MISCELLANEOUS NOTES Kudremukh National Park (13° 06' N; 75° 18' E). According to presence in the forests of Kodagu, which are contiguous with the previous reports, this gecko is known to occur on walls of the Kudremukh hills, needs to be confirmed. houses, barks of trees, lichen-covered black granite rocks (Jadhav etal. 1991 :Tikader and Sharma 1992; Gin and Bauer 2006). In ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS addition to spotting the adult geckos on walls and crevices of buildings, barks and within buttresses of trees, we have also We thank the Karnataka Forest Department and their seen many individuals on huge rocks along the river courses in staff for funding, permission and support. We thank the nights. We found the gecko from 40-820 m above msl. Dr. Karthikeyan Vasudevan, Shri. Vijay Ranjan Singh and It is thus noteworthy to mention this new locality report, Shri. M.S. Chaitra for their guidance, support and which extends the distribution of this species by c. 150 km encouragement. Thanks to Mr. Varad Giri for the information (aerial distance) towards south. This suggests that this species he provided. We thank Mr. Shashank Dalvi and Ms. Swapna ranges widely throughout the central Western Ghats and its N. for their support during the survey. REFERENCES Glri, V. & A.M. Bauer (2006): Notes on the distribution, natural history Smith, M.A. (1935): The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and and variation of Hemidactylusprashadi Smith, 1935. Hamadryad Burma: Reptilia and Amphibia. Volume II: Sauria. Taylor & 30: 55-60. Francis, London, xiii + 440 pp. + 1 plate. Jadhav, S.P., L.T. Mote & P.K. Vadar(1991): Ecological notes on niche Tikader, B.K. & R.C. Sharma (1992): The Handbook of Indian Lizards. of new and rare geckonid lizard, Hemidactylus prashadi. Geobios Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. xv + 250 pp. + 42 plates. New Reports 10: 69-70. Vasudevan, K., M. Singh, V.R. Singh, M.S. Chaitra, R.S. Naniwadekar, Sharma, R.C. (2002): The fauna of India and the adjacent countries. V. Deepak & N. Swapna (2006): Survey of biological diversity Reptilia, Volume II (Sauria). Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. in Kudremukh forest complex, Karnataka. Final Survey Report xxv + 430 pp. of Kudremukh WL Division. 12. OCCURRENCE OF FLYING FISH, CHE1LOPOGON ABEI PARIN. 1996 FROM NEARSHORE WATERS OF THE NORTH-WEST COAST OF INDIA SUJIT SUNDARAM1 ‘Mumbai Research Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, 2nd Floor, C.I.F.E old campus. Fisheries University Road, Seven Bungalows, Andheri (W). Versova, Mumbai 400 061. Maharashtra. India. Email: [email protected] Introduction (1957), and Pajot and Prabhakaradu (1993) described the Flying fish (Family: Exocoetidae) are common in flying fish fishery' along the Coromandel coast, south-east tropical and subtropical waters. They form an important India. fishery resource world over, especially in countries such as Sundaram and Sarang (2003) and Kizhakudan et al. Indonesia, Japan (Parin 1960), USA (Herald 1969). West (2002) have reported the species Cheilopogon furcatus Africa (Gibbs 1981) etc. Parin (1961) gave an account of the (Mitchill 1815) from Mumbai and Veraval waters respectively. Exocoetid fauna of the Indian Ocean, and Day (1877, 1889) Three other species of flying fish Cheilopogon nigricans has described six species of flying fish from India. (Bennett 1840), Cheilopogon suttoni (Whitley & Colefax, Since flying fishes are capable of leaping out of water 1938) and Hirundichthys oxycephalus (Bleeker 1852) were and gliding for short distances above the surface they are also reported from Mumbai waters (Kamble et al. 2007). commonly called as ‘Hying mullet' and they are a significant component of the epipelagic food chain (Parin 1968). In Material and Methods Maharashtra, they are locally known as ‘Kawla maasa' During