfishes of the Mangalore Coast and Notes on their Fishery. The 3rd Indian Fisheries Forum Proceedings, India, 1993, 141–150.
  78. Muller, J. (1846) Uber den Bau und die Grenzen der Ganoiden und uber das naturliche System der Fische. Gedruckt in der Druckerei der Königlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Berlin, pp. 117–216.
  79. Nair, R.J. (2006) First record of the Annular sole, Synaptura annularis (Fowler, 1933) (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae) from India. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India, 48 (1), 118–120. https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/1843
  80. Nair, R.J. (2007) Flatfish fishery off Cochin and some aspects of the biology and stock of Malabar sole Cynoglossus macrostomus (Norman). Indian Journal of Fisheries, 54 (1), 45–49. [https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/5852]
  81. Nair, R.J. (2011) Studies on the Flatfish Diversity of India. Ph.D. Thesis, Mahatma Gandhi Univesity, Kottayam, Kerala, pp. 76–658.
  82. Nair, R.J. & Gopalakrishnan, A. (2013) Milk sole fish Aseraggodess kobensis (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae)- a new record from the Western Indian Ocean. Indian Journal of Geo-marine Sciences, 42 (2), 174–176. [https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/9212]
  83. Nair, R.J. & Gopalakrishnan, A. (2014) A Review on the Fisheries, Taxonomy, and Status of Flatfishes in Tropical Waters. Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture, 22 (3), 175–183.
  84. https://doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2014.902917
  85. Nair, R.J. & Gopalakrishnan, A. (2015) A taxonomic note on Crossorhombus azureus (Alcock 1889) (Family: Bothidae, Order: Pleuronectiformes) from the south-west coast of India. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 62 (2), 87–91.
  86. Nair, R.J. & Gopalakrishnan, A. (2016) Studies on Flatfishes of India as a Step Towards Conservation of Resources.1st International Agrobiology Congress, New Delhi, 2016, 1–144.
  87. Nair, R.J. & Kumar, D. (2018) An Overview of the Fish Diversity of Indian Waters. In: Vijayagopal, P. & Peter, R. (Eds.), Training Manual in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology for Fisheries’ Professionals Series No.15-2018. CMFRI, Kochi, pp. 60.
  88. Narasimham, K.A., Rao, G.S., Appanasastry, Y. & Venugopalam, W. (1979) Demersal fishery resources off Kakinada with a Note on economics of commercial trawling. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 26 (1 & 2), 90–100. [https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/669]
  89. Nelson, J.S., Grande, T.C. & Wilson, M.V.H. (2016) Fishes of the World. 5th Edition. John, Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersy, 396 pp.
  90. Norman, J.R. (1927) The flatfishes (Heterosomata) of India, with a list of the specimens in the Indian Museum. Part I. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 29 (1), 7–48. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v29/i1/1927/163224
  91. Norman, J.R. (1928) The flatfishes (Heterosomata) of India with a list of specimens in the Indian Museum. Part II. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 30 (2), 173–215. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v30/i2/1928/163192
  92. Pannikar, N.K. & Jayaraman, R. (1966) Biological and Oceanographic differences between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal as observed from the Indian region. Indian Academy of Sciences, 64, 231–240. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03052161
  93. Parmar, J., Kardani, H., Tandel, L., Tandel, B. & Patel, K. (2022) Ichthyofaunal Diversity of Sikka Coast, Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat. Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research, 40 (2), 120–132
  94. https://doi.org/10.54894/JISCAR.40.2.2022.124900
  95. Patro, R. & Prasad, R. (1981) Chromosomal studies in five Indian flatfishes. Copeia, 1981 (2), 498–503. https://doi.org/10.2307/1444254
  96. Pawar, P.R. (2011) Monitoring of fin-fish resources from Uran coast (Raigad), Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, West coast of India. International Multidisciplinary Research Journal, 1 (10), 8–11. [https://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/imrj/article/view/2687]
  97. Planque, B., Loots, C., Petitgas, P., Lindstrom, U. & Vaz, S. (2023) Understanding what controls the spatial distribution of fish populations using a multi-model approach. Fisheries Oceanography, 20 (1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2419.2010.00546.x
  98. Pradhan, M.J. (1962) Observations on the maturity and spawning of Psettodes erumei (Schneider). Indian Journal of Fisheries, 9A (2), 580–589.
  99. Pradhan, M.J. (1964) A Preliminary Account of the Flatfishes found along the Bombay Coast. The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 61 (2), 456–459.
  100. Quensel, C. (1806) Forsok att narmare bestamma och naturligare uppstalla svenska arterna af flunderslagtet. Kung. Svens. Kungliga Svenska Vetenskapsakademiens Handlingar, 2, 44–56.
