Revision of croakers (perciformes: sciaenidae) identification by using integrative approaches

Abstract

The present study describes the meristic and morphometric, comparative analysis and molecular phylogeny of croakers in Peninsular Malaysia. Several series of sampling were carried out in the fish landing port at Terengganu and Kuala Kurau, Perak during March 2013 until December 2014 using commercial trawler. Fifteen species of croakers were caught throughout the study that is Otolithes ruber, Panna microdon, Chrysochir aureus, Larimichthys terengganui, Nibea semifasciata, Pennahia anea, Pennahia argentata, Dendrophysa russelli, Johnius amblycephalus, Johnius belangerii, Johnius boorneensis, Johnius carouna, Johnius macrorhynus, Johnius plagiostoma and Johnius weberi. Fish species were examined for their meristic and morphometric differences. Comparative approach was used to show the distinct measurements between genera and species according to the morphometric parameters.