May 2007. about 75 kg of flying fishes were meaning ‘Crow fish'. Flying fishes have been occasionally landed by trawlers at New Ferry Wharf (Bhaucha Dhakka), reported from different centres along the coastal strip of India. Mumbai, Maharashtra. The depth of fishing operation was at Rao and Basheeruddin (1973) gave an account of the fishery 20-30 m, 50-60 km off north-west coast in Mumbai waters. of the species Parexocoetus brachypterus brachypterus About 2 kg of sample was brought to the laboratory for (Richardson), including the size-composition, sex-ratio, identification and further biological analysis. Total length was maturity studies and diet from Madras (=Chennai) waters. measured using a digital calliper and total weight (±0.01 gm) Development of egg and larvae studies was carried out by was determined using an electronic balance after the Vijayaragavan (1973). Homell (1923), Arora and Banerji specimens were dried on blotting paper. The measurements 254 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 107 (3), Sep-Dec 2010 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES were taken as described by CMFRI (1995). Four specimens Table 1: Morphometric and meristic characteristics ranging in total length from 222-247 mm with the of Cheilopogon abei corresponding body weight ranging from 73.86-92.17 gm Specimen Specimen Specimen Specimen were studied for morphometric and meristic characters. 1 2 3 4 Results and Discussion Morphometric (mm) Total length 222 232 237 247 The species was identified as Cheilopogon abei Parin. Standard length 165 179 188 193 1996 (Family: Exocoetidae. Order: Beloniformes and Class: Fork length 182 195 198 204 Actinopterygii) based on the detailed identification characters Greatest body depth 26 32 33 36 as described in Parin (1996). A total of 23 morphometric Head length 37 44 46 47 characters and 5 meristic counts were recorded and are given Pectoral fin length 122 135 140 149 Pelvic fin length 50 55 56 58 in Table 1. Caudal peduncle length 14 17 18 20 The body of C. abei is elongate, broadly cylindrical Caudal peduncle depth 13 14 15 17 and flattened dorsally. The standard length and fork length of Dorsal fin base length 33 35 37 39 the species is 77.3% and 83% of the total length (TL). The Dorsal fin length 20 22 24 27 pectoral fin length was 58.2% and 75.3% of the total length Anal fin base length 17 22 23 26 First anal ray length 10 12 13 15 and standard length respectively. The other morphometric Pelvic fin base length 6 8 10 12 characteristics in relation to TL was greatest body depth Pre orbital 9 12 13 13 (13.5%), head length (18.6%), pelvic fin length (23.3%), Eye diameter 14 15 15 16 dorsal fin length (9.9%), anal fin base length (9.4%), caudal Inter orbital width 18 19 20 22 fin upper lobe (17.5%) and caudal fin lower lobe (25.4%). Post orbital distance 18 19 19 20 Upper jaw length 10 11 12 13 The pre orbital, orbital length and inter orbital distance was Lower jaw length 13 17 18 19 27%, 34.5% and 45.4% of the head length. Head is slightly Caudal fin upper lobe 39 40 41 44 shorter than the distance between dorsal fin origin and base. Caudal fin lower lobe 53 60 61 64 The lower jaw is pointed and is somewhat longer than the Weight in gm 73.86 82.67 85.21 92.17 upper one when the mouth is closed. The jaw teeth are Meristic counts Pectoral rays 13 14 14 14 numerous, of average size, located in 2-3 rows, and palatine Dorsal rays 13 13 14 14 teeth are also present. The dorsal fin is rather high, it is the Pelvic rays 8 8 8 9 longest second and the origin of anal fin is six rays behind Anal rays 9 9 10 10 the origin of dorsal fin. The pectoral fins are strikingly long Caudal rays 23 23 24 24 and reach the origin of the upper tail lobe. The pelvic fins reach the beginning of the 2-3rd ray of the anal fin base. The Ocean it is distributed as a neritic species, and in