identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
A44E87E5FFAAC61CFFDF5971FF6BFB38.text	A44E87E5FFAAC61CFFDF5971FF6BFB38.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Echidna nebulosa (Ahl 1789)	<div><p>a. Echidna nebulosa (Ahl, 1789) - Starry Moray</p><p>Observation: The species was recorded from the rocky reefs of Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N, 76°59′28″ E to 8°22′36″ N, 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 1 m on April 27, 2017.</p><p>Diagnosis: Identified by its moderately stout body, short snout, and tubular broad nostrils. The species exhibits three rows of large black blotches adorned with yellowish spots. The dorsal fin originates just before the gill opening.</p><p>Distribution: Widely distributed across the Indo-West Pacific and Eastern Pacific, including the Red Sea, East Africa, the Persian Gulf, and Micronesia.</p><p>Remarks: The species first reported from India in 2002 (Kapoor, 2002). Previously listed from Kerala waters (Baiju et al., 2016; Baiju et al., 2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFAAC61CFFDF5971FF6BFB38	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFAAC61CFFDF5E85FED1FA69.text	A44E87E5FFAAC61CFFDF5E85FED1FA69.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Gymnothorax javanicus (Bleeker 1859)	<div><p>b. Gymnothorax javanicus (Bleeker, 1859) - Giant Moray</p><p>Observation: Recorded from Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N, 76°59′28″ E to 8°22′36″ N, 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 3 m on April 13, 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: Largest moray eel species with a robust body, reaching up to 2 m in length and 70 kg in weight. It has a dorsal fin originating just before the gill opening and eyes positioned over the middle of the upper jaw. The body coloration features darker brown or black markings arranged in irregular rows.</p><p>Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, recorded throughout the Red Sea to East Africa.</p><p>Remarks: The species first reported in Indian waters by (Kapoor, 2002), and subsequently documented from the Kerala coast (Baiju et al., 2016; Baiju et al., 2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFAAC61CFFDF5E85FED1FA69	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFAAC61CFFDF5C35FB58F909.text	A44E87E5FFAAC61CFFDF5C35FB58F909.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Ostorhinchus moluccensis (Valenciennes 1832)	<div><p>c. Ostorhinchus moluccensis (Valenciennes, 1832) - Moluccan Cardinalfish</p><p>Observation: Sighted in pairs at Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E to 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at 2 m depth on March 8, 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: Characterized by a fluorescent snout, light brown to tan posterior, and three prominent body stripes.</p><p>Distribution: Indo-Pacific, recorded from the East Indies and Northern Australia to Fiji.</p><p>Remarks: Occurs inshore, primarily in silty habitats. Previously listed by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFAAC61CFFDF5C35FB58F909	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFAAC61DFFDF5CD2FE28FEBD.text	A44E87E5FFAAC61DFFDF5CD2FE28FEBD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Ostorhinchus cookii (Macleay 1881)	<div><p>d. Ostorhinchus cookii (Macleay, 1881) - Cook's Cardinalfish</p><p>Observation: Recorded at Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N, 76°59′28″ E to 8°22′36″ N, 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 2 m on April 27, 2017.</p><p>Diagnosis: Moderately elongated body with 5-6 dark and white lateral stripes, ending in a distinct black spot at the caudal fin base.</p><p>Distribution: Widely distributed across the Indo-West Pacific, including the Red Sea, East Africa, and the Persian Gulf.</p><p>Remarks: Prefers shallow, protected waters near rocky or coral reefs. Previously listed by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019); Saravanan and Rohit, 2017.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFAAC61DFFDF5CD2FE28FEBD	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF5922FC73FC54.text	A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF5922FC73FC54.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Chaetodon trifasciatus (Park 1797)	<div><p>g. Chaetodon trifasciatus (Park, 1797) - Melon Butterflyfish</p><p>Observation: Recorded at Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N, 76°59′28″ E to 8°22′36″ N, 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 2 m on February 3, 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: Small, oval, laterally compressed body with complex coloration including dark brown on the forehead, pale yellow ventrally, and bluish dorsally. Alternating yellow and black stripes on fins.