  101. Radhamanyamma, P. (1988) Studies on Pleuronectiformes occurring along the south-west coast of India. Ph. D. Thesis, University of Kerala, Kerala, pp. 15–200.
  102. Raedemaecker, R., Brophy, D., O’Connor, I. & Comerford, S. (2012) Habitat Characteristics promoting high density and condition of juvenile flatfish at nursery ground on the west coast of Ireland. Journal of Sea Research, 73, 7–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2012.04.013
  103. Rahangdale, S., Kumar, R., Dineshbabu, A.P. & Gohel, J.K. (2022) New Geographical Record for the two lesser known flatfishes from the North- Eastern Arabian Sea. Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences, 38 (3), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-021-00381-6
  104. Rajan, P.T., Sreeraj, C.R. & Immanuel, T. (2021a) Fishes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Checklist. Journal of the Andaman Science Association, 26 (2), 95–130.
  105. Rajan, R., Mishra, S.S., Shrinivasu, S. & Surendar, C. (2021b) Fishes of Lakshadweep archipelago: new records, review and a revised checklist. Marine Biodiversity Records, 14, 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41200-021-00208-6
  106. Rajaram, R., Srinivasan, M., Khan, S.A. & Kannan, L. (2004) Ichthyofaunal diversity of Great Nicobar Island, Bay of Bengal. Journal of the Indian Fisheries Association, 31, 13–26. [https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/JIFA/article/view/56823]
  107. Ramachandra, T.V., Subhash Chandran ,M.D., Mehta, P. & Joshi, N.V. (2013) Status of Marine Fishery in Uttara Kannada. Sahyadri Conservation Series, 39, 3–75.
  108. Rama Murty, M. & Srinivas Rao, K. (1986) Cynoglossus lachneri Menon (Pices: Cynoglossidae) - a new record from Indian waters (Bay of Bengal, off Vishakhapattanam). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 83, 241–243. [https://biostor.org/reference/153561]
  109. Ramasamy, N., Ramachandran, R., Partheeban, E.C., Anbazhagan, V., Rajendran, R. & Subramanyan, A. (2022a) Seasonal Variation in the Proximate Composition of Flatfishes (Order: Pleuronectiformes) Collected from Cuddalore, Southeast Coast of Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Natural Sciences, 12 (70), 38594–38603.
  110. Ramaswamy, N., Ramachandran, R., Partheeban, E.C., Anbazhagan, V., Rajendran, R. & Subramanyan, A. (2022b) Identification of Heavy Metal Source and Seasonal Variation in Flatfish from Cuddalore Coastal Waters in Southern India. Indian Journal of Natural Sciences, 12 (70), 38642–38653.
  111. Ramaswamy, N., Ramachandran, R., Partheeban, E.C., Anbazhagan, V. & Rajendran, R. (2023) Proximate analysis, amino acid and fatty acid profiles of edible flatfish collected from Cuddalore coast, Southeast India. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 11 (4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2023.103169
  112. Rao, C.V. S. (1991a) Scientific, common and local names of commercially important edible marine fin and shellfishes of Andhra Pradesh. Marine Fisheries Information Service, Technical and Extension Series, 108, 1–10.
  113. Rao, G.C. (1991b) Lakshadweep General Features. In: Director, Zoological Survey of India (Ed.), Fauna of Lakshadweep. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, pp. 5–40.
  114. Ray, D., Roy, A., Bhat, M. & Fernandez, C.L. (2019) Total mercury and methylmercury in commercial marine species from the Goa coast: Constraints on risk assessment and environmental issues. Indian Journal of Geo-marine Sciences, 48 (12), 1925–1932.
  115. Ray, P., Malla, G., Johnson, J.A. & Kuppusamy, S. (2022) An overview of the fish diversity and their threats in the Gowthami-Godavari Estuary in Andhra Pradesh, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 14 (8), 21588–21604.
  116. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.7842.14.8.21588-21604
  117. Russell, P. (1803) Descriptions and figures of two hundred fishes; collected at Vizagapatam on the coast of Coromandel. London. Vols. 1–2. W. Bulmer and Co., Shakspeare Press, London, vii + 78 + 85 + 197 pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.140747
  118. Sahayaraju, K. & Jamet, J. (2021) Loss of marine fish stock in south west India: Examining the causes from the perspective of indigenous fishermen. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 9 (5), 23–29. https://doi.org/10.22271/fish.2021.v9.i5a.2559
  119. Sanaye, S.V., Sreepada, R.A. & Pawar, A.P. (2019) Incidence of ambicolouration in the Malabar tonguesole, Cynoglossus macrostomus (Norman, 1928) collected off Chapora, Goa, central west coast of India. Indian Journal of Geo-marine Sciences, 48 (1), 49–51.