the Indian caudal fin is deeply forked and its lower lobe is longer than Ocean as a neritic oceanic species (Parin 1996). The present the upper. The lateral line is without branch at thorax and report of this species from Mumbai waters, north-west coast the scales are large and cycloid. The pectoral fins have 13-14 of India seems to be the first record from this region. rays, dorsal fin has 13-14 rays, pelvic fins have 8-9 rays, anal C. furcatus is a common species similar to fin has 9-10 rays and caudal fin rays ranged from 23-24. C. abei in appearance but its band pattern on the pectoral fin The dorsal fin is grayish, with two bright black spots varies slightly. In addition, it does not have a dark spot on the between the 4th-6'h ray and between 10lh-11lh ray. The anal fin dorsal and pelvic fins. C. abei also appears to be similar to is without pigmentation. The pectoral fins are black, with a C. nigricans but differs well from this species due to the prominent bright yellow band ‘mirrow’ running through it, yellow coloration of the ‘mirrow’ on the pectoral fins and in narrowing towards the upper margin and reaches the l-3rd the presence of a black spot on the pelvic fin. ray. The pelvic fins have a bright black spot in their back half According to Parin (1996), the maximum length of and do not reach the posterior edge of the fin. The caudal fin C. abei from the Pacific Ocean does not exceed 210 mm, is evenly dark gray. The body is dark above and pale below whereas it is common to find larger fishes in the Indian Ocean, and usually iridescent blue in life. even up to 250 mm. The maximum length recorded in the C. abei occurs in the western equatorial part of the present observation was 247 mm. Pacific Ocean (up to Solomon Islands in the east), the inland Flying fish is a tropical pelagic fish and characteristic seas of south-east Asia, the Indian Ocean northwards of of surface layers of seas (Bruun 1935) and the occurrence of 15-20° S, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. In the Pacific flying fishes in inshore waters may be because they migrate J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 107 (3), Sep-Dec 2010 255 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES towards shallow water areas from offshore waters for feeding. been studied extensively along the Indian coast, and therefore According to Rao and Basheeruddin (1973). migration may efforts need to be taken in this direction and also regarding the also be for spawning. The observed specimens of this species commercial exploitation of these fishes. A specimen of C. abei were in mature condition. Though flying fishes may show stray has been deposited in the Reference Collection Museum of occurrences throughout the year, the period of abundance is Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi. during post monsoon. In May 2007, the sea was very turbulent off Mumbai. Turbulence generally results in transport of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS nutrients from deeper waters, inducing increased planktonic productivity, and hence increased abundance of zooplankton I am grateful to Dr. N.V. Parin, Institute of Oceanology, on which flying fish feed (Oxenford et al. 1995). This Russian Academy of Sciences IO RAS, Moscow phenomenon could have led to the occurrence of this species for confirming the identity of the species. I thank during this period in Mumbai waters in such large numbers. Dr. V.D. Deshmukh, Principal Scientist and Scientist-in- According to Parin (1996), flying fishes are objects of Charge, CMFRI, Mumbai, Dr. Miriam Paul Shreeram, fisheries that are fished in many tropical countries, and practical Senior Scientist, Marine Biodiversity Division, CMFRI. requirements of fishery demand the knowledge of the species Mangalore, and Mrs. T.S. Naomi, Principal Scientist, Marine composition of this group in certain regions. Regional Biodiversity Division, CMFRI, Kochi. The help rendered by distribution and relative abundance of flying fishes have not J.R. Dias, S.D. Kamble and J.D. Sarang is also acknowledged. REFE NCES Arora, H.L. & S.K. Banerji (1957): Flying fish fishery along the Oxenford, H. A., R. Mohon & W. Hunte (1995): Distribution and relative Coromandel coast. Indian J. Fish 4(1): 80-91. abundance of flying fish (Exocoetidae) in the eastern Caribbean. I. Bruun, A.F. (1935): Flying-fishes (Exocoetidae) of the Atlantic- Adults. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 117: 11-23. Systematic and Biological studies. Dana Report 2(6): 1-106. Pajot, G. & C.R. Prabhakaradu (1993): Flying fish fishing on the CMFRI (1995): A manual for standardised linear measurements of Coromandel coast, 1988-1991. BOBPAVP/84, Bay of Bengal exploited finfish and shellfish. CMFRI Sp. Pub. 78 pp. Programme, Project Report. Madras. 21 pp. Day, F. (1877): The Fishes of India. Bernard Quaritch. London Part 3: Parin, N.V. (1960): Flying fish (Exocoetidae) of the north-western part 369-552. of the Pacific Ocean. Tr. Inst. Okean. Akad. Nauk SSSR 31: Day, F. (1889): The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. 205-285. Taylor and Francis, London. Vol. I. 548 pp. Parin, N.V. (1961): On the Exocoetid fauna of the Pacific and Indian Gibbs, R.H. Jr. (1981): Exocoetidae, flying fishes. In: Fischer, W., Oceans. Trudy Inst, Okeanol. 43: 40-92. G. Bianchi & W.B. Scott (Eds): FAO species identification sheets Parin, N.V. (1968): Ichthyo fauna of the epipelagic zone. Israel Program. for fishery purpose. Eastern Central Atlantic, fishing area 34, 47 Sci. Trans!. (in part), Vol 2. Var. Canada finds-in-trust, Ottawa. Department of Parin, N.V. (1996): On the species composition of flying fishes fisheries and Oceans, Canada, by arrangement with FAO of the UN. (Exocoetidae) in the West-Central part of tropical Pacific. Herald, E.S. (1969): Living Fishes of the World. Chanticleer Press, J. Ichthyol. 36(5): 357-364. New York. 304 pp. Rao, K.S. & S. Basheeruddin (1973): Unusual catches of the flying Hornell, J. (1923): The flying fish fishery of the Coromandel coast and fish. Parexocoetus brachypterus brachypterus (Richardson) in the spawning habits of Cypsilurus. Madras Fish Bull. 15: 99-108. inshore waters at Madras. Indian J. Fish. 20(2): 629-634. Kamble, S.K., S. Sundaram, M.P. Sreeram & J.D. Sarang (2007): Sundaram, S. & J.D. Sarang (2003): Stray landing of flying fish Record of three species of flying fish from Mumbai Waters. Mar. Cheliopogon furcatus (Mitchill. 1815) at New Ferry Wharf. Mumbai. Fish. Infor. Serv., Tand E set: No. 194: 19-20. Mar. Fish. Infor. Serv., T and E ser. No. 175: 12. Kizhakudan, J.K., J.K. Shoba, V.D. Savaria, J.D. Vanvi, A.A. Ladani, Vijayaragavan, P. (1973): Studies on fish eggs and larvae from Indian J.P. Polara & A.P. Bharanda (2002): Unusual landings of flying waters. I. Development of egg and larvae of Hirundichthys fish, Cheliopogon furcatus (Mitchill, 1815) in Veraval, Mangrol and (Hirundichthys) coromandelensis (Hornell). Indian J. Fish. 20(1): Chorward. Mar. Fish. Infor. Sere. T and E ser. No. 171: 10. 108-137. 13. BEE PASTURAGE PLANTS OF APIS FLOREA IN KHAMMAM REVENUE DIVISION, KHAMMAM DISTRICT. ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA A.Vijaya Bhasker Reddy1’2 and P. Ramachandra Reddy1 ‘Department of Botany, P.G. College of Science, Saifabad, Hyderabad 500 004, Andhra Pradesh, India. 2Email: [email protected] Introduction A qualitative and quantitative pollen analysis of honey Melissopalynology, one of the branches of palynology provides the only means of identifying the bee pasturage finds a very significant application in the field of apiculture. plants in any locality (KalpanaTP, RamanujamCGK-1996A). 256 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 107 (3), Sep-Dec 2010