</p><p>Distribution: Indian Ocean, from East Africa to the Andaman Sea.</p><p>Remarks: The species was previously listed by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF5922FC73FC54	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF5E19FBA8FB4F.text	A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF5E19FBA8FB4F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Cirrhitichthys aureus (Temminck & Schlegel 1842)	<div><p>h. Cirrhitichthys aureus (Temminck &amp; Schlegel, 1842) - Yellow Hawkfish</p><p>Observation: Recorded at Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N, 76°59′28″ E to 8°22′36″ N, 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 2 m on February 23, 2014.</p><p>Diagnosis: Moderately elongated body with a pointed snout and five vertical yellowish-brown blotches. The anterior part is bright yellow, transitioning to dark brown posteriorly.</p><p>Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, from India to Japan and Taiwan.</p><p>Remarks: The species was previously recorded by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF5E19FBA8FB4F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF5F1DFBB2F910.text	A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF5F1DFBB2F910.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Cirrhitichthys bleekeri Day 1874	<div><p>i. Cirrhitichthys bleekeri Day, 1874</p><p>Common Name: Hawkfish</p><p>Observation Site: Rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E; 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 1.6 m on 23rd February 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: Moderately elongated body with a pointed snout. A hinge is present above the eyes, leading to a curved forehead. Preopercular spines are evident. The anterior part of the body is pale yellow, transitioning to dark brown towards the posterior end. The dorsal spine terminates in tufts of cirri. The dorsal fin has an extended, unbranched ray, with the distal ends of the posterior dorsal fin being transparent. The caudal fin is characterized by brown spots.</p><p>Distribution: Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Reunion, and the east coast of India.</p><p>Remarks: Originally described by Day, (1874) from the east coast of India. Randall (1963) validated the species. Recent records include (Baiju et al., 2016; Baiju et al., 2019) and (Ramachandran et al., 2020) from the Kerala coast.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF5F1DFBB2F910	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF5B01FCF9FE5E.text	A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF5B01FCF9FE5E.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Gerres oyena (Forsskal 1775)	<div><p>e. Gerres oyena (Forsskål, 1775) - Common Silver-Biddy</p><p>Observation: Recorded at Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E to 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 1.6 m on March 1, 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: Brownish-green body with 6-8 pale vertical bands; distinctively colored fins, with dull yellow anal and pelvic fins.</p><p>Distribution: Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf to the western Pacific.</p><p>Remarks: Previously recorded by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF5B01FCF9FE5E	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF582EFE4FFD59.text	A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF582EFE4FFD59.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Scolopsis bimaculata (Ruppell 1828)	<div><p>f. Scolopsis bimaculata (Rüppell, 1828) - Thumbprint Monocle Bream</p><p>Observation: Recorded at Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E to 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 1.6 m on February 28, 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: Grey dorsal side with a silvery belly, a fluorescent line on the forehead, and a black "thumbprint" mark on the upper middle body.</p><p>Distribution: Indian Ocean, previously recorded in Tamil Nadu (Mogalekar et al., 2018). Remarks: The species was previously listed by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFABC61DFFDF582EFE4FFD59	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFABC61EFFDF5CDDFBA8FE98.text	A44E87E5FFABC61EFFDF5CDDFBA8FE98.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Cirrhitus pinnulatus (Forster 1801)	<div><p>j. Cirrhitus pinnulatus (Forster, 1801)</p><p>Common Name: Stocky Hawkfish</p><p>Observation Site: Rocky reefs of Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N, 76°59′28″ E; 8°22′36″ N, 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 2 m on 1st December 2014.</p><p>Diagnosis: Moderately elongated and robust body with a short, blunt snout. A prominent cluster of cirri is visible on the hind edge of the anterior nostril. The body is green-olivaceous with black spots, and three rows of white blotches run along the lateral sides. Fin rays are distinctly brown.