Abstract:
In the present study, the scale characteristics of the three Lutjanus species: L. monostigma, L. ehrenbergi and L. bohar from the Red Sea at Hurghada, Egypt were revealed and taxonomically evaluated in the terms of their morphometry and microstructures using light microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. A wide spectrum of size-free inter-specific scale surface morphological variations were recorded and documented. The scale characters of Lutjanus species from different body regions included the overall form of the scales and their morphometrics, radii number, shape of interradial tongues and first circuli delimiting them, form of interradial circuli and form of their denticles, the outer rostrolateral and inner rostrolateral circuli and form of their denticles, granulation of the caudal field and the shape of ctenii. The quantitative and encoded qualitative scale characters of Lutjanus species are subjected to cluster analysis. Such analysis revealed two main clusters, the first includes L. monostigma, the second one divided into two subculsters, the first includes L. ehrenbargi and the second subculster includes L. bohar. The results were discussed with those of other freshwater and marine fishes in term of functional morphology and taxonomic validity of scale microstructures. In conclusion, the scale morphology and ultrastrucure reflect patterns of variability valuable in species and generic discriminations with implicit of their functional anatomy and habitat adaptations.
Imam A.A. Mekkawy, Egbal T. Wassif and Abdulla A.M. Basmidi, 2011. Scale Characteristics of Three Lutjanus species (Family: Lutjanidae) from the Red Sea, Egypt. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 6: 506-522.
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