Taxonomic and Otolith Shape Parameters of Nine Sympatric Catfishes Commercially Harvested in Pakistan

Abstract Accurate reorganization of harvested species is essential for appropriate fisheries monitoring but often unnoticed. In this study, an attempt was made to provide accurate description based on fish taxonomy and otolith shape parameters nine sea catfishes living in Pakistan. The lapillus, the largest catfishes, includes position umbo, structure anterior mesial projection (amp), incisura linea basalis (ilb) sulcus lapilli marks (slm) ariid were evaluated. Discriminant function analysis performed using twenty-two morphometric showed significant variations between length maxillary barbel, adipose preorbital length, which highlighted as basic discriminating characters. Species without barbells, such Batrachocephalus mino Osteogeneiosus militaris , found be distant. taxonomic characters genera Netuma Plicofollis overlapped due a short fin length. Nevertheless, Arius arius Sciades sona Nemapterxy caelatus differed moderate bilineata has rounded snout, while N. thalassina long pointed distinguishing characteristic both species. coincident use effective tool catfish identification could helpful sampling programs management Pakistan whenever implemented.