</p><p>Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Marquesas Islands, Mangareva, southern Japan, the Hawaiian Islands, and south to the Kermadec and Rapa Islands.</p><p>Remarks: The species was previously recorded by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFABC61EFFDF5CDDFBA8FE98	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF5B64FB41FD23.text	A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF5B64FB41FD23.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Halichoeres nebulosus (Valenciennes 1839)	<div><p>k. Halichoeres nebulosus (Valenciennes, 1839)</p><p>Common Name: Nebulous Wrasse</p><p>Observation Site: Rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E; 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 1.6 m on 1st March 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: Morphologically adapted for cryptic coloration, mimicking rocky reef habitats. Identified by a black ocellus outlined by light green in the middle of the dorsal fin. Juveniles exhibit a green tint with yellow spots, pink markings below the eyes, and on the belly, indicating a developing specimen.</p><p>Distribution: Red Sea, coasts of India, Malay Archipelago, the Philippines, and Australia.</p><p>Remarks: The species was previously recorded by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019) from the Kerala coast.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF5B64FB41FD23	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF5E19FB36FA85.text	A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF5E19FB36FA85.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Naso unicornis (Forsskal 1775)	<div><p>m. Naso unicornis (Forsskal, 1775)</p><p>Common Name: Blue Spine Unicornfish</p><p>Observation Site: Rocky reefs of Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N, 76°59′28″ E; 8°22′36″ N, 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 2 m on 6th June 2014.</p><p>Diagnosis: Greenish-grey body with a unique bony horn in front of the eyes. Two blue plates with knife-like spines on either side of the caudal peduncle. The dorsal and ventral fin margins are white in juveniles and bluish fluorescent in adults. The caudal fin transitions from emarginate with a white distal margin in young individuals to a truncated shape with filamentous lobes in adults.</p><p>Distribution: Tropical reef waters of the Indo-Pacific.</p><p>Remarks: The species was previously recorded by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019) from the coast.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF5E19FB36FA85	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF5C87FB36F80C.text	A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF5C87FB36F80C.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Sphyraena obtusata Cuvier 1829	<div><p>o. Sphyraena obtusata Cuvier, 1829</p><p>Common Name: Obtuse Barracuda</p><p>Observation Site: Rocky reefs of Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N, 76°59′28″ E; 8°22′36″ N, 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 1 m on 3rd February 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: Elongated, sub-cylindrical body. Long, pointed snout. Color varies from pale brown to greyish yellow. A yellow line runs from the snout tip above the eye to the caudal fin base. Caudal fin is pale yellow.</p><p>Distribution: Red Sea, Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to Samoa, south to Lord Howe Islands.</p><p>Remarks: The species was previously recorded by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019) from the coast.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF5C87FB36F80C	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF58E8FB41FC54.text	A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF58E8FB41FC54.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Thalassoma jansenii (Bleeker 1856)	<div><p>l. Thalassoma jansenii (Bleeker, 1856)</p><p>Common Name: Jansen’s Wrasse</p><p>Observation Site: Rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E; 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 1.6 m on 18th January 2016.</p><p>Diagnosis: Exhibits cryptic coloration. Juveniles have a green tint with yellow spots. Adults display dark green dorsal coloration with yellow vertical bands, and pale yellow ventrally.</p><p>Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Maldives to Fiji, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.</p><p>Remarks: The species was previously recorded by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019) from the Kerala coast.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF58E8FB41FC54	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF5F56F9A8F935.text	A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF5F56F9A8F935.