  120. Seshappa, G. (1973) The Flat Fish Resources of the West Coast of India. In: Proceedings of the Symposium on Living Resources of the seas around India. CMFRI, Kochi, pp. 470–482.
  121. Sharma, S.K. & Jaiswar, A.K. (2023) The Occurrence of Cynoglossus macrolepidotus (Bleeker, 1851) and Cynoglossus arel (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) along the Mumbai Coast, India. Uttar Pradesh Journal of Zoology, 44 (19), 106–116. https://doi.org/10.56557/upjoz/2023/v44i193624
  122. Sreekanth, G.B., Lekshmi, M. & Singh, N.P. (2015) Fisheries profile of Zuari estuary. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 3 (2), 24–34. [https://www.fisheriesjournal.com]
  123. Spinner, M., Kortmann, M., Traini, C. & Gorb, S.N. (2016) Key role of scale morphology in flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes) in the ability to keep sand. Scientific Reports, 6 (1), 26308. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep26308
  124. Statkus, R. (2006) Seasonal catch rates of demersal fishes in relation to sediment type and depth range in the Lithuanian exclusive economic zone, Baltic Sea. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 22, 451–455. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.2006.00754.x
  125. Talwar, P.K. & Chakrapany, S. (1967) A new flatfish of the genus Zebrias Jordan and Snyder [Soleidae] from the Orissa coast, India. Proceedings of the Zoological Society, Calcutta, 20 (2), 119–121.
  126. Talwar, P.K., Mukherjee, P., Saha, D., Paul, S.N. & Kar, S. (1992) Marine and Estuarine Fishes. In: Director, Zoological Survey of India (Ed.), State Faunal Series 3, Fauna of West Bengal. Part 2. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, pp. 243–342.
  127. Thomas, S., Dineshbabu, A.P., Rajesh, K.M., Rohit, P., Nataraja, G.D. & Mishal, P. (2016) Environmental influence on the secondary productivity and fish abundance in coastal fishing grounds off Mangalore, south-eastern Arabian Sea. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 63 (3), 24–32. https://doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2016.63.3.52919-03
  128. Tripathy, P.K., Seth, J.K. & Dixit, P.K. (2022) Geometric morphometric analysis of flatfishes of Gopalpur-on-sea, Odisha Coast, India. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 88 (1), 90–103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43538-021-00061-2
  129. Ummath, A., Kashyap, K., Shahulhameed, F.P.P., Valappil, M.R.P., Kalita, S. & Venu, S. (2024) A New Confirmed Distributional Record of Milk Sole, Aseraggodes kobensis (Steindachner 1896), from the Northeastern Indian Ocean. Checklist, 15 (6), 991–995. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-024-00697-z
  130. Vaithilingam, R., Jeacoumar, K., Srinivasan, N.M. & Udhyasuriyan, V. (2021) Checklist of commercially important fishes of Puducherry coastal waters, east coast of India. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 9 (1), 159–166. https://doi.org/10.22271/fish.2021.v9.i1b.2400
  131. Velip, D.T. & Rivonker, C.U. (2015) Trends and composition of trawl bycatch and its implications on tropical fishing grounds off Goa, India. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 2, 65–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2015.08.011
  132. Venkatrayulu, C. & Venkateswarlu, V. (2023) Marine Fish Biodiversity of Nellore District, South East Coast of Andhra Pradesh, India. Biology and Life Sciences Forum, 15 (5), 264–272.
  133. Vijith, V., Anil, A.C., Shankar, D. & Antony, S.P. (2023) Assessing the geographical distribution of carnivorous and planktivorous fishes in the western Bay of Bengal. Ecological Informatics, 74, 101961. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2022.101961
  134. Willughby, F. (1686) De historia piscium libri quatuor, jussu & sumptibus Societatis Regiæ Londinensis editi. Totum opus recognovit, coaptavit, supplevit, librum etiam primum & secundum integros adjecit Johannes Raius e Societate Regia. Theatro Sheldoniano, Oxonii (Oxford), 343 + 30 + 12 (unnumbered) pp.
  135. Yennawar, P., Mohapatra, A., Ray, D. & Tudu, P. (2015) Ichthyofauna of Digha coast, India. In: Venkataraman, K. & Sivaperuman, C. (Eds.), Marine Faunal Diversity in India. Academic Press, New York, New York, pp. 235–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801948-1.00015-X
  136. Yennawar, P., Mohapatra, A. & Tudu, P.C. (2017) An account of Ichthyofauna of Digha coast, West Bengal. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 117 (1), 4–21. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v117/i1/2017/117289