An updated inventory of cardinalfishes (Kurtiformes: Apogonidae) in Indian waters with emphasis on distribution patterns and conservation status
Volume 67 Issue 2
Rekha J. Nair, Dinesh Kumar Sivasankaran and K. M. Vishnupriya
doi:10.6024/jmbai.2025.67.2.2590-04
Abstract
Long-term, standardised biodiversity monitoring is essential for elucidating temporal diversity patterns and evaluating the success of ongoing conservation strategies. As a part of the continuous biodiversity assessment of marine resources, an updated checklist of fish species of the family Apogonidae liste in India is provided. This checklist identifies 88 species in 26 genera in India namely Apogon (2 species), Apogonichthys (1 species), Apogonichthyoides (9 species), Archamia (1 species), Chelidopterus (7 species), Fibramia (2), Foa (1); Fowleria (3),Glossamia (2), Gymnapogon (1), Holapogon (1), Jaydia (7), Lepidamia (2), Neamia (1), Nectamia (3), Ostorhinchus (27), Pristiapogon (2), Pristicon (2), Pseudamia (1), Rhabdamia (1), Siphamia (1), Sphaeramia (1),Taeniamia (5), Verulux (1), Yarica (1) and Zoramia (2). The majority of species are currently categorised as ‘Least Concern’ or remain ‘Not Evaluated’ under the IUCN Red List. The present checklist provides information that is crucial for formulating effective management strategies to ensure the protection and conservation of apogonids, which constitute an important marine resource.