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Zebrasoma desjardinii (Bennett 1836)	<div><p>n. Zebrasoma desjardinii (Bennett, 1836)</p><p>Observation Site: Rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E; 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 1.6 m on 11th February 2018.</p><p>Diagnosis: Large dorsal fin. White and dark stripes on the head, more pronounced in juveniles. The body exhibits linear vertical yellow lines ending in yellow spots on the belly. Dorsal and anal fins are adorned with yellow spots. The caudal peduncle contains a scalpellike spine.</p><p>Distribution: Indian Ocean: East Africa, Red Sea to the Andaman Sea, western Sumatra, and rare occurrences at Christmas Island.</p><p>Remarks: The species was previously recorded by Zacharia et al., (2008) from Karnataka coast and Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFA8C61EFFDF5F56F9A8F935	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFA9C61FFFDF58E8FB6EFBAF.text	A44E87E5FFA9C61FFFDF58E8FB6EFBAF.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Pardachirus pavoninus (Lacepede 1802)	<div><p>q. Pardachirus pavoninus (Lacepède, 1802)</p><p>Common Name: Peacock Sole</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed in the rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E to 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 1.6 m on 13 January 2017.</p><p>Diagnosis: The species is highly camouflaged against the sandy bottom. The body is brownish yellow with dense spotting, with spots of various shapes and sizes. These spots are grey with black centers and black edges. The eyes are positioned on the dorsal side of the body.</p><p>Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Sri Lanka eastward to Samoa and Tonga, north to Japan, and south to Onslow and Australia.</p><p>Remarks: This species was previously recorded in the author's studies (Baiju et al., 2016; Baiju et al., 2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFA9C61FFFDF58E8FB6EFBAF	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFA9C61FFFDF5AD4FAADFD23.text	A44E87E5FFA9C61FFFDF5AD4FAADFD23.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Sphyraena qenie Klunzinger 1870	<div><p>p. Sphyraena qenie Klunzinger, 1870</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed in the rocky reefs of Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N, 76°59′28″ E to 8°22′36″ N, 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 1 m on 18 January 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: The species has a comparatively elongated body, which is sub-cylindrical or slightly laterally compressed. The head is long and pointed, with a nearly horizontal, large mouth. The elongated jaws have a considerably projecting lower jaw. The opercula are demarcated by black edges. The dorsal fins are widely spaced and separated, with the second dorsal fin originating just behind the anal fin and positioned closer to the caudal fin. The caudal fin is forked with a pair of small lobes at the posterior margin. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are darker at the base and transition to a transparent white at the distal ends. The body is marked with multiple dark bars crossing the lateral line, which originates just above the pectoral fin and extends to the caudal base.</p><p>Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and East Africa to the central Indian Ocean and French Polynesia. Eastern Pacific: Mexico and Panama.</p><p>Remarks: This species was previously listed in the two consecutive studies Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFA9C61FFFDF5AD4FAADFD23	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFA9C61FFFDF5E7CFB4AFA70.text	A44E87E5FFA9C61FFFDF5E7CFB4AFA70.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Sufflamen chrysopterum (Bloch & Schneider 1801)	<div><p>r. Sufflamen chrysopterum (Bloch &amp; Schneider, 1801)</p><p>Common Name: Half-moon Triggerfish</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed in the rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E to 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 1.6 m on 29 October 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: The juvenile specimen exhibited a yellowish dorsal region, a white ventral region, and black lateral coloration. Adult specimens display variable color patterns, with a mixed body coloration and a whitish tinge on the dorsal side. The jaws and lips have a whitish coloration. A distinct light-yellow bar runs through the pectoral base. The posterior ends of the dorsal and anal fins are transparent. The caudal fin is triangular, truncate, and yellowish, with a white margin.</p><p>Distribution: Widely distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific region, from the Persian Gulf and East Africa to Samoa, north to southern Japan, and south to Lord Howe Island.</p><p>Remarks: This species was previously recorded and listed in studies by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFA9C61FFFDF5E7CFB4AFA70	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFACC61BFFDF5C79FEC4FE28.text	A44E87E5FFACC61BFFDF5C79FEC4FE28.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Dendrochirus zebra (Cuvier 1829)	<div><p>a. Dendrochirus zebra (Cuvier, 1829)</p><p>Common Name: Zebra Turkeyfish</p><p>Observation: The species was observed and photographed in the rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E to 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 2 m on 19 April 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: The body is moderately elongated and laterally compressed, with a broad head. The snout is blunt, and the eyes are large, with cirri present anteriorly. The body is dark brown with 12 white stripes. The post-pectoral stripes (4th and 5th) originate from the ventral side, bifurcate at the lateral line, and merge with the dorsal spine. The 6 th to 9th stripes is separated. The dorsal spine has alternating dark and white bands. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fin (median fins) rays have dark spots, while the extended pectoral fin rays are white. The species is commonly found on rocky reef flats, in sheltered areas such as caves and creeks, and rarely forms small aggregations.</p><p>Distribution: This species is distributed across the Red Sea, East and South Africa, extending eastward to the Marshall Islands, Samoa, and Tonga, and northward to southern Japan and the Ogasawara Islands. It is also found southward to Shark Bay (Western Australia), Lord Howe, and Norfolk Islands. The native distribution of zebra turkey fish was reported from the Indo-Pacific region, span from the Red Sea to Indonesia and eastern Australia.</p><p>Remarks: The species is frequently found around the rocky reefs of Kerala. It was previously documented in studies by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFACC61BFFDF5C79FEC4FE28	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFADC61BFFDF5F56FBAEF911.text	A44E87E5FFADC61BFFDF5F56FBAEF911.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Apogonichthyoides cathetogramma (Tanaka 1917)	<div><p>d. Apogonichthyoides cathetogramma (Tanaka, 1917)</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed in the rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E; 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 2 m on 22nd March 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: The body is moderately robust and laterally compressed. The snout is blunt, with large eyes featuring a yellow-margined iris. The species is characterized by a cocktail-like color pattern: the anterior region (snout) is comparatively darker, transitioning to light brown on the trunk, and ultimately white on the tail. Two vertical bands are present on the lateral sides, one at the beginning of the first dorsal fin and the other at the second dorsal fin, extending to the anterior margins of the dorsal fins.</p><p>Distribution: China, East China Sea, Gulf of Aqaba, Gulf of Eilat, Japan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands.</p><p>Remarks: This species was previously recorded by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFADC61BFFDF5F56FBAEF911	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFADC61BFFDF59C2FB3CFA85.text	A44E87E5FFADC61BFFDF59C2FB3CFA85.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Caprodon longimanus (Gunther 1859)	<div><p>c. Caprodon longimanus (Günther, 1859)</p><p>Common Name: Pink Maomao</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed in the rocky reefs of Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N, 76°59′28″ E to 8°22′36″ N, 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 1 m on 14 December 2013.</p><p>Diagnosis: The pink maomao is distinguished by its elongated pectoral fins, which extend beyond the head, a long-based dorsal fin, and a slightly forked caudal fin. The body is entirely pink, with males exhibiting color variations where the dorsal, caudal, anal, and pelvic fins appear yellowish.</p><p>Distribution: This species distributed throughout the eastern and western South Pacific (Anderson and Heemstra, 2012).</p><p>Remarks: The species was previously recorded in the studies by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFADC61BFFDF59C2FB3CFA85	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFADC61BFFDF5BF5FE88FC79.text	A44E87E5FFADC61BFFDF5BF5FE88FC79.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Parascorpaena picta (Cuvier 1829)	<div><p>b. Parascorpaena picta (Cuvier, 1829)</p><p>Common Name: Northern Scorpionfish</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed in the rocky reefs of Mulloor (8°22′04″ N, 77°00′11″ E to 8°22′02″ N, 77°00′12″ E) at a depth of 1.5 m on 19 April 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: The species has a deep, robust body with a short, blunt snout and a large, rounded head. It is characterized by a mottled red to brown or greenish-brown coloration. The iris has reddish bands, and the lips exhibit light and dark bars. Adult individuals have branched upper pectoral rays, a posterior lacrimal spine, and a fused first and second suborbital ridge forming a single ridge. Two blunt spines are present behind the orbit level on the suborbital ridge. The occipital pit is well-developed. The species is typically associated with rocky, pebbly substrates and often hides in reef crevices for camouflage.</p><p>Distribution: The species natively occurs in the Indo-West Pacific, particularly in Southeast Asia and Australian waters. Reports indicate its presence in Indian coastal waters and the Laccadive, although further confirmation of its distribution in Indian waters is needed.</p><p>Remarks: The species is commonly found camouflaged in rock crevices. It was previously documented in studies by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFADC61BFFDF5BF5FE88FC79	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFADC604FFDF5CDDFBAEFECD.text	A44E87E5FFADC604FFDF5CDDFBAEFECD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Gerres microphthalmus Iwatsuki, Kimura & Yoshino 2002	<div><p>e. Gerres microphthalmus Iwatsuki, Kimura &amp; Yoshino, 2002</p><p>Common Name: Small-eyed whip fin mojarra</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed as a pair and photographed in the rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E; 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 2.5 m on 23rd February 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: The body is laterally compressed, oblong, and slender, with a gently convex antero-dorsal profile. The dorsal region exhibits a light brown-greenish hue, while the ventral side is silvery. The species features 9-10 faint black vertical bands dorsolaterally. The dorsal fin is irregular, and the caudal fin is deeply forked with short, equal-length lobes. The distal end of the caudal fin is edged in black, with the lower caudal lobe featuring a fluorescent margin. The pectoral and anal fins are short and have fluorescent margins at their distal ends.</p><p>Distribution: Northwest Pacific, southern Japan.</p><p>Remarks: This species was previously recorded by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFADC604FFDF5CDDFBAEFECD	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFB2C604FFDF5978FBA8FB75.text	A44E87E5FFB2C604FFDF5978FBA8FB75.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Chaetodon plebeius Cuvier 1831	<div><p>g. Chaetodon plebeius Cuvier, 1831</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed in the rocky reefs of Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N, 76°59′28″ E; 8°22′36″ N, 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 2 m on 3 rd February 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: The body is oval-shaped and laterally compressed. The species has a small, protractile mouth with a short snout, adapted for feeding on small zooplankton and coral polyps. A black vertical band with a fluorescent edge runs through the eyes and extends to the ventral side. The overall body color is yellow, with a faint fluorescent blotch on the sides. A white-edged black blotch is present on the caudal peduncle. The dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins are brilliant yellow. The caudal fin is yellow, with a deep, intense coloration at the center, fading to a transparent edge distally.</p><p>Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. This species is commonly found in tropical marine waters throughout the Indo-Australian Archipelago, extending north to Japan and east to Fiji.</p><p>Remarks: The species was previously recorded by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFB2C604FFDF5978FBA8FB75	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFB2C604FFDF5F39FC9BF9DB.text	A44E87E5FFB2C604FFDF5F39FC9BF9DB.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Hemiglyphidodon plagiometopon (Bleeker 1852)	<div><p>h. Hemiglyphidodon plagiometopon (Bleeker, 1852)</p><p>Common Name: Lagoon Damselfish</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed from the rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E to 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 1.6 m on March 1, 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: One of the larger damselfish species, characterized by a dark brown body. The median fins and base of the pectoral fins are generally darker. A faint blue tint extends from the snout to the beginning of the dorsal fin. A distinct spot is present on the upper edge of the caudal peduncle.</p><p>Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, including the Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific. Found in the Andaman Sea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, northern Australia, and New Caledonia.</p><p>Remarks: The species has not yet been reported from Indian waters.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFB2C604FFDF5F39FC9BF9DB	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFB2C604FFDF5B9EFB61FCB4.text	A44E87E5FFB2C604FFDF5B9EFB61FCB4.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Upeneus oligospilus Lachner 1954	<div><p>f. Upeneus oligospilus Lachner, 1954</p><p>Common Name: Short-fin goatfish</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed in the rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E; 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 1.6 m on 8th March 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: A wide black horizontal stripe extends from the tip of the snout along the middle of the body, reaching the caudal base. The dorsal and ventral body shades are distinctly different, with the ventral side being darker and featuring brown blotches. The observed specimen's fins are characterized by a series of dark brown or black bars: three on the upper caudal-fin lobe and 3-4 on the lower lobe.</p><p>Distribution: Western Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf.</p><p>Remarks: This record from the Arabian Sea extends the known range of this species from the southwestern Atlantic to the western Indian Ocean. The species was previously listed in the author's studies (Baiju et al., 2016; Baiju et al., 2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFB2C604FFDF5B9EFB61FCB4	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFB2C605FFDF5CA0FBBCFE98.text	A44E87E5FFB2C605FFDF5CA0FBBCFE98.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Neoglyphidodon bonang (Bleeker 1852)	<div><p>i. Neoglyphidodon bonang (Bleeker, 1852)</p><p>Common Name: Ocellated Damsel</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed on the rocky reefs of Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N to 76°59′28″ E and 8°22′36″ N to 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 2 m on December 15, 2013.</p><p>Diagnosis: The body is predominantly orange, with yellow on the ventral side and bright orange on the upper body. Blue fluorescent spots are scattered along the anterior dorsal side. A comparatively large black spot, edged with a blue circle, is present at the junction of the dorsal fin and body.</p><p>Distribution: The species widely reported along the Indo-West Pacific, spans from Sri Lanka to the Indo-Australian Archipelago, including adjacent island ecosystems like Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and the Solomon Islands.</p><p>Remarks: Previously recorded in the two studies by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFB2C605FFDF5CA0FBBCFE98	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFB3C605FFDF5B65FC4DFD7E.text	A44E87E5FFB3C605FFDF5B65FC4DFD7E.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Diproctacanthus xanthurus (Bleeker 1856)	<div><p>j. Diproctacanthus xanthurus (Bleeker, 1856)</p><p>Common Name: Yellowtail Tubelip</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed on the rocky reefs of Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N to 76°59′28″ E and 8°22′36″ N to 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 2 m on May 14, 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: The species can be identified by three broad, horizontally running lines with a centrally placed yellow shaded line that begins from the tip of the snout and passing through the eye and reaching to the base of the caudal peduncle. The central line is yellow, while the upper dorsal and ventral sides are greyish white.</p><p>Distribution: The species with extensive distribution pattern along the Western Central Pacific, along with regional reports from Philippines, Palau, Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.</p><p>Remarks: Previously recorded in the studies by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFB3C605FFDF5B65FC4DFD7E	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFB3C605FFDF58CFFBBEFB89.text	A44E87E5FFB3C605FFDF58CFFBBEFB89.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Halichoeres binotopsis (Bleeker 1849)	<div><p>k. Halichoeres binotopsis (Bleeker, 1849)</p><p>Common Name: Banded Rainbowfish / Saowisata Wrasse</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed from the rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E to 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 1.6 m on January 18, 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: The body coloration is yellowish-green, with a darker green dorsal side and a yellowish-green ventral side. The snout and head region bear brown spots that form horizontal lines extending to the caudal peduncle. Distinguished by the prominent horizontal line pattern on the cheek (Kuiter and Tonozuka, 2001).</p><p>Distribution: Western Pacific, including Singapore, West New Guinea, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.</p><p>Remarks: Previously recorded by the author's studies (Baiju et al., 2016; Baiju et al., 2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFB3C605FFDF58CFFBBEFB89	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFB3C605FFDF5E52FC73FA3B.text	A44E87E5FFB3C605FFDF5E52FC73FA3B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Halichoeres leucurus (Walbaum 1792)	<div><p>l. Halichoeres leucurus (Walbaum, 1792)</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed on the rocky reefs of Vizhinjam (8°22′32″ N to 76°59′28″ E and 8°22′36″ N to 76°59′32″ E) at a depth of 2 m on February 3, 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: Recognized by its grey body and head bearing orange markings under natural light. Three to four light green blotches are present along the middle line of the body. The fins are margined with a light blue hue.</p><p>Distribution: Western Pacific, from the Philippines to New Guinea, north to the Yaeyama Islands, south to Flores, Indonesia, and Palau in Micronesia.</p><p>Remarks: The species was previously listed by Baiju et al., (2016), Baiju et al., (2019).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFB3C605FFDF5E52FC73FA3B	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
A44E87E5FFB3C606FFDF5F83FD17FDC8.text	A44E87E5FFB3C606FFDF5F83FD17FDC8.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Cantherhines sandwichiensis (Quoy & Gaimard 1824)	<div><p>m. Cantherhines sandwichiensis (Quoy &amp; Gaimard, 1824)</p><p>Common Name: Sandwich Isle Filefish</p><p>Observation Site: The species was observed and photographed from the rocky reefs of Kovalam (8°23′34.6″ N, 76°58′24.2″ E to 8°23′34.4″ N, 76°58′21.6″ E) at a depth of 1.6 m on March 22, 2015.</p><p>Diagnosis: A monocanthid species characterized by a prominent spine in the first dorsal fin. The body is laterally compressed and truncated, with a protruding snout and whitish lips. The body color changes to slightly yellowish with age. Fins are light yellow, and the upper part of the caudal peduncle bears a distinct white spot, which serves as a key identification mark.</p><p>Distribution: Eastern Central Pacific, primarily in the Hawaiian Islands.</p><p>Remarks: The species has not yet been reported from Indian waters.</p><p>Diversity and Distribution</p><p>The present study compared the recorded species diversity within various families to previously documented records from different regions of India. The analysis strongly validates the advantages of the Underwater Visual Census (UVC) method over other survey techniques employed in previous studies across the country. A total of 31 species from various families were newly documented in this study, which had not been previously reported from Indian waters. These include species from Muraenidae (2 species), Scorpaenidae (2 species), Serranidae (1 species), Apogonidae (4 species), Gerreidae (2 species), Nemipteridae (1 species), Mullidae (1 species), Cirrhitidae (2 species), Chaetodontidae (2 species), Pomacentridae (2 species), Labridae (5 species), Acanthuridae (2 species), Sphyraenidae (2 species), Paralichthyidae (1 species), Monocanthidae (1 species), and Balistidae (1 species) (Table 4).</p><p>Species Distribution and Habitat Variability in the Rocky Reefs of Kerala</p><p>The UVC method was employed to map the species distribution at depths across 1–15 meters in the rocky reef ecosystems of the study area. The prediction model of species distribution pattern for 15–30 meters was extrapolated with the species distribution data recorded at the depth of 1–10 meters. Based on this, the study was able to predict the possibilities of 1–3 additional species per family likely due to depth-related habitat expansion. These results emphasizes the importance of UVC surveys and the need for advanced and extensive surveys to assess the diversity of deepwater rocky reef habitats along the Kerala coast. The species distribution prediction at 15–30 meters depth was achieved using the following methods:</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A44E87E5FFB3C606FFDF5F83FD17FDC8	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	PT, Baiju;Pereira FG, Benno;MR, Sethu;Mol VP, Limna;MP, Prabhakaran;V, Jayaprakas	PT, Baiju, Pereira FG, Benno, MR, Sethu, Mol VP, Limna, MP, Prabhakaran, V, Jayaprakas (2025): New Distributional Records of 31 Marine Fish Species from Rocky Reefs of Kerala: Insights from Underwater Visual Census on the Southwest Coast of India. Species (e 24 s 3127) 26 (77): 1-26, DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127, URL: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e24s3127
